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

• Viagra is an erectile dysfunction drug that increases blood flow to the penis, enhancing overall circulation.
• Since Viagra's FDA approval in 1998, it has been adopted by bodybuilders and athletes for its alleged performance-enhancing properties.

Last year, Sam*, 27, began his journey with anabolic steroids, eager to achieve the physique he always dreamed of. “I always wanted to be big and strong,” he confided to MensHealth.com. “At some point, I realized my goals were unattainable naturally, so I hopped on the juice.” Aware that steroid use could lead to erectile dysfunction, he incorporated 10mg a day of the erectile dysfunction medication Cialis into his regimen.

Sam dove deep into Reddit forums, where he encountered discussions about the effectiveness of Cialis as a pre-workout aid. “I saw that people were taking it before their workouts,” he noted. “Intrigued, I adjusted my timing to about an hour before training sessions.”

His feedback was immediate and positive. “I noticed increased vascularity and solid muscle pumps,” he shared. “It seems to help mitigate cramping caused by the oral steroids as well. I also experienced improved erection quality, which, let's be honest, is a nice bonus.” Although he eventually reduced his dosage to 5mg per day to manage nasal congestion—a common side effect of these medications—he continues to use it before hitting the gym.

In today's fitness landscape, schemes promising miraculous muscle gains pop up frequently. One emerging concept is the “Viagra workout,” wherein users believe that medications designed for erectile dysfunction can enhance gym performance. Discussions thrive on bodybuilding forums, and professional sports figures have also caught wind of it. For instance, Seattle Seahawks star Brandon Marshall mentioned that he knows of NFL players using Viagra to enhance their on-field effectiveness.

The rationale isn't completely unfounded. Viagra, known scientifically as sildenafil, was originally intended for treating hypertension and angina pectoris, which is chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart. It functions by dilating blood vessels, enhancing overall circulation, and promoting blood flow to various organs throughout the body. (We have reached out to Pfizer for their input, and we will provide updates if they respond.)

“Sildenafil increases blood flow not only to the penis but also to surrounding muscles, which translates into improved performance during workouts,” explains urologist and assistant professor at the UCF College of Medicine, Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD. “This increase in blood flow is precisely what athletes hope to harness to enhance their training.” Additionally, Viagra is known to contain nitric oxide, which is a common ingredient in many legal bodybuilding supplements, though the benefits of nitric oxide in muscle building remain somewhat ambiguous.

Research on this topic is limited but indicates there may be some merit to these claims. Some studies hint that sildenafil may aid athletes competing in high-altitude settings, such as long-distance runners or cyclists, by increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles. Furthermore, a 2013 study published in the journal of Clinical and Translational Science suggested that sildenafil could enhance muscle protein synthesis and decrease fatigue, proposing that it could represent a promising pharmacological approach to improve skeletal muscle function.

However, Brahmbhatt cautions against taking the findings at face value. “The study observed some potential benefits regarding muscle mass acquisition with low doses of Viagra,” he states, “but it was limited by its small sample size. This serves as a prime example of why one shouldn't get overly caught up in the hype surrounding a single study.”

Ultimately, Brahmbhatt concludes that using Viagra prior to a workout may not be the best idea. “There are numerous side effects associated with Viagra,” he notes. “The two most significant concerns I raise with patients are the potential for decreased blood pressure and the risk of priapism (an erection lasting over 4 hours).” Other possible side effects include “headaches, irregular heart rates, and the serious risk of heart attack due to decreased blood flow and pressure.”

Nevertheless, this has not deterred men from seeking Viagra without a prescription. Prices for the drug are currently lower than ever, and millennial men are increasingly taking Viagra without a prescription, even if they do not face erectile dysfunction. Platforms like BlueChew have emerged to cater to this growing need, offering sildenafil and tadalafil at competitive prices compared to name-brand Viagra.

A representative from Blue Chew conveyed to MensHealth.com that while they acknowledge the possible benefits of sildenafil beyond erectile dysfunction—such as its potential use for workouts—they want to clarify that they do not endorse its prescription for anything other than enhancing sexual performance.

Reflecting on his experience, Sam questions whether taking Viagra was the right choice. He admits it likely exacerbated his body image concerns. “I’m probably closer to my initial goals now, but...the extremes I’m willing to pursue to get bigger seem to be growing,” he confesses.

*Identities have been withheld to allow subjects to speak candidly about personal matters.