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Millions of people around the world take steroids each day but only a small number do so responsibly.

From too high a dose to taking the wrong steroids to not having an effective post-cycle therapy planned, there are tons of mistakes a newcomer to steroids can make though this guide will help you avoid them.

 

Lacking knowledge of steroids while taking them is risky as this may lead to injuries that could otherwise be avoided by having proper guidance and education.

In this guide, we deep dive into the safest steroids for beginners so you can quickly achieve impressive muscle gains with minimal side effects had.

 

Top Three Beginner Steroids

The safest steroids for beginners are:

 

• Anavar

• Dianabol

• Testosterone

 

Pick one based on what you want to achieve from the cycle, as well as your preference for either an oral or injectable product.  Below we cover Anavar and Dianabol as well as Testosterone and its many forms.

 

#1 Anavar

 

Also known as Oxandrolone, Anavar is deemed by most as the safest steroid for beginners, and for good reasons too as it does not cause intense levels of hepatic and cardiovascular strain.

Benefits of Anavar are plentiful, give it a try to:

 

• Amass muscle quickly.

• Burn muscle at very fast rates.

• Bulk with minimal side effects.

• Increase arm and grip strength.

 

It is also an oral tablet so there are no needles or injections to worry about though it is:

 

• Too expensive for some people.
• Not as effective as Testosterone.

 

As such, beginners who want to build tons of muscle in the first cycle should pick another steroid but if you want to get RIPPED while burning fat and building small amounts of muscle, it is the dream come true steroid!

 

With it being an oral steroid, most tolerate it very well as no pain or needles are involved.  Plus it is safe, it is even regularly prescribed to women, and even children, to help them put on more lean mass.  Here is what the typical cycle looks like for those trying Anavar or steroids for the first time:

 

• Week 1, 15mg per day.

• Week 2, 15mg per day.

• Week 3, 15mg per day.

• Week 4, 20mg per day.

• Week 5, 20mg per day.

• Week 6, 20mg per day.

 

This modest cycle is ideal for beginners but experienced steroid users may instead take 20mg milligrams during their first week of a two-month.

 

Anavar and Testosterone Cycle

 

Many people stack Test and Anavar to accelerate fat loss and muscle gain.  This stack works and is proven effective but it does have a higher risk of side effects than if Testosterone were taken alone.

• Week 1, 15mg of Anavar and 200mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 2, 15mg of Anavar and 200mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 3, 15mg of Anavar and 300mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 4, 20mg of Anavar and 300mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 5, 20mg of Anavar and 300mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 6, 20mg of Anavar and 350mg of Testosterone per day.

• Week 7, 350mg of Testosterone per day.

 

The only disadvantage of this cycle is once it ends, endogenous testosterone can be suppressed, but this may be remedied with effective post-cycle therapy.  If you do run this cycle, take your doses on time and in the right amounts and you will reap speedy fat loss with gains of twenty pounds or more – no kidding!

 

Anavar Side Effects

If you follow the beginner Anavar cycle above you can expect none to minimal side effects but there are still some that can emerge, these include:

• Acne.

• Oily skin.

• Hair loss.

• Higher LDL cholesterol.

• Testosterone suppression.

 

Most Anavar users claim to have no side effects at all from this steroid though testosterone suppression is nearly certain, though the effects from this are often minimal and rather quick to subside.

If you take Anavar alone, you may not need post-cycle therapy as endogenous testosterone levels are usually fast to rebound, though if you stack it with another steroid, like Test, PCT should be undergone.

On a final note, Anavar is a derivative of DHT so hair loss and thinning may occur but a healthy genetic makeup not predisposed to baldness can prevent these symptoms from occurring.

 

#2 Dianabol

Also known as Methandrostenolone, Dianabol is a vetted and trusted, highly popular steroid that was used by Schwarzenegger himself during the 1970s; the period known as the Golden Era of athleticism and bodybuilding!

 

To this day, Dianabol is still widely used and remains popular amongst bodybuilders from around the world.  To start, it is an oral steroid ideal for beginners who want huge muscle gains without the pain or stress of needles.  It is not harsh (compared to many steroids) when used in modest amounts during the first cycle, though its side effects may be more noticeable than those of an Anavar + Testosterone cycle.

 

When it comes to the best steroid for strength, Dianabol is the clear winner as most people see around seventy pounds of growth, and during just the first cycle, here is what a typical Dianabol cycle looks like:

 

Dianabol Warm-Up Cycle

• Week 1, 10mg per day.

• Week 2, 10mg per day.

• Week 3, 15mg per day.

• Week 4, 15mg per day.

• Week 5, 20mg per day.

 

Dianabol is stronger than most steroids in this guide so be sure to follow the above cycle before taking higher doses.  Beginners can expect to gain fifteen pounds in a single cycle, which is substantial given the modest size of these doses.  Just keep in mind, the aim of this cycle is to prep the body for the next cycle, in which, you will see even bigger gains.

 

Dianabol Cycle for Beginners

• Week 1, 20mg per day.

• Week 2, 20mg per day.

• Week 3, 25mg per day.

• Week 4, 25mg per day.

• Week 5, 25mg per day.

• Week 6, 25mg per day.

 

If you are a beginner and choose to skip the warm-up cycle, which is not advised, you can expect to gain around thirty pounds in total, making its results even more pronounced than Testosterone taken alone!

 

Dianabol Side Effects

Dianabol often causes minimal side effects in smaller doses but larger ones may cause reactions like:

• Acne.

• Hair loss.

• Liver damage.

• Gynecomastia.

• Higher blood pressure.

 

Dianabol is more likely to increase blood pressure than steroids like Anavar and Testosterone so do not use an aromatase inhibitor unless signs of gynecomastia arise.  To help prevent drops or rises in blood pressure, perform cardio workouts a few times weekly as this can help keep it stable and under control.

 

Furthermore, Dianabol is more hepatotoxic than Anavar and Testosterone so take something for liver support as you cycle it.  Supplements, like TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid), can help to reduce the stress posed on the liver by lowering its enzyme-count.  Furthermore, Dianabol is less androgenic than Testosterone so acne, hair loss, and oily skin are not nearly as likely to occur given its androgenic nature.

 

#3 Testosterone

This is one of the most popular steroids for beginners and is often cycled on its own to avoid the harsh side effects of more toxic and potent compounds.  It is known to deliver speedy and impressive muscle gains, and without excessive, over-the-top side effects that often accompany intense anabolic steroids.

 

While an effective steroid for beginners with minimal side effects, the only downside it may have for some is it often comes in injectable form.  As such, if you are new to steroids and want an oral option for your first cycle, Anavar and Dianabol will be more suitable options for you as these come in tablet form.

 

Testosterone Esters

There are many forms of Testosterone used in bodybuilding, here are the ones most commonly used:

• Sustanon 250

• Testosterone Acetate

• Testosterone Enanthate

• Testosterone Suspension

• Testosterone Propionate

• Testosterone Undecanoate

• Testosterone Cypionate (aka depo-testosterone)

 

Note: There is not a ‘best testosterone’ as each builds muscle and strength in equal amounts.  However, some may kick in faster than others with some requiring injections more frequently.  The thing that truly separates them is some esters are short or fast-acting; this makes some a little more potent than others given the higher levels of testosterone in the bloodstream.

Testosterone Suspension

This is pure testosterone fused into water.

It is potent, fast-acting, and quick to enter the bloodstream, so it is seldom suggested for beginners.

 

This aside, one benefit of suspension is it yields very fast gains as it is pure testosterone and does not need to break down to be effective.  However, this comes with the caveat of frequent injections being needed as it leaves the body pretty quickly.

 

Bodybuilders on Testosterone Suspension take two injections daily.  This is not ideal for beginners as it requires a big needle to administer due to the fact it is not micronized – this means it has larger crystals, and ones that can easily get clogged in a syringe, the very reason needles of larger gauges are required.

Testosterone Acetate

This fast-to-act form of testosterone has a two to three-day half-life but is slower than suspension to take effect.

Sure, gains will come quickly, but frequent injections are needed, but not as often as test suspension as only one injection per day is needed, and since a large needle is not needed, most people feel zero pain while injecting.

Testosterone Propionate

While slower to kick in than Test Acetate and Suspension, it is still a fast-acting steroid that can bring very fast muscle and strength gains.

It requires a dose every other day, and while it may seem cheaper than most other steroids at first, it is taken in larger doses so it ends up being more costly, and about fifty percent more, in most cases.

Adding to the high cost, another downside of Propionate is its injections can be painful to the point it causes a limp as you walk.  For these reasons, most newcomers pick a steroid that has less risk of pain, like Testosterone, the number one steroid for beginners on this list!

Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate

Beginner bodybuilders love these Testosterone esters as they only need to be injected once every four to five days, compared to once daily for many other steroids.

These esters are listed together as the body absorbs them in similar ways at similar rates, however, they do take longer than most other steroids to kick in, but they are enjoyable and painless for most to inject.

Testosterone Undecanoate

While this injectable, slow-to-act form of Testosterone takes some time to show results, its key benefit is it only needs to be injected once every two weeks.

It does take a bit of time for it to peak in the bloodstream, though, as it has a half-life of thirty-four days.  This means you need to have patience as in some cases, it can take an entire month for gains to be seen.

 

If you want to avoid needles, there is an oral version of Testosterone Undecanoate known as Andriol and Testocaps.  The oral forms are painless and very fast to take effect as they cause plasma testosterone to peak in the bloodstream in only five hours from the time you take a dose.

 

One benefit of Andriol, or oral Testosterone Undecanoate, is you prevent liver damage as it is absorbed by the lymphatic system instead.  This means it is not hepatotoxic, and per liver function tests, will not cause harm or damage to the organ.

 

More times than not, beginners find oral steroids more convenient than injections but there is a caveat – oral Undecanoate is often very pricey!

A single Testosterone Undecanoate cycle often requires eight 280mg capsules daily as this is the amount needed to raise testosterone levels high enough for huge mass gains to be achieved.  If you go through a medical practitioner you will pay about forty dollars for a week’s supply so if you are on a six-week cycle, your out-of-pocket expense would total around two hundred and forty dollars; not the cheapest around.

Sustanon 250

This form of Testosterone is a highly popular one and is a mixture of four unique esters, it is made up of:

 

• 30mg Propionate

• 100mg Decanoate

• 60mg Isocaproate

• 60mg Phenylpropionate

 

Since this blend has esters with unique traits, it is both fast- and slow-acting.  It kicks in fast and requires an injection once every two days, and it stays in the system for a while given the inclusion of Decanoate.

When it comes to the best form of testosterone Sustanon 250 is not necessarily BEST but it does make it much easier than many other esters to boost muscle and strength.  So keep it on your consideration list!

 

Testosterone Steroid Cycle for Beginners

When it comes to the best types of testosterone for beginners and newcomer bodybuilders, Enanthate and Cypionate are atop the list!

For one, they are very affordable.

Second, they are not at all painful.

And thirdly, injections are once every five days.

 

• Week 1, 200mg per day.

• Week 2, 200mg per day.

• Week 3, 300mg per day.

• Week 4, 300mg per day.

• Week 5, 300mg per day.

• Week 6, 350mg per day.

• Week 7, 350mg per day.

 

This is what a typical cycle looks like for a newcomer to steroids.  Keep in mind, these are conservative doses so you will not see huge gains.  However, it does prep the body for higher doses and more intense cycles down the line, making it ideal for aspiring bodybuilders who are taking a steroid for the first time.

 

If you buy Enanthate or Cypionate, the bottle will likely be pre-dosed at 200 mg/mL.  This means you can take two injections per week for two weeks as this would be a hundred milligrams per injection, or 1mL per week.  Once weeks three to five arrive, you can then take two, 150mg injections per week and then two 175mg injections in the final two weeks.

 

Be sure you do not miss doses as if you take it late, testosterone levels in the bloodstream can quickly spike or drop, which can cause smaller gains and amplified side effects!  As such, be sure you dose on time and take it as advised and you should be able to see a gain of twenty pounds in just a single cycle!

 

Testosterone Cycle Before and After

The transformation shown in the image to the left is common with Testosterone as it helps every muscle group to blow up and develop.

Keep in mind, if you are on a calorie-surplus diet, body fat will likely increase so stay mindful of what you are eating.

On the contrary, a calorie-deficit diet will make it easier for the body to burn away even the most stubborn of fat.

 

Testosterone Cycle for Experienced Steroid Users

If you used steroids before or finished the beginner Test cycle above, you can follow up with this one:

 

• Week 1, 200mg per day.

• Week 2, 400mg per day.

• Week 3, 400mg per day.

• Week 4, 400mg per day.

• Week 5, 400mg per day.

• Week 6, 500mg per day.

• Week 7, 500mg per day.

• Week 8, 500mg per day.

• Week 9, 500mg per day.

• Week 10, 200mg per day.

 

The dose slowly climbs to 500mg during this cycle that lasts three weeks longer – the very reason it can add ten more pounds of lean muscle mass than the first cycle!  Give this cycle a try when you are ready.

 

Side Effects of Testosterone

 

Testosterone side effects are often minimal as this is a mild steroid.  It is regularly prescribed by doctors for testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, and is often used with no side effects experienced though it can still cause:

 

• Hair thinning.

• Gynecomastia.

• Water retention.

• Acne and oily skin.

• Higher risk of hypertension.

• Drops in good cholesterol (HDL).

 

Since testosterone has a mild impact on cholesterol, blood pressure is unlikely to rise to unsafe levels.  However, it is still very much advised that beginners have a health assessment with a doctor before their first cycle to be sure their blood pressure is not already high.

 

Other adverse effects, like acne and oily skin, are mainly due to the androgenic nature of Testosterone.  Those who have had acne in the past are most likely to have a breakout while cycling Testosterone as they likely have a genetic predisposition, in which, their body creates sebum in excess supply – this is the oily substance that coats the skin.

 

When taking testosterone, water retention is to be expected but not as much as other bulking steroids like Anadrol and Dianabol.  Also, this steroid aromatizes and converts into estrogen so Gynecomastia, or swelling of the breast tissue, is an issue that may arise, and one that can cause the dreaded man boobs no guy wants to deal with.

 

To combat Gynecomastia and its symptoms, you can try an aromatase inhibitor (AI), like Arimidex, as it lowers the risk of side effects emerging.  It can, however, elevate blood pressure to very high levels so it is wise to watch your nipples to ensure they are not puffy or enlarged – if this occurs – use an aromatase inhibitor as just a single milligram of it can limit estradiol by as much as seventy percent in a day or less.

 

Keep in mind, the greater your testosterone dose, the more likely the chance gynecomastia can develop so it would be a good idea to start off with lower doses, especially if this is your first time taking steroids.

Other Beginner Steroids

The most popular steroids for beginners are Anavar, Dianabol, and Testosterone as they are less potent and milder in small doses.  However, there are plenty more steroids that may be used by beginners – like Turinabol, which has effects that are not as harsh as Dianabol but more potent and strong than Anavar.

 

Deca Durabolin is an example of one steroid that is ideal for beginners though it is often stacked with Test or Dianabol and not taken alone – unless it is the first cycle taken by the aspiring bodybuilder to be.

Steroids All Beginners Should Avoid

• Anadrol

• Winstrol

• Superdrol

• Trenbolone

 

Despite their reputation as toxic and dangerous steroids with serious side effects that rival all others, some bodybuilding coaches still suggest it to clients as a first-cycle steroid, which is undoubtedly risky.

 

Of all steroids, Anadrol is likely the most toxic to the body and liver.  Even long-time steroid users often struggle to tolerate its effects.  From hepatic strain to sky-high blood pressure to stress on the liver and cardiovascular system, this is a potent steroid that is too excessive for newcomers – try another option!

 

Another compound most people never react positively to is Trenbolone.

Sure, its speedy results and incredible gains are astounding, but the post-cycle crash to follow is often severe and can lead to mental states of sadness and depression, in addition to lower energy levels due to reduced levels of testosterone.

 

There is also a tablet version known as Oral Trenbolone (methyltrienolone).

Do not let the oral variety fool you as it is even more toxic than the injectable form; liver function tests show it is highly toxic to the liver in even moderate doses!

Another steroid that is too hash for first cycles as a beginner is Winstrol; it brings mass gains comparable to Anavar but it is a tad more effective.  Remain cautious, though, as while its results are pronounced, its unpleasing side effects are too!

 

As a steroid that is more androgenic than steroids like Anavar, Winstrol can pose harm to the liver and cause blood pressure to soar.  Acne, hair loss, and oily skin are also common.  So what is its advantage over other steroids?  Its price!  It is much cheaper to buy than compounds like Anavar, but since this is not a beginner-friendly steroid, you should put health before savings and buy one that is more suitable for first-cycle users, like Testosterone.

 

Finally, we have Superdrol, the most hepatotoxic anabolic steroid, along with Methyltrienolone, sold on the market today.  Its reputation as a powerful muscle and strength builder proves true to those who try it though its toxicity and many health risks discourage most from buying it.  This should NOT be used by beginners, and only even considered by those who have experience taking steroids for a very long time.

 

Closing Thoughts on Best Steroids for Beginners

There is no debate over which steroids are best for beginners, the ones most trusted for newcomers are:

 

• Anavar

• Dianabol

• Testosterone

• Deca Durabolin

 

If you are a steroid beginner and want to build slow yet steady muscle mass with minimal side effects, good options are Cypionate and Enanthate as these are budget-friendly injectables that do not need to be administered as frequently as other types of testosterone.

 

Also, the steroid you use should not only correlate with your budget but more importantly, your goals and health.  If money is no object and you want an oral steroid for beginners, Anavar or Testosterone Undecanoate will serve your muscle and strength goals superbly!  You may also stack these two compounds for better results if you like but this will run you about five hundred dollars.

 

If your budget is minimal, you can take Dianabol or Testosterone Enanthate on their own to see notable gains but if size and pure mass is your goal, Dianabol is the one to go with!  On the other hand, if you want to get ripped and defined with no body fat or flab, Anavar would be your best wager.

 

Remember, Anadrol, Winstrol, Superdrol, and Trenbolone are not for beginners as they are most harsh on the body.  Take your first cycle easy, stick to a beginner-focused steroid, and only take on longer cycles and larger doses once you know how your body reacts to smaller amounts.  Thanks for reading this guide and we wish you great luck in your muscle-building, body-defining, strength-gaining journey!