Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Gyms install needle disposal bins to cater for members injecting steroids

Gyms install needle disposal bins to cater for members injecting steroids
February 21, 2014

Steroid use in Australian gyms has become so established that some fitness clubs are installing needle­ disposal bins to cater for members who inject muscle-building drugs before they work out.

The claims, made by Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph, also suggest that steroid users have now overtaken heroin addicts as the main clientele at some needle-exchange sites in NSW and Queensland.

The newspaper backs up the claims with a report that customs seizures of performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) have blown out from 1820 in 2007/08 to 10,358 in the last financial year - an increase of 570% in just five years.

While not as high profile as claims of doping in elite sport in Australia made 12 months ago in the Australian Crime Commission (ACC)'s 'Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport' report, the ACC considers that steroid use is widespread throughout the community.

Earlier this month, ACC acting Executive Director Operations Richard Grant told The Daily Telegraph that PIEDs are "being used by members of the community seeking to enhance their physique or lose weight."

Former weightlifter Dr Anthony Shield, a Senior Lecturer in exerise science at Queensland University of Technology's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, says steroids are increasingly being used by young men training at gyms.

Dr Shields recently told the ABC "if you were wanting steroids in Brisbane, for example, I don't think it would take too many trips to local gyms before you could find someone who knew something about how to get them.

"Very often they might start to use steroids when the progress doesn't match their goal but once they start making rapid progress or accelerated progress with steroids, it is very, very hard for anyone then to cease using steroids and go back to the rate of progress they had earlier."

At least one outlet of major gym franchise Anytime Fitness has erected signs telling members that while it does not promote the use of "sharps" and has installed needle dispensers "purely for the safety of our staff and members".

Anytime Fitness Australia General Manager Jeannie Nove told The Daily Telegraph that the company did not condone the use of PIEDs and had programs in place to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

She explained "we're concerned about the reported increase in performance and image-enhancing drug use in the community, however the culture in our clubs is to actively encourage a healthy lifestyle through good diet and exercise.

"Despite our efforts, some members may take a different approach to achieve results."

Peak health and fitness industry organisation Fitness Australia said its members were expected to "always act within the law to ensure the health and safety of their clients."

Click here to read the full report from The Daily Telegraph.

Related Articles

7th February 2013 - Drugs and crime report rocks Australian sport

27th October 2012 - Conference to explore drugs and alcohol in sport ‘the silent epedemic’

17th October 2012 - New partnership to tackle doping in sport

15th January 2010 - Les Mills Releases ‘Future of Fitness’ Research


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Digonex

Digonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

The Jump Pad

The Jump Pad is a safe, flat inflatable made in a variety of sizes which can be used indoor or outdoor. From 3mx3m up to a whopping 9mx21m. Markets include Indoor and outdoor playgrounds, schools,…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Play

 
 

PlayRope

Playrope Aqua-Fun, are the Australian & New Zealand exclusive distributors for Vortex Aquatic Structures International, the world leader in aquatic playgrounds and urban water landscapes.…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Parks / Play / Recreation

 
 

TJS Services

TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.  Our…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business