What Steroids Do Bodybuilders Use? Benefits, Side Effects

What Steroids Do Bodybuilders Use? Benefits, Side Effects

Bodybuilding is no easy ordeal. It takes a lot of willpower, physical effort, and resources to get your body in shape and sometimes steroids. So, what steroids do bodybuilders use? What effects do they have on bodybuilding?

Bodybuilders mostly use what are called Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Some of the most common types of steroids bodybuilders use are Dianabol, Deca Durabolin, Anadrol, Testosterone, Trenbolone, Anavar, Winstrol, Equipose, Turinabol, and Superdrol.

Do read below to find out the uses of these steroids. Learn about their effects on the physique and performance of bodybuilders.

A quick look into anabolic steroids

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are considered the synthetic counterparts of Testosterone, the male sex hormone. They often skirt between the legal and illegal, depending on the legitimacy of their prescription.

It means that steroid usage, particularly AAS, can be classed as legal or illegal depending on whether a person was prescribed steroids by a licensed doctor for a health condition or the contrary. In an ideal scenario, an AAS is never prescribed by doctors for competitive bodybuilding.

However, there are also legal steroid-like supplements that are sold over the counter. They’re referred to as multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS). Some well-received MIPS include Creatine, Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP), and Dimethyl Amylamine (DMAA).

Why do bodybuilders use steroids?

People engage in bodybuilding for different reasons. It could be for the sake of competing, to transform one’s body image, or to get fit. Whatever the reasons, any person interested in bodybuilding will undoubtedly be aware of steroids whether they use them or not.

Steroids are popularly known as performance-enhancing drugs. They are used by bodybuilders to:

• Increase muscle mass and strength
• Decrease body fat
• Improve athletic performance

Common steroids bodybuilders use

Steroids are of different types, each with a unique composition providing varying results. All steroids used for bodybuilding ultimately promote muscle gain and increased strength. However, there are differences in cycle types, dosages, and variations in their potency.

The ten steroids mentioned in this list vary between dry and wet, bulking and cutting (or both), and pills and injectables. Dosages generally vary for men and women and are accompanied by supplements that decrease side effects during cycles.

Dianabol 

Dianabol has a high anabolic rate and low androgenic rate. It speeds up metabolism while avoiding the side effects of excessive androgen.

Diabonol is taken alone or with other steroids like Deca Durabolin, Anadrol, or Testosterone. A beginner cycle for Dbol lasts five weeks and the second, six weeks. Dbol dosage begins at 10mg/day and can go up to 25 mg/day. Pros use up to 30-50mg/day.

Pros:

• Increased muscle mass
• Increased strength
• Faster recovery
• Faster metabolism
• Higher nitrogen retention
• Increased red blood cell count

Cons:

• Liver damage
• High blood pressure
• Gynecomastia
• Water retention
• Virilization in women
• Balding/ hair thinning
• Acne

Deca Durabolin

Deca Durabolin is among the mildest bodybuilding steroids. It is less likely to be taken alone. Bodybuilders usually take Deca Durabolin along with Dianabol, Anadrol, or Testosterone.

Deca Durabolin provides anabolic effects for gradual bulking with minimal androgenic issues. Deca Durabolin cycle for beginners lasts ten weeks with 400 mg/day. It is often coupled with Dianabol, Anadrol, or Testosterone. Women take an 8-week cycle of 50 mg/day.

Pros:

• Increase in lean mass
• FDA approved
• Reduces joint inflammation
• No side effects on liver

Cons:

• Mild increase in cholesterol
• Low Testosterone
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Deca Dick
• Imbalance of sex hormones

Anadrol

Anadrol is taken to be the most potent oral steroid. Bodybuilders looking for speedy results often resort to Anadrol pills for bulking up. It is FDA approved but only for medical use.

Anadrol dosages vary from 50 mg/day to 600 mg/day. Its cycles vary from 6-11 weeks. The steroid works effectively on its own. However, it is also combined with other steroids like Testosterone and Trenbolone for extreme results. It’s done only by experienced users.

Pros:

• Taken orally
• Rapid muscle mass increase
• Substantial weight gain
• Increased strength
• Fat loss
• Sturdy joints

Cons:

• Liver damage
• Gynecomastia and water retention
• High blood pressure
• Blocks Testosterone
• Acne and hair loss

Testosterone

Testosterone is taken as an injectable. This steroid is especially effective for gaining bulky amounts of lean mass. Bodybuilders looking to get rid of fat and preserve muscles or ‘cutting’ use this well-known steroid.

Testosterone is used primarily in beginner cycles. Its dosages vary from 200 mg/day to 350 mg/day for seven weeks.

Later cycles, alone and combined, span ten weeks with dosages between 200 mg/day to 600 mg/day. Testosterone is often combined with Dianabol, Deca Durabolin, Anadrol, Anavar, or Trenbolone.

Pros:

• Increased muscle mass
• Muscle preservation
• High fat loss
• Increased strength

Cons:

• Gynecomastia
• Enlarged prostate
• Water retention
• Hair loss and acne
• Blocked Testosterone

Trenbolone

Trenbolone is also an injectable steroid. It is considered the most potent steroid containing enanthate and acetate. It both bulks up and cuts muscle mass fast and effectively, making it a favorite among bodybuilders.

Trenbolone cycles vary from 8-10 weeks. It is often combined with Testosterone, Anadrol, Winstrol, and Anavar. As for dosages, it sticks mostly to 150 mg/day alone or combined. Experienced users go up to 225 mg/day.

Pros:

• Extreme muscle gain
• Impressive muscle cutting
• Fast results
• Increase in strength

Cons: 

• Liver toxicity
• High blood pressure
• Water retention
• Gynecomastia
• Acne and hair loss
• Enlarged prostate
• Suppresses Testosterone

Anavar

Anavar is perhaps the most sought-after and expensive steroid. It is FDA-approved for medical use owing to its lack of intense side effects.

They’re an excellent pick for women athletes. It helps both bulk up and cut muscles. The two benefits with minimal side effects make this steroid super-popular.

Anavar cycles can be standalone or combined. They vary from 5-10 weeks, with dosages between 5-20 mg/day. The steroid is often combined with Testosterone, Anadrol, Dianabol, Testosterone, and Deca Durabolin.

Pros:

• Muscle mass gain
• Loss of fat
• Increase in strength, speed, and endurance
• Female friendly
• Fast recovery

Cons:

• Kidney Damage
• Increase in LDL cholesterol
• Kidney Damage
• Hair loss

Winstrol

Winstrol is another effective oral steroid that’s very popular for both its muscle building and cutting properties. It’s usually used by intermediate to experienced bodybuilders looking for well-cut muscles.

A Winstrol cycle is limited to six weeks, whether taken alone or with other steroids. As for the dosage, 8 mg/day to 25 mg/day depending on the cycle type.

Winstrol is often taken along with Testosterone, Anadrol, Trenbolone, Clenbuterol, and Anavar. Side effects depend on the combination.

Pros:

• Muscle mass gain
• Increased strength
• Muscle cutting and fat loss
• Increase in skeletal muscle

Cons:

• Possible liver damage
• High blood pressure
• Virilization/ not female-friendly
• Dry/ No joint support

Equipoise

Equipose is a steady injectable steroid. It is also injected less frequently than other injectable steroids. It means results are comparatively slower but also more lasting. It’s well-liked for its bulking and sculpting properties at a fair price.

Equipose cycles go on for up to 8-10 weeks, with dosages varying between 200 mg/week to 400 mg/week for men. As for women, dosages are reduced to 50-70 mg/ week.

Pros:

• Increased muscle mass
• Increased strength
• Aids muscle cutting
• Gradual but consistent results

Cons:

• Hair loss
• Oily skin and acne
• High blood pressure
• Virilization in women

Turinabol 

Turinabol is an derivative of Dianabol. It’s a solid oral steroid that aids muscle-building and strength development like Dbol but without water retention. It is less anabolic than Dianabol, but the minus water retention serves as its plus point for bodybuilders.

Turinabol can be taken alone or in combined cycles. The duration spans between 5-10 weeks. As for dosages, they vary between 5-40 mg/day depending on the user and cycle type. Turinabol is often coupled with Testosterone in the case of stacked cycles.

Pros:

• Increased muscle mass
• Increased strength
• Mild androgenic effects
• No estrogenic effects
• Loss of fat

Cons:

• Virilization in women
• Liver damage
• Increased blood pressure
• Testosterone suppression

Superdrol

Superdrol is an oral AAS that frequents black markets due to its popularity. Superdrol’s fame lies in its claimed potency as a methasterone steroid. It is as effective as the potent trenbolone.

A Superdrol cycle is limited to a maximum of four weeks due to its potency. The advised dosage is 20 mg/day. Experienced users do go up to 30-40 mg/day. However, not at the risk of severely damaging their health.

Pros:

• Speedy and bulky muscle growth
• Muscle gain and cutting
• No water retention
• No risk of gynecomastia

Cons: 

• High blood pressure
• Liver damage
• Testosterone suppression
• Virilization in women

Additional side effects not mentioned in this list include aggression, anxiety, depression, infertility, and insomnia. Always consult a doctor before use.

Bodybuilding is a gratifying but taxing activity. While the rewards of a fantastic body can be tremendous, the risks, too, are just as significant or even more. And that’s where users need to employ caution.

There’s no inherent bad in steroids, but the concern lies in its misuse. As an effective tool, any person considering the use of steroids should be aware of its nature and its effects on the body. We hope this bit has highlighted some critical facets of steroids and their responsible use.