Men's Health June 24, 2026 0 Comments

Unmasking the Myths: Is Your Favorite Superhero Secretly Juicing to Get Ripped?

Ever wonder what it really takes to sculpt that jaw-dropping, superhero-worthy physique we see on the silver screen? It’s easy to get caught up guessing if our favorite action stars hit the gym hard or just popped a magic pill. Transforming your body like an actor isn’t just about bulking up and shredding down overnight—there’s a whole saga of grit, sweat, and yes, sometimes controversy. You’ve probably scrolled through those fiery Reddit threads debating who’s “natty” and who’s not, right? Well, let’s dive into that whirlwind of steroid rumors and natural hustle, unwrap the truth behind the Hollywood muscle myths, and figure out what it takes to build those beastly arms for real. Ready to separate fact from fiction and fuel your own gains with legit insight? Let’s get into it. LEARN MORE.

2 min read

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TRANSFORMING YOUR BODY is often part of being an actor, and audiences have become used to the cycle of celebs bulking up and shredding down. When some changes are so drastic, you might speculate if they used any shortcuts. Take action stars Sebastian Stan, John Krasinski, and Hugh Jackman for example: Their superhero bods have come under fire, with people questioning whether their physique is because of steroids rather than natural grit and gym grinding.

Natty or not (taking steroids versus natural methods) is a common debate on the Internet. Reddit threads like r/nattyorjuice is a popular place where people post photos of celebrities, bodybuilders, and influencers they suspect may be juicing. Of course, the comment section remains a popular place for this conversation. “On the Men’s Health YouTube, with any guy who is remotely jacked, you get a bunch of comments and it’s always ‘man, they’re on stuff,’” says MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.

Celebrity fitness trainer Don Saladino (who’s worked with Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and “over 300” other high-level clients) gives his two cents on the ‘natty or not’ discussion in the latest Strong Talk. In the episode, he discusses with Samuel and exercise physiologist and strength coach Dr. Pat Davidson about misconceptions of steroid use in Hollywood, the realistic timeline for building superhero-like muscles, and the hallmarks of a ‘not natty’ physique—along with what most people get wrong about body transformations.

Want more deep-dive fitness wisdom from Samuel and other celebs and experts who’ve been on our Strong Talk podcast? Check out all our episodes here.

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Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, MS is the associate health & fitness for Men’s Health and has previously written for CNN, Scientific American, Popular Science, and National Geographic before joining the brand. When she’s not working, she’s doing circus arts or working towards the perfect pull-up.