Tag: steroids

Top 5 Steroids for Weight Loss (Fat Loss)

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

Anabolic steroids are often associated with gaining exceptional amounts of muscle hypertrophy and strength, which is medically what they were designed for — treating patients with cachexia (muscle wasting conditions).
Although anabolic steroids’ sole purpose is to promote weight gain, researchers have found that increases in muscle mass, are often accompanied with simultaneous fat loss (1).
Also researchers have found that certain steroids are better than others for burning fat, which is why bodybuilders cycle similar compounds when cutting, in an attempt to accelerate lipolysis (fat loss) and increase muscle definition.
It is somewhat deceptive to say the following compounds listed in this article are the best steroids for weight loss, because although they will enhance fat burning, they also simultaneously add lean muscle tissue — ultimately causing weight gain.
Thus, the scales may not reflect dramatic weight loss, but the mirror will.
A more accurate description of the AAS below, are: the best steroids for fat loss (not weight loss). 

5 Best Steroids for Fat Loss
1. Anavar
Anavar not only causes weight loss in terms of lipolysis (fat loss), but it also has diuretic qualities — flushing out extracellular water.
Thus, users will not only become leaner and more toned on anavar, but they will also achieve a smaller waist and relieve any bloating.
The scales may not be the best measuring apparatus for monitoring fat loss on anavar, as this steroid simultaneously produces moderate lean muscle gains.
All anabolic steroids will have some fat burning properties because they are all forms of exogenous testosterone.
Bodybuilders typically have less subcutaneous fat, but higher visceral fat after taking steroids. This increase in visceral fat (surrounding the internal organs) is caused by insulin resistance via estrogen dominance (commonly caused by steroids that aromatize).
However, one unique trait about anavar is that it doesn’t aromatize into estrogen or directly affect estrogen receptors. Thus, not only does anavar reduce subcutaneous fat mass, but also visceral fat. Therefore, your stomach will become more defined and smaller.
In contrast, bodybuilders who take estrogenic steroids, can end up having more toned abs (due to less subcutaneous fat), whilst possessing a more bloated/distended stomach (increase in visceral fat).
Another reason why anavar is arguably the best steroid for weight loss (fat loss), is due to its safety profile. Anavar is a FDA approved drug in medicine, used to treat cachexia (2), and is often well tolerated by women and children.
Thus, due to anavar’s low toxicity, many users do not experience any obvious side effects when taking this compound. However, if abused with excessive dosages or overextended cycles, dangerous side effects can occur.
Anavar is also one of the few steroids women can take to safely burn fat and increase muscle tone, with it seldom causing virilization effects (when taken in conservative dosages).
Anavar Cycle for Men 

Anavar Cycle for Women 

Here are some before/after pictures, demonstrating potential fat loss from an anavar cycle: 

Note how the woman above didn’t actually lose any weight (+2kg), yet she experienced dramatic fat loss.
2. Winstrol
Winstrol (Stanozolol) is a similar anabolic steroid to anavar, in regards to both of them being DHT derivatives and having potent fat burning and lean mass building properties.
If we were ranking the best steroids for weight loss (or ‘fat loss’), winstrol would likely take top spot. However, it comes behind anavar on our list simply because it has more toxic side effects.
Bodybuilders often cycle winstrol during cutting phases, to get as lean and ripped as possible; maximizing muscle definition.
Winstrol not only burn a little more fat than anavar, but it will also flush out more water. This may be a bonus for those looking to get as lean as possible; but a possible disadvantage to bodybuilders as they are likely to lose some intracellular muscle fullness.
Like anavar, winstrol does not aromatize and thus it burns both subcutaneous and visceral fat stores.
Winstrol however is going to cause significant fluctuations in LDL/HDL cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and heart disease. It also is a c-17 alpha alkylated oral compound, causing notable elevations in AST/ALT liver enzymes; indicating significant hepatic stress.
Winstrol will also cause testosterone levels to shut down, due to damage to the HPTA axis. Users often experience their natural testosterone levels returning several months after taken winstrol (assuming they don’t take any other anabolic substances following post winstrol cessation).
Winstrol is not female friendly, unlike anavar, being the culprit for many cases of virilization on the fitness scene. If you want to avoid masculinization, anavar is a better choice for women. The only exception would be if females took very small doses of winstrol and utilized short cycles, in which case women are likely to retain their femininity.
Winstrol Cycle for Men 

Winstrol Cycle for Women 

3. Turinabol
Turinabol is a dianabol derivative, which may surprise some considering dianabol is mainly used as a mass-building, bulking agent.
Turinabol is a ‘dry’ anabolic steroid, whereas dianabol is a ‘wet’ compound. This is due to turinabol failing to aromatize, resulting in lean and dry muscle gains; whereas dianabol can cause water retention and bloating.
Turinabol also does not pose any risk in terms of gynecomastia, making it a very effective and coveted anabolic steroid that can be successfully utilized during bulking or cutting cycles.
Turinabol users will build moderate amounts of muscle and burn noticeable amounts of fat, similar to the potency of winstrol; but with more muscle fullness.
Turinabol is arguably the best steroid for weight loss (fat loss), if users are planning on incorporating regular cardio into their training split.
This is because it is among the best AAS for muscular endurance, thus cardiovascular performance will vastly improve due to a notable increase in red blood cell production.
The actual purpose of Turinabol’s creation was to improve endurance, specifically in German swimming athletes. German scientists had previously observed dianabol increasing muscular strength and power, but at a cost of excessive weight gain.
Thus, they created a compound virtually identical to dianabol, with the exception of an extra 4-chloro alteration of clostebol. This meant that athletes could carry less weight, yet experience superior athletic performance.
Therefore, if someone were to combine anabolic steroids with regular cardio or HIIT (high intensity interval training), turinabol may indirectly help them burn more fat, by increasing the intensity and duration of workouts. Calorie expenditure is also likely to increase.
Turinabol is a milder steroid in terms of side effects, presenting less toxicity to the liver and heart than winstrol. Female athletes wanting to avoid masculinization may be safer taking turinabol than other AAS, as women frequently took tbol furing the 60s and 80s.
However, virilization cases did sporadically appear especially when female athletes started combining turinabol with other anabolic steroids, such as testosterone and deca durabolin. Thus, despite some promise, until more research is completed on the virilization effects of turinabol in an isolated environment, it may be wise for women to opt for anavar (a more thoroughly researched compound in medicine for almost six decades).
Turinabol Cycle for Men 

Turinabol Cycle for Women 

4. Trenbolone
If we ignore side effects completely, trenbolone is perhaps the best steroid for fat loss (subcutaneous), and superior than all other anabolic steroids on the market.
Trenbolone has exceptional muscle building and fat burning effects, making it a powerful bulking or cutting steroid. Its impressive fat burning capabilities can be attributed to its strong androgenic nature; with androgen receptors shown to stimulate lipolysis in adipose tissue (3). This occurs due to an increase in beta-adrenoceptors and adenylate cyclase activity.
Trenbolone also does not aromatize, keeping estrogen levels low and thus ensuring additional weight loss, in the form of water.
The reason that trenbolone ranks low on our list of: top 5 steroids for weight loss (fat loss), is due to it producing harsh side effects and increasing progesterone.
Trenbolone causes significant surges in LDL cholesterol, posing serious cardiovascular risks to users; dramatically increasing the chance of developing hypertension.
Trenbolone also causes notable testosterone suppression, due to damage of the HTPA axis. Consequently, men can experience several months of low testosterone symptoms, such as: decreased well-being, libido, energy and erectile quality.
Trenbolone also has the potential to greatly increase male pattern baldness, via sharp elevations in DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
Unfortunately, tren can actually increase visceral fat, often caused by female sex hormones rising, commonly being estrogen. Although there is no notable aromatization, or estrogen activity with trenbolone, progesterone mimics the same fat-storing effects — which trenbolone does raise.
Thus, users are likely to experience a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat, at the expense of an increase in visceral fat (causing a leaner, yet more bloated appearance to the midsection).
Trenbolone is not suitable for women to take, if they want to avoid masculinization.
Trenbolone Cycle for Men 

Note: Weight loss (fat loss) will occur faster when taking trenbolone acetate. This is a short ester and thus it peaks in users’ system sooner than taking a longer trenbolone ester (enanthate).
5. Testosterone
Testosterone is an FDA approved injectable anabolic steroid, often prescribed in medicine for endogenous testosterone deficiency.
Bodybuilders have been using testosterone since it came to the market almost a century ago, assisting in building large amounts of muscle and strength. However, testosterone’s fat burning effects are often underrated, with it being a potent compound for reducing subcutaneous fat mass.
Its ability to burn fat surpasses many other anabolic steroids, due to its high androgenicity (similar to trenbolone).
However, testosterone does aromatize and thus weight gain in the form of water is common and may lead to temporarily reduced muscle definition and bloating (especially in individuals following a moderate to high sodium diet).
Testosterone’s estrogenic effects may cause visceral fat storage, which although this type of fat is invisible (hidden internally around the organs) — it can cause a distended look to the waistline.
However, testosterone makes takes the last spot on our top steroids for weight loss (fat loss) list, due to its impressive safety profile. No anabolic steroid is 100% safe, especially when bought via an underground lab and taken without expert medical supervision. However, testosterone is an FDA approved medicine and thus it has proven to be safe when taken in the correct dosages when treating hormone imbalances of cachexic states. However, testosterone remains illegal for recreational use.
Testosterone causes only mild fluctuations in cholesterol when taken in moderate dosages and poses little hepatic toxicity. Thus, it is of the most cardiovascular-friendly anabolic steroids available.
Its various esters come in injectable form, which may not ideal for some users. The only exception to this is testosterone undecanoate, an oral form of testosterone, otherwise known as TestoCaps. However, TestoCaps’ retail price is very expensive and a fraction of the price of injectable testosterone esters, such as cypionate and enanthate.
Testosterone is not suitable for women to take due to its strong androgenic rating, which may accelerate male pattern baldness in men, as well as oily skin/acne vulgaris.
Testosterone Cycle for Men 

Dosages can increase up to 500mg/day, with cycles extending to 12 weeks, based on a user’s level of experience. Although higher dosages will increase fat loss, they also increase risk and the severity of side effects.
Here is a before/after photo, demonstrating the typical fat burning effects of testosterone from a first cycle. 

Summary
There are no ‘best steroids for weight loss’, as all AAS will cause weight gain. However, the above compounds are the best steroids for fat loss.
In terms of safety and suitability for both men and women, anavar can be regarded as the best steroid for fat loss; due to its mild effect on cholesterol, liver, testosterone suppression and low incidents of virilization. 
If users are more willing to risk their health and are unable to afford anavar’s high market price, they may opt for winstrol (a more powerful fat burner). However, females should take a very low dosage of winstrol to avoid virilization, as outlined.
All of the anabolic steroids listed above will cause significant muscle gain, which can assist in improving body composition. Additional muscle mass will also help to elevate a person’s metabolic rate, indirectly helping them to burn more fat.
Muscle gain occurring alongside fat loss is advantageous, as rapid/excessive weight loss through dieting can result in sagging (due to muscle loss). Having adequate levels of muscle mass will help to give a lift to the muscles, decreasing the impact of gravity over time; whilst also increasing muscle tone.
To maximize fat loss/weight loss, users should eat in a calorie deficit (-500/day), which will maximize fat burning and muscle retention. Calorie deficits greater than this (starvation diets) can lead to water storage and muscle loss.

Trenbolone Side Effects: Dangerous or Exaggerated?

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

Trenbolone is one of the most coveted anabolic steroids among bodybuilders, due to its sheer power at building lean muscle mass, whilst simultaneously burning fat (without causing water retention).
Due to its versatility, it can be successfully utilized during cutting or bulking cycles, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing AAS on the market.
Although it may not cause excessive increases in overall weight gain, its ability to add lean muscle tissue is only rivalled by the likes of dianabol and anadrol.
However, as with any drug, if there are notable benefits, there are also equally notable drawbacks — and trenbolone isn’t the exception.
Trenbolone acetate may be the most potent steroid on the market for rapidly transforming a user’s physique, however it could be argued that it’s also among the most harmful (both physiologically and psychologically).
Note: Different esters of trenbolone (such as acetate and enanthate) will produce the same side effects, as they are essentially the same compound. However, due to the varying length in esters and serum testosterone levels peaking at different speeds; the timing of side effects will occur at different stages.
For example, users will experience side effects sooner during a cycle of trenbolone acetate, whereas it may take 1-2 weeks later to notice the same level of effects on enanthate (due to it being a longer ester).

7 Trenbolone Side Effects
Cholesterol & Blood Pressure
The most damaging side effect of trenbolone is its effects on cholesterol, causing an increase in cardiovascular strain and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Regular use of trenbolone and other anabolic steroids could ultimately result in cardiomyopathy (heart disease), particularly in users with a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular implications.
We do not advise trenbolone-use, however should any of our readers choose to go down this route, it is recommended to perform regular cardiovascular workouts, whilst supplementing with 4g/day of fish oil. This will help to decrease blood pressure and maximize blood flow to and from the heart.
Such measures will not completely reverse cardiovascular strain from trenbolone, however it may help to subdue the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Trenbolone should not be stacked with any oral steroids, such as: dianabol, anadrol or winstrol, due to their devastating effects on cholesterol levels. Orals are particularly damaging to the heart, as they stimulate hepatic lipase in the liver; an enzyme responsible for decreasing HDL cholesterol (the healthy cholesterol that reduces plaque build up).
Testosterone Suppression
All anabolic steroids will suppress natural testosterone production, as the administration of exogenous testosterone causes the body to cease endogenous production.
Thus, when you cycle steroids your overall testosterone levels shoot up, but your natural testosterone levels plummet, as the body detects excessive hormone levels.
This causes a transient effect that ultimately leads to a crash post-cycle, when trenbolone injections cease.
Due to the potent nature of trenbolone, users can expect to be fully ‘shut down’ post-cycle, due to it severely effecting the HPTA axis. Thus, natural testosterone levels can take several weeks or months to recover back to standard levels, with the duration depending on the dosage taken, length of the cycle and PCT protocol (which can accelerate this recovery period).
During this transition period, where testosterone levels are shut down, users can experience: depression, erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, low energy levels and decreased overall wellbeing.
Possible Gynecomastia
Aromatization, or the stimulation of estrogen receptors, will not occur on trenbolone. Thus, some assume that trenbolone cannot cause gynecomastia — which is not accurate.
Estrogen is just one female sex hormone that, if high enough, can cause the expansion of female breast tissue in males. Trenbolone significantly raises progesterone, which too is a female hormone responsible for regulating menstrual cycles in women. When raised to excess levels in men, lactation can occur, resulting in puffy nipples and potentially gynecomastia.
Progesterone essentially mimics the effects of high estrogen levels, with progestins having a stimulatory effect on tissue in the mammary glands.
This effect can worsen if trenbolone is stacked with estrogenic steroids, such as: dianabol, testosterone or anadrol, due to an even greater dominance in female sex hormones, and further negative feedback inhibition of testosterone.
Interestingly, anti-estrogens have shown to be effective at preventing the onset of progesterone-induced gynecomastia.
In terms of anti estrogen options, bodybuilders can opt for AIs (aromatase inhibitors) or SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators).
AI’s block the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which can worsen cholesterol levels. However, SERMs work by directly inhibiting estrogen’s effects in the mammary glands, without affecting aromatization.
The downside to AI’s is that they can worsen blood pressure, as adequate levels of estrogen are needed for healthy cholesterol ratios. Thus, in general SERMs are a more optimal choice to prevent gynecomastia, as they do not negatively affect blood lips.
However, the two most popular SERMs, being Nolvadex and Clomid, should not be taken with trenbolone, as they can increase progesterone levels — worsening tren-induced gynecomastia.
Thus, it would be appropriate to have an AI ready, incase the nipples begin to get puffy or swollen. Taking an AI before this point is often unnecessary and will only exacerbate the already serious cardiovascular strain that trenbolone poses.
Two popular AI’s that bodybuilders take are: letrozole (Femara) and anastrozole (Arimidex).
Acne Vulgaris
Trenbolone is highly androgenic, which can cause excess sebum production, resulting in oily skin and acne vulgaris.
Some sensitive users, who naturally have high levels of sebum production, can experience severe cystic acne; which can take the appearance of golf balls under the skin.
Some bodybuilders have experienced success with products such as Accutane (Isotretinoin) for clearing up acne on-cycle. Accutane is designed to shrink the sebaceous glands, reducing sebum buildup and thus preventing the pores from blocking.
Research has shown that 20mg/day of Accutane (Isotretinoin) is a highly effective and safe treatment for moderate to severe acne (1). There is also evidence that Isotretinoin possesses long-term effects, helping to prevent acne breakouts in the future.
Male Pattern Baldness
Trenbolone possesses one of the highest androgenic ratings of the anabolic steroid family, being: 500.
Such androgenicity is destructive to hair follicles, due to elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), causing receding and thinning on the scalp.
DHT causes hair follicle miniaturization and scalp inflammation, however the severity of shedding and total hair loss will be determined by a person’s genetics.
Anabolic steroids (particularly trenbolone) will accelerate hair loss, if taken frequently over a significant period of time. AAS taken in the short-term may result in some thinning or recession; however this often reverses post-cycle when DHT levels regulate back to normal.
Note: if a person has strong genetics, even taking high doses of androgenic steroids (such as trenbolone) for years, may not be enough to cause excessive hair loss.
Bodybuilder sometimes use 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor medications, such as Finasteride, in a bid to block the conversion of testosterone into DHT and thus decrease follicle damage on the scalp.
However, reducing DHT levels may also have a negative effect on muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during a cycle, with research suggesting that DHT is a superior muscle-building hormone to testosterone (2). This is due to it increasing amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in fast contracting muscle fibers (whereas testosterone does not).
Visceral Fat
Many anabolic steroids burn subcutaneous fat — but increase visceral fat levels.
Subcutaneous fat is what you can see externally, whereas visceral fat surrounds the internal organs under the abdomen (and isn’t visible to the naked eye).
High visceral fat levels can cause a bloated or protruding look to the midsection, even if a person has a low level of subcutaneous body fat. The pregnant belly look that is common among IFBB pro bodybuilders, is due to high visceral fat, caused by the administration of estrogenic steroids.
Estrogen causes an increase in visceral fat mass, which is why women typically store more body fat in the abdomen area than men.
Although trenbolone does not convert to estrogen, progesterone can mimic certain effects of estrogen, in relation to body composition, thus tren-users are likely to experience more defined abdominals muscles — albeit at the expense of a potentially more bloated looking stomach.
Anxiety/Depression
Trenbolone’s side effects aren’t only physical but also mental, with users commonly reporting feeling increasingly: irritable, anxious, paranoid and depressed (than on other steroids).
Such side effects can be linked to trenbolone having a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, causing an increase in adrenaline output and thus shifting tren-users into a state of fight or flight mode.
Such a chemical alteration can result in individuals perceiving normal everyday situations as threats, triggering panic attacks or bouts of depression due to the depletion of serotonin in the brain.
It is unclear why trenbolone has a more notable stimulating effect than other anabolic steroids, however it is one of the reasons why some bodybuilders avoid this steroid — for optimal mental well-being.
Trenbolone users may benefit from eating a diet rich in l-tryptophan to help counteract high adrenaline levels on-cycle. L-tryptophan is an amino acid that has sedative properties, helping to calm the nervous system. Not only can this subdue anxiety/depression, but it may also help bodybuilders fall asleep easier and improve their sleep quality.
Foods high in l-tryptophan are:

Whole milk
Turkey
Chicken
Eggs
Steak
Tuna

All of the above are also high quality sources of protein, that will assist with protein synthesis and muscle recovery.
Note: It is important to eat carbohydrates in the same meal as your l-tryptophan food source, as carbohydrates deplete all amino acid content in the bloodstream — excluding l-tryptophan.
This significantly improves the absorption of l-tryptophan, as there is no longer any competition; thus improving its biological value and sedative effects. This combination of l-tryptophan and carbohydrates is the reason why so many people take a (seemingly involuntary) nap shortly after annual Thanksgiving meals; being the result of copious amounts of turkey and potatoes.
Tren Cough
Trenbolone is notorious for causing respiratory distress, known as ‘tren cough‘, upon administration. This essentially is a violent fit of dry coughing, typically lasting several seconds.
Users can also experience chest tightness and a metallic taste in their mouth when this occurs.
Although bodybuilders may feel alarmed by this sensation, it is somewhat common and generally not dangerous. Bodybuilders have reported ‘tren cough’ occurring in approximately 20% of injections.
It is not entirely known why trenbolone causes severe coughing (more so than other injectable steroids), however one theory suggests its androgenic properties may be the culprit.
Trenbolone’s potent androgenic nature can cause vasoconstriction, due to the activation of inflammatory lipids, known as prostaglandins.
Vasoconstriction of the bronchus’ muscular wall (in the lungs) may trigger such coughing, immediately upon injection. 
Although coughing can occur when injecting deca durabolin or testosterone, it is less common than on trenbolone.
Virilization in Women
Trenbolone causes virilization side effects in women, such as:

Clitoral enlargement
Jaw hypertrophy
Breast shrinkage
Deeper voice

These side effects occur due to trenbolone’s potent androgenic properties, thus it should be strictly avoided by women who value their femininity. Pro female bodybuilders however may be happy to trade this aspect of their physical appearance in order to win competitions.
However, there are more suitable steroid options for women, wanting to build muscle and burn fat, without compromising their sexual characteristics; such as:

These anabolic steroids also produce milder side effects, in comparison to trenbolone, particularly in regards to cholesterol and blood pressure. For more information regarding suitable steroid options for women, read this article (which references the relevant medical research and gives dosing guidelines).
Summary
Trenbolone side effects are somewhat strange, in regards to some users experiencing virtually all of the above, whilst others can take it and experience few adverse effects.
However, in general, trenbolone’s side effects should be considered harsh, particularly in relation to the heart and its damage to the HPTA axis.
The severity of side effects will also depend on the dosage and cycle length. A typical trenbolone consists of 150-225mg/week, in a 8-10 week cycle. Thus, dosages or cycles exceeding this, present more risk.
It is also important to note that if trenbolone is stacked with other anabolic steroids, its side effects will be amplified.
Thus, it is strongly advised that users do not stack trenbolone with any compounds that have deleterious effects on cholesterol levels and the heart. These include (but are not limited to): anadrol, dianabol, superdrol and winstrol.
Trenbolone is generally only taken by advanced bodybuilders, who have built up a tolerance to various anabolic steroids before administering it. This type of ‘caution’ by the bodybuilding community is wise, with the relevant medical research concerning this compound showing it is not to be underestimated.

Winstrol vs Anavar: Which One is Better?

Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.

Winstrol (stanozolol) and anavar (oxandrolone) are two popular anabolic steroids, predominantly used by bodybuilders for cutting purposes; enabling them to burn fat and to gain lean muscle tissue.
Beginners can wonder how these two compounds differ, often asking: which one is better?
Below is everything you need to know regarding the pros and cons of these two compounds, how they compare and which you will prefer (based on your goals).

Similar Chemical Structure
The chemical structure of winstrol and anavar are similar, with both compounds being modified forms of dihydrotestosterone. They also possess a methyl group at the carbon 17-alpha position, helping to preserve biological availability upon administration.
A distinct difference structurally between the two is how they are effectively anabolic (causing significant muscle-building), whilst maintaining low androgenicity.
Winstrol’s impressive anabolism is due to a pyrazol attachment group to the A-ring, whereas anavar’s is due to a substitution in the A-ring — specifically carbon-2 being replaced by an oxygen atom.
In terms of administration: anavar comes as an oral (tablet) like winstrol. However, winstrol is sometimes used as an injectable.
Which is the More Powerful Steroid?
When it comes to the winstrol vs anavar debate, some bodybuilders prefer anavar and others winstrol (for various reasons that we will cover). However, when it comes to the benefits of each compound, most agree that winstrol is more potent.
Winstrol will build more lean muscle and burn more fat than anavar, simply because it is a more powerful compound. On paper anavar should produce greater changes in body composition, due to its anabolic rating being 630 vs 320 (for winstrol).
However, in real life terms, winstrol has the edge. The difference is not huge, however such results are mildly noticeable for most bodybuilders.
Fat Loss (Subcutaneous & Visceral)
Users taking winstrol or anavar aren’t just going to notice a reduction in subcutaneous fat, but also visceral fat (which is a unique characteristic among anabolic steroids).
Most anabolic steroids cause a reduction in subcutaneous fat (resulting in more visible six pack abs), but simultaneously increase visceral fat; producing a bloated looking midsection (often referred to as a ‘steroid gut’ in the bodybuilding community).
However, anavar and winstrol do not cause such a protruding effect, keeping the waistline as tiny as possible. This makes both compounds ideal for bodybuilders prioritizing aesthetics over mass.
The reason why anavar and winstrol do not increase visceral fat, can be attributed to their weak estrogenic effects (lack of aromatization).
This lack of conversion into estrogen can also cause a drying effect to the muscles, as high estrogen levels cause water retention and low levels produce a diuretic effect. Thus, winstrol and anavar, will maximize muscle definition and vascularity, unlike other anabolic steroids, due to less extracellular fluid volume.
Measuring fat loss via scales may not be wise, due to simultaneous muscle gain. Thus, although users may observe a notable reduction in body fat in the mirror, the scales can still go up instead of down on both of these steroids.
Muscle Gains
Anavar users typically gain 10lbs of lean muscle from a conservatively dosed first cycle.
However, winstrol users are likely to gain a few pounds more in comparison, being closer to 15lbs.
Winstrol and anavar’s muscle building power may not equal powerful bulking steroids, such as dianabol or anadrol, however their effects are still visually dramatic; particularly due to their synchronous muscle building and fat burning properties.
The lean muscle gains associated with anavar/winstrol is why competitive bodybuilders run them in cutting cycles close to a competition, as they know water and fat retention won’t be an issue.
They are also popular steroids among athletes, wanting to gain an advantage in regards to muscular strength/power and endurance; without their weight fluctuating dramatically.
Muscle Fullness/Pumps
This is possibly the only area where anavar beats winstrol, in regards to the benefits of each steroid.
One disadvantage with winstrol is that it can cause excessive intracellular water depletion, causing the muscles to appear flat.
However, fluid distribution with anavar is dissimilar, with extracellular fluid being flushed out and intracellular fluid increasing (shuttling inside the muscle cell).
This creates a ripped and full look on anavar, whereas on winstrol a ripped appearance is common; but with less of a pump to the muscles.
Full muscles can help you to appear bigger than you are in and out of the gym, whilst also encouraging further growth due to stretching of the muscle fascia.
Fuller muscles are also advantageous in competitions where size is rewarded. Muscle pumps on anavar can be extreme, particularly in the lower back, which some bodybuilders understand to be a painful sensation when performing deadlifts.
This can disrupt workouts, in which case bodybuilders often supplement with taurine (due to its diuretic attributes), to reduce muscle fullness and ATP levels in the muscle cell.
However, it is worth noting that the muscles won’t significantly deflate on winstrol, despite a reduction of water volume, due to it simultaneously adding muscle hypertrophy (size) during a cycle.
After someone comes off winstrol, their muscles may look slightly bigger due to normal levels of muscle fullness returning and an increase in overall water retention.
Side Effects: Which is the Safer Compound?
Although winstrol is more powerful in terms of results, anavar is the more suitable choice when it comes to harm reduction.
Generally with anabolic steroids: the better the results, the worse the side effects.
This is also true with winstrol and anavar; with winstrol having more devastating effects on cholesterol values, liver toxicity and testosterone suppression.
Anavar only has mild side effects, hence how it has been used successfully in medicine to treat men, women and children. However, with excessive dosages or prolonged cycles — anavar is still potentially harmful.
Anavar on the Liver
Anavar’s weak hepatoxicity in regards to the liver is unique, with it being an oral c-17 alpha alkylated steroid, which are notorious for causing jaundice, peliosis hepatis or liver failure.
Anavar’s mild toxicity is due to the liver only partly metabolizing the drug. Instead, it is believed the kidneys share the work load, evidenced by over 1/3 of oxandrolone still being present in urine (1).
Thus, ALT and AST markers, symbolizing potential liver stress/damage are not likely to rise excessively high on anavar. However, they should be checked regularly on winstrol (due to stronger hepatotoxicity).
Research has shown that anavar does not worsen liver values, at a dose of 20mg/day for 8 weeks (2). However, the same research concluded that high dosages of 40mg and 80mg/day will cause liver stress.
Liver support is often taken by bodybuilders during winstrol cycles, in the form of TUDCA, which is a bile acid that has shown to minimize stress to the organ (3). It is strongly advised not to stack winstrol with any other oral steroids, preventing further hepatic damage.
Winstrol on the Liver
In contrast to anavar, Less research has been conducted on winstrol in regards to the liver. However, we do know that very small dosages (12.5mg/day) have little effect on ALT/AST enzymes (4). Whereas high dosages of winstrol have the power to cause severe hepatotoxicty — even in healthy bodybuilders (5).
It is important to note that such adverse hepatic effects also occur with injectable winstrol.
Anavar on the Heart
In the previous reference cited (2), Anavar’s effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol levels are seen to be moderate; causing approximately a 30% reduction in HDL and a 30% rise in LDL, when taking 20mg/day for 12 weeks.
Thus, anavar will cause a notable increase in blood pressure whilst on-cycle, when taking a moderate dose.
According to this same study, the difference in cardiovascular strain on anavar when taking 20mg/day and 40mg/day is very slight, being only a 3% further deterioration in cholesterol for double the dose.
However, on a mega dose of 80mg/day, HDL cholesterol levels can drop by 50%.
Winstrol on the Heart
Winstrol’s effects on the heart are significantly worse than anavar, with research showing that a tiny dose of winstrol at 6mg/day for 6 weeks can cause a 33% drop in HDL cholesterol (6) — the equivalent of taking 20mg/day of anavar.
However, bodybuilders typically take 25mg/day of winstrol, thus we can conclude a moderate dose of winstrol will have a far more devastating effect, versus a moderate dose of anavar.
To combat the spike in blood pressure, bodybuilders on winstrol can increase the frequency of cardiovascular workouts or/and supplement with 4g/day of fish oil, which has shown to improve cholesterol ratios (7).
Also eating a diet high in unsaturated fat, whilst restricting saturated fat, may help to reduce cardiovascular strain on winstrol.
Anavar & Testosterone Suppression
In trials, anavar dosed at 20mg/day and 40mg/day has provoked a 45% decline in testosterone levels (in HIV patients). This is a relatively mild effect, compared to other AAS, that completely shut down the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA).
It is also important to note that this daily dosage was administered for 12 weeks, which is excessive for an anavar cycle, which only typically lasts for 6-8 weeks (and even less for women, being 4-5 weeks).
Thus, when anavar is taken in a moderate dosage, in a reasonable cycle, the drop in testosterone is set to be mild. Therefore, some bodybuilders do not experience a severe ‘crash’, relating to decreased energy, motivation and libido; and can consequently recover their endogenous testosterone levels in a matter of weeks (without even utilizing a PCT).
Winstrol & Testosterone Suppression
Research has shown that just 10mg/day of winstrol, when taken for 14 days, can suppress endogenous testosterone levels by 55% (8).
Thus, a bodybuilding dose of 25mg/day of winstrol for 6 weeks is going to almost certainly shut down the HPTA axis, taking several weeks or months for testosterone levels to recover back to normal levels (depending on the person’s PCT protocol).
Winstrol and anavar will not cause gynecomastia as they do not aromatize or directly stimulate the estrogen receptors in the mammary glands. In terms of hair loss and oily skin, these are possible side effects on anavar and winstrol, albeit less severe compared to highly androgenic compounds such as testosterone or trenbolone. 
As winstrol is destructive to the heart and liver, such side effects can be exacerbated when stacking it with other AAS; thus making anavar a safer choice when running multiple compounds together.
Price Difference
Anavar is significantly higher priced than winstrol, due to it previously being monopolized by Bio-Technology General Corp, which led to a 1,200% increase in market price.
100 x 20mg tablets of anavar costs around $230 on the black market.
Whereas, 100 x 25mg tablets of winstrol can cost just $90.
There is risk when purchasing any anabolic steroid on the black market, however it could be argued that anavar is particularly risky, due to its high market price.
Consequently, a common scam is to dilute or substitute oxandrolone for methandrostenolone (dianabol), the most popular oral which can be manufactured at a fraction of the price.
Thus, bodybuilders should be wary of cheap anavar vendors, whilst also testing the products to see if the active substance is actually oxandrolone.
Suitability for Women
Many anabolic steroids cause virilization side effects in women, with winstrol too falling into this category.
Some female bodybuilders take winstrol for greater muscle definition, fat loss and muscle retention whilst cutting; however they also experience the following side effects:

Deeper voice
Breast reduction
Enlarged clitoris
Hair loss (on scalp)
Hair growth (on body)
Laryngeal prominence (Adams apple) growth

Thus, winstrol is not a suitable choice for women wanting to avoid masculinization.
However, anavar is a popular choice among women, hence it being nicknamed ‘the girl steroid’. That is not to say men don’t take it, as many do (including elite bodybuilders and powerlifters).
Anavar has a low risk for causing virilization in women, when taken in sensible cycles. 
10mg/day of anavar in cycles lasting 4-5 weeks is very unlikely to cause any issues in regards to masculinization.
A more common side effect when taking anavar is menstruation irregularities or amenorrhea (cessation of monthly period).
If a woman is intent on using winstrol, yet does not want to experience virilization, taking a very cautious dose of 5mg/day for up to 8 weeks, is likely to leave her unscathed.
Summary
Winstrol vs anavar: which one is better? The answer depends on your personal objectives.
If you only have $100 and you’re willing to risk your health to get in the best shape possible — winstrol may be more appealing (and the only affordable option).
Whereas if you’re concerned about liver values shooting up and want to make gains in the safest way possible — anavar is the superior steroid.
Equally, if you are preparing for a contest and you are prone to losing muscle fullness onstage, anavar may be the better choice, giving you a bigger pump/fuller muscles.

Top 20 Heavy Weight Equipment for Powerlifting on Amazon

            Powerlifting is no easy task especially if you’re ill-equipped. For the longest time now Amazon has become a powerhouse when it comes to powerlifting equipment. You will not only get quality equipment but you also be sure to find one that is aesthetically fit for the job. We are always indebted to provide bodybuilders with the ultimate list of amazon products to serve all their needs. It is important to note that our list is based on the user experience, specifically on the product’s review section. Here are the top 20 heavy equipment for powerlifting you can find on Amazon.
 1. Hulkfit Olympic 2-Inch Hex Weight Lifting Trap Bar
           This trap bar is expertly designed to fit a standard 2-inch belt on a 1.97-inch load diameter. The product comes in two designs-open and regular to serve all your powerlifting needs. Also, the bar has a capacity of more than 1000 pounds; thanks to the heavy-duty steel material sit is made from.
            > > Hulkfit Trap Bar Raydem Resistance Bands Synergee Farmer Walk Handles Self-locking Weightlifting Belt Adidas Men’s HVC Wrestling Shoe Iron Chest Master Push-up Machine 7mm Thick Knee Sleeves Sling Shot Mark Bell Elbow Sleeves YoungLA Men’s Running Shorts Marcy Flat Weight Bench HarderWill Deadlift Jack Alternative ASIMASN Pull-Up Bands Fat Gripz Pro Cap 7-Feet Olympic Bar I WILL AESTHETICS Weight Lifting Hooks Powerlix Elbow Brace Compression Support Mava Sports Knee Wrap Powerlifting Belt/ Weight Lifting Belt Xonyicof Fitness Dip Belt Whatafit Pull Up Assist