‘Gym junkie’ takes on new meaning as widespread illicit drug use at fitness centres across Sydney exposed
INSTAGRAM feeds may preach about no-sugar diets and clean-living, but an investigation by The Daily Telegraph can reveal a dangerous new trend where fitness fanatics are turning to illicit drugs to make them “feel like Superman in the gym”.
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GYM junkies are taking exercise addiction to new highs.
Instagram feeds may preach about no-sugar diets and clean-living, but an investigation by The Daily Telegraph can reveal a dangerous new trend where fitness fanatics are turning to illicit drugs to make them “feel like Superman in the gym”.
Experts warn use of some so-called “party” drugs is becoming increasingly common inside popular fitness spots as even mums and dads turn to substances like cocaine to enhance physical performance. And heroin and morphine are being used as pain killers or for “sheer pleasure”.
“Cocaine heightens mental acuity, stimulates the heart rate and is performance enhancing and effectively makes people feel like Superman in the gym,” Safework Laboratories forensic toxicologist Andrew Leibie said.
The Daily Telegraph tested 13 metropolitan gyms over the past three weeks — swabbing toilets with the same techniques used by the Australian Federal Police.
Eleven samples, or 85 per cent, tested positive for traces of cocaine. This included Fitness First’s platinum facility in the CBD in Bond St, which is popular among cashed-up city types. The gym giant’s Kings Cross branch also tested positive for cocaine.
Both sites also indicated a presence of opiates, such as heroin.
The Daily Telegraph investigation revealed Virgin Active in Pitt St’s MidCity Shopping Centre — dubbed a “world-class fitness centre” — screened for traces of cocaine when cisterns and seats of toilets in the men’s and ladies’ change rooms were swabbed.
Darlinghurst’s City Gym, a playground for celebrities such as Mel B and designer Alex Perry, revealed a presence of cocaine in the ladies’ toilets.
The popular establishment recently installed needle disposal bins in its changing rooms to cater for members who inject insulin and muscle-building drugs like steroids before they work out.
“We are in an area, Darlinghurst and East Sydney, where social drug use is prevalent, hence the government's decision to support a Drug Supervised Injecting Centre,” general manager John Reidy said.
“We do not condone illegal behaviour but must work to create a safe facility — in response to regional risks we have a sharps container in our changing rooms for people who use syringes, for whatever reasons.”
Around-the-clock gyms Anytime Fitness in Bondi Junction and Kings Cross showed traces of cocaine in the unisex bathroom cubicles.
Tests also revealed the presence of cocaine in the men’s disabled toilet at Surry Hill’s Fitness Playground, which also offers 24-hour access. 24/7 Broadway gym in Ultimo had traces of both cocaine and cannabis in the ladies’ toilets.
There is no suggestion gym owners or managers have any knowledge or involvement in the drug use.
Experts say cocaine can enhance physical performance and boost confidence among gym goers but some are taking opiates for “sheer pleasure.”
“People go to gyms to work out on a high to enhance performance and because it’s enjoyable,” Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation president Alex Wodak said.
“They believe they can exercise more vigorously on cocaine and hit whatever targets they have set. Some people love taking opiates like morphine because it’s a pain killer for when they’ve torn a muscle for the sheer pleasure of it, in the same way that some people like drinking alcohol in pubs.”
Dr Leibie added: “Gyms are like pubs these days, it’s where people go to socialise and pick up. Some gym users might be taking it to feel confident while working out or after exercising before going out.
“How much they take depends on how regularly they abuse substances but cocaine is a heart attack drug.
“Even couch potatoes go into cardiac arrest using cocaine so extra pressure on the heart from exercise increases the risk further. “It’s a dangerous trend.”
Last year the NSW Drug Squad warned dumbbells and treadmills had replaced strip clubs and bars as the hot spots of Sydney’s gang scene.
Tough lockout laws, the rise of 24-hour health clubs and the “manicured mobster” means gyms are now routinely used by criminal gangs. Many Middle Eastern gangsters have used gyms as their hangout.
Drug-related charges in supposed fitness temples are becoming more common.
Personal trainer Lee Clark, 43, who worked at Fitness First’s Bondi Platinum gym, was last year sentenced to five years in jail for selling cocaine, ecstasy and steroids to clients.
He operated a sophisticated business out of his Randwick apartment and a Paddington garage cutting cocaine with other substances, placing MDMA into capsules, weighing and placing the cocaine into plastic bags for distribution and packaging the steroids in vials.
Last month, Anytime Fitness trainer James Blatch pleaded not guilty to the commercial supply of toxic bodybuilding drugs at District Court.
The musclebound trainer from Sutherland, who not only took the illegal bodybuilding drugs but also admitted selling them to clients for up to $180 a vial while working at the gym in Kings Cross, will now face trial next August.
Fitness First and Virgin Active vowed to investigate and clamp down on drugs at its branches with the former warning anyone found with illicit substances would have their membership cancelled.
Virgin Active issued a statement: “Our club rules clearly state that alcohol and drugs are not to be brought onto the premises ... We will investigate this further.”
Broadway Gym and Fitness Playground refused to comment.
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