Steroid Cycles 101: Testosterone, PCT, and the KISS Rule

Hey, I’m Joe, and I consider myself just a regular mid-40s guy who happens to have a great interest in steroids and what they can (and can’t) do for us. I’ve been involved in learning everything there is to know about steroids for most of my adult life, and my goal is to help others like you learn about your first steroid cycle.

As a beginner to steroid cycling, it’s critical that you are well informed about what you should and shouldn’t be doing. On this site, you will find information about the different types of anabolic steroids out there, their side effects, how they work, what effects they have on the body, and how to recover from using them with the process of post-cycle therapy.

Whether you’re thinking about using steroids for the very first time but aren’t sure how to go about it (or even if you should be doing it), or if you have some experience already and are just looking for more detailed information about a specific aspect of steroids and their use, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find it here.

Steroids aren’t for everyone, and I will never advocate or encourage their use. After all, anabolic steroids are not legal for bodybuilding and sports use¹. We all know they come with risks, and that includes both physical risks and legal ones. I will share my knowledge and research with you to help you make the most informed decisions about how you want to reach your bodybuilding and fitness goals. So, let’s start!

Medical disclaimer: The following guide is based on personal experience and does NOT promote the illegal use of steroids (PEDs). Consult a healthcare professional before using PEDs.

Introduction to Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS)

Like most people, you more than likely think of powerful, muscle-building anabolic steroids when you hear the word “steroid.” But there are many types of steroids… A steroid is just an organic compound that includes all different types of hormones, and even one of the most well-known vitamins (Vitamin D) is, in fact, a steroid².

When it comes to bodybuilding and athletic performance, we mainly talk about steroids in the form of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS)³. These steroids include both natural and synthetic androgens, which are derived from or based on testosterone⁴. The anabolic component promotes muscle growth, while the androgenic aspect relates to the stimulated development of male attributes for which testosterone is responsible⁵.

Anabolic steroids are like putting a rocket on a push bike – but if you don’t know what you’re doing, then you’re bound to fail or, worse, destroy not only your gains but your health⁶. I learned that over and over, and that’s what inspired me to learn as much as I could about steroids. I put just as much importance on diet and workout as I do on steroids – after all, doing gear is a complete waste of time and money if your diet sucks or if you’re not prepared to kill it in the gym at every single workout.

And with that, I should add that everything you read here is based on my research and experience. It’s not a replacement for professional medical advice. I aim to share, educate, and help you reach your goals while I continue reaching and exceeding mine. We’re on a journey together.

Whether you want to look like the Arnie of yesteryear or want to get your body into peak conditioning with the most ripped physique you can muster, we know that many people do it with an educated use of steroids. There’s so much more to anabolic steroid use than a novice thinks, and the last thing you want to do is diving in with no clue about what you’re taking, how to take it, what it does to your body (both the good and bad), and how to recover from it.

Injectable and Oral Steroids

Some anabolic steroids come in an injectable form only, while others are available in an oral form. Few, such as Winstrol and Primobolan, can be injected or taken orally.

The age-old newbie dilemma: Do I go oral or injectable steroids? Or should I use both? As you can see, there’s no one black-and-white answer. That’s because it depends on YOU and what your goals are. What you want from steroids⁷ might be different from what I want to get out of a cycle, so there will never be one correct answer. A common misunderstanding is that one method is safer than the other. Even when you’ve got some experience under your belt, you’ll still be weighing up the pros and cons of oral steroids vs. injectable steroids⁸.

Understandably, new users are going to be hesitant to use injections most of the time. After all, it’s a big step to make that decision to inject yourself with a substance. Oral steroids then seem like the easier option. The safer option. The more convenient option. But are they? It’s not quite that simple.

The genuinely experienced and confident steroid user has a firm understanding of not only the good and bad aspects of each type of steroid but, even more importantly: “How to stack different steroid types for maximum effect.” This is what separates the novice steroid user from the real experts. So, let’s dig a little deeper because it is CRITICAL to understand how to use and combine anabolic steroids safely and effectively.

Oral AAS

Orals are valued by those who know how to use them properly. But they can be feared by guys who don’t understand them or how to fit them into a cycle best. It’s wise to be cautious about using oral steroids, but with enough knowledge, you should be able to make use of any oral without suffering serious harm.

The downsides of oral steroids include the following:

• There is a high chance of hepatotoxicity, increasing with higher doses and longer-term use, which stresses the liver⁹ (with few exceptions such as Anavar)
• A short half-life means taking orals multiple times daily
• Higher cardiovascular risk puts pressure on the heart by lowering HDL cholesterol¹⁰
• They can have low bioavailability if consumed with food, so should be taken without food for the best results

So, what about the pros of oral steroids? There are a few:

• Easy to take: Everyone finds it easier to drop a pill compared to injecting, making it much more convenient to take each dose.
• Quicker results: Naturally, you’ll see the effects come on fast as oral steroids start working within hours. So, results are usually much quicker than with injectables.
• Fast clearance of your system: Oral steroid detection time is much quicker than most injectables, providing an advantage if you think you’ll be tested¹¹.

Oral forms are taken by mouth. The following is a list of the most popular oral anabolic steroids you will come across:

• Anadrol (Oxymetholone) – Anadrol is one of the most powerful steroids for raw strength and mass gains and is quoted as having triple the anabolic power of testosterone. Most people will combine Anadrol with slow-acting injectable steroids in a stack.
• Anavar (Oxandrolone) – One of the best anabolic steroids for cutting overall. It’s known for its powerful effect on fat-burning and metabolic activity, ultimately helping you obtain a lean, hard, and ripped physique, and it’s usually stacked with Winstrol or Testosterone.
• Clenbuterol (Clen, Dilaterol, Spiropent) – Clenbuterol is not a steroid but a stimulant; it is one of the best fat burners around, so we know this is the main area in which it excels. Women often use it.
• Cytomel T3 (Triiodothyronine, Liothyronine Sodium) – It is a synthetic form of a thyroid hormone called T3. Athletes and bodybuilders use Cytomel to promote fat loss by providing the body with an additional source of the thyroid hormone to stimulate the metabolic rate.
• Dianabol (Dbol, Methandrostenolone, Metandienone) – The primary area where Dianabol excels is mass and strength building. Dbol also gives you an unreal type of strength. It’s often used at the beginning of a bulking cycle to produce fast results early on.
• Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) – Halotestin is used to experience a substantial increase in strength. Halotestin excels at boosting strength significantly so that competitive strength athletes can value it.
• Proviron (Mesterolone) – Proviron is rarely used to give you direct results; instead, it works with other compounds you use. It is beneficial as a mild and effective aromatase inhibitor during a cycle or a potent muscle hardener towards the end of a hardcore cutting cycle.
• Superdrol (Sdrol, Methasterone, Methyldrostanolone) – Superdrol is a versatile steroid that fits well into both bulking and cutting cycles, having significant benefits for building muscle, cutting and toning, hardening the physique, and boosting strength and overall performance.
• Turinabol (Oral Tbol) – Turinabol is beneficial for enhancing performance rather than acting as a mass-gaining steroid, although it can provide some moderate clean gains in mass.
• Winstrol (Stanozolol) – Winstrol is an oral and injectable steroid that works for cutting and bulking cycles as it increases muscle mass, boosts fat loss, and hardens the body’s appearance. Despite its negative effect on the liver, oral Winstrol is often a first choice, particularly for those new to steroids.

Injectable AAS

Whichever way you look at injecting steroids, you will find arguments both for and against it. There are some pretty apparent downsides to injecting, and you’ve probably thought about some of them already. The main cons are:

• Potential pain and discomfort at the injection site¹² (some steroids hurt more than others)
• Possible injury to the muscle¹³
• Risk of infection¹⁴ if perfect hygiene and sterility aren’t maintained
• Some steroids are known to induce sudden coughing, particularly Trenbolone, due to irritation to the lungs¹⁵

But there are also some benefits of using injectable steroids over orals. These include:

• Longer half-life: Injectables can be administered once or twice weekly, meaning you don’t have to constantly think about taking your dose multiple times daily.
• Better for the liver and heart: While some injectables can bring some liver toxicity risks, it’s rarely comparable to orals. Injectables may raise blood pressure¹⁶ but usually don’t decrease HDL cholesterol levels like orals.
• Testosterone: If you want regular, unmodified testosterone, injections provide the most options except oral Andriol¹⁷.

The following is a list of the most popular injectable anabolic steroids:

• Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate) – Perfect for bulking and strength, Deca is well known for its power to stimulate massive gains in lean muscle mass. The nitrogen retention from Deca is excellent, giving your muscles a nice, full look. It also directly contributes to repairing and recovering muscle tissue and joint pain.
• Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate) – EQ is a versatile steroid used when bulking up or cutting down. It works exceptionally well for both. It’s slightly similar to Deca but holds much less water, and I get better vascularity from it. Usually stacked with testosterone.
• Human Growth Hormone (HGH, Somatotropin) – Not a steroid, HGH has been a hot topic for the past few years. An HGH cycle will reverse the aging process, improve sleep, build new muscle tissue, regenerate tissue, and heal the body.
• Masteron (Drostanolone, Drolban, Masteril) – Masteron gives you a granite-hard look, is very effective when preparing for competitions, and is mild enough to be used in longer cycles. Masteron is used best in a cutting cycle.
• Primobolan (Methenolone Acetate – injectable, Methenolone Enanthate – oral) – Primobolan isn’t a mass-gaining steroid; it provides the most benefit during cutting cycles, where you must retain maximum muscle while burning fat and eating a lower-calorie diet. Oral Primobolan doesn’t come with a high risk of liver toxicity, and its mild anabolic effects make it an ideal choice for women who can see excellent results at low doses.
• Sustanon 250 (Testosterone Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate, Decanoate) – Sustanon 250 is a group of both slow and fast-acting esters that makes it useful for contributing to muscle building, fat loss, energy, and strength by providing critical testosterone support during a steroid cycle.
• Testosterone Enanthate (Delatestryl, Xyosted) – Testosterone Enanthate is considered the base of each steroid cycle, whether you’re cutting or bulking. It works, and it’s rarely faked – an excellent choice for beginners (first cycle).
• Testosterone Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, Andro Cyp) – One of the best things about Testosterone Cypionate is that it can be included in any cycle. This isn’t a steroid that has one single purpose; instead, it can contribute to virtually any goal, and it works well alongside all other anabolic steroids.
• Testosterone Propionate (Testoviron Depot) – Testosterone Propionate is a steroid that even first-time users can often comfortably use at doses that more advanced users will take. This results in the ability to gain more muscle, train harder, lose fat, and recover faster at a higher level than is ever possible without anabolic steroids.
• Trenbolone Acetate – Considered a steroid on steroids, Tren will give you intense strength and also help you get harder. It’s something that can be used for building up or cutting down.

In reality, both oral and injectable steroids come with their own set of risks, and it’s up to YOU to weigh up the risks versus the rewards before deciding on what type of steroids (if any) you’re going to be comfortable using.

As for results, both oral and injectable steroids are more than capable of delivering powerful anabolic effects¹⁸. Ultimately, your results will come down not to the administration type of your steroids but to how you use them, how you plan your cycles, and how optimal your diet and training are! In other words, you can fail on orals and injectables if you don’t do the other things right. And you can see remarkable results if you put the effort in.

Many of the popular cycles combine both orals and injectables in a stack, so you get to reap the benefits of each rather than exclusively using just one type of steroid (yes, this also means dealing with the side effects that come with each – that’s the nature of steroid use).

Cycling, Stacking, and Pyramiding Steroids

These are three of the usage methods or patterns that can be applied to steroid use. The one you select will depend on your goals, with bodybuilders and athletes requiring different methods to achieve the maximum possible effect.

Cycling Steroids

Steroid cycling is used by people who know exactly what they want to achieve and when, as well as when they want to be steroid-free when it comes to being tested. Cycling is essentially an on-off strategy, and one of the big reasons it’s done is to avoid the diminishing effects of steroids after they’ve been continually taken for around two months, where muscle gain can start to slow.

Cycling requires a plan¹⁹, as you’ll decide how long you want to take the steroid and how long the break in between will be when you stop using it. A cycle can range anywhere from a few weeks up to several months of usage, followed by a period with either no steroid use at all or using at a lower dosage. Your cycle length will depend on your experience with steroids, which steroid you’re taking, and what goals you’re trying to achieve.

Stacking Steroids

Bulking, cutting, strength, and performance are the big reasons that anyone uses anabolic steroids. You might have one or more of these goals, but ultimately, what you want to achieve from your steroid cycle will determine what you take and how you take them.

Bulking and cutting while retaining muscle mass are two areas I focus on below. As you would expect, added benefits like increased strength, endurance, and performance will come with these compounds, which ultimately help you break through all your plateaus and previous records at the gym once you’re on a cycle.

More experienced steroid users might try stacking²⁰, and as you might guess, this involves using more than one type of steroid at a time. Think about it: Combining two or more steroids with different actions or effects on the body is one way of attempting to achieve a much more powerful result.

One of the main steroid stacking strategies is to stack a short-acting and long-acting steroid or to combine oral and injectable steroids in a stack. Stacking steroids comes with greater potential results but also with increased risks, and these also need to be considered.

Pyramiding Steroids

Just like the shape of a pyramid, this method is centered on beginning with a low dose and gradually increasing your steroid dosage so that your peak dose is in the middle of the cycle. Simply put, this is the top of the pyramid, after which you gradually decrease the dosage until you get back to zero.

Unlike cycling, where you might abruptly stop using steroids entirely at the end of a cycle, pyramiding allows you to taper off slowly. So, one of the main reasons users choose the pyramid method is to help adjust to higher doses while trying to avoid overloading the body’s natural hormone system and giving it time to readjust when the dosage is lowered in the second part of the pyramid.

Author's Note: For real, NO-BS information on using steroids be sure to check out Straight from the Underground (my recommended underground steroid handbook). Everything in this book is based on first-hand experience, not theory.

Cycle Length

How long should you run your steroid cycles? This will depend on several factors, but the main ones are which steroid compound (or compounds) you want to use and your overall goals (plus if you expect to be faced with any drug testing at any stage).

Short Cycles (2-4 weeks)

Lasting just two or three weeks, a short cycle can be useful at two extreme ends – either for getting very rapid gains by essentially blasting the body with very high doses (not recommended for any beginner) or if you’re happy with some steady but slower gains without overloading your body with substances. The benefit of the latter is when done with 3 or 4 weeks off cycle, a short and steady cycle reduces health and side effects risks to the lowest possible level.

Medium Cycles (6-8 weeks)

A 6 to 8 weeks cycle is useful for gaining lean mass or cutting over a moderate period where you put in serious diet and gym work while allowing you to run around three cycles per year with adequate time during the off-cycle period without the risk of diminishing gains which can happen if you’re cycle extends for too long.

This time frame also reduces side effects, although this will heavily depend on what compounds you’re using. Medium cycles restrict you from making the gains you want during these few weeks, so you’ll be fairly limited to faster-acting compounds. Testosterone Propionate is often the ester of choice for a medium cycle.

Standard Cycles (10-12 weeks)

Lasting from 10 to 12 weeks, standard cycle lengths are suited to new steroid users as well as those with more experience, with benefits for both bulking and cutting depending on your goals and which steroid compounds you’re using.

This period is optimal because it allows you to make gains for the longest time until you reach the point where gaining muscle starts to diminish, plateau, and potentially stop altogether. This eliminates any wasting of time (and steroids) if your body is not going to make gains – instead allowing you to go off cycle and clear your system in preparation for the start of the next cycle.

Long Cycles (3-9 months)

This is only recommended for long-time, highly experienced, or older users who have no concerns about natural testosterone levels. Some believe very long cycles ranging from 3 to 9 months can bring permanent gains. Testosterone Enanthate (Cypionate) is the compound most commonly used in a long cycle. As expected, the heightened risk of serious side effects of these extra-long steroid cycles makes it a strategy that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Author's Note: For more information on how long you should run your steroid cycle and the advantages and disadvantages of different cycle scenarios, check out my in-depth guide on anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Which Steroid Compound to Use?

Remember, beginners have one simple rule regarding steroids: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) or keep it as simple as possible. I believe KISS applies to all steroid cycles. Selecting a shorter half-life steroid as your first makes it easier to get over any initial side effects when the steroid is eliminated from your system sooner. Striking a balance between effective results and mild side effects is essential for a beginner. That means keeping the dosage moderate and carefully considering which compounds to use first.

The biggest factor you’re probably thinking about is, “Do I go with orals or injectables?“. Orals are no doubt much less daunting than injecting for the first time, but it does significantly limit the compounds you’ll be able to use, plus how long you’ll be able to use it. While orals are easier to take, they come with toxic side effects to the liver.

Whatever form you decide to use for your beginner cycle, your next step is to figure out which steroid compounds you will start with. Below are some of the most common anabolic-androgenic steroids you will come across that may (or may not) be suitable for your first steroid cycle:

Testosterone (and Its Esters)

Testosterone is king when it comes to anabolic steroids. The majority of anabolic steroids you hear about are one form or another of testosterone and usually synthetic derivatives of testosterone. This hormone increases muscle size and strength, and a testosterone-only cycle is usually the first step taken by a new steroid user.

When going on a testosterone cycle, you get to quickly find out how your body, performance, and results change as a result of boosting your testosterone levels to previously unseen ones. And yes, you will also get to find out what, if any, side effects you might be prone to. You can tweak and adjust your cycles from there for the best results.

There are over 20 known esters of testosterone, but you will only come across a small number of these being available for use. Most of these synthetic derivatives of testosterone have been developed for medical use to treat conditions like low or no testosterone in men. These compounds can significantly boost testosterone levels, making them attractive to us for bodybuilding.

The primary testosterone esters you’ll see consistently talked about by bodybuilders and athletes are:

• Testosterone Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, Andro Cyp, TC, TCPP, Cyclopentylpropionate)
• Testosterone Enanthate (Delatestryl, Xyosted)
• Testosterone Propionate (Testoviron Depot, TP, Propanoate, Propionyltestosterone)

Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate are considered to be very similar, and even in the medical field, these two esters are often interchangeable. The main difference between these esters is how slow or fast they can be released into the body after an injection and how long they elevate your testosterone levels.

Some esters will, therefore, need to be injected much more regularly than others if you are to maintain a consistent testosterone supply. This is why learning about the different esters, which I’ll cover in more detail below, is essential.

The half-life of each ester is one of the main differences between them. Cypionate has a half-life of approximately 8 days, while Enanthate and Propionate have a short elimination half-life of about 4.5 days. For example, Testosterone Undecanoate has a long half-life of over 20 days, and Phenylpropionate has a short half-life of less than three days.

Dianabol (Metandienone)

Think of anabolic steroids, and the name Dianabol (Dbol) is often the first to come to your mind. It’s long been the most popular and respected steroid, and for good reason. Dianabol is the most well-known of the Methandrostenolone group of steroids, and Dbol was the first ever androgen and anabolic steroid to become available way back in the 1950s when it was used for increasing muscle mass and strength – just as it continues to be used today.

Dianabol comes in oral and injectable forms, but oral is the most commonly used. Dianabol is an altered form of the testosterone hormone. The slight chemical modification of testosterone gives Dianabol less androgenic effects than regular testosterone. Dianabol works superbly when used with other steroids in a stack, and this is how it is most commonly used and provides the most benefits.

Dianabol delivers its results by seriously boosting nitrogen retention and protein synthesis, making muscle growth faster and more significant. Increased blood and nutrient flow to the muscles enhances strength rapidly while reducing fatigue. Dianabol requires you to consume enough food calories for it to work to its maximum level.

Dbol is very effective in bulking cycles for gaining mass during short periods. You will also notice your ability to work out harder and longer increases due to the significant boost to nitrogen retention and blood flow that Dianabol provides. The substantial benefit is that Dianabol works quickly, and using it at the start of a bulking cycle gives the ultimate boost to your cycle.

As I said, Dianabol is ideally used alongside other compounds, so your dosage can vary greatly depending on your goals and what other steroids are in the cycle. To balance benefits and side effects well, 15 or 20mg daily will not disappoint, especially if it’s your first time. Advanced users can go as high as 50mg to 100mg daily.

Dianabol-only cycle is a common beginner choice because, as an oral compound, it’s simple to take and helps you avoid injecting. You’ll only be doing a 6-week cycle on Dianabol to avoid liver toxicity. Dbol can also increase levels of estrogen because it can aromatize, which brings some potential side effects like gynecomastia (increased breast tissue) and fluid retention. You will also need to watch out for androgenic side effects and consider taking aromatase inhibitor drugs alongside it to reduce estrogen and minimize these side effects.

Despite the side effects, Dbol’s powerful protein synthesis and nitrogen retention effects make it appealing. A significant benefit to Dbol as a beginner cycle choice is its short half-life, so if you change your mind, it won’t take long to exit your system. You can’t go wrong with Dianabol. It is a simple, easy-to-use steroid that provides massive benefits in rapid time, and that’s why it’s been a staple for bodybuilders for decades. To run a Dbol cycle, look at my complete Dianabol (Dbol) cycle guide.

Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)

Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca) is one of the most widely used androgenic-anabolic steroids. Studies have proven that Nandrolone increases muscle mass in male bodybuilders²¹.

Deca-Durabolin is the most well-known brand of Nandrolone Decanoate and is used by intramuscular injection. Deca has relatively weak androgenic effects but very strong anabolic effects, which gives it a reduced risk of side effects compared with some other steroids.

A cycle of Deca-Durabolin for your first beginner attempt puts you in a class of steroids that are very popular but do require intramuscular injections. As a beginner cycle, you will want to start at a half dose twice a week, then increase the dose to the full level of 200mg as a weekly injection.

Beginners need to remember that steroids are not going to build muscle or give you massive strength on their own: Your results will come down to your dedication in the gym, to your diet, and how hard you’re willing to train to get the absolute maximum results your body is capable of with the use of steroids.

Deca-Durabolin has additional unique benefits like boosting immunity, bone density, and joint health, which can be some of the main reasons people use it. Deca will aid in strength and mass gains without worrying about estrogenic side effects. It can cause some androgenic effects like hair loss and is considered mild compared to other compounds. Gyno only becomes a concern at high doses.

Deca is an excellent choice for a long cycle where the body is continually under stress and where this compound will promote ligament, joint, and bone health. You can generally inject Deca just once a week and maintain stable levels. Usually, Deca will stop being used about three weeks before the end of your cycle, with doses up to two-thirds of that of your Testosterone dosage.

Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (NPP) is another popular option. It is similar to Deca-Durabolin but is a short ester with relatively mild side effects. It is also not as strong and results in lean mass gains. NPP is excellent for a cutting cycle as it comes with little water retention, with the bonus of providing joint support.

Doses are effective, starting at 50mg every two days, with the potential to rise to 200mg every two days. Usually, you’d want to dose this compound at less than your dosage of the primary testosterone compound. If you’re going to run a Deca cycle, check out my in-depth Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone) cycle guide.

Anavar (Oxandrolone)

Anavar is the well-known brand name of Oxandrolone. It is an androgen and anabolic steroid medically used for promoting weight gain after illness or injury, as well as for other conditions like osteoporosis and anemia.

When it comes to bodybuilding, Oxandrolone is popular because it’s highly anabolic and minimally androgenic. Therefore, it’s often chosen by those who do not want to use some of the more potent steroids out there, including women. Anavar does not require injections and is taken orally as a tablet, which is another attractive benefit for those new to using steroids.

Anavar is a popular oral steroid that will boost strength, fat loss, and healing benefits but with little size gain. Another benefit is the lack of aromatizing activity, so even if you gain a small amount of mass during this cycle, Anavar won’t be causing fluid retention, and importantly, you’ll get a harder and more defined physique, including increased vascularity. It also won’t cause much testosterone suppression.

Anavar boosts the metabolism, and this is a core principle if you’re going to cut fat. Anavar keeps the body in an anabolic state, so you lose fat and keep the muscle you’ve gained from bulking cycles. A secondary benefit is an increase in strength. Anavar will give you more endurance and faster recovery, translating to harder, more efficient cardio and workout sessions.

Anavar comes with potential toxicity issues to the liver, but a medium-length cycle should be manageable for most healthy guys. An ideal Anavar dose is up to 100mg daily. There’s some flexibility in Anavar dosing, with some guys using as low as 30mg daily and going up to 100mg in more hardcore cycles. Anavar will help you maintain gains and work as a compound to keep your progress steady without delivering massive results. If you’re going to run an Anavar cycle, check out my full Anavar (Oxandrolone) cycle guide.

Sustanon 250 (Mix of Testosterone Esters)

Sustanon 250 is a popular synthetic testosterone androgen-anabolic steroid often medically used as an injection to treat the problem of low testosterone in men. There are four testosterone ester compounds in Sustanon 250 (Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate, and Decanoate), and all these active substances become testosterone once in the body once Sustanon 250 is injected.

Because testosterone is an androgen, Sustanon 250 brings about the effects of increased masculinization, but in men, this can result in hair loss due to excess DHT. It also stimulates red blood cell production, a critical aspect of muscle growth. Bodybuilders use Sustanon 250 to gain bulk and muscle mass, improve recovery, increase stamina and energy, and retain a heightened anabolic state.

Sustanon is plain testosterone, so you get all the benefits of that hormone as you would with a single-ester product. This means muscle growth, maintaining lean muscle and increased strength, and mental benefits like enhanced clarity and focus. Sustanon 250 promotes protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, increasing Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 to boost anabolism while decreasing destructive stress hormones.

The value of a formula of multiple testosterone esters is that you combine both slow-acting and fast-acting forms of the hormone – while the short esters start working right away, the long esters kick in later. This means you aren’t tied to the properties of just a single form of testosterone. A prime time to use Sustanon 250 is during off-season bulking, where you can build up lean mass with increased testosterone levels while seeing a decreased tendency to gain fat – as long as your diet is proper. Sustanon 250 protects lean muscle tissue, and your dosage and workouts will determine how much you can gain.

You can start as low as 250mg weekly, but this is usually only enough to provide an external source of testosterone if you’re using other suppressive compounds. Most of us will want at least 500mg per week for bulking. This can go up to 1000mg, depending on your goals and your tolerance for side effects.

Sustanon 250 comes with the same side effects and risks as all other forms of testosterone. Gyno and water retention must be controlled, mainly as excess fluid can raise blood pressure. Sustanon will have high androgenic effects, but some guys are much more sensitive than others to developing acne and hair loss. Your natural testosterone will be suppressed while using Sustanon 250, so you’ll need a PCT plan in place following your cycle.

Sustanon 250 gives you a unique ability to receive both fast-acting and slow-acting testosterone esters in one injection, helping you maintain stable levels of the hormone during a bulking cycle while reducing the frequency of your injections. If you’re going to run a Sustanon cycle, check out my complete Sustanon 250 cycle guide.

Trenbolone Acetate

This is an anabolic steroid used in the livestock industry to increase muscle growth in cattle. Only some esters of Tren are available, with Trenbolone itself not available. Acetate ester is used in veterinary use, while other Trenbolone esters include Enanthate and Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate (Parabolan).

Trenbolone is considered one of the most powerful steroids, which is up to five times stronger and more effective than testosterone itself. A 19-Nor injectable, Trenbolone is a potent mass and strength builder. It can increase IGF levels and sensitivity plus boost protein synthesis. You won’t have water retention with Tren because there’s no estrogen conversion. Acetate and enanthate are the two common esters of Tren.

Trenbolone Acetate is considered the fastest-acting form favored by bodybuilders, with noticeable effects and progress coming on within days and with no fluid retention, compared with Trenbolone Enanthate, which can take several weeks to start kicking in.

A Tren cycle has been shown to have fat-burning and anti-catabolic effects, so it helps retain muscle. It’s super for cutting and general body recomposition but comes with downsides, including being highly suppressive and known as a libido killer. It can bring about drastic mood changes and insomnia, as well as androgenic effects like acne and hair loss. Therefore, most users like to use Tren for limited periods to reduce the severity of side effects.

Additionally, because of possible issues with prolactin being elevated, which can eliminate the libido, a prolactin antagonist is often recommended to be used with Tren to help maintain the sex drive. A typical Tren dose ranges up to 100mg daily. If you’re going to run a Trenbolone cycle, check out my complete Trenbolone Acetate cycle guide.

Winstrol (Stanozolol)

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid, which is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Winstrol is notable for its power to increase strength. Still, it’s no slouch in the muscle growth department either, and a benefit is that it doesn’t aromatize, so it is less likely to have you experiencing things like water retention. The modified DHT formed into Stanozolol has increased anabolic properties for muscle and strength gains while reducing its androgenic properties.

Winstrol or Winny comes in both injection or oral forms. It has powerful protein synthesis and strength-boosting effects and comes with the benefit of no water retention. It works well with testosterone, but users should be aware the oral form is quite hepatotoxic. When used as an injection, Winstrol is taken between 50 and 200mg daily every two days, while the oral form is used at 25mg to 100mg daily. Expect higher effectiveness from the injectable form, and it doesn’t come with risks to the liver.

Winstrol is not specifically a cutting or fat-burning steroid like Anavar, but it increases strength, power, and speed and has excellent benefits for the joints. One of the unique functions of Winstrol is its ability to reduce SHBG significantly (while most other steroids increase it), ultimately bringing about an increase in free testosterone. Even though it’s far from a bulking steroid, Winstrol still increases nitrogen retention and improves protein synthesis and red blood cell count – but minimally compared with most other compounds.

With the boost in strength and power, you can supercharge your cardio workouts while reducing fat. Winstrol helps you reach your cutting targets faster and with additional benefits. Winstrol promotes muscle hardening, so you’re not just losing fat but getting a shredded, hard physique. It can help reduce joint pain, a problem we often deal with when becoming more lean during cutting.

Winstrol will suppress your testosterone a lot, so you’ll need exogenous testosterone in your cycle. There are no estrogenic effects, and androgenic effects are usually mild. Winstrol can significantly negatively impact cholesterol levels. Winstrol is a very popular steroid for good reason. It’s an extremely effective cutting compound that can deliver that highly desirable hard, dry appearance and is particularly valuable when you’re already lean and need more extreme results. If you’re going to run a Winstrol cycle, check out my complete Winstrol (Stanozolol) cycle guide.

Anadrol (Oxymetholone)

Anadrol is a bulking powerhouse steroid. It is one of the most well-known brand names of Oxymetholone and is a popular oral steroid known for its ability to deliver hardcore strength and mass gains very quickly. Anadrol has a reputation as one of the most powerful and effective anabolic steroids, with excellent anabolic effects and weaker androgenic effects.

Oxymetholone is used medically to treat osteoporosis, anemia, and wasting syndrome. It is also used as an AA steroid by bodybuilders for its ability to boost muscle growth and strength by increasing testosterone levels. Anadrol also improves recovery and stamina by reducing or delaying fatigue due to increased red blood cell production, which provides more oxygen to the muscles. Its use as a treatment for anemia is a testament to its ability to improve red blood cell count.

Anadrol is a steroid that should be used alongside other steroids in a stack rather than on its own. Anadrol will significantly increase mass and strength thanks to its potent anabolic rating. Anadrol starts working fast, so its best use is at the start of your bulking cycle, where this compound will give you quick gains, while the other injectable compounds in your cycle take a while longer to kick in. It is also a powerful mid-cycle compound where you want to smash through a plateau so your gains don’t stagnate. This makes Anadrol a serious weapon in any well-planned steroid cycle.

This quick-acting oral steroid also leaves the body quickly, so you need to take it daily. It should be used for no longer than 6 weeks, but even 4 weeks will give excellent results at 50mg daily. The higher the dose, the more serious side effects will be, and it is known that anything above 100mg is not only possibly dangerous but will not provide any added benefits.

Anadrol is also a 17aa oral steroid, which gives similar results to Dbol. It is based on DHT, so it doesn’t convert to estrogen. Despite this, it can still cause estrogen increase through other mechanisms, thus producing gyno and water retention. As you will likely be using either SERMs or AIs in your cycle to combat the side effects of other compounds, these will help with Anadrol’s estrogenic effects.

Some people may experience androgenic effects like acne or hair loss, and this is not a steroid that women should use. Cholesterol changes, testosterone suppression, and liver toxicity are all other side effects to be aware of with Anadrol. Overall, Anadrol is a potent weapon to have in your steroid arsenal and will provide a mighty boost to your bulking cycle when used with other bulking compounds. If you’re going to run an Anadrol cycle, check out my full Anadrol (Oxymetholone) cycle guide.

Clenbuterol (Clen)

Clenbuterol is a stimulant that has some similar properties to anabolic steroids and was initially developed to treat breathing disorders but has become popular amongst bodybuilders and athletes to reduce body fat and grow muscle due to its similar effects to drugs like Ephedrine.

Clenbuterol is a well-known effective fat burner that suits pre-contest dieting stages as it has a powerful anti-catabolic property that will help stop muscle loss. Clen was designed initially as an asthma medication in the beta receptor antagonist category of drugs.

A 2-week Clenbuterol cycle is the recommended maximum, with at least that same length of time in between without Clen being used. 100mcg to 120mcg daily is the usual dosage range. Most users usually pyramid the dosage, but everyone will experience different side effects. The dose should be adjusted accordingly, and dose increases should be done gradually. Jitters are a common side effect of Clen, and a good diet and training will still be needed to get Clen’s fat loss benefits.

This compound is proven to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle. Clen boosts the metabolic rate, which at its core is caused by increased body temperature (this contributes to some possible side effects). Some users find the metabolic effects wane with continued use, so a two-week on and two-week off routine is often very effective.

The most significant benefit of Clen is its positive impact on metabolism. With your metabolism working more efficiently, your body can’t help but burn body fat, especially when you’re on a calorie deficit diet while cutting. Although far from a muscle-building compound, Clen will help prevent muscle wastage while cutting, thanks to its minor anabolic properties that mildly increase protein synthesis.

As a stimulant, Clen comes with some different side effects than you’ll typically see with real anabolic steroids. These can include an increased heart rate, chest pain or faster heart rate and breathing, increased sweating, anxiety, blood sugar levels, and a general jittery feeling, as some people can experience after a lot of caffeine.

So, Clen isn’t a fat loss miracle, but it’s a powerful metabolic booster that will help you burn calories faster, and we all want to do that in a cutting cycle. Clen is often stacked with potent cutting steroids like Anavar or Winstrol and helps provide that extra edge as you work to become leaner during your cutting phase. If you’re going to run a Clen cycle, check out my complete Clenbuterol cycle guide.

Proviron (Mesterolone)

Mesterolone, under the brand name Proviron, is a useful cutting steroid for those who know how to make the most of this unique compound. While it can be used for mass gains, this steroid is mainly used in cutting cycles. Proviron is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is used as an oral steroid.

One of the downsides and reasons this is not a widely used steroid is that Proviron has lower bioavailability than other oral compounds. Proviron has relatively weak androgenic and estrogenic effects compared with other steroids and can provide some mild anti-estrogenic benefits. It is unlikely to play a star role in any stack. Still, one significant benefit Proviron can have, even in a bulking stack, is to increase the amount of free and available hormones from other steroids because this compound binds strongly to SHGB, which can boost circulating free testosterone.

Proviron is useful for cutting as it can help harden the muscles and enhance the same effect of other steroids in your stack. It also encourages fat burning thanks to its androgen receptor binding. Being quite anti-estrogenic, Proviron discourages water retention. This steroid comes with low side effect risks, with some androgenic effects being the primary concern, including the usual culprits like acne and hair loss in some individuals. The most severe potential side effect of Proviron relates to cholesterol, and those with high cholesterol are advised to avoid this steroid. If you’re going to run a Proviron cycle, check out my complete Proviron (Mesterolone) cycle guide.

Masteron (Drostanolone)

Masteron was initially developed as a breast cancer medication. Bodybuilders make use of the compound Drostanolone as a powerful cutting steroid, especially those people involved in competitions where it is very popular in preparation cycles. This is another DHT-derived steroid, but unlike Proviron, Masteron is injectable.

Two Masteron esters are available, with Drostanolone Propionate being more commonly used and more available than Enanthate. As you might expect from a breast cancer drug, Masteron holds some valuable anti-estrogenic properties, so estrogen-related side effects are not a concern with this steroid. Without the worry about water retention, Masteron makes for an excellent cutting steroid with the ability to harden the physique.

While not considered a bulking or muscle gain steroid, Masteron can improve strength exceptionally well, making this a popular steroid with athletes who want both performance enhancement and fat-cutting benefits without building mass. Masteron is a steroid made for people who have already done considerable work in getting lean and toned, with this compound aiding in the final stages before a competition, where maximum hardness and detailed fat loss are required.

Androgenic side effects like hair loss and acne are still possible with Masteron but are considered mild compared with other steroids. Masteron is also usable by women when careful attention is paid to dosage to avoid virilization. The downside of Masteron also relates to cholesterol and how this steroid decreases HDL and increases LDL, meaning your cholesterol levels must be monitored and maintained as well as possible through diet and cardio exercise. If you’re going to run a Masteron cycle, check out my full Masteron (Drostanolone) cycle guide.

Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)

Halotestin is a unique testosterone-derived steroid in that it is extremely powerful with a sky-high anabolic rating. It has had many medical uses, from muscle wasting to breast cancer, but is not mainly used by bodybuilders or athletes for bulking or cutting. It is mostly valued for its ability to provide incredible strength through its activity on red blood cells.

Despite the tremendous anabolic power of Fluoxymesterone, it is not known to be effective in humans. As a result, we don’t get the muscle-building effect from this steroid that you might otherwise expect of such a potent compound. What it can do, however, is boost fat loss and significantly increase performance. For people with a specific need for the specialized benefits that Halotestin can provide, it’s a steroid considered potent for short-term use where you have a particular goal, making it primarily usable by strength athletes and powerlifters.

Halotestin will increase energy and strength, and all this happens because it increases your red blood cell measurements. With such a high anabolic rating, it’s easy to assume that you’ll get huge anabolic effects. Still, the anabolic properties of Halotestin have little effect on humans – most of its effects come from its androgenic properties.

Halotestin is best used as a strength-enhancing steroid, and this can provide a massive benefit in a bulking cycle even if Halotestin itself does not contribute much or at all to lean muscle growth. The increased energy and aggression it causes can lead to positive outcomes in the gym if you know how to channel and control the aggression in your workouts.

Small doses and short cycles are essential for using Halotestin safely. Even 10mg daily of this oral steroid will provide very noticeable benefits. No more than 40mg daily should be attempted, and cycle lengths of no longer than four weeks are required because of the high rate of liver toxicity.

Despite the potentially very powerful benefits, Halotestin is not a very widely used steroid, and this is mainly because of its extensive side effects. There are no estrogenic side effects with Halotestin. Still, androgenic effects are possible in men, and the strong androgenic nature of this steroid makes it unsuitable for use by females. Aggression is a real issue with this steroid, so for those men who tend to have a short fuse, this is a steroid to avoid altogether. Other men might be able to channel the heightened aggression and energy into workouts, but this is a serious side effect that needs to be considered. If you’re going to run a Halotestin cycle, check out my full Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) cycle guide.

Primobolan (Metenolone)

Methenolone is a DHT-derived steroid available in both oral and injectable forms, with the injectable known as Primobolan Depot. The injectable version is considered much more powerful than the oral form and, as such, is more popular amongst bodybuilders and performance athletes. The most beneficial effects of Primobolan include its ability to boost nitrogen retention and keep the body in an anabolic state. Still, despite this, it is not considered a mass-building steroid.

Primobolan is most valuable when used in a cutting cycle with enhanced nitrogen retention, helping to retain muscle and the potential for excellent fat loss through lipolysis. One of the several medical conditions this steroid was used to treat was AIDS due to Primobolan positive effect on the immune system, making this a unique trait of this steroid.

Strength enhancement is another effect of Primobolan, making this a valuable steroid for athletes outside the bodybuilding sphere. This can translate into boosted speed, power, endurance, and muscle recovery. Male athletes can benefit from these positive effects without the concern of gaining excess muscle, which may not be desired physically or aesthetically.

Primobolan can help you achieve that hardened, ripped look with no water retention. It’s no secret that this was likely one of Arnie’s favorite steroids. Preserving muscle tissue is a critical benefit of Primobolan, as it stops you from becoming catabolic while your cutting diet is a calorie deficiency. Primobolan increases strength, recovery, and muscle endurance so that it will contribute positively to your workouts.

The lowest dose of Primobolan Depot when cutting to promote muscle retention is 200mg weekly; however, most users will want at least 300mg. Depending on your goals, most guys can go up to 500-600mg weekly without risk of serious side effects. The oral form can work well with as little as 50mg daily, up to 150mg maximum.

Primobolan is one of the few steroids that is highly usable by females in either oral or injectable form. While men are unlikely to see noticeable mass gains with this steroid, women will be more sensitive to the anabolic effects and can see some weight increases. There are no estrogenic side effects with Methenolone, making it a good cutting steroid without water retention. However, strong androgenic side effects are possible, and women are advised to retain a low dose and short duration of use of this steroid. If you’re going to run a Primobolan cycle, check out my full Primobolan (Metenolone) cycle guide.

Equipoise (Boldenone)

This is a veterinary steroid used on debilitated horses to increase appetite and improve body and muscle condition. EQ is a long-acting injectable steroid that has excellent anabolic properties and low androgenic activity.

EQ provides excellent strength and lean mass benefits for the bodybuilder, although mass gains can be slow and not at the level of more powerful bulking steroids. Those wanting moderate mass gains rather than extreme ones will enjoy Equipoise for this purpose. Some users of Equipoise report an increase in appetite, while others experience no change in appetite, indicating that the effect is highly individualistic.

Equipoise excels at cutting and is excellent at helping retain lean muscle and provide a general improvement in body conditioning. Strength, muscle endurance, and recovery improvements are areas in which Equipoise provides exceptional benefits. While these are very useful for athletes, the downside of Equipoise is its long detection time of five months.

Even though Equipoise is useful for bulking, it shines when it comes to cutting cycles because it promotes the retention of lean muscle tissue while on a calorie-deficient diet. The boost to strength is also valuable while cutting. EQ will improve the vascularity and hardness of your physique.

For cutting purposes, a higher dosage holds little benefit but a higher risk of side effects. Therefore, as little as 200mg weekly, up to 400mg weekly is recommended. An 8-week cutting cycle with Equipoise is recommended, including if you are doing a longer cycle with other compounds; use EQ for the first eight weeks.

Side effects to expect with this steroid include testosterone suppression, mild negative impact on cholesterol, and relatively low risk of androgenic effects in men like hair loss and acne. Equipoise has a low level of estrogenic activity, so these side effects should be easy to control. Still, they can include water retention and gynecomastia, particularly when the steroid is used at higher doses. Women can use Equipoise at low doses with a low risk of virilization effects. If you’re going to run an EQ cycle, check out my full Equipoise (Boldenone) cycle guide.

Oral Turinabol (Tbol)

This steroid is similar in its structure to Dianabol as it is a chemical combination of Dianabol and Clostebol. It is milder in its effects than Dianabol. Also known as Oral Turinabol, this steroid has a low androgenic rating and does not aromatize.

Tbol is a steroid that is not highly valued by bodybuilders but more so by performance athletes, thanks to its ability to enhance muscle endurance, strength, and recovery. Noticeable gains in speed and power can be expected with this steroid, making it desirable for sports athletes, which is why this steroid is notorious for its past use by East German Olympic athletes in the 1970s and 1980s.

Turinabol provides its performance-enhancing effects by increasing red blood cell count, which gives the muscles more oxygen and nutrients, further boosting their endurance and power. Increasing protein synthesis and nitrogen retention increases anabolic activity, so lean muscle is retained.

Side effects of Turinabol include a high risk of negative impact on cholesterol and suppression of natural testosterone production. Androgenic are unlikely but possible and can include acne and baldness. Water retention and other estrogenic side effects are not an issue with this steroid, making it useful as part of a cutting cycle. If you’re going to run a Tbol cycle, check out my full Oral Turinabol cycle guide.

T3 Cytomel

Cytomel (Liothyronine Sodium) is also not an anabolic steroid in the traditional sense in that it isn’t based on testosterone. Instead, it is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine. This hormone is critical to normal metabolic processes, which might hint at its potential for cutting and fat loss.

Cytomel (T3) is used medically by people with an underactive thyroid, which can result in weight gain. T3, therefore, assists with weight loss indirectly by replacing this thyroid hormone. When used by athletes with a normal functioning thyroid at a dose above what is naturally produced by the thyroid, the metabolism is increased, and fat burning becomes easier and faster.

The T3 hormone naturally regulates your body’s metabolism, and the synthetic form is designed to mimic the hormone’s functionality. When your T3 and metabolism are high, the body burns fat faster and more efficiently. This is highly appealing on a cutting cycle and allows you to become leaner than you otherwise could naturally.

T3 can be paired with some anabolic steroids as a fat-burning agent in a cutting cycle, with the steroids preventing any potential catabolism or muscle tissue loss. The full potential fat loss benefits of T3 will only be realized if your cutting diet is running at a calorie deficit and your workouts are suitable.

Your body naturally produces a certain amount of T3, so if you take less than that amount, you’ll go backward and become deficient in this hormone. The minimum recommended dose to start with and to assess the impact on yourself is 25mcg daily and no lower. Increase to 50mcg if you feel comfortable. The dosage can be increased gradually over the next few days, by 25mcg daily, until you reach your desired maximum of 75mcg per day – 100mcg rarely recommended.

Too high of a dosage can result in muscle loss due to increasing protein metabolism. Too low of a dosage can result in fat gain due to insufficient hormones. Both these effects can be avoided easily by correct dosing. You may experience mild side effects at any dose, such as a higher body temperature and increased hunger (which might not be welcome while cutting). The muscles might also feel a little flat, particularly at higher doses.

T3 speeds up your fat loss and makes it easier to lose fat; this is the core use of this hormone and a very specific use. It is a low-cost drug that is generally easy to find and is tolerated well by most people when used within the recommended dosage range. If you’re going to run a T3 cycle, check out my complete Cytomel (T3) cycle guide.

Beginner Steroid Cycles

Deciding to use anabolic steroids for the first time is a massive step. After all, you’re thinking of modifying your body’s chemistry and natural processes, and that’s not something to take lightly. Get it all right? You can take your physique and performance to a level you’d never imagined. But get it wrong? You could be in for a lifetime of health complications – or worse.

So, if you are doing the right thing and taking in as much info as possible, you might still feel confused or suffer from information overload. No, there’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just that there’s a lot of info to take in, and it’s worth your time to read everything here until it sinks in. Then, ask yourself these questions before planning and doing your first cycle. Think of it as a test you need to pass!

• Are you at the right age to start using steroids?
• Have you been training long enough to make it worth using steroids?
• What makes some steroids different from others?
• Which side effects do you need to worry about with each type of steroid?
• What’s a steroid half-life, and why is it important?
• What does stacking mean?
• What’s an ester, and what does it do to a steroid?
• What are the main differences between injectable and oral steroids?
• What’s an AI and SERM, and why would you need them?
• What is PCT, and when should you do it?
• What’s the difference between an intramuscular injection and a subcutaneous injection?
• What will you eat while on a steroid cycle?
• What is so vital about needle gauges?

There’s much more to ask yourself, but these are a good starting point to cover your bases. I’m writing this because, from what I see every day, 9 out of 10 guys shouldn’t even be thinking about starting gear. Don’t repeat the mistakes of so many who did not do proper research before you. It will all be worth it because, in the end, you’ll be doing it right the first time.

Should I use steroids?

Let’s look at who should even be cycling (or who shouldn’t be), plus how to train and eat well to make using steroids worth it. I recommend reading this two times, then again, until it all sinks in. Then, devise a plan that suits YOU based on your knowledge about using gear and all related things. So if even one of the following applies to you, you’re not an ideal person to use gear:

You are under 25 years old

Until around age 25, your natural testosterone is at its highest level, and you’re in a perfect position to build muscle naturally. And you know what else? Your endocrine system could come under stress because before you hit 25, it’s in a normal state of fluctuation. Everyone will vary, but waiting until you hit 27 or so before trying steroids is a good way to go. Even if you’re only 20 and think you need steroids now – you don’t!

There are a few exceptions, but these are uncommon. Some teens take on intense training, have an extreme level of physical development already, and have come to a genetic wall. In these cases, guys might start on gear at 20, but you’d want an excellent reason to do it.

You have been training for under five years

It would be best if you had been a regular trainer for at least five years, doing it naturally with a quality diet. At that point, the gear will take you to another level you couldn’t naturally achieve.

You have terrible training and diet discipline

Don’t think of gear as a magic solution, having you pack on muscle and get ripped while you down donuts watching Netflix all night. One thing you will get with that lifestyle is some nice water retention! So before starting, think about how and what you will eat, how often, how much, and how your training will work. Ideally, you’re already eating and training well anyway, so you’ll need to tweak it to get your desired results. If your diet or training is not on point, you’re simply throwing money down the drain.

You are carrying too much weight

Steroids aren’t a weight loss pill. You should already be down to a reasonable level of body fat through good old dieting and exercise. Think about it: If you’re having trouble losing fat without gear, you won’t do any better on it (and that includes a cutting cycle; those are for already lean guys who want to lose some of the last percentages of body fat). Try a fat burner product instead, then return to steroids once you’re in better shape.

You have emotional issues

Uncontrollable rage, a short fuse, and anger issues. These are all excellent reasons NOT to use anabolic steroids. Likewise, if you suffer from depression or anxiety, you should rethink the use of steroids. Why?

Steroids will likely make you feel good while you’re using them, but you could descend into a more negative space once you come off a cycle. And if it’s anger or mood issues affecting you, steroids can amplify it considerably! Not everyone suffers from roid rage, but it’s a higher possibility when you’re already a livewire with a short temper.

Testosterone in Every Cycle

Without testosterone, we wouldn’t have anabolic steroids, and we can consider it to be the most important steroid of all²². Testosterone stacks well with virtually every other steroid and can also be used alone in a cycle with great benefit. There are two reasons we use testosterone in a steroid cycle:

• As a primary anabolic compound that directly contributes to muscle gains and other benefits as a central part of the cycle
• As a supportive compound that acts as a testosterone replacement – It is needed because your normal testosterone production is suppressed during a steroid cycle to varying degrees, depending on which compounds you’re using.

In the case of the latter, the dose of testosterone is considerably lower and at just enough to maintain a healthy level of this critical male androgen hormone during your cycle. Let’s dig deeper into why including testosterone in every steroid cycle is essential.

When we talk about including the sex hormone testosterone in a steroid cycle, it’s referred to as exogenous testosterone. That is an external synthetic testosterone source in the form of one of the testosterone ester compounds above (although there are many others, these are the most commonly used esters).

We must include this as either a primary or supportive compound in every steroid cycle because the steroids you’re taking send a signal to the testes that they no longer need to produce testosterone. All sensible steroid users will, without question, include this sex hormone in every cycle for this reason alone, at the very least.

While using testosterone as a primary compound at a higher dose for its countless benefits for muscle growth, recovery, and performance enhancement is hugely beneficial, if this is not desired, then you can make use of testosterone at a lower supportive dosage that aims to maintain a functional hormone level while one or more other steroids in your cycle take on the primary anabolic role.

Although the dosage will vary depending on the makeup of your cycle, an example of a supportive testosterone dosage is 100mg weekly, while using testosterone as a primary anabolic compound will see the dosage raised to 500mg weekly or higher.

There’s so much more to the testosterone hormone than just being essential for muscle growth. That’s not going to be the main reason you must include testosterone in every cycle (although it can be a great benefit if you utilize the steroid in that way as well). As an adult male, you need testosterone to function, plain and simple.

When your steroid cycle is suppressing your natural testosterone production by shutting down testicular function, you must synthetically raise and maintain your T levels to avoid the downright horrendous effects that will otherwise occur, which you can read about below.

If testosterone is not included in every cycle, symptoms of low or no testosterone will happen not only while you’re using steroids but also after your cycle ends, as well as it takes some time for natural production to start increasing again. Post-cycle therapy is also a critical area that will contribute to getting your natural testosterone levels back on track after a steroid cycle.

Each steroid compound has its side effects, risks, and complications. While these can be similar across specific categories of steroids, how they affect you as an individual is entirely unpredictable – you will not know how your body will react to a steroid until you use it for the first time. This means that using more than one steroid in a cycle (i.e., stacking) will not allow you to determine which steroid is causing which side effects. This can hamper your performance and results and, even more importantly, be downright dangerous when discussing side effects like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Reading about other people’s experiences with certain steroids on web forums and social media doesn’t prepare you for what YOU will experience with the same steroid. So, by making use of one steroid at a time and getting a hold of which side effects you are prone to and how severe they are, you can slowly put together your own safe and effective stacks in the future.

Starting with testosterone as the only anabolic steroid in your first cycle lets you begin with the most essential steroid of all, which will test your body’s tolerance and reaction to steroids very quickly. After all, if you experience adverse effects in a basic testosterone-only cycle, then there is a higher chance of adverse reactions to the many other steroids out there, many of which are derivatives of testosterone.

Leaving testosterone out of your steroid cycles brings almost certainty to the situation of very low to no testosterone in your body. Low or no testosterone brings severe health consequences to any man in all areas of life, including both the body and the mind. Leaving testosterone out of a steroid cycle and allowing your testosterone to drop to a very low level puts you at high risk of:

• Loss of muscle, tone, and reduced strength
• Increase in stored body fat and difficulty losing it
• Depression and irritability
• Erectile dysfunction and lowered or absent libido
• Lack of energy and motivation

As you can see, low or no testosterone is a serious dilemma and one that steroid users need to avoid as best as possible by including testosterone in every cycle and also by implementing effective post-cycle therapy protocols.

Your First Cycle

To get this out of the way, don’t contact me asking for sources of where to get your gear. That’s not my domain. I’m happy to assist with cycle plans, but you’ll have to work that part out when making buying connections. Also, I’m not a doctor or any other professional; I’m just someone with long-term experience who wants to share it. So take this as casual advice and do your diligence.

Now, about your first steroid cycle… There are two main reasons I’m writing this up now:

• I want to help avoid the repetitive questions of “How does my first cycle look?” which wastes the time of those with knowledge who feel compelled to write the same answers repeatedly. So, instead of wasting people’s time with the same questions that have been asked for the last twenty years (online, at least), read my guide and, if needed, reread it.
• I want to make it easier and quicker for newbies to create a cycle that matches their goals and help guys stop making avoidable mistakes that give gear a lousy name.

You’ll find some conflicting opinions about just what is the best way to get into your first-ever steroid cycle. And just like with most things steroids, the answer will depend on you as an individual. However, two main approaches are still recommended, and having it come down to two broad choices allows you to stop procrastinating and start implementing a cycle plan. You can look at the first cycles in one of two main ways:

Option #1

Some users believe it’s better to go hard and high dose on your first cycle using mainly testosterone and orals or other secondary compounds. Why? Because gains will be significant on your first cycle, you might as well max out as much as possible.

I have some concerns with this strategy, though, mainly around the high risk of things going bad. Without proper preparation for what you’ll be getting yourself into with high doses (we’re talking between 1000mg and 1500mg weekly), especially regarding side effects, think long and hard before jumping into this approach on your first cycle.

Option #2

The other option is to stick with a moderate dose of testosterone (500-600mg max), then follow that with more cycles with different compounds along with testosterone to build up your gains.

So put aside that urge to use Winstrol, Deca, Tren, or anything else on the first cycle and save them for future cycles, adding just one at a time to see how you respond to each! A big mistake is to think these other compounds work better than testosterone. They don’t! Each one works differently. Until you understand testosterone, forget about the other steroids for now.

So, what do I think is the best way to go? Both have their merits, but I lean towards the more moderate second approach simply because it will be easier and safer with less risk of the sudden shock of side effects that come with high doses.

So, let’s look at a sample ideal first cycle for just about anyone. Or use this cycle as a base on which you can build to create something more specific to your goals.

Example of simple and moderate cycle:

• Weeks 1-10: Testosterone Enanthate 250mg every three days
• Weeks 1-12: Arimidex 0.25mg every other day (halve the dose in the final week)

You can look at many secondary options if you want to add more. Some examples are:

• Dianabol (weeks 1-4): 30mg daily for a kickstart or plateau breaker mid-cycle
• Deca-Durabolin (weeks 1-8): 300mg weekly (for bulking)
• Trenbolone Enanthate (weeks 1-8): 150mg every three days (for strength)
• Proviron (weeks 6-12): 50mg daily (mainly used to support libido)

Then there are some of the optional ancillary compounds you can consider:

• Nolvadex: 20mg daily (for any gyno symptoms)
• HCG: 250iu three times weekly (for better recovery and to avoid your nuts shrinking)
• Cabergoline: 0.5mg twice weekly (to address prolactin)

At week 13, you start post-cycle therapy. Whichever way you go, you have to make sure all the steroids are cleared from your system before starting PCT. Otherwise, you’ll still be dealing with suppression. This is where knowing your steroid half-lives and clearance times is crucial.

PCT Example 1 (using SERM):

• Week 13: Nolvadex 40mg daily, or Clomid 100mg daily
• Week 14: Nolvadex 20mg daily, or Clomid 50mg daily

PCT Example 2 (Testosterone stasis and taper):

• Weeks 10-12: Off (provided you used Test enanthate or similar ester)
• Weeks 13-14: Testosterone Enanthate 40mg every three days (mimics regular levels)
• Weeks 15-16: Testosterone Enanthate 30mg every three days
• Weeks 17-18: Testosterone Enanthate 20mg every three days
• Weeks 19-20: Testosterone Enanthate 10mg every three days

Tapering down allows your body enough time to get levels back to normal naturally, with gradually decreasing support during PCT. You can learn a lot more about testosterone tapering, but above is the basic strategy that works for most guys. So that’s all about what to take. As you know, diet and training will ultimately determine your results.

Test Taper Protocol

You can go through a stasis period after the cycle, which is like a waiting period and lasts about 4 to 6 weeks. The length of time depends on which esters you’ve used, with four weeks being sufficient for any propionate-based compounds, rising to between 4 and 6 weeks for Enanthate and Cypionate, with a more significant benefit being seen closer to 6 weeks. Longer esters like Decanoate require a maximum 6-week waiting period.

While in the waiting period, you should also reduce the dose of aromatase inhibitors so that every compound or drug being used except for testosterone is tapered off. After the waiting period, it’s time to slowly reduce the weekly dose for about six weeks until you’re completely off everything. Everyone will have a different choice of ester, with mine being enanthate because I can inject twice weekly. If using other forms like Sustanon or Propionate, you can split the dose into three times weekly.

The beginning of the taper stage is when you should use a SERM if you’ve decided to use one. However, this is not a critical requirement, so it comes down to your needs and preferences. Studies either way have found that there’s no suppression of the HPTA when using a SERM with testosterone at low doses or without using a SERM at low testosterone doses²³. Therefore, tapering can be successful whether you use a SERM or not.

You might choose to include HCG in the cycle, which helps retain normal testicular function and size, but HCG also needs to be stopped when the cycle ends and not used at all during the waiting period.

With a cycle plan consisting of Testosterone enanthate where the dosage is split into two injections weekly:

• Waiting period: Test E 100mg per week for weeks 1-6 or 1-4 (taper off Arimidex by week 3)
• Taper phase: Week 1-6 at 80mg/60mg/50mg/40mg/30mg/20mg per week. You can then start using your SERM of choice – either Clomid or Nolvadex – at the beginning of the tapering period.

Suppose using Masteron then 50mg of that compound plus 50mg of Test E weekly. During the waiting period, use Test Prop, which you now taper down with while maintaining the ratio at 1:1. Most users will start this phase at 100mg dosage.

For this mix, you won’t require a SERM, and you will probably find better libido health as well because Masteron encourages DHT, which enhances the libido but acts as an estrogen control. This makes Masteron a compound that suits this strategy perfectly, perhaps more than any other compound, especially if retaining the libido is important to you.

During your post-cycle therapy (PCT), there are some other drugs or supplements you can use to try to boost workouts and retain gains, and these won’t impact your HPTA. Some considerations include HGH, Clenbuterol, or IGF; you would want to be a confident beginner to give any of these a go.

The 1-vial Testosterone Cycle for Beginners

You can’t go past the one-vial cycle as your very first steroid experience. Remember: Steroids aren’t legal and can be harmful, so you’re making a big decision if you decide to go ahead with your first cycle. Where you get your gear is up to you, but make sure it’s a reputable source. It goes without saying that when you start buying needles, always buy more than you need (they are cheap!) and get the right ones.

For this cycle, you’ll need 23 gauge, 1″, 3ml syringes. The syringe markings will say “cc,” and your steroid doses will be measured in ml or milliliters. Don’t worry; cc and ml are both the same thing. The bottle of test you buy will say something like 200mg per ml. This means for every ml you take from the bottle, there will be 200mg of testosterone in it. This is where buying quality gear counts because you don’t want low-quality stuff that’s under-dosed.

You will also want to get your hands on a prescription drug called Clomid for use after your cycle during a phase known as post-cycle therapy (PCT). Because your testosterone will be suppressed, Clomid is needed to help it get back to normal. Try to get 20 x 50mg Clomid tablets at a minimum.

The idea of this cycle is to keep things as simple and cheap as possible! You will use just one vial of a steroid. Testosterone Cypionate (or Enanthate) is a good choice. Since it’s your first cycle, you’ll probably find gains come on fast and big, so there’s a lot of bang for the buck in this cycle. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1x 10cc vial of Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate
• Clomid (approx 20x50mg tablets) for PCT
• 8x syringes

The cycle is very simple: One injection per week for eight weeks. That’s it. You can taper the dose up and down to allow your body to adjust. E.g.:

• Week 1: 1/2cc
• Week 2: 1cc
• Week 3: 1.5cc
• Week 4: 2cc
• Week 5: 2cc
• Week 6: 1.5cc
• Week 7: 1cc
• Week 8: 1/2cc

Remember: 1cc equals 1ml. Follow these simple steps for injecting:

• Rub alcohol on the top of the steroid vial to clean it.
• Tip the vial upside down and insert the needle.
• Pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with your desired dose.
• Remove any air bubbles by slowly pushing the plunger until the oil touches the needle, then give the syringe a flick so the air bubble moves to the top.
• Insert the needle into your chosen injection site (see my write-up below about injecting sites).
• Pull back a small amount to check for blood. If there’s blood, remove the needle. If there is no blood, slowly push down the plunger until the steroid is injected.
• Wipe and massage the area to clean and disperse the oil.
• Use a new needle for each weekly injection.

For PCT, use Clomid and start taking it two weeks after your last Testosterone injection.

• Take one 50mg Clomid tablet daily for three weeks.
• Wait at least 8-12 weeks before starting another steroid cycle to allow your body to recover.

Usually, you want to see the most significant and fastest results on your beginner steroid cycle. Most of this will depend on your DIET and TRAINING. But if you get them right, the effects of the steroids will be impressive. This doesn’t mean you start another steroid cycle after these 20 days. The body must recover, which means waiting AT LEAST 8 weeks for a new cycle. But 12 weeks or more is even better. If you keep doing cycles with little time in between, you could permanently mess up your testosterone function for good and find yourself on TRT forever.

Testosterone-only Cycle

You already did the one vial testosterone cycle above. Now you’re ready to get into the beginner’s 500mg weekly testosterone-only cycle. Enanthate or Cypionate are the best testosterone esters in this cycle, so you’ll need two 10ml bottles of either. These are great esters because you can get away with a once-a-week injection.

So here is a standard 10-week Test cycle that is going to produce fast muscle gains:

• Obtain 2 x 10ml Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate bottles. Either of these can be injected once a week thanks to their longer half-life.
• Inject 500mg once per week and rotate the injection site each time.
• Follow the “1 Vial Cycle” above for the injecting technique.

Expect to wait about 2 to 3 weeks for the effects of the testosterone to kick in; then, you’ll see a notable increase in strength and well-being, plus some of the adverse effects like possible acne. You might not need any anti-estrogens with this cycle. But if you’re worried about gyno, try 10mg daily of Nolvadex.

What kind of gains can you expect? Put the work in, and 20lbs of muscle is possible.

Testosterone and Dianabol Cycle

This is if you want to stack on your first cycle. Do you want even more significant gains than a Test-only cycle? This is a shorter, more powerful cycle. Dianabol is run for the first six weeks only (first 40 days of the cycle), with Testosterone for eight weeks. DBol brings on gains fast at the beginning of the cycle.

You need:

• 100 x 10mg (or 200 x 5mg) Dianabol tabs
• 1 x 10ml Testosterone Enanthate bottle

The daily dose is 25mg of Dianabol, with Testosterone dosed as you see fit, but you’ll probably want to go with under 500mg/week here. Think 300mg/week, then go with 500mg on your next cycle. Optionally, take 10mg daily of Nolvadex to combat gyno from Dianabol. Follow the “1 Vial Cycle” above for the injecting technique for testosterone. Break your Dianabol dosage up to 2-3 times per day.

Deca-Durabolin and Dianabol Cycle

The old-school stack of Deca and Dianabol never disappoints, and testosterone is left out mainly to save money. If you keep Deca to a low-level dose, this cycle should suit a beginner. Get these things:

• 1x 10cc Deca vial
• 200x 5mg Dbol tabs

Again, follow the 1 Vial Testosterone Cycle above and replace the Test with Deca. Take 25mg of Dbol daily, splitting it throughout the day. Run Dbol only for the first six weeks. The cycle runs for only eight weeks, enough for Deca to work to its maximum effect.

Recovery/PCT: A simple PCT will be sufficient after any of the above cycles. Start taking 50mg of Clomid every day, two weeks after your cycle ends, to get your natural Test back on track.

Advanced Steroid Cycles

A steroid user who can claim to be an advanced user has achieved a very high level of both practical experience with using different types of steroids and the knowledge of how the compounds work and strictly what benefits and disadvantages come with them.

It takes time to become a confident advanced steroid user, so if you’ve made it that far, then you can consider yourself to be in the enviable group of high-level steroid users. At this point, you’ll be looking to break outside of the standard steroid cycles and on to a more advanced and often more powerful steroid cycle plan.

Advanced steroid cycles often (but not always) involve stacking steroids and usually focus on the more challenging, risky, or just more potent compounds that come with massive benefits. Examples include Trenbolone, Dianabol, and Anadrol.

Another strategy is to use doses that are much higher than average. And just because you’re an advanced user, it doesn’t mean you need to give up using basic testosterone compounds – it’s all about how you use your chosen compounds in a cycle, how you stack them, the dosages, your diet, and your workouts.

Utilizing higher dosages of any steroid doesn’t automatically make you an advanced user – there is much more to it than that. Two main areas will ultimately determine whether you can now consider yourself to be an advanced anabolic steroid user. These are:

• The experience amassed over time, including different types of steroid cycles, training regimes, recovery, and PCT, and theoretical knowledge of how steroids work. This is only possible with many years of experience in using anabolic steroids.
• A thorough understanding of your own body and what effects (both positive and negative) steroids have on you. How you respond to steroids can differ considerably from that of other people, so only first-hand experience counts, and this, again, takes several years to acquire.

All of these aspects combine to create an advanced steroid user.

Mistaking Yourself as an Advanced User

It’s not uncommon for intermediate and even some beginner steroid users to think they’re ready to jump into an advanced cycle just because there are a few steroid cycles under the belt. This is a potentially grave mistake, though – the last thing you want to be doing is rushing into advanced steroid use when you’re light on experience.

It can (and should) take years to get to the point where you can be considered an advanced user, and this is a gradual process rather than something you suddenly achieve overnight. Your goal should be to obtain slow and steady advancement through your experiences with each steroid cycle. There is nothing to gain by diving into an advanced cycle. However, there are countless risks to doing that.

Rather than jumping into advanced cycles, take the time to gain an in-depth understanding of beginner and intermediate cycles and more research about steroids and how to get the most from them. Only then you will be ready to consider advancing to the next stage.

Every steroid cycle you complete will come with valuable lessons that will serve you well into the future. These will include positive lessons about the results you’ve achieved, but even more important is how you’ll discover steroids’ negative impacts during and after each cycle. As time goes on, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t for you. While this might seem time-consuming, it is the only way to get yourself into an advanced steroid user category.

There are no shortcuts, and you won’t become an advanced user by talking to other people about their steroid use because every single individual has a different experience with steroids. Once you’ve truly reached the stage of advanced knowledge and advanced experience with steroids, you will be able to move to the highest and most advanced level of anabolic steroid use.

Advanced Steroid Cycle Protocols

Reaching an advanced level of anabolic steroid use can open new doors when it comes to steroid cycle protocols, and some of these can be difficult for lower-level users to understand.

Over time, as a steroid user, you’ve accumulated the experience to work out how your body reacts to different compounds, cycle lengths, dosages, and every aspect of a steroid cycle. This allows you to design an advanced steroid cycle protocol to deliver maximum results for your specific goal.

While these are unconventional cycle protocols and should only ever be considered by the most advanced users, they offer a method of fast-tracking results for someone who thoroughly understands why these advanced cycles might be used.

Two popular and effective types of advanced steroid cycle protocols are high-dose Testosterone cycles and high-dose short-term cycles:

High-Dose Testosterone Cycles

This looks like a very simple cycle at first glance, as you are going back to basics with just a single testosterone compound. But the key is the high dosage you’ll be using; in fact, it’s considered an excessive dose, and that’s why only advanced users should even consider this cycle.

Needless to say, you should be heavily experienced with using testosterone compounds before diving into this cycle. You’ll already have a solid foundation in what impacts testosterone steroids have on you, so you’ll have an idea of what to expect at higher doses and how to cope with side effects.

Using 1000mg of testosterone each week comes with its risks. As an advanced user, you will be well-informed on properly using SERMs or aromatase inhibitors to control side effects and manage other potential risks.

Because of this very high dosage of testosterone, rarely will any other compound need to be stacked with it in this cycle unless in specific circumstances, but for most guys just wanting gains, you’ll find this cycle delivers the goods.

The popular Testosterone Enanthate is most commonly used in a high-dose cycle. It carries a half-life of around one week and makes it possible to maintain optimal blood plasma levels by administering just one injection weekly throughout your cycle.

High-Dose Short-Term Cycles

In this type of cycle, you use very high doses of one or more compounds. This type of cycle is not for the faint of heart, and users should be aware of the potential for a higher risk of side effects.

Because of the short length of these cycles, typically no longer than 4 to 6 weeks, only short-acting or fast-acting steroids are used. These compounds begin working quickly, thus making it possible to achieve rapid gains.

The hormone enters the bloodstream much quicker than large ester steroids, so your blood levels of one or more steroids will reach optimal levels quickly. This fast action also means the compounds leave the body quickly, so when the cycle is finished, you can promptly deal with any drop in natural testosterone.

The short cycle length naturally lends itself to minimizing or reducing the severity of testosterone suppression. It makes PCT a faster and simpler process than required after a much longer cycle and one where slower-acting compounds are used.

Another benefit of short cycles for advanced users is the possibility of recovering faster following the cycle and being able to start another cycle sooner, but this should only be done with consideration and caution.

You should not use slow-release compounds in a short cycle as they will not have enough time to act in the body. The propionate ester of Testosterone is often used for short cycles and gives that compound a half-life of just two to three days, as is the fast-acting Trenbolone acetate, which comes with a half-life of about three days.

Advanced Cycle Examples

There are countless steroid combinations and cycle formats you could follow in advanced steroid cycles. Still, if you want a solid, established cycle to follow, then any of the following examples will place you in a prime position for supreme results as an advanced steroid user. These example cycles cover both short and long cycle lengths so that you can tailor them to your specific goals:

12-week cycle:

• Testosterone Enanthate: 100mg weekly
• Trenbolone Enanthate: 800mg weekly
• Drostanolone Enanthate (Masteron): 400mg weekly

8-week cycle:

• Testosterone Propionate: 25mg every other day (100mg weekly)
• Trenbolone Acetate: 100mg every other day (400mg weekly)
• Anadrol: 100mg per day

Remember: These are some of the most advanced steroid cycles you can do. Beginners and intermediate users should never undertake any of the above cycles, and all users should take care when using compounds in high doses. For the safest use, it’s always ideal to consult regularly with your health professional and consider undertaking regular blood tests.

Advanced cycles are only to be considered if you’ve been doing less powerful cycles for some time, have got a comfortable grip on what effect certain steroids have on your body, and have gained the confidence that you’re ready to move up the ranks to a more advanced user of steroid compounds.

A more advanced steroid cycle might consist of several steroid compounds, in essence, a stack that is used on a cycle schedule. A typical example is combining Testosterone (Cypionate or Enanthate), Deca, Dianabol, and Anavar.

Consider this an example of an advanced bulking cycle: A 16-week cycle consisting of 1000mg of Testosterone weekly, 600mg of Deca weekly, and 70mg of Dianabol per day for the first five weeks, which is then stopped and substituted with Anavar from week 6 to 16 at 100mg daily. As with all cycles, post-cycle therapy is critical.

So, here’s the deal: Different approaches will work for different people. That’s why I provided various cycle lengths and example cycle ideas. Some of you might find that short cycles give the best results, but others want to go for much longer cycles or even year-round steroid use. The information here shows you how to do almost any cycle type, including mixing or combining the ideas.

What about the doses, you might be asking?

Consider there to be an accepted dosage range for most of the compounds, depending on your experience level. The goal is to avoid diminishing returns by taking too high of a dose of anything and tilting the scales so the side effects outweigh the positives.

It also comes down to your personal tolerance level! If you’re like me, you might feel horrible on high-dose Testosterone (1000mg weekly, for example). Then, some guys use more than 3000mg of steroids per week (not recommended). The main point is that using those high doses works for them, but it doesn’t make sense to me. With experience, you get to work out what gives YOU the best results, but no one should be starting with big doses.

Bulking Stacks

Stacking compounds is standard for any user above beginner level. Hell, even beginners can start with a simple stack with minimal risk as long as the basics of dosage, cycle length, side effect control, and PCT are followed.

By stacking compounds, you’re covering your bulking needs from multiple angles and ensuring gaps are filled by taking advantage of the different properties and effects of two or three different steroids. Below are three examples of the best stacks to achieve immense gains in mass and strength using the best combination of steroids at the proper doses.

Dbol + Tren + Test (Super Mass Builder)

Three of the most tried and tested compounds that need no introduction, with Dianabol, Trenbolone, and testosterone combined in a stack that’s gonna blow your strength through the roof and promote mass increases that can, with the right workouts and diet, easily reach 20lbs.

Mass and strength increases are the game’s name here, and you will notice them significantly. This is a cycle you can run for up to 12 weeks, and it’s best to do that so you can make use of Dbol for the first six weeks along with testosterone, then switch to Tren for the last six weeks combined with testosterone.

• Weeks 1-6 up to 40mg of Dbol daily and 500mg weekly of testosterone enanthate or cyp (twice weekly at 250mg each is ideal).
• Weeks 7-12: Trenbolone 100mg three times weekly, testosterone 500mg weekly split into a twice-weekly dose.

You can expect impressive strength gains, which will, in turn, boost your performance and capabilities, which all lead to bigger, faster gains. 20lbs of mass isn’t out of the question by the end of the cycle, but you’ll need to pay attention to controlling fluid weight for best results.

Consider using Arimidex for the whole cycle if you can afford to start; otherwise, use it the day after your last injection at 1/2 mg daily for up to 6 weeks, as well as Clomid at 100mg daily for the first ten days and reduced to 50mg daily for the next ten days.

Deca Durabolin + Dbol + Testosterone

Another combo of legendary compounds adds Deca in place of Tren. Some guys will find Deca a dream to use, others not much – but you won’t know until you try! The full effects of Deca in this stack will take a few weeks to kick in, so you’ll need to run it for 12 weeks.

Expect amazing pumps thanks to the big nitrogen retention boost with Deca. If this is one of your first cycles, you can easily see gains in the 25lb range. Those with more experience might find gains a little more moderate, but they’ll still be ultra impressive even in the 10-15lbs range.

This is a simple cycle to implement and can be done in multiple ways. A plan that never fails is to use Dbol for the first six weeks only at up to 35mg daily (but 25mg is fine, especially if this is your first). Dbol then stops at week 6. The entire cycle makes use of Deca at 300mg weekly and testosterone at 500mg weekly for the whole 12 weeks.

• Weeks 1-6: 25-35mg/day Dbol
• Weeks 1-12: 300mg/week Deca, 500mg/week test

Expect gains anywhere from 15lbs up to 35lbs at the extreme end if you’re not a hard gainer or don’t have a huge number of cycles under your belt yet. Expect some mighty pumps thanks to Dbol’s nitrogen retention boost.

Start Arimidex a day after your final injection and continue it for four weeks at 1/2mg daily. Start Clomid two weeks after the last injection for ten days at 100mg daily, then cut it down to 50mg daily for the next ten days.

Sustanon + Tren + Anadrol (Mass Stack)

This is a more advanced and hardcore stack, and one you probably won’t want to try as your first, but with that comes more extreme results, and the combination of Sustanon (testosterone), Tren, and Anadrol is a mass gainer dream. Expect very quick results with this stack thanks to Anadrol, the fast-acting oral steroid.

This is a 10-week cycle; however (very important) – Anadrol should only be used for the first three weeks! This gives a super kickstart, then takes the pressure off your liver while the other steroids take over. For the first three weeks, use Anadrol at 100mg daily. For the entire 10-week cycle, use Sustanon at 750mg weekly and Tren at 300mg weekly. You can combine Tren and Sustanon into one syringe dose and administer it thrice weekly.

Anadrol will have you gaining mass within the first few weeks, and just how much depends on your workouts, diet, and how many cycles you’ve already done, but expect impressive results either way. Tren will deliver super lean muscle and strength gains without water retention and boosting nutrient efficiency.

Post-cycle therapy is the same as the cycles listed above. Clomid and Arimidex are your friends, so ensure you have enough before starting this cycle.

Cutting Stacks

Steroid stacks combine two or more compounds so you can combine their benefits and achieve greater results than using just one compound alone. Beginner stacks can be simple, while advanced users can easily combine three or more compounds in a cycle.

Anavar + Winstrol

A stack of two of the most legendary cutting steroids can’t let you down. They work perfectly together! Anavar is a nice mild steroid and, at moderate doses, is side-effect-friendly. Winstrol has a drying effect, which is going to harden and vascularize. You can get away with just 30mg of Winny here and see exceptional results, with Anavar used at anything from 30mg daily up to 100mg – depending on how extreme you need your results to be. Be sure to include testosterone, such as enanthate, at 200mg weekly.

A possible reduction in appetite from Anavar will help with your dieting. You can expect excellent synergy between these two compounds to get you moving some of the more stubborn fat. Start PCT 14 days after the cycle if you’ve used test enanthate, then 20 days of Clomid at 50mg daily, and it helps to add 1/2 mg daily of Arimidex with it.

Primobolan + Anavar + Deca + Test

It is a killer combo, with Primo included, because of the quality gains it delivers. You won’t be putting much size on with this stack, but it’s perfect for cutting. The Deca will benefit you from therapeutic improvements, especially joint healing²⁴. Combining Anavar and Primo will deliver the hard physique you’re after and can even be more forgiving if your diet isn’t perfect. You’ll also be able to maintain muscle more easily (Primo doesn’t aromatize), but remember, this isn’t a cheap cycle to run.

For a 12-week cycle, you can run Anavar for the entire cycle at 40-60mg daily. Primo can start low at 400mg weekly and be increased to 600mg from week five onwards. Deca should stay at 200mg weekly throughout. 200mg weekly of test enanthate will cover your testosterone needs. This stack will help redefine the size you’ve already put on, especially with the inclusion of Primo. The healing properties are a bonus, and with increased nitrogen retention, you will maintain lean mass while shredding off fat.

For PCT: Clomid at 200mg daily, starting 14 days after the cycle ends. Drop this to 50mg daily from days 11 to 20. Many guys also add hCG and start it as soon as the cycle ends. 2,500iu weekly, ideally split in half for two shots a week.

Test Prop + Tren + Winstrol

This could be the best stack ever for cutting – it certainly was for me! Don’t be fooled by how basic this cycle looks because it works. Winny will give you the dry, hard look you want with this stack. All three compounds combine to deliver a hard and ripped physique, and they can do this at pretty loose doses thanks to the fantastic way they all work together. Just make sure your diet and workouts are proper! This is also a cheap cycle that won’t break the bank.

The dosing is simple: 8 weeks of 300mg weekly of Tren, 300mg weekly of Winstrol, and 300mg weekly of testosterone propionate. Everyone’s results will differ, but it’s more than possible to lose 20 or more pounds on this cycle – and not lose any muscle! You can get very lean with this and easily use it as a pre-comp cycle. Expect a very dry look, thanks to Winstrol. Just make sure you can handle the possible side effects, like joint pain and mood swings.

What about PCT? Start ten days after your cycle ends. 50mg daily of Clomid (20 days total), and include half mg per day of Arimidex, which continues for an extra week (27 days total).

Tren + Test Prop + Halotestin + Anavar

It’s a nice, simple cycle that lasts eight weeks and includes a lesser-known compound in Halotestin for extra benefit. Halotestin boosts body hardening (but beware that it is strongly toxic to the liver). This is the centerpiece of this cycle, with the other compounds promoting muscle maintenance and strength increases while you’re cutting fat.

Halotestin should be run for no longer than three weeks, with 30mg daily recommended as the maximum. Take Tren at 300mg weekly, Anavar at 50mg daily, and don’t forget your testosterone prop at 300mg weekly. Expect a hard, dry look from this cycle. It is perfect for contest prep, especially if you add Halotestin for the last three weeks of the cycle, which will harden up the physique while boosting strength quite dramatically.

Start PCT ten days after your cycle ends. 50mg daily of Clomid (20 days total), and include half mg per day of Arimidex, which continues for an extra week (27 days total).

Cycle Diet, Supplements and Training

Using steroids will all be for nothing if you don’t get your diet and training right²⁵. So what should you eat when on cycle, and how should you work out? Again, this highly depends on your goals and why you’re doing a cycle. Bulking and cutting will have two very different diets and workout strategies.

You could easily make the mistake of focusing on what gear you’ll be using and almost putting the workout and diet stuff to the side as a last-minute plan. But this is a recipe for failure: You should put more thought and planning into your training and food plan; otherwise, there’s no point in doing steroids.

It’s a cliche, but it couldn’t be truer: You’ll only get what you put in. And that means the food and training you put in, the steroids are there to supercharge these two critical inputs²⁶.

Most people won’t need to change their diet or workout regime much compared to being on or off cycle. In some circumstances, like when you’re running a cycle for contest prep, more specific changes are needed to meet a goal. Still, most guys will stick with a similar program with minor changes during the cycle compared to when off-cycle.

Letting yourself go off-cycle with a poor diet and exercise mitigates all the benefits and results. Still, the steroids will undoubtedly propel any on-cycle workouts to new levels compared with off-cycle training. Let’s look at both of these factors in more detail:

Training

Whether you’re on or off cycle, you will be training. When on a cycle with almost any compound, you’ll notice that your recovery will substantially improve. You will see yourself recovering faster and needing less downtime between sessions²⁷.

It’s not just the post-session recovery that will improve big time, though. Recovery between sets will be much more efficient, allowing you to work out longer since you’re staving off fatigue. This then brings on faster results as you fit more and more into each workout²⁸.

The boosted strength and aggression that many steroids deliver will see you lifting heavier and having a higher intensity while working out. Most guys will find they can do two intense workouts a day and fit a week’s worth of workouts off gear into a few days while on gear.

Since each muscle or muscle group recovers faster after being worked on, you can target each muscle much more often because those recovery times are significantly shortened. That doesn’t mean overtraining or forgetting about all-important rest and sleep, but you can fit up to twice as many workouts targeting a muscle group into the same period. If you took a 5-day break after working one part of the body, you could see this drop-down to just two or three days.

It doesn’t matter what type of workout program you’re doing – anything from powerlifting, full body, or specific methods – you can expect more explosive power and endurance, and also the ability to add on sets and reps as well as additional weight beyond anything you could do when not on cycle.

Trying to pull off too much weight is a common mistake for new gear users. You’ll feel the extra strength, and the urge to be a hero will be strong, but while the muscles are quickly getting stronger with steroids, the ligaments will lag, and here you’re at significant risk of injury if you don’t adjust more gradually.

By all means, pushing beyond the normal limits is half the reason we’re using gear, but don’t be foolish about it, or your cycle will come to an end early with an injury unless you have a history of powerlifting or other types of workout where your ligaments are at a point they can handle the sudden extra load²⁹.

Some compounds are fantastic for the joints. This has significant benefits but also gives you some sense of invincibility, but again, most users are still best advised to stick with standard rep ranges for injury avoidance. Some steroids, like Deca, are exceptional at helping heal injury and building cartilage, but no compound will make you indestructible or immune to new injuries.

Cycle Diet

Your food intake will depend on what you aim to get from your cycle, with two broad categories being bulking or cutting. Still, some guys will have a different outcome in mind, and the diet needs to be tailored towards this – particularly in terms of whether you’ll be gaining mass or wanting to get leaner by the end of the cycle.

Contest prep is another goal, requiring an exceptionally well-planned and often hardcore dieting regime. So, what can steroids add to an already good bodybuilding diet? They help you get the most from your food by:

• Cleaner gains: More efficient use of calories and enhanced protein synthesis means better use of calories than when off cycle.
• Muscle retention: Steroids encourage muscle tissue maintenance even when dieting hard, so you can avoid the muscle wasting you might ordinarily experience on a calorie-deficit diet. This has exceptional benefits for cutting cycles.

Every guy will have a different bulking goal, ranging from wanting relatively mild gains to maximum mass gains using the most potent compounds. This will require eating more and eating quality. Most will still want to take a bare minimum of 1000 extra calories daily.

But not just 1000 calories of anything; clearly, you will need to focus on how much protein you’re taking and the quality of that protein. Protein intake should be around 1mg per 1 pound of body weight as a guide, but hardcore guys will often double that.

Without this consistently high protein intake, growth will be limited, and steroid use will be somewhat wasted because you won’t get the desired results. It’s not just protein you’ll be planning out – carbs and fats are just as critical.

Use your regular diet as a base to evaluate your usual daily intake of proteins, carbs, and fats, and then figure out precisely what you’ll need to add or increase to meet your goals when on a cycle. Too often, we think we’re getting enough calories, but we’re not, and any deficiency will kill your results when on gear.

Even if you eat a little less than you should be for mass gain, you’ll notice a reduced tendency to lose muscle mass because the body is working at such an increased anabolic state with steroids.

You should already have a solid grasp on the types of fats and carbs to eat, ensuring quality healthy fats are included. Since so many compounds can hurt cholesterol levels, this is particularly important in a cycle where you’ll need to maintain your omega-3 fatty acid intake, with oily fish being a good source.

Then there’s the issue of how often to eat. Three big meals a day is rarely the approach of bodybuilders, whether on or off cycle. Instead, splitting meals into portions spread throughout the day keeps up your energy without weighing you down or causing fatigue before a workout. Anything from 5 to 8 meals per day is a common strategy.

If you’re going for clean eating throughout the cycle, as you will want to if you want maximum results, then it’s fairly simple to break down your diet intake into the main food groups:

• Lean meats: Lean beef, chicken, game meats, and fish like salmon and tuna will make up the bulk of your meat-based protein, and being high-calorie foods, they’ll also contribute most of your daily calorie needs.
• Vegetables: Most vegetables are suitable for any meal, but if you’re going for low carbs, leave out or minimize potatoes. Corn and peas are also relatively high carbohydrate foods. Leafy greens should also be included in the vegetable category as they’re rich in antioxidants and B vitamins.
• Whole grains: This includes all wholegrain varieties of bread, rice, and pasta, but again, these are high-carb foods, so their inclusion (and in what amounts) is going to be determined by the goals of your cycle. Some guys include a lot of carbs in every meal, while others have minimal or none. Without a doubt, wholegrain carbohydrates will feature heavily in the diet of any bulking cycle.
• Dairy/eggs: You can easily add some extra protein here, but not everyone wants to go heavy on dairy because of the higher carb content in full yogurt and milk. Egg whites are virtually a staple for many bodybuilders, and low-fat options like cheese can occasionally be welcome additions to the diet.
• Good fats: These are critical to include and take in olive oil, nuts, fish oil, or plant-based oils like flaxseeds. These fats will help offset the impacts of some steroids on cholesterol.
• Fruit: Watch the sugar in fruit juices and stick to pure juice with no additives and whole fruit. If you’re targeting a low-carb diet, then fruits will be a tiny portion of your overall diet. Otherwise, bananas, pears, berries, and oranges are all worthy of inclusion in moderation if for none other than their high vitamin content.
• Drinks: These are easy to forget, but beverages besides water can make or break an eating plan. There’s no point in a hard diet if you’re chugging five cans of Coke daily. Soda drinks will contribute nothing positive, and our best bet is to stick with plain old water and avoid processed sugar drinks.

Supplements

Not forgetting the addition of bodybuilding supplements – just because you’re on a cycle, it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily give up some of the essential dietary supplements that are staples for bodybuilders whether or not they use the gear. These are the main supplements you might be using during your cycle, as well as in between cycles:

• Protein: Eating a lot of meat is not to everyone’s taste; it can get expensive. Protein powder provides a simple way to ingest high-quality protein, and that’s the key: It must be a high-quality formula and not one full of sugar or additives. Whey protein is the standard go-to source for most guys³⁰.
• BCAA: Making for a good pre-workout supplement, BCAA gives you a branched-chain amino acid boost that improves performance and aids in recovery³¹.
• Creatine: Creatine boosts muscle growth and strength³² and is considered safe for long-term use. Ensure you’re drinking enough water as creatine moves more water to the muscles so that you might find yourself with increased thirst.
• Omega-3: Not everyone can or wants to get sufficient omega-3 oil from the diet, so topping it up with a good supplement ensures positive benefits for cholesterol, anti-inflammation, and general cardiovascular function³³.

Different supplements will work for you compared to what works for other guys, but most people will want to take these supplements for the entire year.

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Your First Cycle

When you’re entirely focused on planning your steroid cycle, your workouts, and your nutrition, it’s all too easy to give little thought to what could essentially be the most critical aspect of your steroid use: Post-cycle therapy (PCT)³⁴.

Beginners might overlook the necessity of post-cycle therapy after a steroid cycle, but post-cycle therapy is just as important as the cycle itself. Steroids cause havoc with the body’s natural processes, including testosterone and other hormone production, so once you come off a cycle, you need to encourage your body to begin producing hormones naturally again without relying on artificial steroids.

PCT is essential for preventing steroid side effects and helping maintain the muscle gains you’ve made during your cycle. PCT usually lasts between 3 to 6 weeks or a little longer. These are some of the most common drugs people use for their post-cycle therapy:

• Clomid: 50mg/day for three weeks (or 100mg/day for the first ten days, then 50mg/day for ten more days)
• Nolvadex: 40mg/day week 1-2 and 20mg/day week 3-4
• Arimidex: 0.5mg every two days while on-cycle, 0.5mg/day during PCT

Making PCT a critical part of every steroid cycle is a habit you must get into, starting from your first cycle as a beginner. These and other PCT drugs³⁵ come with their potential side effects, so always do your research before deciding which ones to use.

Common Side Effects of Steroid Use

There’s no denying that using any steroid is going to put you at risk of some adverse effects. You can reduce the risk of unwanted side effects by using steroids in lower doses. However, there is no way to eliminate both the mild and potentially dangerous long-term risks involved in using anabolic steroids. Some of the common AAS side effects people experience include:

• Fluid retention – Due to the quick increases in muscle gain that anabolic steroids produce, soft or bloated-looking muscle can occur because of fluid retention. Water retention can also make your face look bloated.
• Acne and oily skin – If you were prone to acne before starting steroids, you’re more likely to experience this as a side effect in addition to acne-related conditions like oily skin and noticeably more oily hair³⁶. The acne can become severe for some people. The skin’s oil glands are more susceptible to infection and inflammation because of the steroid’s effects on the sebaceous glands.
• Mood swings, irritability, and anger – Heavy use of anabolic steroids is known to heighten the risk of negative emotional and behavioral changes like aggressiveness and mood swings. This has been linked to the term “roid rage” and can, in severe cases, has a disastrous effect on personal relationships, employment, and other aspects of life.
• Sleep difficulty – Research has found that many people who use anabolic androgenic steroids report experiencing a sleep disorder, and one sleep study showed that steroid users are prone to reduced efficiency of sleep and alterations to normal sleep patterns³⁷.
• Premature baldness – Using androgenic steroids can induce male pattern baldness³⁸ in young guys who are predisposed to it – so if your dad has a receding hairline, then you’re at a higher risk of this side effect no matter how young you are.
• Gynecomastia – Otherwise known as the dreaded man boobs or simply as gyno, this is an enlargement of the breast tissue in males³⁹. A method of reducing or eliminating the risk of gyno when using steroids is to make use of anti-aromatase and anti-estrogen substances. Once gynecomastia is allowed to develop, you can’t reverse the effects except with surgery, so you must get on top of any signs of breast enlargement as soon as you notice it, including sensitivity and itching of the area, which are usually the first noticeable signs.
• Testicular atrophy – No guy wants shrunken testicles, but this is a real side effect risk with some anabolic steroids because of the massive boost of synthetic testosterone you’re getting, which tells the body it doesn’t need to keep producing testosterone the natural way – via the testicles. So, they start shrinking. It’s not just the size that reduces; sperm count also decreases, reducing fertility. This is one of the most dreaded of all side effects of steroid use⁴⁰.

The most severe adverse effects that heavy and long-term users of steroids are at risk of can extend to liver damage, kidney cancer, stroke, and heart attack. If you’re a male in your late teens and early 20s who is still physically developing, you have a higher risk of adverse side effects like acne and scarring, stunted growth, stretch marks, and aged skin.

Stopping the use of a steroid in a cycle or quitting steroids altogether⁴¹ can bring about depression, tiredness, weight loss, and loss of strength. At the same time, your body takes several months to build testosterone levels back to where they naturally should be.

FAQs

When you’re new to steroids, you are likely to have a lot of questions. Below are some of the most common questions I see being asked by people considering using steroids for the first time.

What are anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS)?

These are steroids, which are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that give similar effects to that male hormone. Because testosterone is critical in building muscle and strength, taking AAS substances substantially boosts your ability to gain muscle mass, burn fat, and recover faster.

The androgenic side of some of these steroids can result in masculinizing side effects, which is why advanced users aim to use steroid types that have more powerful anabolic effects and reduced androgenic effects.

What is a half-life?

Knowing the half-life of a steroid you’re taking makes it easy to plan your cycles and know which steroids to use and how long you should use them.

The elimination half-life of any drug or substance, including steroids, measures how long it takes for a 50% reduction of the steroid concentration to remain in the blood or body. It will also let you know what’s happening in your body if you’re faced with substance testing. The half-life of a steroid remains the same no matter what your dosage is or how long you’ve been using it.

We’re not through yet: Half-life length can vary considerably between steroid types. For example, Deca-Durabolin has a long half-life of 15 days, while Winstrol has a short half-life of just 9 hours. Steroids with a longer half-life take longer to withdraw from than those with shorter half-lives.

Is it safe to inject steroids? Does it hurt?

Maintaining common sense hygiene and safety practices ensures you won’t be risking your health with any infection when injecting steroids.

When it comes to the best location for your steroid injections – as a beginner, it’s often recommended to start at one of the biggest muscles – the buttock area. The top right or left area is the gluteus maximus muscle and will be the least painful location.

To avoid pain and irritation, rotate your injection sites each time, and don’t inject into the same muscle without letting it recover.

At what age should I start using steroids?

Many people think it is a waste to begin using steroids below age 30, particularly below age 25, because natural testosterone levels are so high during this time that you should be making the most of it.

Older guys who are seeing a natural decrease in testosterone as they age will often turn to steroids to maintain the positive benefits of testosterone – including gaining muscle, but most also note a significant boost in all mental and physical well-being so long as the steroids are not abused.

What should my diet and training be like when I’m on a steroid cycle?

Plenty of protein is a must while on a cycle since steroids boost protein synthesis, which in turn is what builds muscle. You want to maintain your fuel and never allow the muscles to become depleted. The better you eat while on a cycle, the better your results will be.

The same goes for your training: While on a cycle, your body is ready to be pushed to the maximum limit. Your gains will come on thick and fast. Still, only those dedicated to lifting the heaviest weights and pushing through the toughest reps until absolute muscle exhaustion will reap the maximum potential benefits of steroids.

What is an ester?

Understanding esters in organic chemistry can be difficult for the non-scientist. Still, you will soon come across several different esters of testosterone in the world of steroids, and needless to say, you will want to know what it all means.

In basic terms, an ester is a synthetic derivative of testosterone. Different esters have a shifting around of atoms to form very slightly different compounds from the original organic compound.

Although there might only be one or two atoms different between one ester and another, this can be enough to change properties like how slow or fast a particular ester will be released into the body, and this is often the main difference between different esters and the one that may determine which one you’ll want to be using.

Most testosterone esters are suspended in oils like sesame oil or cottonseed oil. This provides a slower release of testosterone, so it is not all used up by the body very quickly. Oils are used because once an ester group has been added to testosterone, it becomes less soluble in water and more soluble in oil.

All the testosterone esters we come across are injectable, and the dosage you use will depend on which ester it is and what your goals are for your overall steroid cycle.

Should I take anti-estrogen drugs with steroids?

Some steroids can increase the female hormone estrogen by bringing about an imbalance in hormones that leads to the aromatase enzyme converting too much testosterone into estrogen, causing distressing side effects. For this reason, users of steroids that are known to have these effects will make use of anti-estrogen drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. Many of these are cancer medications made for women and are not always simple to get your hands on.

What is gyno?

Gyno is short for gynecomastia – male breast growth, which is a common side effect of some steroid use. If too much estrogen conversion happens, gyno comes about, and it’s not reversible besides with surgery like liposuction.

This swelling of the breast tissue is one of the most visible and embarrassing potential side effects of steroid use and undoubtedly one that goes to great lengths to try and prevent. Anadrol and Dianabol are two of the steroids known to come with a higher risk of gyno development.

Will steroids give me acne or make me bald?

Male pattern baldness and acne-type skin conditions are certainly two possible side effects of anabolic steroid use. Of the two, acne is considered the more common side effect, with baldness being at higher risk if your male ancestors passed on baldness genes.

Acne comes about due to increased activity of the oil-producing sebaceous glands thanks to the androgen effects of some steroids. One study found that over 40% of steroid users experienced acne, particularly on the face and back. The good news is that acne can disappear once you stop the steroid; however, baldness is more permanent.

Will steroids affect my sex drive?

A boost of the libido is typical when using AAS compounds. Many guys notice a concerning drop in their sex drive after stopping steroids. This is due to the body’s natural testosterone production being significantly reduced or stopping altogether, which is why post-cycle therapy is so important once you come off a steroid cycle as you aim to get your natural hormone levels back to normal.

How fast do anabolic steroids work?

Every steroid is different in terms of how quickly you can start seeing results, and your training and diet will play a significant role in how big you’re going to get and how fast you’ll get there. Injectable steroids naturally work much faster than orals like Dianabol. For most steroids, you are looking at a few weeks, which is why you need to stick to a recommended cycle length according to which AAS you’re going to use.

What happens when you stop taking steroids?

Although anabolic steroids are not drugs that bring about physical addiction, users can experience mood swings, anxiety, depression, and other negative effects when stopping steroid use due to a sudden hormonal imbalance and low testosterone. Steroids with a longer half-life take longer to withdraw from. This is why it’s critical to work on restoring the natural hormone balance after using AAS compounds.

Final Thoughts

You should already have a good idea of how to use anabolic steroids. Steroids will drastically enhance your performance and results, and you will constantly learn what works and doesn’t. Keep in mind that it’s not just a black-and-white decision because there are a lot of factors to consider first:

• Which compounds are you using?
• What’s your experience level?
• How well can you handle the side effects?
• What are the specific goals that you want to achieve from your cycle?

And that’s just for starters…

You need to learn the pros and cons of each type of anabolic steroid, who is best suited to specific cycles, and what steroid compounds are best used for bulking, cutting, or strength cycles. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so what works for the next guy might not be ideal for you at all.

Remember: The most experienced veterans have gotten where they are through plenty of trial and error, so don’t be afraid to tweak and adjust until you find the cycle and format that works best for where you’re now and where you want to be going.

— Furious Joe