You’ve seen them all over YouTube: "Natty or Not" videos where influencers speculate on whether a celebrity or athlete is using performance-enhancing drugs. They’re entertaining, sure, but are they failing you? Dr. Mike Israetel believes they often do more harm than good by warping expectations and providing little real-world value.
These videos have become a staple of fitness content, but understanding the psychology behind them—and their limitations—is crucial for your own fitness journey.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Low-Effort Content: Creators make these videos because they are easy to produce and allow them to "ride the coattails" of famous people without needing real expertise.
- Why You Watch: Viewers tune in for validation. If someone is "not natty," it justifies why they look better than you. If they are natty, it gives you hope—or envy.
- Unreliable "Evidence": Most judgments are based on pure guesswork, like "round muscle bellies," which have no basis in scientific fact.
- Genetics Matter Most: Even confirmed natural athletes are often genetic elites. Their results do not predict *your* natural potential.
- How to Find Your Limit: The only real way to know your natural potential is to train consistently for 5-10 years and track your own progress trajectory.
Why Creators Make Them (and Why You Watch)
For content creators, "Natty or Not" videos are the ultimate low-hanging fruit. They require no script, no research, and no real evidence—just a few photos and a microphone. They allow creators to insert themselves into conversations about famous people, boosting their own relevance.
For viewers, the appeal is often emotional validation. If you're insecure about your progress, labeling someone "not natty" provides a comforting excuse: "They only look better than me because they're cheating". It allows you to feel morally superior to "fake natties" while feeling better about your own physique.
The Danger of "Consensus" Science
These videos often rely on "telltale signs" that are scientifically dubious. Commentators will point to things like "round muscle shape" as proof of steroid use, even though drugs cannot change the shape of your muscle bellies—only their size.
Furthermore, relying on visual cues is inherently flawed. There are plenty of people who use drugs but don't look like it, and plenty of genetic outliers who look "enhanced" but are lifetime naturals. Dr. Mike recalls meeting a young man who looked like a completely average gym-goer but openly discussed his trenbolone cycle. Visual inspection is simply not a reliable drug test.
Your Natural Potential: Don't Look to Outliers
Perhaps the biggest failure of "Natty or Not" culture is the idea that it helps you set realistic goals. Even if a video correctly identifies a natural athlete, that person is likely a genetic elite. Using the absolute best natural physiques in the world as a benchmark for your own potential is like a high school freshman planning their NFL career because "some guys make it".
Genetics account for massive variations in muscle growth. In controlled studies, some participants gain 15 pounds of muscle in 16 weeks, while others on the exact same program lose muscle. Your potential is determined by your unique genetics, not by what a "confirmed natty" influencer achieved.
A Better Way to Measure Potential
Instead of watching speculation videos, Dr. Mike suggests two better methods:
- Use a Calculator: Tools like Menno Henselmans' "Natty Max" calculator use your specific metrics to give a rough estimate of your muscular potential.
- Train and Track: The most accurate method is to train hard for 5-10 years. Your rate of progress over time will reveal your personal trajectory. If you've gained very little muscle in your last two years of hard training, you are likely near your limit, regardless of what an influencer looks like.
Final Thoughts: It's Just Entertainment
There's nothing wrong with enjoying "Natty or Not" videos for what they are: gossipy entertainment, much like pro wrestling. But if you're using them as a roadmap for your own fitness journey or as a scientific resource, you're setting yourself up for failure. Enjoy the drama, but keep your expectations grounded in your own data and hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are "Natty or Not" videos accurate?
They are generally unreliable. Judgments are often based on subjective visual cues like "muscle roundness" or "veininess," which are not scientific indicators of drug use. Visual inspection cannot account for genetic outliers or underwhelming drug users.
Can you tell if someone is on steroids by their muscle shape?
No. Steroids and growth hormone increase the size of muscle fibers, but they cannot change the shape of the muscle belly or its insertion points. Claims that "round delts" are automatic proof of drug use are scientifically unfounded.
How can I know my natural limit?
The best way is to train consistently with proper nutrition for 5-10 years. Your rate of progress will naturally slow down over time, revealing your personal "asymptotic curve" or genetic limit. Online calculators can also provide a rough statistical estimate.
Do natural bodybuilders look like "fake natties"?
Sometimes, yes. Genetic elites can achieve physiques that look "enhanced" to the average person. Conversely, many recreational drug users have average physiques that would never be suspected of enhancement.
