In relation to growing a large, ripped physique, everyone knows the deal: the Professional bodybuilding look is simply achievable should you’re keen to lay our a fortune on anabolic steroids. However, there are a couple of outstanding figures, admittedly not as spectacular as a Mr Olympia contestant, with our bodies that thousands and thousands of individuals naturally look to as inspirational and achievable. Most likely probably the most well-known is The Rock, aka Dwayne Johnson.
So, is the Rock’s physique actually achievable naturally, or is he secretly on the juice?
Dwayne, ‘The Rock,’ Johnson has admitted to taking steroids – however just for a few weeks when he was 18. He is now in his 50s, with a extra large and ripped physique than when he was in his 30s. Many individuals are satisfied that his degree of muscle and definition is inconceivable with out chemical enhancement. But, the person continues to insist that he is natty.
So, what is the reality?
Within the absence of steroid take a look at outcomes, or his private admission, the very best we will do is make an informed evaluation primarily based on all of the accessible proof. It is then as much as you to come back to your individual conclusion.
The Rock’s Genetic Benefit
Dwayne Johnson was born in Hayward, California, on Might 2nd, 1972. Each his grandfather and father have been skilled wrestlers, which made it fairly clear wherein route Dwayne’s life would go. His father, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, was Canadian-born, whereas his mom was of Samoan descent.
Dwayne’s grandfather, on his mom’s facet, was additionally a wrestler – and never simply any wrestler. Peter Maiva was one of many greatest stars within the WWF within the late 70s and has been inducted into that group’s corridor of fame.
Rocky started instructing wrestling strikes to Dwayne on the age of six. Rocky’s professional wrestling profession noticed the household transferring typically. Consequently, Dwayne went to highschool in New Zealand, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Now cease and take a look at these photos of the Rock’s dad and grandfather.
Each of those guys are large. The image of Dwayne’s dad, Rocky, reveals the best higher physique construction of a bodybuilder: large clavicles, broad shoulders, and slim hips. We do not know if both of those gents was on steroids (they have been rife within the wrestling scene of the ’60s and ’70s). We will say that the Rock was born with a genetic benefit when it comes to muscle-building potential.
It is also value noting the Rock’s Samoan heritage. Samoan males are well-known for being stronger and extra muscular than different ethnicities. Should you want proof, simply take a look at the variety of Samoans within the NFL. There have been a variety of theories to account for these energy and muscle benefits, with some scientists believing it is because of a energy gene known as ACTN3.
We won’t say for positive whether or not the Rock has this particular energy gene. What we do know is that on the age of 17, he was already bench-pressing 300 kilos!
From the Rock’s Mouth
In a 2009 interview with MTV, The Rock admitted to utilizing steroids for 2 weeks when he was 18. On the time, he would have been enjoying soccer for the College of Miami. This is what he mentioned …
“I attempted it. Me and my buddies tried it again within the day once I was 18 or 19. Did not know what we have been doing.”
In one other interview, Dwayne added that he and his good friend started growing gynecomastia, also referred to as ‘bitch tits’ on account of their steroid experimentation.
Aside from this episode in his teen years, The Rock has been adamant in his assertion that he has not used anabolic steroids.
The Rock’s Transformation
(Picture credit score – WWE)
Males naturally lose muscle mass and enhance fats ranges between the ages of 30 and 50. That is because of a variety of way of life components in addition to the pure age-related decline of testosterone and human development hormone that kicks in at round age 30.
One take a look at the comparability pics of The Rock in his 30s and now, in his early 50s, and that logic will get turned on its head. Throughout his wrestling profession, Dwayne was what can finest be described as ‘beefy.’ He had a good quantity of measurement, however the definition was lacking.
Right now’s Rock physique is way more large and way more ripped. So, not solely has he run counter to the pure lack of muscle mass, he is truly misplaced physique fats moderately than placing it on like most guys.
In fact, between his mid-30s and now, the Rock has been figuring out fairly intensely and sustaining a strict lean muscle-enhancing weight-reduction plan. However, even nonetheless, the outcomes he has achieved are removed from regular. He’s way more muscular now when his pure testosterone provide is considerably lower than he was in his 20s when it was at its peak.
It might be argued that, as he has gotten older, the Rock has discovered to coach extra effectively and observe a greater weight-reduction plan. Nevertheless, by his personal admission, he has been immersed in coaching and consuming for outcomes because the age of 5 and has been figuring out often since his early teenagers. It is not as if he out of the blue found learn how to work out and eat for muscle development in his 40s!
The Bodily Proof
Let’s now drill down on a couple of notable variations within the Rock’s physique that will point out steroid use. Earlier than we get to his physique, examine the person’s head within the two photos above.
Within the earlier shot, his head is extra rounded. Nevertheless, the shot taken in his 50s exhibits a extra outstanding, sq. cranium. Shedding physique fats gives you a squarer jawline, but it surely will not reshape your cranium. This impact could also be a results of injecting chemical human development hormone (HGH) into your system.
Now, check out the trapezius improvement on the modern-day Rock. His traps are huge, having grown tremendously since his wrestling days.
Most pure lifters are usually not capable of construct large traps. However after they go on the juice, the higher traps are one of many first physique elements to reply. That is as a result of there are numerous androgen receptors on this space.
Yet another bodily change of be aware is the Rock’s pores and skin shade. It is gotten darker. Which may be because of a variety of components, together with the next physique temperature. Steroid use might trigger elevated blood strain, which may not directly contribute to a rise in physique temperature.
The Joe Rogan Issue
When widespread podcast host and former UFC commentator Joe Rogan speaks, individuals have a tendency to concentrate. Again in 2022, Rogan set his sights on The Rock. Particularly, Joe claimed that the Black Adam star was mendacity about not utilizing steroids and implored him to come back clear for the sake of his fanbase.
Rogan’s steroids accusation got here within the wake of the Liver King video controversy, the place health character and uncooked meat advocate Brian “Liver King’ Johnson was revealed to be a steroid consumer after repeated denials. Rogan implored the Rock to observe within the Liver King’s footsteps and launch a video explaining how and why he takes anabolics.
Rogan and Derek from Extra Plates Extra Dates analyzed photos of The Rock taken straight after an intense exercise. This is a quote from Rogan, taken from the podcast:
“There is not any approach you may appear to be that, in your 40s. The Rock ought to come clear proper now. He ought to make a video in response to the Liver King video. I want to speak to you as a result of the Rock’s been mendacity. There’s not a f-king probability in hell he is clear. Not an opportunity in hell. As large because the Rock is, at 50? He is so large, and he is so completely different than he was when he was 30. There is a duty you need to people who find themselves listening to you. Should you do not wish to speak about it, that is one factor. However should you do speak about it, there is a duty you need to individuals listening to you and I feel you need to be sincere about it, which is why I am sincere about it. I do not assume there’s something incorrect with taking hormone alternative.”
Curiously, in November 2023. Rogan truly had The Rock as a visitor on his podcast. However, moderately than urgent him for the definitive reply on the steroid query, the 2 of them have been all buddy buddy, spending simply a few minutes admitting a picture of The Rock’s dad and inferring that it was all genetics moderately than chemical enhancement.
The Rock Coaching Routine
There is not any denying that The Rock places within the sweat fairness within the gymnasium to realize his superhero physique. He trains early – like 4 am early. His exercise begins with 30-50 minutes on the elliptical machine. He’ll then break for breakfast earlier than hitting the weights with what he calls ‘clangin’ and bangin’.’
Dwayne follows a standard physique cut up routine that sees him within the gymnasium six days per week. On most workouts, he does 4 units of 12 reps with a 60-90 seconds relaxation between units. This is how he splits his coaching:
Day One: Legs
Day Two: Again
Day Three: Shoulders
Day 4: Arms/Abs
Day 5: Chest
Day Six: Legs
The Rock Cheat Meals
The Rock is a extremely disciplined eater. He eats 5 meals day by day, specializing in lean proteins, starchy carbs, leafy greens, and wholesome fat. Nevertheless, as soon as per week, he permits himself a cheat meal. He has turn into well-known for his cheat meals. Listed below are 5 of the craziest:
12 pancakes, 4 Pizzas and 21 brownies
5 pints of ice cream
Banana chocolate chip pancakes and tequila
5 Milk chocolate and salted caramel cookies
6 Sushi platters and a plate of cookies
Regardless of these large carb and calorie assaults, The Rock maintains a shredded physique. That is fairly an accomplishment for a person in his 50s when his metabolism naturally slows down.
A Typical Exercise
Right here is The Rock’s chest exercise:
Elliptical Machine: 30-50 minutes
Barbell Bench Press (medium grip) – 4 x 12
Incline Dumbbell Press – 4 x 12
Dumbbell Bench press – 4 x 12
Mendacity Cable Chest Fly – 4 x 12
Incline Hammer Curls – 4 x 12
Chest Dips – 4 units to failure
Is The Rock’s Physique Achievable Naturally?
No, it isn’t attainable for 99% of the inhabitants to realize a physique just like the Rock naturally. And I am not even speaking a couple of man of their 50s. Most guys may by no means construct that kind of physique at any age. Even a 50-year-old who was on testosterone-replacement-therapy (TRT) would not be capable to do it.
It ought to be famous that retaining muscle is extra accessible than constructing it. As we have seen, the Rock has had a considerable amount of muscle all his life. He is undoubtedly added measurement between 30 and 50, which is more likely to have been partially because of chemical enhancement. To maintain that muscle, he’d be capable to use a a lot milder steroid dose.
Is the Rock on Steroids?
Having achieved a deep dive on the query of whether or not The Rock is on steroids, what can we conclude? The Rock was born with superior muscle-building genetics, and his Samoan heritage additionally places him at a pure benefit within the energy and measurement stakes. Nevertheless, the outstanding transformation that he has skilled from his 30s into his 50s merely defy the legal guidelines of science and of pure getting old.
The bodily proof when it comes to his large entice improvement, darker pores and skin, and altered cranium form provides weight to the declare that the Rock is on the juice. Weighing all of it up, we consider that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is, certainly, a steroid consumer.
What’s your opinion on the Rock’s steroid-free claims? Is he on the extent or taking us all for a experience? Share your ideas within the feedback part beneath.