Bodybuilder Chris Jones possesses a physique and muscle mass to which many on the internet aspire. His popular YouTube channel, Physiques of Greatness, has a strong following of around 700,000 subscribers.
So, like many famous bodybuilders on YouTube, his highly muscular development, low body fat percentage, and excellent physique have been the subject of that old controversy: natty or not?
Despite all the comments on his physique, Jones claims to be a natural bodybuilder.
I’ve spent a good chunk of time watching his YouTube videos, comparing his old and new photos, and looking into his bodybuilding contest participation, which helped me analyze Jones' physique and attributes and see whether he's as natty as he claims or whether he’s one of many steroid users.
4 Reasons People Believe Chris Jones Might Be On Steroid
Although Chris has no visual steroid symptoms whatsoever, some signs and physical attributes may point to its potential use.
1. Significant Muscle Gain After DB
Jones is a strong advocate of DB. For those who have not heard of the term, DB is where you consume as many calories (good or bad) to put on as much mass as possible.
A 2017 study published by the International Journal of Exercise Medicine showed that a sizable portion of weight gained during DB comes from excess fat gain rather than muscle [1].
What usually follows an intense, dirty bulking phase is cutting, and a potential side effect of that is muscle loss.
The fat loss after DB makes muscle gain a challenge for bodybuilders, as evidenced in a 2019 study published by the National Library of Medicine [2].
Yet Jones, known for his aggressive bulks, doesn’t seem to lose too much muscle during cutting; in fact, he puts on a significant amount. This boost in muscle growth could be a possible indication he’s among steroid users.
2. Rapid Fat Loss After DB
Jones has claimed that he shreds fat very quickly after a bulk. This could be due to his genetic makeup.
However, shredding that fast could indicate an abnormally high metabolism — as seen in clenbuterol users, as per the National Institutes of Health studies [3].
Possible red flags are that Jones: a) sheds fat quickly after a dirty bulk; and b) retains a good deal of muscle after cutting.
As I stated, it could also be the case that Jones has excellent genetics for fat loss, but it certainly does raise some doubt about possible steroid use.
3. A Physique that Matches a Steroid User
Steroid use often presents clear visual signs, exemplified by individuals like Kali Muscle. However, discerning this in Chris Jones is more complex.
Comparing Jones' physique to Olympia lifters, who openly use steroids, reveals similarities. At 5'7" and weighing 175–185 lbs, Jones' physique closely resembles that of taller steroid users, such as Frank Zane, a 5'9", 185 lbs, three-time Mr. Olympia winner.
This similarity suggests Jones' build is atypical for a natural bodybuilder, aligning more with those using performance-enhancing drugs.
In my experience as a fitness coach, such weight and height comparisons often provide crucial insights into a bodybuilder's natural status.
4. An Extremely Bulky Look
Look at a picture of Chris before his bodybuilding contest in 2018 and compare it to his competition physique.
You’ll notice a more bulky and defined look typical of those who use anabolic steroids.
Another interesting observation from the contest is that Jones has a disproportionately better, more defined, and bulkier physique compared to his fellow competitors.
This surely raises a question or two about Chris Jones' use of steroids.
Chris Jones’ Stats And Accomplishments
Jones is currently 35 years old. He stands at 5'7" (170cm) and weighs between 175–185 lbs (79.4–83.9 kgs).
He is a social media influencer with a strong following on two YouTube channels: Physiques of Greatness and Beastmode Jones. In addition to this, he runs his own clothing line, his own brand of supplements, and offers personal training services.
Was Chris Jones’s Transformation Possible Without Drugs?
With a clean diet, years of intense work, and excellent genetics, it is possible to obtain a body like Chris Jones.
However, considering the psychological aspects of steroid use, some athletes might feel pressured to achieve similar results through unnatural means, despite the potential risks.
“Chris Jones is definitely within the natural range. I would say his physique is obtainable for a natural.”
— Richard Burgess, Fitness YouTuber, Vegan Gains
On the other hand, let’s say you genetically lack the ability to bulk up some muscles, and you’ve reached your peak insofar as building up your physique.
Then, it may be necessary to at least take certain legal steroid alternatives to make up for areas that are lacking.
What Would It Take To Bulk Up Like Chris Jones?
Given you are genetically gifted enough to bulk up like Chris, naturally building lean muscle will take two things: eating big (more importantly, healthy) and lifting weights.
Exploring alternative natural bodybuilding techniques can offer insights into achieving similar results without resorting to steroids.
Diet And Supplements
Regardless of steroid use, maintaining a clean diet and precise supplementation are crucial for effective muscle growth. This means minimizing junk food and focusing on a muscle-promoting diet.
Additionally, incorporating natural testosterone boosters can enhance muscle development and aid in fat loss. Chris, for instance, uses supplements like CLA L-Carnitine, creatine, whey protein, BCAAs, fish oil, and multivitamins tailored for bodybuilding.
It's also vital to understand the legal and health risks associated with steroid use, which can have significant physical and legal repercussions.
From my coaching experience, these dietary and supplement strategies are fundamental to any muscle-building regimen.
Tough Training
Chris focuses on solid foundation exercises, focusing on high-volume natural bodybuilding workouts.
He begins his workouts with a couple of heavy compound movements. He follows this with isolation exercises, of which he performs a total of at least 20 sets. For cardio, Chris recommends you do it more during your cutting phase than your bulking phase.
Here's a typical Chris Jones chest workout:
- Incline Bench: 5 sets x 8–12 reps
- Pec Deck Flys: 5 sets x 12 reps
- Weighted Dips: 5 sets x 8–12 reps
- Incline Chest Press: 3 sets x 8–12 reps
- Incline Dumbbell Flys: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Cable Flys 5 sets x 12, 10, 8, 6, 5 reps (first set 12 reps, second set 10 reps, and so on).
Has Chris Jones Ever Been Tested for Steroid Use?
Despite his long-standing career in the fitness industry, including his channel Physiques of Greatness, his own supplement line, and his own personal trainer services, Chris Jones has only participated in one bodybuilding show, and he won first place.
Keep in mind that participating in a natural bodybuilder show would subject one to a test for steroids.
And since he won first place, it’s safe to assume that he probably did not take steroids for the contest.
At the same time, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not taking them off-season.
Related Article:
FAQs
How Long Has Chris Jones Been Bodybuilding?
In a video from 2012, Jones stated he had been bodybuilding for six years. Taking this into account, Jones has been bodybuilding for 16 years in total.
Didn’t Chris Jones Declare That He Got Huge Naturally?
Yes. Chris did declare he got huge naturally in a 2012 video posted on his Physiques of Greatness YouTube channel. He said, “Chris Jones, right here, has never tried and never will try any steroids or any type of prohormones.”
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5786199/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31247944/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23844963/
About The Author
You May Also Like
