The world of bodybuilding has been thrust into the spotlight following a startling revelation from professional bodybuilder Gachau Njoroge.
In an interview with Mwafreeka on the Iko Nini Podcast, Gachau Njoroge disclosed that he takes Viagra 30 minutes before his workouts to enhance his performance. He further went ahead and cautioned his followers from using the drug.
Njoroge, a well-known figure in Kenya's competitive bodybuilding scene, is no stranger to controversy. In a 2024 interview with Business Daily, he openly admitted to using steroids, a practice he acknowledged comes with significant risks, including the potential for fatal consequences.
In 2016, Gachau began incorporating supplements into his regimen, a decision fueled by the income he earned from academic writing.
This financial boost enabled him to maintain a disciplined diet and invest in resources that supported his muscle growth. Yet, he was adamant in addressing a widespread misunderstanding: the assumption that using such substances strips away one's "natural" status.
His latest revelation about Viagra, a drug typically prescribed for erectile dysfunction, adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about the lengths athletes go to in pursuit of peak performance.
The idea of using Viagra as a pre-workout supplement isn't entirely new.
A 2018 report from Men's Health highlighted how some bodybuilders and athletes, including NFL players like Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall, have experimented with the drug to boost their on-field performance.
The theory hinges on Viagra's ability to dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow, and elevate nitric oxide levels in the body, elements that, in theory, could enhance endurance and muscle-building capacity.
However, the evidence remains shaky. A 2025 article from the Cleveland Clinic, authored by Dr. Bole, firmly debunked the notion that Viagra offers significant athletic benefits for healthy individuals, stating, "For people who are healthy, there's no good evidence that the medications significantly improve athletic abilities in a standard, sea-level environment."
