Winstrol is a brand name for stanozolol, which was made in the 1960s by Winthrop Laboratories. At which point, it was approved for human consumption by the FDA.
It proved helpful at treating anaemia in human and animal clinical trials. Hence why the Food and Drug Administration deemed it safe for people to take. And today, it is not only used by bodybuilders, but by veterinarians who give it to animals with little muscle mass. Vets also give it to animals that struggle with weak bone density or red blood cell counts.
There are a few steroid types; Winstrol falls under the cutting family of compounds. This denotes its ability to burn plenty of fat. And that it does! As it lowers levels of the hormone that causes stubborn fat to amass – cortisol. It is also a dry steroid as it derives from DHT.
This means it will not aromatize. Nor will it cause water/estrogen levels to rise. This is why it is one of the most sought cutting steroids, as this results in a ripped, dried-out physique. See a highly ripped bodybuilder with godly muscles? Winstrol may very well be the culprit.
As said above, Winstrol does not cause rising estrogen levels. This nips away the risk and root cause of gynecomastia. If this is foreign to you, this is when males grow breast tissue in excessive amounts. A condition that leads to what bodybuilders refer to as man boobs.
With Winstrol not soaring estrogen levels, stacking on muscle and enhancing striations are its hallmark effects. Seriously. A steroid newcomer who runs their first Winstrol-solo cycle will build more muscle and strength than any six-week period of their lifetime.
And muscle definition is equally impressive as this cutting roid triggers a fast fall in water levels. At first, this may cause muscles to look less pumped. But. Soon thereafter. The arms will begin to look full and defined once the muscle-building effects of winny kick in.
Taking winstrol will cause a few things to occur. For one, muscle will be built. Second, fat will be burned. Third, red blood cell production will ramp up. These effects make Winstrol alluring to athletes who want to boost performance and athleticism. Although, this steroid is banned and not tolerated for use in any sport. Athletes caught with it in their system can face very harsh penalties. Including but not limited to, high fines and possible prison time.
One athlete who used Winstrol is Ben Johnson. Name ring a bell? It may, as this Jamaican native smashed the hundred-meter, world-record run time by clocking 9.79 seconds at the Seoul Olympics in 1988; a stunning feat that shocked spectators and fellow athletes alike.
But soon after, his title was lost, as he underwent a drug test that returned a positive result for stanozolol. It is safe to say he took it as Winstrol elevates strength, power, and athletic performance, and while not causing noticeable or considerable weight gain along the way.
For the record. He denied taking Winstrol. And said he took a tainted dose of vitamin B12.
He is just one of many examples. Here are other athletes who tested positive for Winstrol:
It is worth noting Winstrol can linger in the body for as long as six months. As such, if an athlete taking stanozolol wishes to avoid detection, they will need to stop taking it many months in advance of a drug test. It is evident the above athletes were naive of this fact.
While risks exist – there are many perks that come with Winstrol use – the main ones being:
Winstrol does not produce as much muscle as bulking steroids like Anadrol and Dianabol.
But in contrast to milder bulking compounds, like Anavar, it produces much more muscle.
With more powerful bulking roids in the market, bodybuilders often prefer Dbol or Anadrol over Winstrol, which is not used as often during bulk cycles. But even so, many still utilize Winstrol, as it can be just enough to get a bodybuilder in peak shape before a major event.
One nicety of Winstrol is weight gained while taking it will be nearly pure lean mass. This diuretic effect makes it enticing to beach goers. And those seeking aesthetic perfection. Men who want ripped muscles and defined abs will not be let down by Winstrol’s power.
Cycling Winstrol will boost strength, too. And by a huge margin, yet not as considerably as steroids like Anadrol and Dianabol, which are more potent, yet more toxic on the body too.
It does not build as much strength as some roids as it causes little weight gain and a drop in muscular, intracellular fluid. Yet novices should not be fooled. As a steroid newcomer who runs Winstrol for the first time will indeed witness a godly increase in strength levels.
Men who cycle Winstrol usually take fifty milligrams daily.
But at times – a bodybuilder may take twice this dose size.
In terms of cycle length – it is typically ran six/eight weeks.
Taking Winstrol for more than eight weeks is never advised.
As strength gains are diminished past the eight-week point.
Muscle gains, as well, will be quite limited past two months.
Atop of this, LDL cholesterol levels can rise dangerously high.
All this in mind – there is little reason to cycle it for any longer.
And as an essential reminder, Winstrol is not female-suitable.
As virilization, or the emergence of manly features, can occur.
Sure, Winstrol makes it easy to build muscle, and simple for the body to burn stubborn fat.
But this comes with the caveat of being a harsh, body-tolling drug, which right away makes it unsuitable for novices. Reason being is a newcomer who never took roids before is likely to have severe side effects. And not only during the cycle but after it comes to an end, too.
There are many Winstrol side effects that can unfold; these being the most common ones:
Like most steroids, Winstrol will cause the body to produce none to very little testosterone post-cycle. This can last for a few months. During which, LDL cholesterol levels will climb while HDL levels plummet. This is an issue that can cause very high blood pressure levels. Just one reason why people should have regular doctor visits, during, and after, their cycle.
Note: Those with heart issues or high blood pressure, or preexisting health conditions that could be exacerbated by such compounds, should never take steroids as doing so may be fatal. If you have a weak heart, or naturally high blood pressure, avoid steroids at any cost.
Another frequent gripe of Winstrol users is joint pain; this can occur as the steroid reduces cushioning fluid that surrounds joints. When fluid depletes, joint pain may occur. This can be an issue. And most so for elderly users whose joints may already be weak from old age.
Like most oral steroids, Winstrol too is hepatotoxic so the liver will be under greater strain.
But – while liver enzymes climb – rarely will this inflict lasting organ damage due to the remarkable, self-healing ability of the liver. Given this, irreversible liver damage is not likely. Yet it can occur in people who abuse it for a long period of time without breaks.
Even if breaks are taken though, those with weak or frail livers should never take Winstrol as it will impose too much stress on the organ. And of course, heavy alcohol consumers should not cycle it either – nor any other steroid for this matter – as liver issues can occur.
Winstrol can be taken in oral or injectable form; the latter producing the most noticeable results. But for most people, steroid injections are not a pleasant thought as they can be painful. Hassling. And dangerous if not properly administered. This is why oral Winstrol remains most popular of the two. Plus, oral Winstrol is often much easier to find for sale.
Very rarely do women take Winstrol, as its virilizing effects can cause them to sound and appear more manly. Yet some females do not care about preserving feminine traits and will cycle it to burn fat and produce muscle, which Winstrol does without water buildup.
But again, it can cause females to take on manly traits as it raises testosterone levels in the body, as it strongly binds to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). This is an issue to most women as high levels of testosterone can bring irreversible, masculinizing characteristics.
For this reason, Winstrol is not a roid women who want to preserve femininity should take.
We covered its benefits above so you likely now wonder what the catch and drawback is
Like any effective steroid, Winstrol can and often will have negative side effects. In some cases, side effects can be severe, so much so a trip to the hospital just may be called for.
While stronger anabolic roids exist, Winstrol by no means is a mild or novice-friendly drug. But it is nowhere near the harshest, either. So for some, Winstrol is a good middle-ground steroid, with negative side effects that can be tempered with the aid of post-cycle therapy.
Below we will cover side effects that can tag along with Winstrol use. How severe they are, and how long they last, not only has to do with the dose size taken but genetics and current health state. Let us start with the most reported Winstrol side effect of them all; joint pain.
Note: Large doses over long lengths of time can intensify all the side effects shared below.
Painful joints that hurt and ache is the main side effect Winstrol users complain of. This is no surprise as this steroid strips protective fluid from the joints; fluid that would otherwise offer cushion for joints to move.
Remember, healthy joints rely on an adequate amount of fluid to keep from wearing and tearing. So when Winstrol lowers synovial fluid, joint pain can pursue. This is why those who cycle Winstrol often take glucosamine, as this natural compound, which is found in cartilage, boasts anti-inflammatory traits that can safeguard joints from paining function.
It is surely a supplement to consider taking if you choose to run a Winstrol cycle. Is also a wise idea to take Omega-3 supplements too, as these will help lubricate joints even more.
Anyone who wants to cycle Winstrol should first ensure their cholesterol levels are normal. They should also ensure LDL cholesterol levels are not too elevated as Winstrol will spike it even more. If this occurs, and it often does, blood pressure will considerably increase too.
But this is usually not an issue for those with a strong and healthy heart. Nor for those with good cholesterol levels. A person good in these areas can often handle a temporal health ding but they should still see a doctor during their cycle, routinely, to make sure all is good.
Note: If you are unhealthy or have a weak heart, taking any steroid can be very dangerous.
Most steroids lower testosterone levels. And Winstrol is no exception! Once a Winstrol cycle ends, testosterone levels will fall as the body will still be in a state of homeostasis. During which, it will not produce natural testosterone. This can last for a month, or up to three or more months from the last dose. But fortunately, there is a way to accelerate the rebound of testosterone levels, and that would be to undergo effective post-cycle therapy.
There are many PCT medicines to pick form, two popular ones being Clomid and Nolvadex. If you ever take steroids, whether it be Winstrol or another, these will help side effects ease sooner than later. And remember. Breaks long enough for the body to fully recover should be had among cycles. Safety comes first! And risk reduction measures should be heeded.
Winstrol burns fat and builds muscle. And notably, it produces a dry and ripped physique.
This trio of effects is precisely why Winstrol is predominantly utilized during cutting cycles.
Winstrol is not advised for bulking cycles as there are much better, more effective steroids out there for building muscle. Plus, Winstrol can make muscles look a bit flat; opposite to the full effects most bodybuilders aim for. As such, you can likely see how flattish muscles are not ideal for those wanting to look bulked during the off-season.
Not only this, Winstrol has a drying effect, so it cancels out, to a degree, the water build up and muscle fullness delivered from more powerful bulking steroids like Anadrol/Dianabol.
If you want to run Winstrol, you likely have many questions needing answers. How much fat can I burn? How much muscle can I build? How much strength will I gain? Answering these can be hard as it is hard to know with precision how much of each you will lose/gain.
The reason being is steroids can have varying effects from one person to the next as not all react to these compounds the same. So, the only real way to know how much muscle and strength you will gain – and how much fat you will lose – is to finish your very first cycle of it.
This said, you can still get a good idea of what to expect by looking at Winstrol before and after results of other people. As there is a decent chance you will have a similar outcome.
Note: Many celebrities have used steroids, like Zac Efron, who took Winstrol to prepare for his role as Matt Brody in the 2017 film Baywatch. In which, he looked absolutely shredded!
As said above, Zac Efron is one of many notable celebs who took Winstrol to build muscle. And if you peek his physique in Baywatch, the steroid made him look like an alpha male no person would want to p*ss off. He appears mean, ripped, and shredded from head to foot!
The reason he achieved such a drastic transformation is thanks to the three characteristics of stanozolol, which not only gave Efron greater muscle but a more manly and defined jaw.
We can conservatively state his before-after gains are about what most people can expect. If we use him as an example, these are the gains you can expect from an eight-week cycle:
As you can see, you will not build herculean amounts of muscle. And you will not lose fifty or more percent of your body fat. Though you will burn tons of fat, which in turn, enhances the physique! Not to mention – the muscle you do build will be considerably more defined!
It is not uncommon for those wanting to maximize fat loss and muscle gain to stack roids with other cutting agents or compounds. Of course, doing so can worsen side effects and lengthen recovery times. But if you know this, Winstrol may be stacked with one of these:
These three steroids will help you build even more muscle, even during your cutting cycles. You will also burn more fat, and get extremely shredded in the process. These steroids are mild – too – so side effects to come will not be as intense as those of more potent ones like Tren. This means you can achieve incredible gains at a lesser toll to your body and health.
So, why does Winstrol not cause nightmarish side effects? Well, the main reason is it does not aromatize. As such, estrogen levels will remain stable as will fluid and water retention. Atop of this, Winstrol users have no need to worry about gynecomastia or increasing blood pressure. Which largely lays to rest two of the biggest risks that companion most steroids.
Though hair loss is a side effect that may occur during a Winstrol cycle. Especially in those genetically predisposed to hair loss or thinning. Even those with strong genetics might lose hair if they are sensitive to such compounds. But in most cases, hair loss is short-lived and fast to reverse once a cycle ends. Yet of course, this may vary from one person to the next.
Note: Winstrol can cause hair loss as it is an androgenic steroid that increases DHT levels.
Of all roids, Winstrol is one of the most popular as it yields a dry, ripped, defined physique with side effects that tend to not be nearly as serious as others like Trenbolone. Many like running it during cut cycles, as it boosts strength and retains lean muscle, but without the bloating and abdominal fullness that tags along with some steroids. This makes it popular among pro and amateur bodybuilders who long for a defined and highly chiseled physique.
Winstrol goes to work rather quickly, too. Hence why many bodybuilders will take it in the weeks leading up to an event, in which, they need to look their very best. Doing this allows them to build the ripped, rock-hard physique they need to earn first place in competitions.
Winstrol is a diuretic steroid mainly used during cut cycles.
On its own, it is not, in the least bit, an effective bulking agent.
But when taken with potent muscle builders, like Dianabol or Testosterone, a person may bundle Winstrol into their routine and build considerable amounts of muscle and strength.
To do this, most take a hundred mgs of Winstrol daily in the last four weeks of their cycle as this cutting steroid does have fat-burning, muscle-building traits like Anavar. And as noted earlier, Winstrol does not aromatize, and the drying effect it brings can greatly compliment the muscle-producing traits of the steroids mentioned above – Dianabol and Testosterone.
Many tout Winstrol as the best cutting steroid in existence. Some even put it on the same level as Trenbolone, in terms of power and efficacy. This is likely why the man himself, Zac Efron, took it to get RIPPED for his role in Baywatch. Safe to say Winstrol got the job done!
We say this as if you look at his physique in the movie, he is dry, ripped, and breathtakingly vascular. But this is not too surprising as these are all effects Winstrol is known to deliver.
This said, it is worth noting while muscles will grow during a Winstrol cycle, this steroid can cause them to look a bit flat if cycled alone. It might even make the muscles look depleted. This can be caused by a short-lived fall in intracellular water retention; an effect of Winstrol that starts to reverse post-cycle. At which point – muscle fullness will begin a full rebound.
What mainly sets Winstrol and Anavar apart is the muscle gains each produce. Winstrol is superior of the two, as it builds more muscle. Though it can cause worse side effects, too.
Winstrol will also cause a severe rise in LDL cholesterol levels, this can cause dangerously high blood pressure. And being a C17-alpha-alkylated compound, it can, and will, impose serious hepatic strain. This is why most take a liver support supplement. Such as TUDCA.
Winstrol is highly androgenic too, which is why some report acne, oily skin, and hair loss on the scalp. But despite these risks, it seems more people prefer Winstrol over Anavar. With one probable cause being its lower price. As Anavar is much pricier than Winstrol to cycle.
This is a very popular cycle, you may lower it to six or eight mgs daily for fewer side effects:
The reason these two work in harmony is Trenbolone enhances the fat-burning effects of Winstrol. This means a person on this cycle will look more shredded than someone who takes Winstrol alone. But please bear in mind, this is one of the harshest stacks you can take. This is why side effects can be severe; blood pressure and testosterone suppression being the most notable ones. Reason being is estrogen regulates blood pressure. But Tren and Winstrol do not aromatize which means blood pressure can rise very high, quickly too.
But – if a person is running a cutting cycle – there is no reason to take these two steroids in tandem – as a person can lose weight by dieting. This is much safer than introducing more toxic steroids to the body. If you can take less to achieve the same desired outcome, do it!
But, if you made the choice to take Trenbolone, it is likely best to take it in a bulking cycle, as then, its muscle-producing effects can truly shine. Only those with little concern over personal health will take Trenbolone alongside Winstrol; only those in good health should!
Winstrol is a steroid that is prescribed to people with anaemia but is also used by athletes, bodybuilders, and even everyday people who long to take their strength, muscles, stamina, and athleticism to whole new levels.
It is also used in veterinary medicine to help weak animals gain strength and muscle mass. This is why bodybuilders use it, as Winstrol makes it easy for the body to burn fat and build muscle. But we will say Winstrol is not the most powerful cutting steroid there is. Nor is it the best for building muscle, either. Though it does burn fat and build muscle at the same time. Which really sets it apart from many others, as not all roids do both simultaneously.
