Let us start by saying all anabolic steroids are simply forms of exogenous testosterone.
However, each has a unique chemical structure, so results can greatly vary from one to the next.
When it comes to steroids used in bodybuilding, there are Bulking and Cutting steroids, which may be sold in oral or injectable form.
As the name implies, bulking steroids are used to build muscle and strength during the winter off-season when a person adopts a calorie-surplus diet. On the flip side, cutting steroids are used to burn fat once a bulking cycle ends as they let the body retain more of the muscle it built when bulking but a calorie-deficit diet should be adopted to maximize muscle retention. This said – if you are new to these compounds and would like to learn about them, we invite you to join us below as we cover the most popular anabolic steroids used today. And if you ever have any questions – feel free to contact us any time as we would be glad to help!
There are many bulking steroids used by modern bodybuilders but these are the ones most often cycled:
Oral Anadrol – or Oxymetholone – is most often used in bulk cycles to build tons of muscle and strength.
Of all steroids, it ranks among the most effective at enhancing strength, which is why it is as popular as it is amongst strongmen and competitive powerlifters. It also causes tons of weight gain with most adding about thirty pounds of weight by the end of their first cycle – most of this being from newly built muscle.
After all, it is a wet, anabolic steroid so those who cycle it build tons of fat-free lean mass, though with the help of increased water retention – which is usually quick to drop off once a person stops cycling it.
The fluid build-up it causes produces a bulked and smooth physique with muscles that are full and puffy, though some of this size will retreat post-cycle once fluid flushes and estrogen levels rebound to normal.
Anadrol is one of the most effective steroids for building lean mass – but this comes with the caveat of it also being one of the most toxic, anabolic-androgenic steroids you can cycle; based on the liver function tests of most who cycle it. One notable risk of Anadrol is it can cause the heart to get larger in size. This issue is known as cardiac hypertrophy – and if it occurs – the risk of heart disease becomes much greater.
Of all anabolic compounds – Anadrol causes some of the worst cardiovascular strain as it stimulates the hepatic lipase enzyme. When this takes place sudden and negative influxes in cholesterol levels follow.
Anadrol is also hepatotoxic, which means it will tax and strain the liver as it gets processed by the organ, which may endure damage if the person does not take enough time off between cycles for it to recover.
The hepatic strain Anadrol inflicts reflects in liver function tests that reveal AST/ALT enzyme levels to be much higher when it is present in the bloodstream. This is an issue as when aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes rise, the liver will be subjected to high levels of stress. As such, if you ever try this bulking steroid make sure you have routine visits with a doctor who can assess these values.
On a last note, Anadrol is an anabolic steroid derived from DHT, which is why it produces muscle growth and androgenic effects like enhanced strength in men. However, do know it may cause issues like acne vulgaris and benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is when the prostate becomes enlarged. It can also lead to baldness and hair loss or recession along the scalp but this often only occurs in genetically susceptible people, as well as those who take it in very large doses over excessive periods of time.
Also known as Methandrostenolone, this Dianabol is a highly sought, oral bulking compound most used by those who want to build huge amounts of muscle – and we mean HUGE!
Dianabol has powerful strength-building effects and makes stacking on muscle mass a breeze, and with fewer side effects than had with Anadrol. It is also a wet steroid as it does cause water to build up in the muscles, but not in the same way as Anadrol, as Dianabol converts serum testosterone into estrogen by stimulating the aromatase enzyme.
Given the greater water retention it causes, most bodybuilders use an aromatase inhibitor like Letrozole or Anastrozole to limit water weight and the risk of gynecomastia. This said – while AIs reduce estrogen, they do so while increasing blood pressure as a result but weekly cardio workouts may help combat this.
This is a steroid that is toxic and stressful on both the liver and cardiovascular system. One reason being is it raises blood pressure as most anabolic steroids do but by a more noticeable degree as it also causes blood viscosity and water retention. And as a c17 alpha-alkylated compound it is processed by the liver; the life-vital organ that will be under great stress from the strain this toxic steroid will inevitably impose.
One thing worth noting is this steroid has a low binding affinity to the 5α-reductase enzyme, so it causes less testosterone to convert into the female hormone known as estrogen. Given this, androgenic effects are pretty mild so rarely do those cycling it endure problems like acne, oil skin, or prostate enlargement.
This steroid has been around for decades and is the most popular steroid among novice steroid users.
Testosterone was first isolated in 1935 and chemically synthesized soon after by Leopold Ruzicka and Adolf Butenandt. Little did they know at the time their creation would go on to be the most popular steroid of all time with many millions of people from around the world taking it. And it is easy to see why! After all, it has powerful, anabolic effects that produce huge muscle gain with few side effects.
This steroid also lets people build tremendous amounts of grip and lift strength, and while it is often injected due to it being cheaper and easier to find – it does come in an oral form called Testosterone Undecanoate. However, it is more expensive and not as simple to find. As such, more times than not, bodybuilders get the injections instead due to it being cheaper and much less hassling to get a hold of.
Plus, injectable Test is more effective at building muscle; another incentive for people to take it instead.
To contrast its effects, Test is less anabolic yet more androgenic than Dbol so it causes a little less weight gain while producing similar amounts of lean muscle mass. What really sets it apart from Dbol is the fact it more strongly reacts to the stimulation of the 5α-reductase enzyme which causes higher levels of DHT.
Being androgenic, Test can cause side effects like acne and baldness, and prostate issues in severe cases.
And while it is a potent anabolic steroid with muscle-gaining effects it is also used by many bodybuilders as a cutting steroid too as it burns fat and builds muscle at the same time. This means it may produce a mean-ripped physique with muscles that are bigger and more pronounced due to the single-digit, body fat percentage most achieve. After all, Test stimulates androgen receptors within the fat cells. This, in turn, will increase lipolysis, and make it easier for the body to shred away stubborn fat stores and mass.
People concerned with the possible side effects of Testosterone will also be pleased to know it causes little strain on the cardiovascular system compared to most steroids. And, it causes only a gentle influx in cholesterol levels so rarely is post-cycle therapy needed by those who take the compound on its own.
And speaking of a Testosterone-only cycle, which is safe for beginners, most take two to three hundred and fifty milligrams of it weekly for eight weeks. Many prefer Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate, as these injectable Test esters have longer half-lives and do not need to be injected as frequently as faster-acting esters like Testosterone Propionate and Suspension, which do need to be injected more regularly.
Being a mild steroid, it is rarely cycled alone and instead taken with more powerful anabolic compounds, like Anadrol, Trenbolone, and Deca Durabolin as doing so enhances muscle and strength gain even more. But of course, this will amplify side effects so novices should start with and finish at least a few Test-only cycles before trying a stack. If Test is taken a few cycles without issues – a stack can more safely be tried.
Of all steroids used by bodybuilders, Tren is likely most powerful of them all as it rapidly builds muscle and noticeable enhancements to the physique in as little as a week. It builds muscle and burns fat in the process too and in the same way as Test as it is androgenic and stimulates lipolysis, which rids fat stores.
It is little surprise it builds so much muscle as it is highly androgenic. This shows in it having an androgen score of five hundred while Test has one of just a hundred; this reflects the true power Tren has in store!
One nicety of Trenbolone is it is not estrogenic and does not aromatize – making it a dry steroid that gets often used during cut cycles. Given the fast results and pronounced muscles it produces, it is easy to tell when a person is on Tren as rapid changes to the physique and quick growth in the deltoid and trapezius muscle groups will soon follow the start of a Tren cycle; it can make a person look fully ripped in a week!
Let us start by saying Tren is one of the harshest, most toxic and potent steroids a person can put into their body. Given this, side effects and strain to the body are inevitable, making it unsafe for novices.
This stated, it is not overly harsh on the liver as it is a c17-alpha-alkylated compound that gets injected; this means it enters the bloodstream directly instead of being processed by the liver like an oral steroid.
While hepatic strain is of little risk when taking Tren, a minor rise in ALT and AST liver enzymes will occur as the drug will pass through the liver upon leaving the body. Another risk of Trenbolone is it may cause heart hypertrophy due to its negative effect on blood lipids – which heightens the risk of atherosclerosis.
Its results are nothing short of stunning, but like any effective, anabolic steroid that produces impressive muscle and strength gain, Tren too can cause side effects such as acne vulgaris and hair loss or recession along the scalp. This is due to it causing increased levels of DHT in the body, which can cause damage to hair follicles and even prostate gland enlargement; an issue that can make it hard and painful to urinate.
Also known as Nandrolone Decanoate, Deca is another powerful, bulking anabolic steroid that produces huge amounts of lean muscle mass that get visually enhanced by the fat-burning properties it possesses.
Deca causes a surge in protein synthesis and enables muscle cells to intake more nitrogen, which as you likely guessed, makes it a breeze to build muscles even Arnold Schwarzenegger himself would be proud to bear. But with great power comes a dark side of possible side effects, namely, the toll it imposes on sexual health and performance – this for many men means erectile dysfunction/hard times getting it up.
However, while it is highly anabolic, its side effects are often not as bad as those of Anadrol, Dianabol, and Trenbolone; three very toxic steroids that should only be used by highly experienced steroid users.
With its side effects not being as extreme as those of steroids that are more anabolic, like the ones shared above, many bodybuilders stack it with other bulking steroids as doing so will enhance gains while not making the side effects any worse – though running a Deca stack is not suited for novices.
The physical enhancements it produces are truly a sight to behold as it delivers a full, 3D-like physique that makes muscles look large yet smooth due to the intracellular water retention in muscles it causes.
This said, by no means is it the most potent, mass-building, anabolic-powered steroid but it is, however, one of the mildest! And one with side effects that are well-taken by most as it causes little strain to the cardiovascular system and virtually none to the organs, though newcomers should still exercise caution.
Deca only takes a mild toll on the heart/liver and does not cause much stress to either of the vital organs but it can hinder sexual health with some saying it lowers sex drive while making erections harder to get.
These effects may occur as Deca reduces libido due to its stimulation of the lactating hormone known as prolactin. But there is good news as most men can combat its impact on sexual performance by taking a supplement like Cabergoline which helps prevent erectile dysfunction by inhibiting prolactin production.
There are many cutting steroids but the ones most often used by bodybuilders during cut cycles include:
Also known as Stanozolol, Winstrol is sold as an oral and injectable yet its pill form is what most like to take. It builds moderate yet respectable amounts of lean mass and burns fat in similar amounts to that of Trenbolone, even though it is less potent. This steroid is most used as a cutting steroid as it makes it easy to burn fat and build muscle at the same time – which makes for a vascular look that looks MEAN!
The reason it is effective at burning fat and building muscle is it has a very low binding affinity to SHBG. This frees up testosterone in the body, which triggers lipolysis and enables more muscle tissue to build.
However – like any steroid that is effective at building muscle and strength – Winstrol too has a downside as in seldom cases, it may deflate or cause shrinkage to muscles due to the fact it lowers glycogen levels. This is attributed to its diuretic properties, and the absence of the aromatase enzyme, which causes only a small amount of intracellular fluid to build up.
This steroid is hepatotoxic as it will strain the liver as it leaves the body and passes through the organ.
As such, harm and damage to the liver is usually the first concern to bodybuilders who cycle it. For this reason, most who do take a liver support and protection supplement, such as TUDCA, as it will stabilize enzyme levels and prevent them from rising too high.
Being as toxic as it is, it should be ran in cycles lasting no more than six weeks as one longer than this will cause excessive strain to the liver. This is why Winstrol users should strictly avoid alcohol as it will only worsen and exacerbate the high amounts of hepatic strain the compound itself is already causing.
Another adverse side effect of Winstrol is cardiovascular strain as it will no doubt stress it – and more so than many steroids as it raises LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL cholesterol levels. This can cause big hikes in blood pressure and flushed-pinkish skin that does not go away until the steroid leaves the body.
Those with weak joints will want to avoid this steroid too as Winstrol has a drying effect that can cause the fluid that naturally lubricates joints to diminish, which can lead to pain and injury. As such, Winstrol is not ideal for elderly users who lift heavy weights as pain, aches, and injury will be more likely to occur.
And when it comes to women, Winstrol is not a steroid to take as it can cause virilization and symptoms of masculinization in even mild doses, so it is not a female-friendly steroid. This said, there are plenty of women who take a small daily dose of five milligrams without enduring virilization but this has lots to do with genetics so results can vary from one women to the next.
Also known as Oxandrolone, this is a popular anabolic steroid that can be used by both men and women.
It is a pricey steroid with a high market price, but with side effects most find tolerable, it is an in-demand compound coveted by aspiring and seasoned bodybuilders alike.
What makes it stand out is it can be used by novices as it only causes mild side effects despite producing stunning muscle and strength growth. However, it is also used by seasoned bodybuilders who often use it during cut cycles to shred fat and to retain the newly built muscle they gained during their bulk phase.
It is also one of the few rare compounds that may be safely taken in mild doses by women as it does not cause virilization nor the symptoms of masculinization that would often follow. As such, it can be cycled by both men and women – and with none of the intense cardio or hepatic effects of more toxic steroids.
This said, it having mild side effects means it will not produce as much muscle as more toxic, side-effect-prone steroids like Winstrol, but it will build enough to make gains stand out in before-and-after photos.
With it only producing modest amounts of lean mass – we see it most used during cut cycles as its ability to seemingly evaporate subcutaneous fat is profound and unmatched by all steroids, which we attribute to its impact on triiodothyronine (T3) levels.
This potent fat burner also burns visceral fat too, which can enable even more fat loss as this suppresses the appetite while enhancing insulin sensitivity – which makes it easier to sustain a calorie-deficient diet.
This steroid also has diuretic properties, but unlike Winstrol, it will not cause muscles to shrink in size as it only flushes out extracellular water, and not intracellular fluid. While on Anavar, the muscles will also intake additional glycogen, which can enable much bigger lifts and pumps during training and workouts.
Despite being a c17-alpha-alkylated compound – it does not have a severe effect on liver enzymes due to it being a mild steroid that partially gets processed by the kidneys, which eases the workload of the liver. As such, rarely do people endure harm or damage to the liver – unless mega doses over long cycles are taken. However – even in mild doses on short cycles – it is wise to have routine visits with a doctor who can monitor ALT and AST enzyme levels as, if there is an issue, they can suggest you take a supplement.
One advantage it has over some steroids is it does not aromatize so it will not cause gynecomastia as it does not convert testosterone into the female hormone known as estrogen. It does, however, have an adverse effect on cholesterol and will cause a slight rise in blood pressure but not as severely as steroids that are more anabolic and cardiotoxic.
The anabolic steroids above are most popular but there are other ones some take as well, these include:
