On the subject of developing an enormous, ripped physique, everyone knows the deal: the Pro bodybuilding look is simply achievable if you happen to’re willing to lay our a fortune on anabolic steroids. But, there are just a few distinguished figures, admittedly not as impressive as a Mr Olympia contestant, with bodies that thousands and thousands of individuals naturally look to as inspirational and achievable. Probably probably the most famous is The Rock, aka Dwayne Johnson.
So, is the Rock’s physique really achievable naturally, or is he secretly on the juice?
Dwayne, ‘The Rock,’ Johnson has admitted to taking steroids – but just for a few weeks when he was 18. He’s now in his 50s, with a more massive and ripped physique than when he was in his 30s. Many persons are convinced that his level of muscle and definition is unattainable without chemical enhancement. Yet, the person continues to insist that he’s natty.
So, what is the truth?
Within the absence of steroid test results, or his personal admission, the very best we will do is make an informed assessment based on all of the available evidence. It’s then as much as you to come back to your personal conclusion.
The Rock’s Genetic Advantage
Dwayne Johnson was born in Hayward, California, on May 2nd, 1972. Each his grandfather and father were skilled wrestlers, which made it pretty clear by which direction Dwayne’s life would go. His father, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, was Canadian-born, while his mother was of Samoan descent.
Dwayne’s grandfather, on his mother’s side, was also a wrestler – and never just any wrestler. Peter Maiva was one in all the most important stars within the WWF within the late 70s and has been inducted into that organization’s hall of fame.
Rocky began teaching wrestling moves to Dwayne on the age of six. Rocky’s pro wrestling profession saw the family moving often. Consequently, Dwayne went to highschool in Latest Zealand, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Now stop and have a look at these images of the Rock’s dad and grandfather.
Each of those guys are huge. The image of Dwayne’s dad, Rocky, exhibits the perfect upper body structure of a bodybuilder: wide clavicles, broad shoulders, and narrow hips. We do not know if either of those gentlemen was on steroids (they were rife within the wrestling scene of the ’60s and ’70s). We are able to say that the Rock was born with a genetic advantage when it comes to muscle-building potential.
It is also price noting the Rock’s Samoan heritage. Samoan men are famous for being stronger and more muscular than other ethnicities. If you happen to need proof, just have a look at the variety of Samoans within the NFL. There have been numerous theories to account for these strength and muscle benefits, with some scientists believing it’s on account of a strength gene called ACTN3.
We will not say of course whether the Rock has this special strength gene. What we do know is that on the age of 17, he was already bench-pressing 300 kilos!
From the Rock’s Mouth
In a 2009 interview with MTV, The Rock admitted to using steroids for 2 weeks when he was 18. On the time, he would have been playing football for the University of Miami. Here’s what he said …
“I attempted it. Me and my buddies tried it back within the day after I was 18 or 19. Didn’t know what we were doing.”
In one other interview, Dwayne added that he and his friend began developing gynecomastia, also generally known as ‘bitch tits’ consequently of their steroid experimentation.
Other than this episode in his teen years, The Rock has been adamant in his assertion that he has not used anabolic steroids.
The Rock’s Transformation
Men naturally lose muscle mass and increase fat levels between the ages of 30 and 50. That is on account of numerous lifestyle aspects in addition to the natural age-related decline of testosterone and human growth hormone that kicks in at around age 30.
One have a look at the comparison pics of The Rock in his 30s and now, in his early 50s, and that logic gets turned on its head. During his wrestling profession, Dwayne was what can best be described as ‘beefy.’ He had an honest amount of size, however the definition was missing.
Today’s Rock physique is rather more massive and rather more ripped. So, not only has he run counter to the natural lack of muscle mass, he’s actually lost body fat reasonably than putting it on like most guys.
After all, between his mid-30s and now, the Rock has been understanding pretty intensely and maintaining a strict lean muscle-enhancing weight loss program. But, even still, the outcomes he has achieved are removed from normal. He’s much more muscular now when his natural testosterone supply is significantly lower than he was in his 20s when it was at its peak.
It may very well be argued that, as he has gotten older, the Rock has learned to coach more efficiently and follow a greater weight loss program. Nonetheless, by his own admission, he has been immersed in training and eating for results because the age of 5 and has been understanding usually since his early teens. It is not as if he suddenly discovered work out and eat for muscle growth in his 40s!
The Physical Evidence
Let’s now drill down on just a few notable differences within the Rock’s body that will indicate steroid use. Before we get to his physique, compare the person’s head within the two images above.
In the sooner shot, his head is more rounded. Nonetheless, the shot taken in his 50s shows a more distinguished, square skull. Losing body fat provides you with a squarer jawline, however it won’t reshape your skull. This effect could also be a results of injecting chemical human growth hormone (HGH) into your system.
Now, take a have a look at the trapezius development on the modern-day Rock. His traps are enormous, having grown tremendously since his wrestling days.
Most natural lifters should not in a position to construct massive traps. But after they go on the juice, the upper traps are one in all the primary body parts to reply. That is because there are a lot of androgen receptors on this area.
Yet another physical change of note is the Rock’s skin color. It’s gotten darker. Which may be on account of numerous aspects, including the next body temperature. Steroid use may cause elevated blood pressure, which may not directly contribute to a rise in body temperature.
The Joe Rogan Factor
When popular podcast host and former UFC commentator Joe Rogan speaks, people are likely to listen. Back in 2022, Rogan set his sights on The Rock. Specifically, Joe claimed that the Black Adam star was lying about not using steroids and implored him to come back clean for the sake of his fanbase.
Rogan’s steroids accusation got here within the wake of the Liver King video controversy, where fitness personality and raw meat advocate Brian “Liver King’ Johnson was revealed to be a steroid user after repeated denials. Rogan implored the Rock to follow within the Liver King’s footsteps and release a video explaining how and why he takes anabolics.
Rogan and Derek from More Plates More Dates analyzed images of The Rock taken straight after an intense workout. Here’s a quote from Rogan, taken from the podcast:
“There is not any way you possibly can appear like that, in your 40s. The Rock should come clean right away. He should make a video in response to the Liver King video. I would like to confer with you since the Rock’s been lying. There’s not a f-king likelihood in hell he’s clean. Not a likelihood in hell. As big because the Rock is, at 50? He’s so massive, and he’s so different than he was when he was 30. There is a responsibility you’ve got to people who find themselves listening to you. If you happen to don’t desire to speak about it, that is one thing. But if you happen to do speak about it, there is a responsibility you’ve got to people listening to you and I feel you’ve got to be honest about it, which is why I’m honest about it. I do not think there’s anything improper with taking hormone substitute.”
Interestingly, in November 2023. Rogan actually had The Rock as a guest on his podcast. But, reasonably than pressing him for the definitive answer on the steroid query, the 2 of them were all buddy buddy, spending just a few minutes admitting a picture of The Rock’s dad and inferring that it was all genetics reasonably than chemical enhancement.
The Rock Training Regimen
There is not any denying that The Rock puts within the sweat equity within the gym to realize his superhero physique. He trains early – like 4 am early. His workout begins with 30-50 minutes on the elliptical machine. He’ll then break for breakfast before hitting the weights with what he calls ‘clangin’ and bangin’.’
Dwayne follows a standard body split routine that sees him within the gym six days every week. On most exercises, he does 4 sets of 12 reps with a 60-90 seconds rest between sets. Here’s how he splits his training:
- Day One: Legs
- Day Two: Back
- Day Three: Shoulders
- Day 4: Arms/Abs
- Day Five: Chest
- Day Six: Legs
The Rock Cheat Meals
The Rock is a highly disciplined eater. He eats five meals every day, specializing in lean proteins, starchy carbs, leafy vegetables, and healthy fats. Nonetheless, once per week, he allows himself a cheat meal. He has develop into famous for his cheat meals. Listed here are five of the craziest:
- 12 pancakes, 4 Pizzas and 21 brownies
- 5 pints of ice cream
- Banana chocolate chip pancakes and tequila
- 5 Milk chocolate and salted caramel cookies
- 6 Sushi platters and a plate of cookies
Despite these massive carb and calorie attacks, The Rock maintains a shredded physique. That is quite an accomplishment for a person in his 50s when his metabolism naturally slows down.
A Typical Workout
Here is The Rock’s chest workout:
- Elliptical Machine: 30-50 minutes
- Barbell Bench Press (medium grip) – 4 x 12
- Incline Dumbbell Press – 4 x 12
- Dumbbell Bench press – 4 x 12
- Lying Cable Chest Fly – 4 x 12
- Incline Hammer Curls – 4 x 12
- Chest Dips – 4 sets to failure
Is The Rock’s Physique Achievable Naturally?
No, it shouldn’t be possible for 99% of the population to realize a physique just like the Rock naturally. And I’m not even talking a couple of man of their 50s. Most guys could never construct that type of body at any age. Even a 50-year-old who was on testosterone-replacement-therapy (TRT) would not find a way to do it.
It must be noted that retaining muscle is more accessible than constructing it. As we have seen, the Rock has had a considerable amount of muscle all his life. He’s undoubtedly added size between 30 and 50, which is prone to have been partially on account of chemical enhancement. To maintain that muscle, he’d find a way to make use of a much milder steroid dose.
Is the Rock on Steroids?
Having done a deep dive on the query of whether The Rock is on steroids, what can we conclude? The Rock was born with superior muscle-building genetics, and his Samoan heritage also puts him at a natural advantage within the strength and size stakes. Nonetheless, the remarkable transformation that he has experienced from his 30s into his 50s simply defy the laws of science and of natural aging.
The physical evidence when it comes to his huge trap development, darker skin, and adjusted skull shape adds weight to the claim that the Rock is on the juice. Weighing all of it up, we imagine that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is, indeed, a steroid user.
What’s your opinion on the Rock’s steroid-free claims? Is he on the extent or taking us all for a ride? Share your thoughts within the comments section below.
