American fitness enthusiasts can’t seem to agree on whether Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth takes steroids or not.
The hunky star of blockbuster movies like Marvel Studios “Thor” and “Avengers: Endgame” has been the subject of intense speculation in recent years.
Many people are convinced that he must be using some sort of performance-enhancing drugs to maintain his chiseled features and perfect physique.
I spent four weeks researching to see if we could conclude whether or not Chris Hemsworth is taking steroids.
Let's take a look at my findings!
Quick Summary
- Chris Hemsworth isn't on steroids, and has never tested positive on any of the drug tests conducted on him.
- Intense workout routine, and a healthy diet have helped Chris bulk upover the years.
- Chris also takes supplements that have helped him gain more muscle mass.
Does Chris Hemsworth Take Steroids?
Chris Hemsworth has never tested positive for any banned substance. Based on that, it’s safe to assume that he doesn’t abuse steroids and resorts to staying natural.
That said, to prepare for filming Thor, Hemsworth had to gain a significant amount of muscle and reduce his body fat percentage.
There are a few pieces of evidence that suggest Chris Hemsworth is not on steroids.
Intense Workout Routine and Nutrition
First of all, there's the fact that his training routine is incredibly grueling and intense. He works out five days per week, lifting heavy weights with world-renowned personal trainer Luke Zocchi.
For his first Thor movie, his workouts focused on compound exercises like squats and deadlifts, known for building muscle gain [1].
Hemsworth claimed that, particularly during the shoots, maintaining his bulk was more difficult than attaining it.
He would start the movie at his largest, but he simply wouldn’t be able to stay that enormous during shoots.
Basically, he would spend the day performing on camera for 12–14 hours and then be too tired for a challenging workout.
When it comes to nutrition, Hemsworth eats 7–10 meals a day and follows a 4,500-calorie diet in order to keep his muscles in shape.
Because of his inherent height and thinness, he must consume much more calories when preparing for his roles.
Progressive Overload
When my clients initially begin exercising, almost any form of training will result in strength and the build-up of lean muscle gains.
However, the early, rapid pace of "newbie gains" will slow once their body adjusts.
In order to continue making improvements, you must modify your workouts so as to gain muscle twice as much; this is known as progressive overload [2].
Thor actor has gained his muscles gradually over a period of several years. He did not suddenly reach a breaking point reaching massive muscle gains.
In addition, everyone ultimately experiences a plateau. If you continue doing what you're doing, you'll reach a point where you can no longer change [3].
That’s why professional bodybuilders increase weight over time which is one of the ways to achieve an athletic body. It is a straightforward approach to gradually overload.
So, if you find that you can no longer add weight and aren't seeing improvements, maybe it's time to play with volume or the total number of sets and reps you perform in a workout.
I advise my clients to try doing the opposite of what they've been doing. Change to a lighter weight and more repetitions if you've been using heavy lifts.
Realistic Muscle Gains
Another critical point is that Hemsworth wouldn't have put on only 20 pounds of muscle if he'd taken performance-enhancing drugs.
With a diet composed of the best muscle-building foods, training, recovery, and good sleep, an average person can add 1–2 lbs of lean muscle mass per month.
On the other hand, steroid users can gain 30–50 pounds a month and thus become swole. However, he was already jacked. So, he was undoubtedly naturally gifted with genetics as well and destined to play Thor.
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Newbie Muscle Mass
We must admit that getting results like that without using steroids is not unheard of for a newbie weightlifter.
Many of my clients experience this. However, the phase typically lasts for 6–12 months.
Hemsworth stated that he began weightlifting and bodybuilding for Thor.
It is, therefore, evident that his change was the outcome of newbie gains.
So while it's true that he probably isn't gaining muscle growth at the same rate as when he first started working out, it's entirely possible that his hard work and dedication are paying off and allowing him to maintain his impressive physique.
Why Do People Claim Chris Hemsworth Uses Steroids?
People use a few key points to support their claim that Chris Hemsworth is on steroids.
Fast Results
Chris Hemsworth’s body transformation has been nothing short of amazing. Though he has always been fit, he gained immense amounts of muscle mass in such a short time.
In an interview for Men’s Health, Hemsworth revealed that Chris Hemsworth’s physique was skinny growing up and that he didn’t start working out until he was about 20 years old.
In just a few short years, he transformed his body from that of a scrawny teenager into an Adonis-like figure, which made many people wonder if it was due to taking steroids.
Joe Rogan recently defended Hemsworth on a show and talked about how much muscle mass he could gain.
The chief color commentator added that Hemsworth was able to achieve great results naturally thanks to hard work. “For sure, USADA is not knocking on Chris Hemsworth’s door.”
Drastic Body Transformation
Additionally, gym-goers usually compare Hemsworth's appearances in certain movies and use that as evidence that he is taking steroids.
Chris had to lose a considerable portion of his Thor mass for the movie "Rush".
He was still more robust than in "Home and Away," though. He talked about how challenging it was to lose enough muscle gains for this role in a number of interviews.
Fitness expert Derek from "More Plates More Dates" thinks that the fact that Chris mentioned how challenging it was to shed muscle mass for the part was seen as a warning sign and proof that he was taking steroids while filming this movie.
On the same line, according to many people in the fitness industry, the majority cannot maintain their current level of body fat while gaining, losing, gaining, and losing back and forth 20 lbs of lean tissue.
They believe that the degree to which Chris changes between characters and between his Thor performances is highly suggestive of exogenous hormone use.
Keep in mind athletes have to pass a fair bit of drug tests throughout their careers, and many were caught taking steroids. However, actors don't have to pass drug tests at all.
Was Chris Hemsworth Ever Tested for Steroid Use?
No, Chris Hemsworth was never tested for steroid use. Unlike some other Hollywood A-listers who have been caught red-handed with steroids in their possession, there is no smoking gun when it comes to Hemsworth.
In any case, Chris Hemsworth has always been open about his workout and diet regimen, both of which are key factors in achieving ripped muscles without resorting to illegal drugs.
He has said that he trains for about 2 hours per day, five days per week, so it's clear that he puts in a lot of effort to maintain his impressive physique.
There are definitely people who are able to achieve great results within a few months without steroid use, but it generally takes a lot more time and effort.
So if you're looking to get a body like Hemsworth's, be prepared to put in the work!
FAQs
Did Chris Hemsworth Admit That He Is on Steroids?
No, Chris Hemsworth did not admit to using steroids to bulk up his muscles. Hemsworth said that he has put on the muscle gradually over a period of several years through hard work and dedication in the gym. He also attributed his muscular physique to genetics.
How Long Did Chris Hemsworth’s Transformation Take?
Chris Hemsworth’s transformation took 12 months. After Thor, he claimed that he was perhaps the biggest and fittest he had ever been. He spent the entire year at home training his body.
Is Chris Hemsworth on Steroids: The Final Verdict
Based on the evidence, it's difficult to say for sure one way or the other.
There is no concrete proof that he has ever taken steroids, and he has always been open and honest about his diet plan and workout routine.
That said, anabolic steroid misuse can cause serious side effects, including but not limited to acne, depression, blood clots, and heart attacks. It is simply not worth the risk.
Instead, I always advise my clients to use only these recommended legal steroids for men.
With the help of our dietitian, I compiled this list of the best natural alternatives that allow you to gain muscle without putting your life in danger.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/squats-benefits
- https://www.healthline.com/health/progressive-overload
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/workout-plateau
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