Brooke Ence is one of the most famous CrossFit athletes. After seeing her before and after pictures, workout routines, and coaching tips, I’ve noticed that she has Wonder Woman-like abilities that I’ve rarely witnessed before with my clients.
It certainly makes some people wonder if it’s all down to steroids.
I spent weeks watching her interviews, listening to her podcasts, and tracking her body transformation over the years to investigate whether she was natural or had used performance-enhancing drugs during her athletic career.
Here’s what I found out.
Does Brooke Ence Take Steroids?
Brooke Ence’s appearance has led many fitness enthusiasts to wonder whether she used steroids to achieve lean muscles.
While we cannot undoubtedly say whether an individual uses anabolic steroids or not, below are some of the common signs that could reveal whether Brooke Ence or any other person, is using anabolic steroids.
Acne
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), steroid misuse can cause acne outbreaks [1]. Steroid acne appears in about 50% of people who use these performance enhancers, mainly in the chest area.
This problem is especially common in people with lighter skin. Moreover, according to NIH, flushed skin is another common sign of steroid use [2].
In her podcast “Between the Reps” with Jeanna Cianciarula, Ence talked about her ongoing face rash.
She claimed it clustered around her nose and up her jawline and cheeks, with bumps on her chest.
When questioned if she was abusing anabolic steroids in a different episode of the same podcast, she wanted to set the record straight once and for all.
The 33-year-old CrossFit athlete responded that she does not take steroids and that her body is unique thanks to genetics and years of hard work.
Changes to Jawline
Anabolic androgenic steroids can enhance the jawline's appearance, making it more square and defined due to increased testosterone and muscle growth.
Jawline changes typically cease after stopping AAS, though some report lasting effects. Personally, I find Brooke Ence’s jawline remains similar to her younger years.
Hair Growth
Steroid misuse can lead to excessive body hair, voice deepening, and irreversible changes in females, along with altered hair thickness and color.
While Brooke Ence's hairy arms sparked steroid use speculation, excess hair growth can also stem from hormonal imbalances, certain medications, or genetic predisposition, making it an unreliable sole indicator of steroid use.
Related: Are Steroids Bad for You?
Drug Tests
A drug test is the only entirely accurate way to know whether someone uses steroids.
That said, the last time Brooke Ence competed at a high level in CrossFit was at the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games, and she qualified after her second regional competition.
She also qualified for Regionals in 2018 but dropped out because she experienced chronic shoulder pain.
She has undergone testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PED) and never tested positive. So we can only assume she is natty.
However, Ence does not compete anymore. She seems more focused on her endorsements and skincare and clothing lines.
According to CrossFit’s drug policy, athletes are not allowed to take anabolic agents or any of the following:
- Stimulants
- Beta-blockers (in competition)
- Peptide hormones and analogs
- Beta-2 agonists
- Street drugs
- Anti-estrogens
- Diuretics
Why Do People Think Brooke Ence Takes Steroids?
Brooke Ence's impressive physique, honed through years of bodybuilding and CrossFit, often leads to unfounded steroid speculation. Despite suspicions, there's no evidence she uses steroids.
Brooke credits her drug-free fitness approach, hard work, and genetics for her body, not shortcuts.
In addition to her training, she also follows a strict diet and supplements her workouts with protein shakes and healthy snacks to eat before training.
As a result, she's become an inspiration to many people looking to get in shape the natural way.
By following her example, anyone can achieve their fitness goals without resorting to illegal drugs.
If you're looking to bulk up and improve your performance naturally, consider these recommended legal steroids for women instead.
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Alternatives to Steroids
- Creatine: Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that enhances muscle mass and improves exercise performance. It increases the body's ability to produce energy rapidly, leading to improved strength and power. Safe and extensively studied, creatine is a popular choice among athletes for boosting workout intensity and aiding in muscle recovery.
- Whey protein: Whey protein is a high-quality protein derived from milk, rich in all essential amino acids. It promotes muscle growth, aids in recovery, and enhances muscle protein synthesis, especially after workouts. Ideal for building lean muscle, whey protein is a legal and healthy alternative to steroids for muscle gain.
- Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): BCAAs, particularly leucine, isoleucine, and valine, support muscle growth and reduce recovery time. They prevent muscle breakdown during intense training and enhance protein synthesis. BCAAs are crucial for athletes looking to improve endurance and muscle mass without the side effects of steroids.
- Beta-alanine: Beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that increases muscle endurance and reduces fatigue. It helps in the production of carnosine, a compound that plays a role in muscle endurance in high-intensity exercise. Beta-Alanine is effective for short-to-medium duration exercises, making it a suitable alternative to steroids for athletes focusing on performance enhancement.
FAQs
Did Brooke Ence Admit to Taking Steroids?
No, Brooke Ence did not admit to taking steroids. She says her impressive physique can be attributed primarily due to genetics as well as years of dedicated training.
Is Brooke Ence’s Transformation Possible Without Steroids?
Yes, Brooke Ence's transformation is possible without steroids. The renowned CrossFit contends that success may be attained naturally, even though many professional athletes use steroids to get an advantage.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7951664/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3936564/
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