Embarking on a first steroid cycle can be an exhilarating experience, presenting a chance for individuals to witness potentially the most impressive growth they’ve ever seen. It’s not uncommon for neophytes to pack on 20 to 30 pounds of muscle in their initial cycle, despite possibly having a bare-bones understanding of steroids, dietary regimens, and workout protocols.
This underscores the profound effect that anabolic steroids can have. Nonetheless, such potent substances must be handled with corresponding caution and care.
The maiden steroid cycle is crucial, as it should be tailored to mitigate adverse effects, given that the body has no prior exposure to these potent agents.
Despite the FDA’s prohibition on many anabolic steroids, bodybuilders can still take proactive steps to safeguard their health. These measures include:
- Selecting steroids that are less harsh and exhibit reduced toxicity
- Adhering to modest dosage recommendations
- Limiting the duration of the steroid cycle
We’ve observed that use of highly toxic substances right out of the gate, such as anadrol, trenbolone, superdrol, etc., tends to lead to severe side effects.
Moreover, the misuse of steroids through excessive dosing and overly prolonged cycles is a prevalent mistake among bodybuilding aficionados.
The following steroid regimens are customized for beginners, aimed at maximizing benefits while keeping negative outcomes to a minimum.
Testosterone Cycle
From our perspective, a testosterone cycle is the go-to starting point for anyone new to steroids.
Testosterone not only meets the typical beginner’s expectations by facilitating 20 to 30 pounds of muscle growth and impressive surges in strength, but it also doesn’t exert harmful effects on the liver, as evidenced by our liver function tests (1). Plus, when used in sensible amounts, testosterone marginally elevates LDL cholesterol levels in our subject’s labs.
Thus, the potential liver and heart-related risks of testosterone are generally manageable for a broad range of users.
| Week | Testosterone |
|---|---|
| 1 | 200mg |
| 2 | 200mg |
| 3 | 300mg |
| 4 | 300mg |
| 5 | 300mg |
| 6 | 350mg |
| 7 | 350mg |
For novices, there’s no need to extend a testosterone cycle beyond 7 weeks or to exceed a weekly dosage of 350mg.
While seasoned bodybuilders might handle double this amount with ease, beginners are inherently more vulnerable to side effects, not having had the opportunity to build up any tolerance.
The specific ester of testosterone used isn’t a decisive factor in the results, although shorter esters can stimulate quicker muscle gains at the onset of the cycle.
Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate esters emerge as the most user-friendly, presenting no major injection issues and requiring infrequent dosages. The affordability of these esters is an added benefit.
Note: Testosterone is usually administered via injection since its oral form, known commercially as Andriol (Testosterone Undecanoate), is notably more expensive.
Side Effects
Those on a testosterone regimen may opt for post-cycle therapy (PCT) since natural testosterone production will be compromised (2). Typically, hormone levels could take several months post-cycle to recover. An effective PCT, however, can shorten this timeframe, with patients seeing normalization within 30-45 days.
Although testosterone doesn’t sharply spike blood pressure, individuals might consider fish oil supplements (at a daily dose of 4 grams) to reduce cardiovascular stress.
Due to its conversion into estrogen, testosterone use can lead to water retention and poses a risk of gynecomastia as the female hormone level rises. As a preventative measure, users might take a SERM or an AI to combat these estrogenic side effects.
SERMs are preferred over AIs as they specifically block estrogen’s impact on the mammary glands and preserve stable cholesterol, whereas AIs can adversely impact cholesterol by suppressing estrogen levels, reducing good HDL and increasing LDL (3).
Common symptoms like acne and scalp hair loss can also occur, given testosterone’s moderate androgenic qualities.
Anavar Cycle
Anavar stands as another appropriate choice for a first-cycle steroid, well-liked by both genders.
A male may pick Anavar for their initial cycle to evade injections, as Anavar is available in oral form.
Moreover, Anavar is the option if one’s goal isn’t primarily to achieve significant muscle and strength increases but rather to experience fat loss with modest increments in size and strength.
Among the milder steroids, Anavar seldom leads to serious side effects when taken responsibly and cycled for brief periods, as per our collective experience.
Anavar Cycle For Men
| Week | Anavar |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15mg/day |
| 2 | 15mg/day |
| 3 | 15mg/day |
| 4 | 20mg/day |
| 5 | 20mg/day |
| 6 | 20mg/day |
Anavar Cycle for Females
| Week | Anavar |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5mg/day |
| 2 | 10mg/day |
| 3 | 10mg/day |
| 4 | 10mg/day |
| 5 | 10mg/day |
For women, a majority of steroids, including testosterone, are not advised owing to the risk of masculinization effects such as clitoral enlargement, voice deepening, decrease in breast volume, and an uptick in body hair growth (4). Nonetheless, in the case of Anavar, when used at conservative doses, the instances of these masculinization effects are notably rare.
An Anavar cycle can significantly cut body fat while contributing 10–15 pounds of lean muscle. Its anabolic impact is milder compared to mass-gaining steroids like Testosterone, Dianabol, Anadrol, etc.; yet, the augmentation in muscle size and strength is still impressive. For its strong fat-reduction capability, Anavar is mostly deemed a steroid for cutting phases.
Possible Adverse Effects
Anavar is a steroid administered orally and is known for the potential of causing liver strain. Anavar, conversely, results in far less elevation of liver enzymes compared to other oral steroids such as Anadrol, Dianabol, or Winstrol.
One reason for this is due to the kidneys’ cooperative function with the liver in metabolizing oxandrolone, thus lessening the liver’s burden.
Anavar can escalate cholesterol levels, which may lead to an uptick in blood pressure. Our observations indicate that this effect is mild proportionate to our lipid analytics. Taking 4 grams of fish oil daily remains a viable strategy for sustaining heart health.
Anavar can lead to a notable reduction in your body’s natural testosterone levels; however, it’s not as suppressive as many other steroids. While PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) is an option, it isn’t always necessary. For those interested in quicker hormonal rebalancing, Clomid could be utilized after the cycle ends.
Post-cycle, women might face a steep decline in well-being since testosterone is also key for their libido and overall health. We’ve observed female patients benefiting from a post-cycle DHEA supplement to aid in hastening the reestablishment of their natural testosterone production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dianabol recommended for a first steroid cycle?
Though not the best choice, using Dianabol at the outset of steroid cycles is quite common.
Novices often gravitate towards Dianabol for its potent muscle and strength-boosting effects without the necessity of injections.
Yet, Dianabol is tough on the liver and is harsher on blood pressure than Testosterone or Anavar.
Liver health and blood pressure are seen to return to normal post-cycle, but Dianabol isn’t the most conscientious choice for a beginner cycle.
| Week | Dianabol |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10mg/day |
| 2 | 10mg/day |
| 3 | 15mg/day |
| 4 | 15mg/day |
| 5 | 20mg/day |
For those starting with Dianabol, adhering to the dosing advice below can be beneficial:
Lower liver enzyme levels during the cycle are often achieved by those who supplement with TUDCA, especially at a daily dose of 500 mg. Additionally, employing a SERM like Nolvadex during the cycle can stave off gynecomastia.
What are other beginner-friendly steroids?
Other anabolic steroids that are accessible to beginners include Deca Durabolin, Primobolan, and Turinabol. Nevertheless, based on our experience, these aren’t the most advantageous for one’s initial cycle.
Deca Durabolin is adept at building muscle mass, albeit not as potent when used alone. For first-time cycles, stacking to reduce side effects isn’t usually suggested, making Deca Durabolin more fitting for subsequent cycles.
Primobolan, a milder anabolic steroid, has manageable side effects for novices. However, its anabolic results fall short of injectable testosterone, and it can’t compete with Anavar in terms of fat loss. Hence, using Primobolan exclusively might not yield the most satisfying results for a beginner’s first cycle.
Turinabol offers excellent anabolic properties, mirroring Dianabol’s lean muscle gains but without causing water retention. Despite its effectiveness for initial cycles, Turinabol tends to yield more side effects than starting with Testosterone or Anavar.
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.939631/full
(2) https://tau.amegroups.com/article/view/2249/html
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6436151/
(4) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ccr3.2084
Dr. Grant Fourie, a specialist in male hormones, is based in Cape Town, South Africa. He provides comprehensive treatments for conditions related to low testosterone, such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and mood changes. His methods include hormone replacement therapy and other modern treatment options.
Contact me via email or phone to book personal appointment in my clinic: The Village Square, Cape Town - South Africa