Oral Only Steroid Cycles

A person’s best steroid cycle is almost always their first steroid cycle.

This is because their body has not had a chance to build up any tolerance to anabolic steroids, thus resulting in a rapid and dramatic changes in body composition.

However, a first cycle equally can be the most damaging or destructive cycle, as the body hasn’t had a chance to adapt to the compound.

Therefore, the best steroid for beginners is one that has mild side effects; yet is powerful enough to build significant amounts of muscle.

Note: Stacking steroids together is not a protocol generally adopted by beginners, as combining multiple compounds together often yields more severe side effects.

Testosterone Cycle

A testosterone-only cycle is the staple protocol for many beginner weight lifters.

This is due to testosterone producing significant muscle and strength gains; yet only causing mild side effects.

Thus, testosterone is regarded to have one of the greatest risk/reward ratios, compared to other anabolics.

In terms of results, a cautiously dosed testosterone cycle can add 20lbs+ of lean mass to beginners. Testosterone will also cause some fat loss, due to its androgenic nature. 

Muscular strength can also increase by 50lbs or more on various compound exercises, such as squats, deadlifts and bench press.

Unfortunately, testosterone isn’t the most convenient anabolic steroid for administration, with it being an injectable. However, this method of entry means it can bypass the liver (unlike c-17 alpha alkylated steroids), thus entering the bloodstream immediately. Consequently, testosterone causes little to no hepatotoxic effects.

Note: Testosterone is available in oral form (known as undecanoate or Andriol), however this is less commonly used by bodybuilders due to its high market price.

The above cycle is commonly used by novices looking to add substantial amounts of muscle and strength. Testosterone cypionate or enanthate are commonly used among beginners, due to such esters not requiring overly frequent injections.

Also the injection itself is typically less troublesome with cypionate and enanthate, in comparison to other variations of testosterone.

Testosterone Side Effects

Testosterone is androgenic in nature; thus inflammation of the prostate, acne vulgaris and male pattern baldness are possible.

Testosterone will also skew HDL and LDL cholesterol ratios, causing possible hypertension. However, this negative effect on blood pressure is mild compared to harsher AAS; with testosterone perhaps being the most cardiovascular-friendly steroid.

Water retention is also probable, due to testosterone having the aromatase enzyme present.

Therefore, when exogenous testosterone converts to estrogen, fluid can accumulate; causing bloating and puffy muscles. It also has the potential to cause gynecomastia and thus estrogen may need to be controlled to avoid female breast tissue forming in the pectoral region.

Testosterone also causes hypogonadism i.e. a significant decline in natural testosterone production; caused by the pituitary gland signaling to the testes. This process occurs due to excessive amounts of exogenous testosterone present in the blood stream; and thus the body trying to maintain a homeostasis.

Anavar Cycle

Anavar (oxandrolone) is classed as a cutting steroid in the bodybuilding community, often being utilized in competition prep.

It has anabolic effects in regards to muscle-building, however such properties are only moderate compared to bulking steroids.

Instead, anavar is primarily coveted due to its potent fat burning properties, in addition to its ability to shed water,  increasing vascularity and muscle tone.

Anavar’s ability to add lean muscle and strength, whilst simultaneously stripping fat, makes it popular among beginners. It is also an oral steroid, thus no injections are required.

Anavar is also suitable for women, with it rarely causing virilization in low to moderate doses.

Beginners can expect to gain 15lbs of lean muscle, whilst significantly reducing their body fat percentage with anavar. 

The above cycle is dosed for a male beginner. Women may take 10mg/day for 4 weeks, however anything higher than this may cause masculinization effects.

Anavar Side Effects

Anavar is a c-17 alpha alkylated oral steroid, thus it is processed by the liver upon absorption into the blood stream.

However, anavar’s hepatic effects are relatively mild compared to other oral steroids; therefore this side effect isn’t typically worrisome for bodybuilders.

Anavar will alter a user’s cholesterol profile, causing imbalances in HDL/LDL levels. This can cause hypertension, however BP is unlikely to rise to excessively high levels.

Anavar’s cardiovascular strain is thought to be slightly more than testosterone. This may be due to anavar not converting to estrogen, plus being an oral; thus stimulating hepatic lipase in the liver.

Anavar will also cause testosterone suppression, however serum levels often peak back to normal levels within several weeks. This recovery process post-cycle is relatively short with anavar, due to testosterone production not being completely shut down.

Bulking Steroid Cycles

Bulking cycles are utilized by bodybuilders seeking immense increases in muscle hypertrophy (size).

Many of these cycles are harsh on the body and thus only suitable for intermediates and advanced users.

The only exception to this rule is a testosterone-only cycle, which is considered a relatively safe bulking protocol. 

Dianabol Cycle

Dianabol is the famous oral steroid thought to be used by the ‘Austrian Oak’, aka Arnold Schwarzenegger; helping him to become a formidable force on the Mr. Olympia stage.

Dianabol was formulated by Dr. John Bosley Ziegler, with the purpose of synthesizing a compound more anabolic than testosterone, yet less androgenic.

Thus, dianabol will produce similar (if not slightly superior) results to testosterone; in regards to muscular strength and size. However, it does not mimic the androgenic effects of testosterone, thus incidents of prostate enlargement, male pattern baldness or acne are less common.

Dianabol is sometimes taken by beginners, however this is not recommended due to its harsh cardiovascular and hepatic effects. Thus, it is more suited for intermediates who have already taken a milder steroid previously, such as testosterone.

Dianabol has the capacity to add 25-30lbs of lean mass in a single cycle. Strength will also reach new heights, with dbol being regarded as one of the best steroids for raw power.

Dianabol Side Effects

Dianabol is a toxic oral steroid, thus it has a detrimental effect on AST and ALT liver values.

Thus, a liver support supplement such as TUDCA is often taken to reduce such strain.

Dianabol aromatizes and thus has high estrogenic activity. Consequently, water retention and gynecomastia are possible side effects from high levels of the female hormone.

Dianabol will have a particularly negative effect on cholesterol, potentially causing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Water retention and stimulation of the hepatic lipase enzyme in the liver are the main culprits for such cardiovascular stress on dianabol.

Dianabol will also shut down testosterone levels, requiring an effective post cycle therapy treatment to resurrect natural endogenous production.

Anadrol Cycle

Anadrol’s benefits largely mimic dianabol’s; producing colossal increases in muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Anadrol is regarded as one of the most powerful bulking steroids available; typically producing slightly more weight weight accumulation, compared to dianabol.

It is also an oral steroid, making it a preferable compound for those looking to avoid needles.

A first time anadrol cycle is likely to cause weight gain of 30+ pounds.

Advanced steroid-users may also take dosages reaching as high as 100mg/day.

Anadrol Side Effects

Anadrol is not suitable for beginners, with it being one of the most toxic steroids available; causing large fluctuations in blood pressure and liver enzymes.

Anadrol is among the harshest steroids on the cardiovascular system; as well as being one of the most devastating AAS on the liver. Extreme caution must be used with this anabolic, particularly for users who regularly drink alcohol or have experienced high blood pressure in the past.

Anadrol is also a wet compound, causing noticeable amounts of extracellular fluid retention, that may temporarily obscure muscle definition; making it a common off-season drug.

Anadrol is also estrogenic, however this is not due to the aromatase enzyme being present, but instead direct stimulation of the estrogen receptors.

Therefore, a SERM (Selective estrogen receptor modulator) may be taken to reduce the chances of gynecomastia forming; as opposed to taking an AI (aromatase inhibitor).

Androgenic side effects are also common on anadrol, despite its low androgenic rating of 45.

Therefore, male pattern baldness, seborrhoea (oily skin), acne vulgaris or/and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may occur.

Anadrol will shut testosterone levels down, requiring a well thought out PCT to restore normal testosterone function. Failure to implement an effective post cycle therapy, may result in low testosterone levels for several months, or permanently (if abused).