John Cena, WWE Superstar turned actor, currently finds himself amid rumors and speculation over the use of steroids.
Many question the pro wrestler's claim of being completely natural, given his incredible strength, muscular physique, and minimal body fat.
To uncover the truth, I analyzed Cena’s body transformation from the perspective of a fitness trainer. I also consulted an expert in anabolic steroids to learn how these substances can manifest.
Is Cena's build the result of genetic fortune, relentless dedication, or an unseen edge?
Read on to find out the shocking truth behind the wrestling legend.
Is John Cena Natural?
Based on the signs I see, John Cena uses steroids. I'd even say he takes more PEDs than a race horse.
That said, John Cena says that he has been natural since day one and has strongly denied any steroid use.
People assume otherwise because of his massive body but from my own experience as a fitness trainer, I've seen many individuals with naturally big physiques, and it's always a challenge to determine whether it's genetics or an external aid.
When the interviewer asked, “Have you done it?” John Cena’s exact response was, “Absolutely not.”
Cena also mentioned that he's been working out since he was 12, implying that his physical attributes are the fruit of sheer hard work and discipline.
Genetics also play a role in one's potential for muscle growth, especially when combined with training and a good diet. Therefore, Cena's remarkable physique might be attributed to a combination of his hard work and favorable genetics.
Natural Steroids Alternatives
In my opinion as a fitness trainer, Cena might be taking natural alternatives to steroids such as creatine, beta-alanine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which support muscle growth. They also improve exercise performance and reduce muscle fatigue.
Combining these alternatives with diet and exercise might be helping Cena achieve these massive gains.
John Cena Stats
WWE Superstar John Cena was born on April 23, 1977 (44 years old) in West Newbury, Massachusetts.
The man is 6'1 tall and weighs 251 pounds [1].
Judging by many of his photos, I would presume John Cena only has around 8-10% of body fat, as suggested by his well-defined lower abs.
John Cena Early Life and Career Highlights
John Cena spent a significant part of his youth gearing up for a bodybuilding career. His training regimen was rigorous, even at a young age. He focused on compound movements such as deadlifts, squats, and bench presses which are foundational to bodybuilding.
He attended Springfield College to study exercise physiology, and after earning his degree in 2000, the ambitious Cena left Massachusetts to become a bodybuilder in California.
In 2001, John Cena signed with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)—a primary developmental territory for WWE—and captured the heavyweight title the following year.
He then made his WWE debut in June 2002 when he signed up with the Smackdown roster.
In the following years, the professional wrestling star has earned many wins and titles, including:
- World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- WWE Championship (13 times)
- Slammy Awards (10 times)
Signs of John Cena's Steroid Use
During my long tenure in the fitness industry, I've come across many athletes and enthusiasts. Some showed clear signs of steroid use, while others were just naturally gifted. So I know one or two signs of steroid use.
Apart from his strong figure, many people speculate that WWE Champion John Cena uses steroids because of symptoms that indicate the same. Let's look at some John Cena steroid symptoms we've observed.
Huge Gains
At 18, John Cena was already muscular. He had a tiny waist, a quality often seen in natural bodybuilders. Fast forward to the 2000s; the wrestler had developed a thick waist.
Steroids are known to give users a "blocky" appearance, including the midsection, which has significantly grown thicker in Cena's case.
Delving into the science behind steroids, they work by promoting protein synthesis in the cells which boosts muscle growth and the build up of cellular tissues in muscles. However, prolonged use can cause liver damage, and cardiovascular diseases among other adverse effects.
Natural weightlifting guys get huge gains when they first start lifting, and they typically stay the same size for the rest of their lives, or their progress diminishes. But in Cena's case, he packed on more muscle mass after already lifting for six years.
A natural lifter would have maximized his genetic potential by this point, so this massive growth suggests that the WWE star may have used John Cena steroids.
Flushed Skin
Sometimes, parts of John Cena's skin appear flushed. This pink color is a sign of an increased body temperature, a common side effect of anabolic steroids. It's a sign of warm blood going near the skin's surface.
For many steroid users, the flushing usually happens in the upper region of their chest. In many of his photos, Cena shows precisely that.
Recovery Time
WWE Superstars take grave risks to entertain people.
Wrestlers make harsh landings on the hardwood ring, sometimes causing them to become paralyzed or suffer career-ending injuries.
John Cena is no exception, as the WWE champion had suffered many injuries throughout his decades-long career.
Once, his injuries were so bad that he had to undergo surgery.
He was expected to recover after nine months, but he managed to return in less than five months. Note that this happened more than twice, so it's no isolated incident.
Cena has an amazing recovery time, and people think the secret behind it is his use of HGH and John Cena steroids. These substances help hasten recovery time and healing from injuries.
Huge Hands
John Cena's hands only grow more prominent as he ages. Many bodybuilders who consume HGH or stack anabolic steroids experience enlargement of many body parts [2].
Sometimes, it's an internal organ, but it's the hands and feet most of the time.
This reinforces our belief that Cena may have gotten HGH supplements to help.
Bloated Stomach
John Cena has defined abs, but he showed a slight bloating in his stomach in some pictures.
This bloating could be from excess water retention or a very mild form of "steroid gut" caused by insulin or human growth hormone (HGH) usage [3].
A natural bodybuilder would rarely experience this, but it's prevalent for a person on anabolic steroids.
Skull Growth
John Cena's head has considerably grown bigger.
The head isn't a muscle, but very high levels of HGH can cause bone and tissue growth in the body, including the skull and even the nose [4].
John Cena Steroid Cycle
I have talked to some bodybuilding experts, and based on the symptoms mentioned; they believe that the John Cena bodybuilding cycle may have included the following substances:
Was John Cena Tested for Steroid Use?
John Cena was tested for steroid use in the WWE. Since the heavy Chris Benoit tragedy occurred, the company has been stricter with its ban on those drugs.
The organization implemented its Wellness Program in February 2006 in response to allegations of widespread drug abuse within the professional wrestling industry.
Besides the testing of steroids, the program also conducts a range of health and wellness evaluations to ensure wrestlers are not just drug-free but also mentally and physically fit to perform.
John Cena was already working as a full-time employee of WWE when the program was instituted, so he was also tested for the drug.
WWE suspended wrestlers who failed the test, and John Cena wasn't one of them. He tested negative and was not penalized by the organization.
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References:
- https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17106486/wwe-profile-page-john-cena
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/anabolic-androgenic-steroids-what-the-psychiatrist-needs-to-know/38A5531F66EE651A75DFB4EB5FB8962F
- https://healthresearchpolicy.org/avoiding-palumboism/
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/growth-hormone
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482141/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/testosterone-propionate
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4614617/
- https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/scheduling-decisions-interim/scheduling-delegates-interim-decisions-and-invitation-further-comment-accsacms-november-2017/12-cardarine
- https://www.rxlist.com/winstrol-drug.htm
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7018798/
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