Friskis view on doping
Doping is foolish. It's as simple as that. Everything can go wrong – your body, your mind, your friends, your job, your partner, and your family. The risks of doping are significant, the price is high, and the consequences are serious. Every time someone says no to doping, countless people win a great victory.
Friskis&Svettis is against all forms of doping. As a sports association and a member of the Swedish Sports Confederation, we also follow the regulations that apply to all sports associations.
Friskis&Svettis Anti-Doping Policy
- Friskis&Svettis aims to be entirely free from doping.
- We promote natural and healthy training without the use of drugs.
- Friskis&Svettis works proactively against anabolic androgenic steroids.
How We Combat Doping
- We "Vaccinate" Our Associations! All associations that offer gym training are "vaccinated" against doping. This means, among other things, that staff are trained, and there's an action plan in place if we suspect a member is using doping substances. This is all done in cooperation with Anti-Doping Sweden. If you look around, you'll most likely find a vaccination certificate displayed somewhere on the association's premises. Many of our associations also work with Prodis (Prevention of Doping in Sweden), a national network dedicated to preventing societal doping, the use of anabolic androgenic steroids, and other doping preparations.
- The association's anti-doping officer leads the preventive work within the association. This individual has a broad network of knowledgeable and experienced contacts from organizations like Dopingjouren (the Doping Helpline), Anti-Doping Sweden, Prodis, the police, and other Friskis&Svettis associations.
Unannounced doping tests at all training facilities. Anti-Doping - Sweden can conduct doping tests at any Friskis&Svettis association at any time. Furthermore, associations can order doping controls from Anti-Doping Sweden. The police have the right to request urine samples if there is reasonable suspicion of a crime under doping law. Anti-Doping Sweden has the right to summon individuals for doping control according to the Sports' Doping Regulations. A positive test result, or refusal to perform the test, can lead to a member being suspended from Friskis&Svettis gyms for 24 months. Such a suspension also applies to all sports activities in all associations affiliated with the Swedish Sports Confederation.
- We educate all our gym trainers. All trainers receive fundamental knowledge about doping and preventive work in their basic training. Other staff are offered training during internal development days.
Signs of Doping
Doping, like other addictions, is difficult to detect. It almost always takes time. You notice things you find a bit strange, but it's hard to ask probing questions, and most people prefer to avoid conflicts. Because who wants to be suspicious and troublesome?
Common effects of anabolic androgenic steroids include:
- Stroke
- Hair loss
- Enlarged prostate
- Difficulty urinating
- Shrunken testicles
- Disrupted testosterone levels
- Decreased sperm production
- Liver damage
- Swelling
- Stretch marks and acne
- Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia)
Signs that someone is doping might include:
- Changes in sex drive
- Aggression
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Fixation on training, body, and diet
- Changes in eating habits
- Personality changes
- Sleep problems
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Increased or decreased self-esteem
- Rapid weight gain
- Reinforced ego
- Decreased empathy
What We Think You Should Do
If you suspect someone close to you is doping, you should, of course, talk to that person. These conversations can be life-saving for many; there's immense power in them. To sit down and show that you will listen. Not to lecture or dictate, but to show that you care. But be prepared for excuses. It's a good idea to research doping a bit. You can find a lot of information and order materials at dopingjouren.se (in swedish) and renhardtraning.com (in swedish). You can also report suspected doping via dopingtips.se (in swedish), which is Anti-Doping Sweden's "whistleblower system."
And, of course, you can ask us at Friskis&Svettis for help and advice. Ask for the anti-doping officer at your local Friskis. Let's work together to make training completely free from doping!