Regular exercise is widely recognised as one of the most powerful tools for improving mental health. For many people, time spent in the gym is about more than just physical fitness – it’s an outlet for stress, a boost to confidence and a place to feel part of a community. But like many things, there can be another side to it.

This page looks at both the benefits and the risks of intense training, supplement use, and steroids on mental wellbeing.

The Positive Impact of Exercise on Mental Health

When approached with balance, working out can bring a number of benefits:

  • Boosts mood: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin – chemicals in the brain that improve mood and reduce stress.

  • Improves self-esteem: Reaching fitness goals can build a sense of achievement and confidence.

  • Reduces anxiety and depression symptoms: Regular movement is linked with better sleep, more stable mood, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

  • Community and belonging: Gyms, clubs, and classes can help create social connections and reduce feelings of isolation.

When Things Can Take a Toll

While exercise itself is healthy, an intense focus on training, body image or performance can sometimes create mental health challenges:

  • Pressure to look a certain way: Social media and gym culture can create unrealistic body expectations, leading to body image issues or low self-esteem.

  • Exercise addiction: Feeling compelled to train every day, even when tired or injured, can lead to burnout, stress and exhaustion.

  • Anxiety around food or physique: Over-restriction or strict dieting to achieve a certain “look” can negatively affect mood and mental health.

Steroids and Mental Health

Anabolic steroids (used to build muscle) and performance-enhancing drugs can have a powerful impact on the brain as well as the body.
Possible effects include:

  • Mood swings and irritability

  • Anxiety and paranoia

  • Aggression (“roid rage”)

  • Sleep problems

  • Depression, particularly after stopping use

  • In severe cases, psychosis

Long-term or unsupervised use can also affect hormones, which in turn influence mood and emotional stability.

Supplements: What to Keep in Mind

Protein powders, vitamins, and creatine are common supplements and, when used appropriately, most people tolerate them well. However, some supplements – especially those marketed for fat-burning or performance – can contain stimulants or unlisted ingredients that affect mood, cause jitteriness, anxiety, or interfere with sleep.

Always check ingredients, buy from reputable sources, and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.

Keeping a Healthy Balance

  • Listen to your body and your mind. Rest is as important as training.

  • Set goals that focus on how you feel, not just how you look.

  • Avoid comparing yourself to others. Everyone’s fitness journey is unique.

  • If you’re considering supplements or steroids, speak to a doctor or pharmacist first.

  • Reach out for support. If you feel low, anxious, or under pressure because of your fitness routine, talk to someone you trust or a mental health professional.

The gym can be a wonderful tool for building resilience, strength and confidence. But mental and physical health go hand-in-hand – looking after both matters equally.