Note: This article is for education and information purposes only, and in no way does it condone, advocate, or promote the use of illegal steroids.
Best Steroids for Cutting, Bulking, and Strengthening
Anabolic steroids are more popular now than any time before as more and more people grow eager to amass lean muscle and new levels of strength.
But with so many brands claiming to be the
best steroid around, which ones truly are? And which yields the best post-workout results of them all?
The right answer is it depends on your fitness goals as a person who wants to gain twenty pounds will not be on the same cycle as someone who wants to burn away ten pounds of flabby and stubborn fat.
Want to bulk up and gain muscle mass?
Then bulking steroids are what you need.
Want to be ripped with a six-pack and lean body?
Then the best steroids, like
Anadrol,
Dianabol, and
Testosterone, are ones to consider for your daily diet and wellness routine. If you are new to steroids for muscle gain and are unsure which to choose, simply join us below as we will go over the best ones to order for your specific fitness and muscle-gaining goals!
Best Steroids for Bulking and Muscle Growth
Simply put, steroids for bulking are formulated to make large amounts of new muscle easier to stack on.
They achieve this via protein synthesis, which gives the body more testosterone to work with and the muscles a greater ability to retain nitrogen.
Since bulking steroids give the body what it needs for weight and muscle gains, you can expect a rise in core strength too but for the best results, only take bulking steroids alongside a high-calorie diet as this will enhance your muscle gains even more.
If the best steroids for bulking are what you want, here are the best ones to consider for your journey:
- Anadrol
- Dianabol
- Turinabol
- Trenbolone
- Testosterone
- Deca Durabolin
Read below as we cover each of these steroids in detail, the results they make possible will astound you!
Dianabol
Also known as
Methandrostenolone, Dianabol is widely beloved by the body-building community and is the most popular steroid for bulking in the market today, here are just a few of the many reasons why:
- It is a vetted steroid with proven results.
- It is an oral tablet that is easy to swallow.
- It is made from a science-backed formula.
- It has side effects that are often mild and fast to pass.
While Dianabol has an injectable form, its pill form is the type most taken and preferred by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The pill variety is also ideal for those who want to avoid the pain of needles, as well as the repercussions of a misplaced injection.
Many athletes and bodybuilders tout Dianabol as the best muscle gain steroid they have ever tried out while some say Anadrol and Testosterone yield better results and more lean muscle. At the end of the day, which steroid is best for you will depend on how your body responds to the compounds used in it.
One famous athlete you likely know of, the herculean Arnold Schwarzenegger, who one person that knew his body well, with most experts agreeing he used Dianabol in the seventies to win seven,
Mr. Olympia titles – a huge feat and earned title but one earned by many other body builders that were using the same steroid.
Fast forward decades later and Dianabol is still a highly popular steroid used daily by many bodybuilders in their daily bulking stacks, and it is easy to see why! Most times, people in their first cycle of Dianabol gain thirty pounds of muscle mass and a great boost in strength, many claim to be able to lift and bench press seventy more pounds than they could before.
This said, those trying it for the first time will see better results than a seasoned athlete or weight lifter.
If this is your first rodeo with Dianabol, start with a low dose for your first cycle to avoid side effects like:
• Acne.
• Hair loss.
• Insomnia.
• Cataracts.
• Depression.
• Mood swings.
• High blood pressure.
• Damage to the heart or liver.
Testosterone
Testosterone is among the most talked about steroids and is used as a base in most steroid stacks today.
While similar to Dianabol in many ways, testosterone is often injected and not consumed in tablet form, making it more anabolic than androgenic.
This said, testosterone offers all Dianabol does but to a lower degree. For example, while most people gain thirty pounds in their first cycle of Dianabol, those taking testosterone often gain five pounds less.
Of all beginner bulking cycles, testosterone is most popular as while it is rather mild in nature, it still contains powerful, muscle-gaining properties that can make it easy to stack on muscle even for those who have been hitting the gym with no results.
But keep in mind, if this is your first time taking it, take only two to three hundred milligrams weekly for the best results. Dosed properly, this fat-burning steroid may add lead muscle and reduce body fat percentage.
If you try it, know that some fluid gain is normal but most in the bodybuilding community say it does not cause the body to retain as much as Anadrol/Dianabol – making it the best of the three options for most.
Testosterone Side Effects
• Acne.
• Dizziness.
• Irritability.
• Headache.
• Chest pain.
• Depression.
• Difficult urination.
• Erectile dysfunction.
Anadrol
Also known as Oxymetholone, this is a potent, highly powerful bulking steroid that can give muscle mass and gains unlike all other steroids. With a claim like this you like wonder why it is not first on this list but the reason is we rank them based on their pro-vs-con results. This said –
YES – Anadrol is more powerful than Dianabol but its side effects can be more severe. Given this, it is riskier to take, and far less popular than steroids like Testosterone, which has fewer side effects that are often quick to subside if any occur.
Anadrol gains you more weight than any other bulking steroid in this guide. Most people gain thirty or more pounds in just the first cycle! This is due to it making it easier for the body to retain more water but worry not, this will be lost in a later cycle.
When it comes to taking Anadrol, strength can soar testosterone levels can skyrocket, and pumps and workout sessions can be intense and even painful.
Of all Anadrol side effects, high blood pressure is the most common as this steroid can lower HDL, this is cholesterol, but the good kind your body needs. Studies also suggest it to be hepatotoxic in nature; this means it may damage the liver, as discovered in liver function tests (LFTs) from clinical trials and studies.
Anadrol Side Effects
• Acne.
• Nausea.
• Insomnia.
• Stomach pain.
• Reduce appetite.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Lower or higher libido.
• Hoarse or deeper voice.
• Painful or difficult urination.
Trenbolone
Have serious goals and want to cut and bulk quickly?
If so, this powerful anabolic steroid can help you do both, and it is one of the best steroids around, if not the best, for those longing to build lean muscle mass.
One reason this steroid is so popular is it causes very little fluid retention in contrast to ones like Anadrol and Dianabol. It is also a good fat burner, per studies like the one from the
National Library of Medicine, so if you weigh yourself consistently, the weight that shows may not accurately reflect your actual gains.
Keep in mind, Trenbolone only supports lean muscle gain, which is easy to sustain once the cycle is over but if weight gain is your main goal, you would be better served with another steroid, like Testosterone. However, if you want to look cut, defined, and masculine in appearance, Trenbolone is your best choice!
If there is a steroid that can give a single-cycle transformation to physique and appearance, Trenbolone is the one but it has some downsides, like being a harsh compound not many people tolerate well. Also, mental side effects like anxiety or paranoia and depression may arise, among higher blood pressure and lower testosterone levels.
Simply put, Trenbolone works but it is not for beginners, only those who can handle a powerful product!
Let us take a look over the common side effects of Trenbolone so you know which ones to look out for:
- Acne breakouts.
- Premature balding.
- Lower sexual desire.
- High blood pressure.
- Elevated cholesterol.
Deca Durabolin
Also known as Nandrolone, Deca Durabolin is a mild steroid that comes in injectable form. It does not give big muscle gains but is still regularly used in the bodybuilding scene as its pros outweigh the cons.
Of all steroids, Deca Durabolin is among the safest, it is even
FDA-approved as a treatment for anemia and osteoporosis with side effects that are quite minimal, in comparison to other bulking compounds.
Reduced sexual function and lower endogenous testosterone levels are the most common side effects of Deca Durabolin, though, these often retreat within a month or two of the final cycle but this can vary based on the effectivity of your post-cycle therapy.
Deca Durabolin, when put into stacks with other bulking steroids, can slowly, yet surely, give noticeable gains in muscle size and mass. Will it blow up strength and muscles in a week? No, but if you take it for several weeks its long esters will have time to kick in and results will soon show, it just takes a little time.
This said, you can take a moderate dose on a longer cycle for even better results. We can say assuredly it is not a bulking steroid to be underrated or overlooked! Even
Arnold Schwarzenegger stacked it with other compounds back in the 1970s, which helped popularize this steroid that goes strong in the body-sculpting scene to this very day. There are, however, some possible side effects you should be aware of.
Deca Durabolin Side Effects
- Hair loss.
- Liver damage.
- Heart disease.
- Behavioral changes.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Turinabol
More commonly referred to as
Tbol, Turinabol is a Dianabol derivative and is a contrasting compound as it does not aromatize. This means your body will not retain more water by taking it, this reduces the risk of swelling in the chest and muscles, a condition known as gynecomastia.
Since Tbol does not enhance water retention, the muscle mass people gain from it is lean and defined, and weight fluctuations are often quite minimal compared to other steroids, such as Dianabol.
In an eight-week Turinabol cycle, you can expect a fifteen-pound gain that can be kept on with effective post-cycle treatments. As a light steroid, most people will not feel much in terms of side effects, though there are potential ones to be aware of. After all, it is a steroid, and like most other ones, it can be toxic to the liver and harmful to the body though it is not very androgenic, so there are fewer cases of people experiencing acne or hair loss.
Turinabol Side Effects
• Acne.
• Hair loss.
• Insomnia.
• Irritability.
• Headache.
• Mood swings.
• High blood pressure.
Best Steroids for Cutting
Cutting is essential to bodybuilding as it is the process of burning fat while preserving the muscle mass you worked hard to put on during your bulk cycle.
Success in this phase will yield a slimmer waste and a more toned, defined, and muscular physique. If you want the classic V-shaped waistline most men long for, the cutting cycle is when this will happen.
This is a rather safe steroid, the main concern most people have is losing muscle they gained once they stop taking it. To remedy this, you can try a cutting steroid, like Anavar, Winstrol, Proviron, Masteron, or Primobolan, each of which we will cover down below so you can choose the best one for your needs.
Anavar
Also known as
Oxandrolone, Anavar is widely deemed the best cutting steroid, for budgets that can bear its hefty price, that is.
It is anabolic so with it, you gain strength and muscle mass as you cut but as a potent fat burner, you can expect to trim stubborn waist flab too. This potent cutting steroid stimulates lipolysis and helps visceral fat dwindle so your dream physique is within easier reach!
This steroid for muscle growth works, the only real complaint users have is it can lower glycogen levels. If this occurs, less strength and muscle shrinkage will follow. However, Anavar enhances glycogen storage, so you can expect huge pumps, bulky muscles, and longer sessions during workout cycles.
Studies, like the one held by the
Journal of Applied Physiology, also suggest Anavar can boost strength, which makes it rival some of the more popular bulking steroids that are far more potent.
One benefit of Anavar is its side effects are mild and often fast to pass by. Most people never have side effects or bad reactions, and with testosterone suppression very minimal, you can expect hormones to return to normal in just a few weeks.
Anavar also poses little risk to the liver, even though it is an oral steroid, as the kidney actually aids in the processing of it. If there is a major downside with Anavar, the only one is really its price as a single cycle can run two to four hundred dollars. If you have a small budget, consider other steroid products.
Anavar Side Effects
• Acne.
• Irritability.
• Headache.
• High blood pressure.
• Swelling of legs/arms.
Winstrol
Also known as
Stanozolol, this steroid works like Anavar in that it helps you burn fat and build muscle in near equal amounts but it does not aromatize, so it may leave the muscles feeling dry or grainy.
Many people say Winstrol makes it easier than Anavar for body-building newcomers to stack on muscle but it has more side effects, the ones most notable being acne, hair loss, higher blood pressure, and liver toxicity.
The main difference between Anavar and Winstrol is Anavar makes muscles more full while Winstrol can leave them looking flat but Winstrol is the cheapest of the two, making it popular with bodybuilders on a budget.
Despite being dubbed the
Poor Man’s Anavar, Winstrol is among the best steroids for cutting cycles and is worth considering if you want to speedily bulk up without breaking the bank.
Winstrol Side Effects
- Headache.
- Ankle swelling.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Changes in skin color.
- New or worsening acne.
- Hard time falling asleep.
- Changes in sexual desire.
Primobolan
Also known as
Methenolone, injectable Primobolan is a mild steroid, and one with minimal side effects.
First popularized in the 1970s – the
GOLDEN era of bodybuilding – this steroid was a personal favorite of mister Arnold Schwarzenegger himself and remains popular in cutting stacks and cycles to this very day.
The benefits of Primobolan far outpace side effects, which is why many use it in longer cycles, up to ten weeks in some cases. One nice benefit of Primobolan is it does not produce or enhance water weight or retention, so if you want to get lean with a cut and ripped physique, Primobolan may be the one for you.
Despite not bringing huge muscle gains, its fat-burning traits make it easier to get defined, and most so for those who have a high body fat percentage. Most stack it with other compounds, like
Halotestin or
Trenbolone, to enhance results from their cycles. Keep in mind, though, this steroid is quite costly. It is one of the most expensive steroids around today, but one of the best too!
Primobolan Side Effects
- Acne
- Hair loss.
- High LDL (bad cholesterol).
- Possible cardiovascular risks.
- Lower HDL (good cholesterol).
Masteron
Also known as
Drostanolone, Masteron is an injectable steroid that has been around for well over seventy years. First made in the 1950s to help men build muscle and to treat women with breast cancer, it made its way to the bodybuilding scene two decades later as its potent, anti-estrogen effects were found effective in producing lean muscle mass without further water retention, per a
study by the National Library of Medicine.
Masteron Side Effects
- Acne
- Liver damage.
- Change in voice.
- Faster hair growth.
Proviron
Also named
Mesterolone, Proviron is an oral steroid, and while it is not as strong as Masteron, it does yield a dry, vascular, and shredded physique.
It stimulates metabolism and accelerates fat loss while bringing minor muscle gains in the process. Its effects are quick to show too, with most people feeling them within just a few hours.
Want vascularity and a photo-worthy physique? Stack it with steroids like Trenbolone or Testosterone and you will get a synergistic reaction that leaves you looking ripped like no time before.
Side effects are also minimal compared to other compounds. However, it may raise blood pressure, so keep an eye on your numbers if you try it.
Proviron Side Effects
- Acne
- Liver damage.
- Heart disease.
- Stunted growth.
- Faster hair growth.
Best Steroids for Strength Gains
In terms of raw power and track record, the best steroids for strength include:
- Anavar
- Anadrol
- Superdrol
- Halotestin
- Trenbolone
- Mibolerone
- Testosterone Suspension
Anavar
This oral steroid derives from DHT, which is similar to Anadrol, and was once sold as Prohormone during the 2000s. At the time, many people were blown away by its raw power and fast results, and it was not long until it was learned that Superdrol was indeed an anabolic steroid.
The name is fitting, given the impressive strength gains it enables, though some people have bulked up their muscles so large from this that it is unsafe, given the higher risk of injury.
Tip: If you try Anavar, do not lift as much weight as you normally would to avoid injury.
This versatile steroid may be used for cutting or bulking, and while it may be hard to believe, some first-time users see fifty or more pound gains on their lifts and ten to fifteen pounds of new lean muscle, and this is from just a single cycle!
Anadrol
We listed the anabolic effects of Anadrol in the ‘best steroids for bulking’ column but its ability to boost strength brings it back to this list yet again. Dubbed by many as
A-Bombs, Anadrol is a game changer as many bodybuilders can squat, bench, and deadlift fifty or more pounds than they were able to before.
Dianabol
Despite it slightly raising water retention, Dianabol is one of the best steroids for building strength given the greater muscle mass and weight gains it delivers. It is a bit less effective than Anadrol at developing strength but it is surely in the same league!
Halotestin
More popularly known as
Halo, this steroid is not only used by bodybuilders but among boxers, athletes, fighters, sprinters, strongmen, and powerlifters too.
It does not bring muscle gains, not noticeable ones, anyway, which is why it is mostly used during cutting and bulking cycles, where it shines in its ability to increase energy, strength, and workout aggression!
Feel like the
Hulk and fuel progress as you channel anger into longer workouts that leave you in peak physique shape. Keep in mind, though, that strength gains will only occur during the first four weeks.
Trenbolone Acetate
The impressive strength gains Trenbolone brings is no surprise as, compared to Testosterone, it is
three times more androgenic!
This powerful steroid transforms the body, refines the physique, and bolsters strength to skyward levels.
Stack it with Anadrol or Testosterone and results can be surreal! However, you should know
it can lead to suppression of endogenous testosterone, so take with caution, and most so when stacked with other compounds!
Mibolerone
Also known as
Dimethylnortestosterone (say that three times fast), Mibolerone is often sold under the brand names
Matenon and
Cheque Drops, and it’s a proven steroid that is less popular in bodybuilding and more commonly used in strength events and competitions. The reason being, it performs well as a strength builder but does little in terms of toning the body and physique.
Most times, powerlifters take it before a contest so they can enter
Hulk mode and lift as many pounds as they are capable of. The only major downside with Mibolerone is it is highly hepatotoxic so it might damage the liver if taken over a longer duration. As such, use it only for a few days and not for weeks!
Anavar
Anavar is great for building strength but not for building muscle, ironic, we know, as it is indeed a cutting steroid. Some even dub it
the Girl Steroid as it lacks masculinizing properties, which has made it popular with women bodybuilders but do not misconstrue this gem of a steroid as tons of men cycle Anavar too.
It is no way exclusive to either sex as it can boost strength for each, thanks to the higher level of creatine in muscle cells it enables. This stimulates ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, which is a source of energy for use and storage on the cellular level.