The large frame that the strongman Brian Shaw proudly displays, and some other signs, may imply that his figure is not the result of pure genetics.
Since I trained and met various people from the fitness industry during my career as a fitness trainer, I can tell you that it is rare to come across someone with such natural muscles.
That brings us to this article, where we’ll be discussing whether Brian Shaw has been using any performance-enhancing drugs or not.
Quick Summary
- Brian Shaw is natural, and openly states the workouts he does like squats, rack pulls, log presses, long bar deadlifts, and bench presses.
- Protein, and mass gainers helped Brian Shaw attain his huge body.
- Based on observation of Brian's body, there is no physical evidence that he has been using steroids.
Is Brian Shaw Using Steroids?
Brian Shaw is probably not using steroids, because he claims he is against doping and believes in hard work above all.
According to Larry Witt, national sales director for Golden-based AST Sports Science, Shaw is “anti-steroid.”
“It frustrates me because when people see big guys, they say, ‘It’s all drugs,’ That’s because people don’t want to work hard. But I’m out here almost every day. I haven’t missed two straight workouts in five years. It’s tough, it is, but I don’t know if you’re ever going to have a completely tested sport,” said Shaw [2].
Signs That Brian Shaw Might Be On Steroids
Before getting into this, it is important to note that doping among strongmen is quite common but not openly talked about. Iceland’s strongest man, The Mountain from Game of Thrones, Hafthor Bjornsson, admitted to doping [3].
Doping has caused premature deaths among strongmen, including Iceland’s Jon Pall Sigmarsson.
Here are some indicators that Shaw might not be natural.
Hair Loss
If you look at photos of Brian Shaw from his basketball days, you’ll notice that he had more hair on his head.
Photos of Shaw during the beginning of his strongman career also show more hair on his head. As he progressed through his career, hair loss became more prominent.
It could be because of his genetics, but at the same time, the hair loss coupled with his muscle growth is a possible indicator of steroid use.
Massive Physique and Incredible Forearm Size
Shaw has gone through some amazing transformations over the past fifteen years.
Not only that, but he showcases some of the best forearms among his strongmen. The world record for the largest forearms is claimed by Gunnar Rosbo: 20 inches [4].
There is a video that shows Jujimufi (a YouTuber and bodybuilder) measuring Shaw’s forearms, 19.5 inches — just half an inch shy of the world record.
This could be a possible indicator for Shaw’s use of anabolics to increase his forearm size.
Shaw’s Incredible Strength
Shaw has displayed incredible feats of strength in his home gym and various shows. His strength goes beyond any natural ability — almost superhuman.
Strongman Brian Shaw is a few people to pinch grip and lift York 45lb plates [5].
Strength usually tends to plateau during the ages of 35 to 40 [6].
Shaw is currently 39 years old and has bagged several titles in the past few years. In the 2021 World’s Strongest Man contest, he also broke the keg toss record.
Given the various victories and incredible feats of strength at different points, one could make the case that Shaw employed the use of PEDs in some non-official competition and his gym.
Brian Shaw’s Stats
- Starting his sports career as a basketball player in high school, Brian Shaw attended Black Hills State University on a basketball scholarship.
And it was during his basketball career; he realized his love for weights.
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After graduating from Black Hills State University in 2004, Brian Shaw began his strongman game in 2005.
He has won various titles for World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Classic Strongman, along with a plethora of other titles (see below). One of his best achievements was being the reigning world’s strongest man in 2016 after winning in 2015.
Brian Shaw’s Best Feats
While Eddie Hall is known for having the best shoulders (as commented on during his Axel Press at Europe’s World’s Strongest Man competition in 2017), Brian Shaw is known for his thick forearms, a point of attention in many of his videos.
Here are some of his best feats:
- Squat: 455 kgs (1,003 lbs)
- Bench Press: 240 kgs (530 lbs) x 2
- Deadlift (from blocks): 495 kgs (1,091 lbs)
- Long Bar Deadlift: 468 kgs (1,031 lbs)
- Rack Pull: 619 kgs (1,365 lbs)
- Log Press: 211 kgs (465 lbs)
Was Brian Shaw Tested for Using Steroids?
Brian Shaw was never tested for using steroids. There is no concrete evidence showing that Brian Shaw was ever tested for steroids, let alone gone through drug testing.
If he were to be tested and found positive, he would have been banned from future competitions and many others. He has participated every year since 2009.
Related Articles:
Is Shaw on Steroids, or Is He Natty?
The best indicator for his possible use of PEDs is his hair loss over the years and his incredible strength and forearm size.
But, by being one of the loudest anti steroids voices on the strongman circuit yet possessing such incredible strength, it’s hard to make a solid case for Brian Shaw being truly natty or not.
He could’ve achieved the same results by using natural supplements formulated to create the optimal anabolic effect in your body.
If you want to speed up the bulking process but do not support the use of anabolic steroids, we recommend that you try legal and natural steroid supplement for men. They claim to give you the same effects by creating an anabolic effect in your body.
References:
- http://www.strongmansport.org/anti-doping/wsf-anti-doping-rules/
- https://www.denverpost.com/2009/07/04/coloradan-eyes-coveted-title-of-worlds-strongest-man/
- https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/news/game-of-thrones-actor-worlds-strongest-man-admits-steroid-use-hafthor-julius-
- bjornsson/rf205zk914uf1351f3iyt64c4
- https://www.greatestphysiques.com/male-physiques/gunnar-rosbo/
- https://www.floelite.com/articles/6031799-brian-shaw-shows-off-his-insane-grip-strength
- https://www.sportsci.org/encyc/agingex/agingex.html
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