Types of Anabolic steroids come in various forms, all of which are derivatives of exogenous testosterone. However, due to alterations in their chemical composition, these steroids yield different results in terms of body composition and athletic performance.
Bodybuilders commonly utilize the following categories of anabolic steroids:
- Bulking steroids
- Cutting steroids
- Oral steroids
- Injectable steroids
Bulking steroids are favored for their ability to promote significant muscle growth and strength development. These compounds are typically used during the off-season (winter period) when bodybuilders consume a surplus of calories.
In contrast, cutting steroids are employed to facilitate fat burning, enhance muscle definition, and maintain muscle size while on a calorie deficit. These steroids are often used in the weeks leading up to a competition or during the summer to achieve a lean physique.
This guide will outline the various types of bulking and cutting steroids used by our clients, providing detailed information regarding their benefits and potential side effects. For easy reference, we will denote whether each steroid is administered orally or via injection.
Types of anabolic steroids for Bulking
- Anadrol
- Dianabol
- Testosterone
- Trenbolone
- Deca Durabolin
1. Anadrol (Oral)
Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is an oral steroid commonly used during bulking cycles to facilitate substantial muscle hypertrophy. It is highly regarded for its potent strength-enhancing properties and is popular among strength athletes such as strongmen and powerlifters.
Anadrol is known to result in significant weight gain, primarily attributed to its “wet steroid” nature, which leads to substantial water retention. Consequently, users can expect a notable increase in fat-free mass along with considerable fluid retention, resulting in a fuller and bulkier physique.
However, it is important to note that Anadrol is associated with several adverse effects, including liver toxicity, cardiac hypertrophy, and androgenic effects such as prostate enlargement and acne.
2. Dianabol (Oral)
Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) is another potent oral steroid commonly sought after by bodybuilders for its remarkable muscle-building and strength-enhancing effects, similar to Anadrol but with fewer side effects.
Like Anadrol, Dianabol is classified as a “wet” steroid due to its tendency to cause water retention. This steroid can also lead to estrogenic side effects, which can be managed by using aromatase inhibitors to control estrogen levels.
Dianabol, while effective in promoting muscle growth, is also associated with cardiovascular and hepatic toxicity, as well as milder androgenic effects.
3. Testosterone (Injectable)
Testosterone is often the initial steroid chosen by bodybuilders due to its relatively mild nature and favorable safety profile in terms of side effects. Despite not being the most potent anabolic steroid, Testosterone has been shown to produce substantial gains in muscle size and strength.
While Testosterone is available in oral form, it is predominantly administered via intramuscular injection, which is favored by bodybuilders for its affordability and potency compared to oral Testosterone.
It is essential to consider the potential side effects associated with Testosterone, including cardiovascular effects, liver strain, and mild androgenic effects.
Testosterone is considered to be less anabolic compared to Dianabol, but more androgenic. While testosterone typically leads to slightly less weight gain than Dianabol, it can produce a similar amount of lean muscle tissue. Another notable difference is that testosterone has a stronger interaction with the 5α-reductase enzyme, which results in elevated levels of DHT (3).
Testosterone Side Effects
As a result, the likelihood of male pattern baldness, acne vulgaris, and prostate issues developing is increased.
Despite its potent anabolic effects, testosterone can also be used as a cutting steroid due to its ability to simultaneously burn fat, owing to its androgenic properties causing adipose tissue atrophy.
The presence of androgen receptors in fat cells means that when stimulated, testosterone can increase lipolysis (4).
In our experience, testosterone is the most cardiovascular-friendly anabolic steroid, resulting in only mild increases in cholesterol scores.
A Testosterone-only cycle is commonly adopted by first-time steroid users, with dosages typically ranging from 200-350mg per week for an 8-week duration.
Preferred injectable esters of testosterone include Enanthate or Cypionate, as they have longer half-lives, reducing the frequency of injections compared to fast-acting esters such as Propionate or Suspension.
Testosterone is often combined with other bulking steroids like Trenbolone, Anadrol, and Deca Durabolin. For cutting purposes, it is commonly taken with Anavar.
4. Trenbolone (Injectable)
Trenbolone is arguably one of the most potent steroids for bodybuilders, leading to rapid changes in body composition within the first week of use.
Trenbolone is known to build exceptional amounts of muscle tissue while simultaneously reducing body fat.
Similar to testosterone, its high androgenicity stimulates fat burning by enhancing lipolysis, resulting in a reduction in fat stores.
With an androgen score of 500 compared to testosterone’s 100, Trenbolone demonstrates raw power in this regard.
Additionally, Trenbolone does not aromatize, making it a desirable cutting agent due to its dry nature.
Trenbolone’s use often leads to dramatic changes in body composition, extreme muscle dryness, and rapid growth in the deltoid and trapezius muscle regions, giving the appearance of a photoshopped physique in real life.
Trenbolone Side Effects
Trenbolone is among the harshest anabolic steroids for bodybuilders and has shown devastating effects on users’ health in our tests.
While not particularly hepatotoxic, Trenbolone can lead to elevated AST and ALT liver enzymes due to its passage through the liver upon exit.
It significantly affects blood lipids, causing an increase in heart size and a higher risk of atherosclerosis.
Due to its inability to convert into estrogen, Trenbolone does not regulate HDL cholesterol levels well, exacerbating blood pressure levels.
The high androgenicity of Trenbolone can cause acne vulgaris and cystic acne in some users, while hair loss and prostate gland enlargement are also potential issues.
5. Deca Durabolin (Injectable)
Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate) is an effective anabolic bulking agent.
It stimulates protein synthesis and nitrogen uptake in muscle cells, resulting in significant increases in muscle size and strength. However, it is not as powerful as compounds such as Anadrol, Dianabol, or Trenbolone, based on our experience.
As a result, Deca Durabolin is often used in combination with other bulking steroids.
On-cycle, Deca Durabolin creates a very full, 3D look due to high levels of intracellular water retention filling the muscle cells.
Although not the most potent mass-building steroid, Deca Durabolin is among the mildest compounds available and is well-tolerated by many users, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health. It also does not pose a threat to the liver.
Deca Durabolin Side Effects
Deca Durabolin has minimal adverse effects on vital organs but can affect sexual health, potentially causing erectile dysfunction when used alone.
This is due to Deca Durabolin’s reduction of libido through the stimulation of the lactating hormone, prolactin.
We have had success with patients taking Cabergoline alongside Deca Durabolin, which inhibits prolactin production, enabling bodybuilders to cycle Deca while maintaining their sexual health.
Types of anabolic steroids for Cutting
- Winstrol
- Anavar
1. Winstrol (Oral & Injectable)
Winstrol (Stanozolol) is available in various forms, primarily taken as an oral steroid.
Winstrol promotes moderate increases in lean mass while reducing fat-free mass.
Winstrol’s Characteristics
Winstrol, known for its simultaneous anabolic and fat-burning effects similar to Trenbolone but less potent, is commonly used in cutting cycles. Its purpose is to retain muscle, promote fat loss, and create a dry/vascular appearance that showcases full muscle definition.
The effectiveness of Winstrol lies in its low affinity to bind to SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), which results in freeing up more active testosterone for triggering lipolysis and increasing skeletal muscle mass.
It’s important to note that Winstrol may lead to muscle deflation due to lowered glycogen levels, attributed to its diuretic properties caused by reduced intracellular fluid due to a lack of the aromatase enzyme.
Winstrol Side Effects
Our tests have shown Winstrol to be hepatotoxic, hence users often take a liver support supplement like TUDCA to mitigate the risk of elevated liver enzymes. Additionally, it’s advised to keep cycles short (around 6 weeks) and avoid alcohol consumption for maximal hepatic protection.
Furthermore, Winstrol can impose significant cardiovascular strain, resulting in substantial increases in LDL cholesterol and decreases in HDL cholesterol. This strain can also lead to a flushed appearance, indicating a spike in blood pressure and higher body temperature. Additionally, its drying-out effects can be troublesome for the joints, causing discomfort, especially for older bodybuilders.
Moreover, Winstrol may cause virilization effects in women when taken in moderate dosages. Thus, it’s not typically recommended for female users, though minimal dosages could potentially minimize side effects.
2. Anavar’s Profile
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a highly sought-after anabolic steroid due to its versatility and mildness, making it suitable for both men and women. It is favored for its ability to increase muscle-building without notable side effects, ideal for beginners and experienced steroid-users during cutting cycles.
Anavar is also effective in reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving insulin sensitivity, and suppressing appetite, which aids in fat loss. Unlike Winstrol, it retains muscle fullness while causing diuretic effects. Additionally, it enhances glycogen uptake, leading to substantial muscle pumps and exceptional muscle thickness.
Anavar Side Effects
Despite being a C-17 alpha alkylated steroid, Anavar has a mild impact on liver enzymes and rarely results in deteriorating liver health. It does not lead to gynecomastia, as it does not aromatize, and while it may have a negative effect on cholesterol and blood pressure, it is significantly less troublesome compared to other anabolic steroids.
Conclusion
The mentioned substances are among the most commonly used anabolic steroids by bodybuilders to enhance their physiques. Other steroids like Superdrol, Halotestin, Primobolan, Proviron, and Equipoise are also utilized, but the ones discussed above are prominent in the field.
REFERENCES
(1) https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Oxymetholone#section=Health-Hazards
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3143915/
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