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For others, it was a way to help pay for "the cost of competing in body-building contests."
But for most of the 10 people arrested on Tuesday, prosecutors said, selling steroids to others was how they financed their own personal use of the drug.
Tuesday morning, state Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the arrests of 10 people, saying they were responsible for distributing $170,000 worth of illegal steroids in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lehigh and Northampton counties.
Among the suspects is Joel France, 42, of Harrisburg, who also is the head basketball coach at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
Some of the suspects, like France, were allegedly involved in delivering the steroids in parking lots outside Harrisburg area gyms and clubs, according to documents.
Others, prosecutors said, were responsible for buying thousands of dollars worth of steroids over the Internet from China and Mexico.
And still others, prosecutors said, were responsible for manufacturing their own, less-expensive, homemade blend of steroids, which they sold in injectable form.
Corbett, during a press conference announcing the arrests, addressed the growing concern of steroid use by athletes, from high school students to professionals.
"Turn on a news station or ESPN and it won't be long before you're seeing a story involving steroids," Corbett said.
"From major leaguers looking for a competitive edge, to our children feeling pressured to perform in sports, striving for that scholarship," Corbett said, "people sometimes look to steroids to get that boost that they think they need."
"But steroids can be addictive and come with many negative side effects," Corbett said, resulting in physical, emotional and mental problems.
With Tuesday's arrests, Corbett said, "We've made a dent in the local steroid supply."
France was charged with three counts of delivering steroids and one count each of conspiracy and use of a communication facility, prosecutors said.
Nothing in any of the court documents linked the Lancaster County college to any of France's alleged steroid activities.
"Our primary concern is the welfare of our students and we will be taking appropriate action," Stevens President William Griscom said Tuesday.
Griscom said athletic coaches at Stevens are part-time employees.
"Obviously, we take it extremely seriously," Griscom said. The president said he learned of the arrest on Tuesday.
France, along with Robert Greynolds and Christopher Levan, were described in court documents as runners who allegedly delivered steroids — several hundred dollars worth at a time.
Many of the transactions allegedly took place outside Gold's Gym in Swatara Township, which is just off of Route 283 in Dauphin County, north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange.
Two others suspects, Eric Garonzik and his wife, Stacy Garonzik, were personal trainers who allegedly injected clients with liquid steroids in the office of their Cumberland County gym, officials said.
As the investigation continued, officials discovered five other men, Marcus Lazaro, Chad Gillespie, John Sassaman, George Koufalis and Chris Niemczyk, were allegedly distributing steroids in the Lehigh Valley area.
Lazaro and Gillespie allegedly discovered how to make injectable steroids from a powdered form of the drug, and started selling the drugs under their own brand name.
Sassaman and Koufalis, both bodybuilders, allegedly sold the steroids to other bodybuilders to pay for competition expenses, according to court documents.
Niemczyk allegedly sold the steroids at his home and parking lots in the Northampton County area, prosecutors said.
During the investigation, Corbett said, agents seized more than 700 bottles of steroids, nine pounds of bulk steroids, 1,337 pills containing steroids, $28,000 in cash and four handguns.
After gathering evidence through the use of a confidential informant, Corbett said, the information was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended filing the criminal charges.
"We need to do everything we can to make sure that the public, especially young men, are aware of the dangers of using steroids, and we need to take those who distribute this poison off our streets," Corbett said.
Below is a full list of the suspects, their addresses and the charges they face:
Robert Greynolds, 28, 451 N. Union St., Middletown, is charged with nine counts of delivery of steroids, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of carrying a firearm without a license, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Joel France, 42, 4251 E. Catalina Lane, Harrisburg, is charged with three counts of delivery of steroids, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Christopher Levan, 36, 426-B W. Simpson St., Mechanicsburg, is charged with one count of delivery of steroids and one count of criminal conspiracy.
George Koufalis, 34, 2158 Woodridge Drive, Macungie, is charged with two counts of delivery of steroids, one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of criminal conspiracy.
John Sassaman, 51, 1803 Stratford Court, Allentown, is charged with four counts of delivery of steroids and one count of criminal conspiracy.
Chad Gillespie, 33, 740 4th St., Catasauqua, is charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, one count of manufacturing steroids and one count of dealing in proceeds of an unlawful activity.
Marcus Lazaro, 29, 123 Somerset St., Freemansburg, is charged with three counts of delivery of steroids, two counts of possession with intent to deliver steroids, two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of dealing in the proceeds of an unlawful activity, one count of manufacturing steroids and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Christopher Niemczyk 31, 1013 Old Course Lane, Easton, is charged with four counts of delivery of steroids, one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, one count of possession with intent to deliver ecstasy, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of misbranding Ketamine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
Stacy Garonzik, 38, 110-C W. Vine St., Shiremanstown, is charged with one count of delivery of steroids, one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and one count of criminal conspiracy.
Eric Garonzik, 39, 3404 Lisburn Road, Mechanicsburg, is charged with one count of delivery of steroids, one count of possession with intent to deliver steroids, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and one count of criminal conspiracy.
