Zac Efron has once again found himself under the microscope—not for a role, but for what it took to prepare for one. While the actor insists that his famously shredded “Baywatch” physique was achieved with nothing more than intense training and a diuretic, fitness expert Greg Doucette isn’t buying it.
“Only a Diuretic?” Greg Doucette Isn’t Convinced
In a recent video stirring heated debate across the fitness community, Greg Doucette—known for calling out unrealistic body transformations—questioned the plausibility of Efron’s claims. The issue? Efron’s own descriptions of the mental and physical crash he experienced post-filming.
“It was 100% natural and I don’t think he was only taking what he stated,”
Doucette said bluntly on Back Guy podcast.
“He said, yeah, I took diuretics. I’m like, bro, he took a lot more than just a diuretic.”
Doucette’s logic is grounded in physiology: diuretics remove excess water from the body, often used to enhance muscle definition temporarily. What they don’t do, however, is explain long-term mood crashes or hormonal disturbances.
“Taking a diuretic, it makes you pee water. It doesn’t f–k up your mind,”
he added.
The Real Cause? Doucette Suggests Ster*ids
Connecting the dots, Doucette suggested Efron’s reported post-shoot depression and insomnia may point to something more serious—likely anabolic ster*id use followed by abrupt cessation.
“That’s taking ster*ids and then stopping because his testosterone levels were probably super high and then they were crashed after.”
It’s a controversial take, but one not entirely without precedent. The entertainment industry has long been accused of setting impossible physical standards, often fueling speculation about PEDs behind closed doors.
The Iron Claw Transformation
Doucette didn’t limit his critique to “Baywatch.” He also threw shade on Efron’s dramatic bulk-up for *The Iron Claw*, where the actor portrayed wrestler Kevin Von Erich.
“He was juiced out of his mind for that one too,”
Doucette claimed, suggesting that Efron’s hyper-muscular build was likely chemically aided.
While Efron has described both transformations as mentally and physically grueling—and admitted that the “Baywatch” look was unsustainable—he has never explicitly addressed steroid use. His narrative has always centered around extreme discipline, dietary restrictions, and temporary use of diuretics like Lasix.
The Real Toll of Hollywood Physiques
The broader takeaway here isn’t just about whether or not Efron used PEDs. It’s about the unrealistic standards actors face and the lengths they might go to meet them—especially when careers and multimillion-dollar films are on the line.
Actors like Efron are often held up as examples of “fitspiration,” but the behind-the-scenes toll is rarely publicized. As Greg Doucette put it, physical appearances can be deceiving, and not everything shredded is natural.
Whether Efron is being entirely transparent or not, the conversation underscores a vital point: extreme transformations often come with hidden costs, and the public deserves a more honest discussion around what it really takes to look like a superhero on screen.
