Let’s chew on a thought that’s probably crossed your mind at least once: steroids and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Do they mix? Do they make you better on the mats? Well, Coach Zahabi from the renowned Tri-Star Gym isn’t shy about diving into this beefy topic. So, let’s break down what the coach has to say and maybe stir up some thoughts of our own.
The BJJ Basics vs. The Steroid Boost
Coach Zahabi kicks off with a truth bomb about the basics. They’re the bread and butter of BJJ, the moves that have withstood the test of time. In his words, the core moves are your best pals—they stick around while the flashy trends fade into obscurity. But here’s where the juice comes in: what if you could power through the basics with a little…chemical assistance?
The Real Deal About “Technical” and “Effective”
There’s a gritty line between being technical and just being plain effective. Coach Zahabi has rolled with the best of them, and he’s seen how steroids can turn a practitioner from technical to just plain overpowering. But he asks a killer question: does being jacked on juice really mean you’ve got the skills to pay the bills?
The Steroid Paradox in BJJ
Coach Zahabi doesn’t pull punches when he talks about the prevalence of steroids at the elite level. It’s a wild world where the best technical fighters might also be the best at popping pills. It’s like, can you really trust that a black belt is a black belt if they’ve been riding the steroid train? It raises an eyebrow or two about what it really means to be at the top of your BJJ game.
The Bottom Line: Technique or Torque?
So, do steroids really improve your Jiu Jitsu? Coach Zahabi seems to think that while steroids might make you stronger, they don’t make you smarter on the mats. Jiu Jitsu is all about finesse, about finding that sweet spot of leverage and technique. If you’re just squeezing the life out of your opponent because you’re hulked out, are you really practicing Jiu Jitsu, or are you just muscling your way through?
It’s a head-scratcher, for sure. Do we want to learn from the horse-taser guy who’s all about that steroid strength, or do we want to roll with the sensei who’s got the wisdom of the ages flowing through their techniques? It’s a choice every BJJ practitioner might face, and Coach Zahabi’s take is a solid starting point for this debate.
What do you think? Are steroids just a shortcut on the path to BJJ glory, or do they have a legitimate place in the sport?
Make sure to check out his video:
