Viagra Before a Workout? Yup, It's a Thing.

• Viagra is an erectile dysfunction drug that increases blood flow to the penis.
• Since Viagra was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, athletes and bodybuilders have been using it for another purpose: as a pre-workout supplement, capitalizing on its effects to enhance performance.

Last year, Sam*, a 27-year-old aspiring bodybuilder, began experimenting with anabolic steroids as he sought to transform his physique. “I always wanted to be big and strong,” he recounted during a candid conversation with MensHealth.com. “At some point, it hit me that my natural goals were unattainable, so I decided to hop on the juice.” Aware of the potential risk for erectile dysfunction due to steroid use, he introduced 10mg of the erectile dysfunction medication Cialis into his regimen.

Soon after, he dove into the Internet's vast depths, particularly Reddit, where he stumbled upon another intriguing potential benefit of Cialis. “I encountered discussions about using it before workouts,” he shared. “Intrigued, I shifted my dosing to about an hour before my training sessions.”

Sam asserts that the results came swiftly. “I experienced noticeable increases in vascularity and impressive muscle pumps,” he described enthusiastically. “Additionally, it seemed to alleviate cramping and the debilitating pumps often associated with oral steroids. My erection quality improved too, which is obviously a significant perk.” Eventually, he reduced his dosage to 5mg daily to combat a common side effect of erectile dysfunction medications: nasal congestion. Despite this, he continues to take it prior to his workouts religiously.

Every few months, a new “get ripped quick” scheme emerges, promising massive gains to muscle-hungry individuals eager for sculpted physiques. One widely circulated theory on bodybuilding forums postulates the so-called “Viagra workout,” which proposes that utilizing erectile dysfunction medications can significantly amplify muscle gains in the gym. The concept resurfaces intermittently within bodybuilding threads on Reddit and has gained traction in the professional sports arena, too; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Marshall suggests that he’s aware of NFL players resorting to Viagra to enhance their performance on game day.

In theory, the rationale behind this idea is fairly logical. Viagra, scientifically known as sildenafil, was originally created to address hypertension and angina pectoris, a condition characterized by chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. Its mechanism involves dilating blood vessels, allowing for enhanced blood circulation throughout the body, which contributes to improved function in various organs. (We reached out to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, to seek insights but have yet to receive a response.)

“Sildenafil enhances blood flow not only to the penis but also to surrounding muscle tissues, which can result in a stronger erection,” explains Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and assistant professor at the UCF College of Medicine. “This augmented blood flow is precisely what some athletes hope to harness in order to accelerate their muscle-building efforts.” Notably, Viagra also incorporates nitric oxide, a critical component in several legal bodybuilding supplements. However, it is important to note that the actual benefits of nitric oxide for muscle growth remain somewhat ambiguous.

While a limited body of research exists to back these claims, some studies have indicated potential benefits for athletes competing at high altitudes, such as cyclists or long-distance runners, showing that sildenafil may assist in study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science suggested that sildenafil could enhance muscle protein synthesis and alleviate muscle fatigue, concluding that it may represent a novel pharmacologic approach to bolster skeletal muscle functionality.

However, Dr. Brahmbhatt underscores the significant limitations present within this study. “While they observed some potential advantages to muscle mass gain associated with low doses of Viagra,” he clarifies, “the research is fundamentally compromised by its small sample size. It serves as a compelling illustration of how one should not become overly captivated by the hype surrounding a singular study.”

Brahmbhatt maintains that combining Viagra with workouts is not advisable. “There are multiple side effects associated with Viagra,” he cautions. “The two most significant ones I highlight to patients are the potential decrease in blood pressure and priapism (prolonged erection exceeding 4 hours).” Other adverse effects may include “headaches, irregular heart rhythms, and even the risk of heart attack due to diminished blood circulation/pressure.”

Despite these risks, it doesn't seem like individuals will cease taking Viagra without a prescription anytime soon. Current prices for the medication are more accessible than ever, and millennial men increasingly resort to Viagra without a prescription, even if they don't necessarily suffer from erectile dysfunction. Services such as BlueChew have emerged, catering to this growing demand by offering sildenafil and tadalafil at significantly reduced prices compared to brand-name Viagra.

In a statement to MensHealth.com, a representative from BlueChew was hesitant to endorse the use of Viagra for any purpose other than sexual enhancement. “While it’s likely that Sildenafil has positive effects beyond just addressing ED, including potential benefits for workouts, BlueChew does not wish to imply that they can prescribe it for these purposes,” said the spokesperson.

Despite the ongoing debate about Viagra's efficacy as a pre-workout aid (or the lack thereof), Sam himself is uncertain whether taking it was a wise choice initially. He confesses that it might have complicated his relationship with his body. “I think I’m at the physique I initially aspired to reach. But...the lengths I’m willing to go to in order to increase my size are continually expanding,” he reflects.

*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of individuals discussing personal matters.