Sustanon 250 is a popular anabolic that contains a distinctive blend of four testosterone esters; delivering a unique, staggered release of the hormone post-injection.
In this guide, (which can be used as a guide for all Sustanon strengths) we take a closer look at the pros and cons of this renowned testosterone mix, plus Sustanon 250 cycle information and stacks used by bodybuilders today.
Firstly, when you inject Sustanon 250 (often abbreviated to “Sust”), the anabolic hormone you are administering is testosterone.
Sustanon 250 is a blend of different testosterone esters; however, it is still essentially testosterone; like cypionate or enanthate.
Therefore, in terms of muscle gains, it does not matter what form of testosterone you use, as it is the same compound and thus will produce an identical end result.
Thus, as with any testosterone product, Sustanon 250 is an excellent steroid for increasing muscle mass, strength and power.
The main difference between Sustanon 250 and other testosterone products, is that it has 4 esters, instead of 1.
In the event you are reading this and don’t want to use steroids or injectables, ANDRO is the #1 rated all natural Testosterone product. It replicates (to a lesser degree) the muscle-building and strength-enhancing effects of real Testosterone but without the unwanted side effects.
Users often take ANDRO when bulking. However, it also has fat-burning properties, making it a desirable cutting compound too. It also works well as part of a sound PCT protocol as well by helping the body to stimulate it’s own natural testosterone production.
What is an “Ester” and Why Does it Matter?
An ester is a carbon chain attached to the testosterone molecule that slows the release of the hormone in the body.
At one end of the spectrum is pure testosterone with no esters attached, such as testosterone suspension.
Once injected, the hormone is quickly released in the body and causes a fairly rapid spike in serum testosterone, which remains elevated for only a short period of time.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have the likes of testosterone enanthate and cypionate which contain long ester chains, resulting in a slower release of testosterone after injection; and subsequently, an elevated level of the hormone remains for a couple of weeks.
In between these two are various other esters. The propionate ester is a popular choice for users who want a fairly quick elevation of the steroid, that lasts only several days.
For bodybuilders and athletes, an important requirement is the need to keep a relatively stable concentration of testosterone in the bloodstream. Doing so produces the desired anabolic benefits, whilst avoiding the undesirable side effects that stem from volatile hormone levels (which excessively peak and dip).
With this in mind, shorter esters require regular injections (daily or every other day), whereas longer esters, such as enanthate, typically only require injections once or twice a week.
This is where sustanon 250 is unique, with it containing quick releasing propionate and phenylpropionate esters, and slower releasing decanoate and isocaproate esters – resulting in a blend that effectively produces a quick, yet enduring release of testosterone.
How Often Do You Need to Inject Sustanon 250?
Like Testosterone enanthate, Sustanon 250 can be injected once or twice per week.
Sustanon 250 is usually fairly easy and inexpensive to source.
Each vial typically contains 250mg of testosterone per ml, comprised as follows:
100mg testosterone decanoate
60mg testosterone isocaproate
60mg testosterone phenylpropionate
30mg of testosterone propionate.
What Results Can I Expect?
Being the primary, naturally occurring male hormone; testosterone is the number one compound in the world of anabolic-androgenic steroids.
It is generally well-tolerated and widely considered the best choice for someone’s first cycle, as well as providing the perfect base compound for experienced bodybuilders when stacking several hormones together.
While results vary from person to person and depend on various other variables, users can expect testosterone to cause significant increases in muscle size and strength.
Those who are fairly new to anabolics and want to gain muscle mass, typically report Sustanon 250 cycles producing 20+lbs of weight gain over the course of a cycle; with roughly two-thirds of such weight being kept (once a cycle ceases and water retention normalizes).
Enanthate and cypionate are the most popular testosterone esters, as they do not need to be injected frequently. However, the downside is, they take a while to kick in and produce results. However, with Sustanon 250 users can experience fast results in the early stages of a cycle, due to the presence of propionate and phenylpropionate esters (yet inject at the same frequency as enanthate/cypionate)
For those who have already cycled other testosterone esters, there should be in theory little difference between swapping those esters for Sustanon 250, in terms of dosage guidelines and stacking options.
Sensitive individuals that are prone to side effects on testosterone are likely to experience the same outcome with sustanon 250.
Sustanon 250 Cycles and Stacks
Testosterone is a versatile hormone, suitable for both bulking and cutting cycles alike; due to its simultaneous anabolic and fat-burning effects.
However, Sustanon 250 is typically used in bulking cycles where maximum muscle gain is the goal. Great results can be achieved from running Sustanon on its own, yet many choose to stack it with other steroids that are also suited for adding mass, such as Anadrol.
Sustanon 250 is effective on its own during cutting cycles, promoting muscle retention and decreasing fat mass.
Many bodybuilders are afraid of losing muscle tissue when cutting, due to the catabolic environment that occurs with a calorie deficit; however, testosterone can alleviate such worries of diminished muscle hypertrophy.
A moderate dose of Sustanon 250 (350mg/week) will successfully preserve lean tissue during a cut, especially when stacked with other compounds that aid fat loss and muscle hardening (such as Anavar or Trenbolone).
Additionally, when using Sustanon for a cutting cycle, the use of an anti-aromatase in low doses can prove particularly useful for preventing water retention and gynecomastia.
For informational purposes, here are some common Sustanon 250 cycles and stacks, utilized by bodybuilders today:
Sustanon 250 Beginner Cycle
Note: Large gains in hypertrophy (size) and strength can be experienced on lower dosages among beginners, due to the muscles being particularly receptive to exogenous testosterone. Thus, beginners should avoid utilizing high dosages, allowing more potential for growth in future cycles, where higher dosages may be incorporated.
A PCT should begin following the final dosage, with decanoate’s half-life being 15 days and thus taking considerably longer to exit the body. Such PCT timing can also be applied to the steroid cycles below.
Sustanon 250 Intermediate Cycle
This Sustanon 250 cycle will continue adding mass in users who have already taken a cautious dosed testosterone cycle previously.
However, running higher dosages will also produce more pronounced side effects, which we will detail in the side effects section of this guide (further down).
Sustanon 250 and Anavar Cycle (Cutting)
Anavar is an oral steroid, predominantly used for cutting to enhance fat burning and muscle gains.
Thus, users will burn more subcutaneous fat with this cycle and experience additional lean mass; compared to running Sustanon 250 by itself.
Anavar does not aromatize, thus providing a dry and ripped appearance in users who are already relatively low in body fat.
Anavar is a mild steroid, thus cholesterol, blood pressure and liver enzymes will only rise moderately.
Note: Users wanting to avoid water retention or bloat on this cutting cycle can take Arimidex taken every other day to successfully prevent estrogen levels from rising.
Sustanon 250 and Deca Durabolin Cycle
This is a powerful bulking cycle, yet one of the mildest stacks in terms of side effects.
This cycle may be utilized after running several testosterone cycles; promoting further muscle growth.
Deca Durabolin has long esters and thus is a slow-acting steroid, hence the lengthy 10-week cycle.
Deca Durabolin is typically injected once per week.
Both testosterone and Deca Durabolin remain FDA-approved steroids in the world of medicine today, showcasing their safety when used under medical supervision and in therapeutic dosages.
Sustanon 250 and Trenbolone Cycle
Sustanon 250 and trenbolone are a potent combination, used for either bulking or cutting purposes.
This duo will cause exceptional muscle gains, whilst simultaneously stimulating rapid fat loss; due to high levels of androgens (causing a direct fat burning effect in adipose tissue).
These two compounds are perhaps the best steroids for increasing lean mass when run simultaneously.
However, this cycle is only suitable for advanced steroid users due to trenbolone’s toxic nature, in regards to cardiovascular health.
If this cycle is utilized for cutting purposes, an anti-estrogen such as arimidex may be used to prevent water retention, however doing so may exacerbate high blood pressure; due to it inhibiting the aromatase enzyme and thus worsening cholesterol ratios.
Sustanon 250 / Anadrol / Trenbolone Cycle
Note: This cycle is only typically performed by experienced steroid users.
This is by far the most potent bulking cycle a bodybuilder can take, causing unrivaled increases in mass.
Even users who have taken steroids for decades are likely to make impressive gains from this cycle, due to the sheer power of this trio.
This cycle should only be taken on rare occasions, with it having devastating effects on the heart and liver.
Liver strain will be significant (albeit most likely tolerable), due to Anadrol being the only hepatotoxic compound present.
However, cholesterol levels change drastically, almost certainly causing some level of hypertension. The risk of developing arteriosclerosis and heart disease is high with this cycle, thus if users have a history of such in their family; it may be wise to avoid such an extreme cycle.
Testosterone suppression will almost certainly shut down, requiring the most aggressive PCT possible; ideally a trio of Clomid, Nolvadex and hCG.
Although the above cycles are the most popular protocols, testosterone can also be successfully stacked with other anabolic steroids, such as:
This before and after picture demonstrates the typical results in users after their first testosterone/Sustanon 250 cycle.
Testosterone’s fat-burning effects are often underappreciated, with them being arguably as powerful as testosterone’s anabolic properties.
Thus, weight gain may not be the best method for tracking results on testosterone; with before and after pictures being more telling.
Users may lose some weight post-cycle, signifying a decrease in estrogen and thus a loss in extracellular fluid.
However, lean muscle tissue will be retained after a cycle finishes, should users continue lifting weights regularly.
Strength gains of 50+lbs are common (on main compound lifts) when taking testosterone for the first time.
Sustanon 250 Side Effects
As with other testosterone products, Sustanon 250 can produce several undesirable side effects.
Firstly, androgenic-related side effects, including oily skin, acne, accelerated baldness and increased aggressiveness are fairly common.
As with all steroids, tolerance differs from person to person. It is only possible to gauge such sensitivity once a cycle is embarked upon.
That said, if users are particularly prone to acne breakouts or currently suffer from male pattern baldness, testosterone and other androgenic steroids can be expected to worsen such conditions.
Further unwanted side effects can be experienced due to heightened estrogen levels, that build up during a Sustanon 250 cycle, due to aromatization (the conversion of testosterone into estrogen).
Heightened estrogen levels can cause increased water retention and gynecomastia – the formation of breast tissue.
The initial stages of gynecomastia typically involve itchy or sore nipples, developing into a notable mass of tissue behind the nipple. If left unchecked, such tissue can continue to expand and is only rectifiable with surgery.
Thankfully, most users find testosterone tolerable and do not suffer from gynecomastia. For those that do, such estrogen-related side effects can usually be controlled with either an anti-estrogen or AI (aromatase inhibitor).
Anti-estrogen products (such as Nolvadex and Clomid) actively compete with estrogen at a receptor level, reducing their effects.
Both Nolvadex and Clomid are inexpensive and easy to source – it is always advisable to have an ample supply on hand during and after a cycle. They are also the primary drugs used during post cycle therapy (PCT), to kickstart endogenous testosterone production.
It is also possible to reduce oestrogen levels by taking an anti-aromatase drug, such as Letrozole or Anastrozole. These drugs reduce the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen and are typically taken during a cycle by those prone to oestrogenic side effects.
Testosterone will also suppress endogenous testosterone levels, causing potential testicular atrophy (shrinkage). Thus, at the end of any cycle always ensure to run a proper post cycle therapy aiding the recovery of natural hormone production.
Sustanon 250 does not cause any hepatic (liver) implications due to it being an injectable steroid.
Sustanon 250, and other testosterone esters, will raise LDL cholesterol levels; however, this effect is acute compared to other AAS.
In fact, testosterone appears to be one of the least destructive steroids from a cardiovascular standpoint; however, precautions should still be taken; including fish oil supplementation (4g/day), regular cardio and frequent checkups with your doctor to monitor blood lipids.
If you want to get as massive as possible, and you’ve made the decision to go down the anabolic route, then you need to know which steroids will give you the best bang for your buck as far as bulking goes. When you go on a bulk cycle, you will get huge and strong. In this article, we reveal the best steroids for bulking, complete with dosages and stacking options.
Best Steroids to Get Big Quick
In a hurry? No problem. Here are the 5 best anabolic steroids that will get you big quick . . .
Disclaimer: The content on Anabolica.net and the information included in this article is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to buying anything, check that it is compliant where you live with your current government laws.
Best Steroid Stack for Bulking
Bulking is all about putting on muscle mass fast. Your goal is to end up with large, swollen muscles. You will inevitably also add a little bit of body fat but you obviously want to keep this to a minimum. The best steroids for bulking are:
Testosterone
Deca durabolin
Anadrol
Trenbolone
Dianabol
#1 Dianabol
Enhances nitrogen retention and increases protein production
Activates the process known as protein synthesis
Improves your overall focus and drive
Muscle Gains: 4.5/5
Strength Gains: 5/5
Pros
Exceptional muscle gains
Significant increases in strength
Suitable for beginners (in oral form).
Low cost
Dianabol is arguably the most sought-after bulking steroid on the planet, due to its exceptional ability to add large amounts of muscle in a short space of time.
It’s available in oral and injectable form. Many people opt for dianabol in oral form due to the convenience/ease of popping a tablet. However with injectables you’re likely to experience more gains; due to it entering the blood stream directly (and not having to pass through the liver).
However, when injecting dianabol you’re more susceptible to severe side effects; as your body’s utilizing more of the dianabol dose. Thus injectable dianabol isn’t recommended for beginners, as it requires knowledge to able to inject safely; and due to the user experiencing more side effects.
The only disadvantage in regards to oral dianabol is that it’s taxing on the liver. Thus if you take excessive doses of dianabol and don’t take adequate time off the steroid; your liver will become damaged. The good news is you can take liver support supplements during your cycle, such as Liver Shield, which will greatly help to protect the organ. Also the liver is a very resilient organ, meaning it can take a lot of abuse before it fails. However, no abuse is always optimal.
Anadrol is one of the only bulking steroids which beats d-bol, in terms of strength and size gains. However, anadrol is more toxic than dianabol, which is why dbol is a more popular option in bodybuilding. If you’re new to steroids and you take dianabol for your first cycle, get ready to hit new PR’s within the first week of administration; as well as your muscles blowing up more every day.
Gaining 18lbs from a first time dianabol cycle is pretty common among users, using a moderate dose. Most of this will be muscle mass and some temporary water retention.
Cons
Increased LDL cholesterol levels
Spiked blood pressure
Liver strain (orals)
Water retention
Risk of gyno
Oily skin (acne)
Hair loss
Shuts down testosterone
All steroids will have a negative effect on cholesterol levels, increasing LDL and decreasing HDL scores. This results in higher blood pressure for the user. To improve your cholesterol/blood pressure on-cycle, supplement with fish oil and lipid stabil.
As previously mentioned, methandrostenolone (oral dianabol), can cause stress to the liver. However, studies have shown that keeping the dose of oral dianabol to 10mg a day for 6-8 weeks, reduces the risk of excessive damage.
Dianabol aromatizes in the body and thus there’s moderate estrogenic activity, increasing the risk of gynecomastia. If you’re susceptible or worried about gyno, the best strategy is to take an AI (aromatase inhibitor), such as Arimidex. One downside with arimidex is that it’s quite costly, in which case users can opt for anti-estrogens such as Nolvadex or Proviron, which are also effective and lighter on your wallet.
As a result of dianabol’s aromatization, users can also expect to experience some water retention. This can temporarily decrease muscle tone and increase bloating. However, if you eat a clean diet, without excessive amounts of sodium, and you keep your dose in the low-to-moderate range; such water retention shouldn’t be an issue.
All AAS will shut down testosterone to some degree. This side effect is quite significant in dianabol’s case, with studies showing it to decrease T levels by 69% (on 15mg of dianabol a day for 8 weeks). For the average user it can take 1-4 months for testosterone levels to recover back to normal natural levels.
Low Dose
A very cautious dianabol cycle for a beginner looks like the following:
Note: These are low doses to start off with, thus minimizing side effects and preparing the body for future cycles. This dianabol cycle will result in approximately 10lbs of weight gain.
Low-Moderate Dose
This is an effective follow up cycle, to the first dianabol cycle; increasing the duration by 2 weeks and upping the dose.
Note: Some beginners adopt a more aggressive strategy for their first dianabol cycle, compared to the above doses. Newbie dianabol-users take as much as 30mg a day for 4 weeks. This will result in more side effects compared to the above cycles, however more gains will also be experienced from this higher dose.
30mg a day for 4 weeks will result in roughly 18lbs of weight gain for a beginner. Experienced and elite bodybuilders take even higher doses, ranging from 50-100mg per day.
#2 Anadrol
Muscle gains and enhanced stamina and strength
Quicken your post-workout recovery
Increases red blood cell production to boost gains
Muscle Gains: 5/5
Strength Gains: 5/5
Pros
Exceptional muscle gains
Amazing strength gains
Otherwise known as oxymetholone or anadrol 50 (oral version).
Anadrol is arguably the #1 steroid in the world for bulking. If your body can tolerate the side effects of anadrol, it’s viewed as a must-have steroid in the off season – used regularly by competitive bodybuilders.
The only reason why anadrol isn’t the most popular steroid on the market, is because it’s not suitable for beginners (due to its powerful nature). If your goal is to gain as much muscle and strength as possible; anadrol will give you the gains you’re after.
However, if you only want to build a little bit of muscle and you’re worried about side effects – anadrol probably isn’t the steroid for you.
Cons
Toxic to the liver
High blood pressure
Acne
Hair loss
Significant water retention
Risk of gyno
Testosterone suppression
Oxymetholone is a c17-alpha alkylated steroid, meaning a large amount of the compound will enter the blood stream – when taken in oral form. The downside with C17-alpha alkylated compounds is that they’re particularly harsh on the liver, so injecting anadrol will still stress the liver. Thus it makes sense for bodybuilders to take anadrol 50 (oral), as it’s more convenient to take; and has similar absorption/side effects to injecting anadrol.
Anadrol has a profound effect on cholesterol levels, causing blood pressure to rise. Anadrol should not be used (or at least very cautiously used) by people susceptible to heart disease. Studies have shown doses of 50-100mg per day, over 12 weeks, has a dramatic negative effect on cholesterol levels.
Anadrol, like with other AAS, can cause acne due to the stimulation of the the sebaceous glands.
This steroid can also cause hair thinning or hair loss (on the scalp), due to it being a DHT-based steroid. Taking products like finasteride or dutasteride are unlikely to prevent this, as these products only prevent hair loss by blocking 5-alpha reductase. The 5-alpha reductase conversion doesn’t exist with anadrol, as it doesn’t convert to DHT (it’s already a DHT derivative).
If you’re a bodybuilder who typically stays shredded year round, trying to look as aesthetic as possible, anadrol may not be the steroid for you. This is because you’re almost certain to gain a significant amount of water weight on anadrol. Thus you may become bloated and your body may begin to look puffy or smooth. This extra fluid will actually aid your strength gains, due to intracellular water filling the muscle cells.
Gynecomastia is caused by an elevation in estrogen or/and progesterone levels. Anadrol won’t cause an increase in progesterone, but it is a very estrogenic steroid; and thus there’s a risk of gyno occurring. Using nolvadex can help to keep gyno at bay, however using anti-aromatase products won’t work; as anadrol doesn’t aromatize.
Also prepare to lose a considerable amount of weight after you come off anadrol, which isn’t anything to be alarmed by – it’s just the water flushing out of your body.
“What Goes Up, Must Come Down”
As with any steroid that gives you incredible gains, you’ll also experience some adverse effects. You can expect a pretty big crash after coming off anadrol in regards to T levels, making PCT even more important after using this compound.
One strategy some users implement to try and prevent the sudden “crash” is to run deca durabolin (a less toxic steroid) for a few weeks after stopping anadrol. Running deca in this way helps to wean your body off anadrol and help solidify the gains you made on-cycle.
Low Dose
Anadrol is not a typical first steroid protocol, due to its toxicity. However, some newbies do take anadrol and experience exceptional gains.
The above cycle can result in 20lbs of weight gain (in someone new to steroids).
Moderate Dose
The following cycle is common among experienced steroid-users (who’ve used anadrol or other steroids before). The dose is upped slightly and the duration is extended to 8 weeks.
Side effects will be more present when taking higher doses and longer cycles. However the above protocol isn’t deemed to be excessive.
#3 Testosterone
Full of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Lifetime money-back guarantee.
Free shipping worldwide.
Some ingredients include: Fenugreek, KSM 66, Ginseg, Vitamin D, Zinc, Green Tea, B6, B5
Muscle Gains: 4.5/5
Strength Gains: 4.5/5
Pros
Significant muscle growth
Increased strength
Fat burning
Suitable for beginners
No liver side effects
Testosterone is used as a base steroid in many cycles. When planning a cycle, many bodybuilders will start with testosterone, then stack other steroids with test to enhance their gains.
Here’s a few testosterone combinations that work well:
Testosterone/trenbolone
Testosterone/deca
Testosterone/dianabol.
Testosterone works similar to dianabol, but generally results in less side effects.
That’s why a test-only cycle is very popular among beginners (who are more susceptible to adverse effects).
Overall, test is a great steroid for bulking that will almost certainly make your muscles blow up.
One unique advantage of using testosterone during a bulking cycle, is its fat burning effects. With test, unless you’re eating like a Sumo Wrestler, you’ll keep fat at bay; or better yet, reduce your body fat percentage. The only other bulking steroid that has fat-burning effects like test is trenbolone. So if you want lean gains, without gaining fat in the off-season, testosterone is a solid choice.
Testosterone comes in many forms and esters, giving users the option of taking this steroid orally or injecting it.
Studies have shown testosterone to have no hepatotoxic effects after taking 2,800mg each week for 20 days. Thus if you want to take steroids, but you like alcohol, testosterone may be a safer steroid for you.
Cons
Water retention
Gyno
Hair loss
Acne
Mild increase in cholesterol
Increased blood pressure
Water retention is common when on testosterone, due to it converting to estrogen. However, users only notice significant amounts of fluid when taking mega doses of test.
Testosterone has moderate estrogen activity, meaning gynecomastia is possible. However, taking tamoxifen citrate can prevent any female breast tissue forming.
Testosterone has a high androgenic score of 100, thus if you’re genetically predisposed to MPB (male pattern baldness), test can accelerate this. If you’re worried about losing your hair, there are 2 solutions available; one would be to take a less androgenic steroid like deca durabolin (which doesn’t convert to DHT). Or you can take Minoxidil (Regaine), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which will reduce the damage to hair follicles located on the scalp.
Because of testosterone’s high androgenic activity, it can cause acne in individuals who’s bodies naturally produce more sebum.
Testosterone will increase LDL cholesterol levels (the bad kind), however this is typically less compared to other AAS. Two reasons why cholesterol levels remain fairly normal on test, is because of its high aromatization activity; and because testosterone gets metabolised by the liver; resulting in a better cholesterol ratio.
A rise in cholesterol and water retention leads to raised systolic blood pressure on testosterone; however this is relatively mild compared to other anabolic steroids like anadrol or dianabol.
Testosterone enanthate
Testosterone enanthate is a slow release form of testosterone and was the first form of testosterone with an ester attached to it. The ester was designed to regulate the activity of the testosterone and slow down its release. It is probably the most commonly used steroid to treat low testosterone levels. It is one of the most affordable steroids on the market. It is also one of the most well tolerated by users.
Testosterone enanthate is suitable for all levels of user. It will provide the following benefits to users:
Enhancing protein synthesis
Enhancing nitrogen retention
Increasing red blood cell count
Increasing IGF-1 output
Testosterone cypionate
Testosterone cypionate is nearly identical to enanthate. Whereas enanthate is more popular in Europe, cypionate is far more numerous in the USA. It is both highly anabolic and androgenic. The key difference between enanthate and cypionate comes down to the way that the atoms are constructed. Cypionate has an extra carbon attached to it. However, that does not make a huge difference, with both versions being slow acting, taking 4-6 weeks for the full effects to be realized.
Testosterone propionate
Testosterone propionate is a single ester testosterone compound. The propionate ester has been attached to the synthetic testosterone hormone, which allows the release time to be controlled. This provides a more stable way to control blood sugar levels. Propionate will result in less water retention than cypionate and enanthate. This makes it a popular choice to use during a cutting cycle.
Low Dose
This can be injected or taken orally. The following testosterone cycle is thought to build a similar amount of muscle/mass as the low dose dianabol cycle. However, this is a more popular cycle for beginners as it causes less stress on the liver and results in a smaller spike in blood pressure.
Testosterone is considered the safest steroid to take for bulking, and is possibly the best steroid in terms of risk vs rewards.
Moderate dose
This is a higher dosed cycle aimed for users who already have a testosterone cycle under their belt. This cycle’s been extended by 3 weeks and as a result will yield better gains; with a slight increase in side effects (being androgenic and cardiovascular).
Moderate dose (Sustanon 250)
Here’s another cycle that bodybuilders perform with sustanon 250 – a blend of 4 different testosterone esters being:
Testosterone propionate – 30mg
Testosterone phenylpropionate – 60mg
Testosterone isocaproate – 60mg
Testosterone decanoate – 100mg
Testosterone Cycle
Sustanon 250 is thought to be of the most effective forms of testosterone, due to the combination of short and long esters. Short esters mean you’ll make gains fast; whilst long esters means you’ll still be making gains during the later stages of your cycle.
Deca durabolin is a strong anabolic which many bodybuilders utilize in the off-season to help them build noticeable amounts of lean mass.
With deca, your muscles will be fuller and thicker than ever before. Having big muscles is one thing, having incredibly thick and full muscles which makes you look photoshopped is another.
If you don’t know what I mean by ‘full muscles’ or ‘looking photoshopped’ – look at Chul Soon (below).
Noticeably increases strength and power, massive muscle gains
Greatly increases recovery times after workouts
Reduction of body fat without losing muscle, tendon and joint pain relief
This is the ‘thick’ look, typical of deca durabolin users.
Deca will result in a small amount of water retention, however you’ll hold less fluid compared to dianabol or anadrol, due to its low conversion into estrogen. Thus, most of the weight you’ll gain on deca will be permanent muscle weight that’ll remain post-cycle.
Deca durabolin’s estrogen conversion rate is only 20%,compared to testosterone’s conversion. Thus gynecomastia is still possible on deca durabolin, but much less likely to happen. Also because of its low estrogenic activity, water retention is also considerably less (compared to other steroids).
Anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors can be run alongside deca if high doses are being taken; in a bid to further prevent any estrogen-related side effects.
Deca is not a c-17 alpha alkylated compound and thus poses very minimal risk to your liver.
Deca-users also commonly report better/stronger tendons and joints, which is contrary to other anabolic steroids. This is because deca increases the production of collagen, which helps to improve bone density and cartilage health (tissue surrounding your joints). This can reduce the risk of injury in the gym, especially if you’re an older bodybuilder or/and like to lift heavy.
This increase in collagen synthesis also helps a bodybuilders skin to look better (and less aged).
Cons:
Slow-acting
Shuts down testosterone
Low libido (when used by itself)
Not very effective by itself
Deca durabolin contains long esters, meaning it takes a considerable amount of time before a user experiences significant strength/muscle gains. Therefore it’s not a fast-acting compound, and exceptional gains aren’t typical in the first couple of weeks.
Studies have shown that when 100mg of deca durabolin per week is taken (for 6 weeks), testosterone levels decrease by 57%.
And when 300mg of deca durabolin is taken (per week), testosterone levels drop by 70%. However, upon discontinuation of deca, natural testosterone levels should recover between 2-6 months.
As a result of deca durabolin’s negative effect on natural testosterone production, can cause a lowered libido or erectile dysfunction, commonly known as ‘deca dick’. As your test levels recover, this effect will go away and your sexual performance will improve.
Deca durabolin isn’t great for building muscle by itself, hence why not many educated bodybuilders will run deca-only cycles. On its own deca will produce approximately half the gains of a testosterone-only cycle.
However, when combined with steroids like dianabol, anadrol, testosterone or trenbolone together in a stack; deca can be a shrewd addition to any bulking cycle.
Low Dose
A common protocol is to stack deca durabolin with dianabol; so below is a low-dosed cycle for those new to steroids. These 2 compounds are likely to be the combination used by Arnold Schwarzenegger back in the 70’s
Trenbolone comes in injectable and oral forms, with tren acetate being the most popular version.
Trenbolone is hailed by some as the greatest steroid ever created. This is because it produces huge muscle gains; without any water retention.
Thus if you gain 25lbs on tren, you can bet almost ALL of this weight is pure muscle mass.
Actually, in this example it’s possible to gain even more than 25lbs of muscle, as tren also has fat burning properties.
It’s ability to build muscle and burn fat, makes it one of the best steroids for transforming your body in a single cycle. Tren is great for users looking to gain extra size during a bulk, whilst simultaneously preventing any fat gain.
Trenbolone is 3x more androgenic than testosterone, which gives a clue as to how powerful this compound really is.
Trenbolone isn’t regarded as a hepatotoxic compound, and thus the risk of liver damage is low (especially in low to moderate doses). However, liver failure may still be possible if mega doses are consumed for long periods of time.
Cons
Acne
High blood pressure
Shuts down testosterone
Stimulant-like effects
Due to the sheer power of trenbolone, it’s not generally taken by beginners, as side effects are more severe compared to other steroids. Trenbolone is a very androgenic compound and thus oily skin and acne are common side effects.
A rise in blood pressure is also inevitable as LDL levels spike and HDL levels take a dive. Injectable trenbolone will cause BP to rise more than oral tren. All measures should be taken to reduce the strain trenbolone has on the heart, thus it’d be wise to perform regular cardiovascular exercise, whilst supplementing with fish oil and a cholesterol aid (such as Lipid Stabil).
Trenbolone often produces stimulant-like effects; increasing the chances of sweating, anxiety and insomnia during a cycle. Thus if you’re sensitive to every-day stimulants, such as: pre-workouts, coffee, coca-cola etc. then tren is likely to cause similar adverse effects.
Best Steroid Cycle for Bulking
The best cycle for bulking combines Testosterone and Deca Durabolin as follows:
Anavar is one of the safest, most effective fat cutting steroids that exist. It can be used by both men and women. Cycles are short, from 2 to 4 weeks, following a 2-4 week off cycle and then a repeat cycle.
Men should take 50-80 mg per day, while women should lower that right back to 10mg per day.
Winstrol
Winstrol is generally recognized as the most effective steroid for fat loss. However, it also carries some serious side effects. Men should use 50mg per day while women should use a daily dosage of 10-12mg. Be sure to follow a PCT cycle of 4 weeks after completing a Winstrol cycle. I recommend using Tamoxifen for your PCT.
Primobolan
Primobolan is one of the safest anabolic steroids that you can take. It works especially well when used in conjunction with plenty of cardio exercise. Dosages can range from 100-600mg per week, depending on your ability to tolerate it. Cycles should last between 8-12 weeks.
Best Steroids for Strength
The 3 best steroids for strength gains are . . .
Anadrol
Anadrol is among the best steroids for pure strength gains. It is able to boost red blood cell count to improve muscular strength and endurance. Anadrol is a derivative of testosterone. The recommended dosage is between 25 and 125, depending on your tolerance and experience level. This should be divided into two dosages.
Anavar
Anavar is another awesome strength enhancer. It boosts strength levels by triggering the synthesis of creatine phosphate in muscle cells. This is a good choice when your goal is to stay lean yet muscular while also getting as strong as possible.
Trenbolone
Trenbolone, or Tren, is one of the most versatile steroids in that it can be used equally for muscle gain, cutting and strength gains. Cycling Tren with Anavar and Testosterone will produce awesome strength gain results.
Trenbolone acetate
Trenbolone acetate is regarded by many experienced users as the most powerful anabolic steroid that you can take. It is also one of the most versatile steroids that you can take. It is classified as a veterinary grade anabolic androgenic steroid. Tren acetate can be extremely beneficial for both bulking and cutting.
Trenbolone is not estrogenic so it will not aromatize or cause water retention. However it can cause such side effects as acne, hair loss, gynecomastia and increased LDL cholesterol levels.
Trenbolone enanthate
Trenbolone enanthate is the base hormone with an enanathe ester attached to it. This is purely an underground black market steroid. This will affect the release of the hormone post injection. As a result, enanthate has a slower release than Trenbolone acetate. This version of trenbolone carries several properties which make it a powerful anabolic agent. The primary functions of trenbolone enanthate are:
Enhanced protein synthesis
Enhanced nitrogen retention
Increased red blood cell cunt
Increased IGF-1 Output
Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate
Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate has the street name of Parabolan. It is commonly referred to as Tren Hex. The ester attached to this agent extends the half life from around 3 days to approximately 14 days. This is a versatile steroid which can be used for both bulking and cutting cycles. This is a potent steroid that can give very good results from relatively small dosages. Tren Hex is not aromatized into estrogen. As a result, Tren Hex will not lead to water retention or bloating. It is especially beneficial for those who are after lean mass and strength gains.
Best Steroid Stacks for Bulking
Bulking is the process of adding muscle mass to the body by increasing caloric intake, training hard and heavy with low rep schemes. It is frequently used by bodybuilders in the off season. It is followed by a cutting cycle in which any excess fat that is put on during the bulking cycle are removed from the body.
Best Oral Steroid for Bulking
The best oral steroids for bulking are:
Dianabol
Anadrol
Trenbolone (predominantly an injectable, but also available in oral form)
Anavar
Turinabol
Best Bulking Stack for Beginners
The best bulking stack for bulking for will combine Testosterone Enanthate and Dianabol as follows . . .
Week One: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Two: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Three: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Four: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Five: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Six: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week: Dianabol 30 mg per day
Week Seven: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Week Eight: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Week Nine: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Week Ten: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Week Eleven: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Week Twelve: Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week:
Trenbolone Cycle
Week One: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Two: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Three: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Four: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Five: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Six: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Seven: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Eight: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Nine: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Ten: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Eleven: Trenbolone – 150 mg per day
Week Twelve: Trenbolone — 150 mg per day
Dianabol Cycle
Week One: Dianabol – 30mg per day
Week Two: Dianabol- 30 mg per day
Week Three: Dianabol – 40 mg per day
Week Four: Dianabol – 50 mg per day
Week Five: Dianabol – 50 mg per day
Week Six: Dianabol – 50 mg per day
Deca Durabolin Cycle
Week One: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Two: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Three: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Four: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Five: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Six: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Seven: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Eight: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Nine: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Week Ten: Deca Durabolin – 400 mg per week
Anadrol Cycle
Week One: Anadrol – 50mg per day
Week Two: Anadrol – 50 mg per day
Week Three: Anadrol – 50 mg per day
Week Four: Anadrol – 75 mg per day
Week Five: Anadrol – 75 mg per day
Week Six: Anadrol – 75 mg per day
How To Gain Bulk Naturally
Use the following tips to help you bulk, and pack on muscle mass…
Drink whole milk
Drink more whole milk. Not skim milk. Not 2% milk. Whole milk. Whole milk has 150 calories per cup, and is stocked with vitamins and minerals. Drinking 5 cups of whole milk per day adds 750 calories to your bulking diet. Drink a cup every 2.5 to 3 hours. Also milk is 87% water, so it will keep your body hydrated. If you can get your hands on some unpasteurized organic raw milk – even better. The more natural the source, the better for the body.
Eat Your Almonds
Almonds are a great “in between meal” snack choice. Add an ounce of almonds in between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner, and before bed. These three servings of almonds will add 500 calories to your bulking diet.
Have a Fat Dinner
Eat a large meal for dinner. Generally, it is best to eat this large meal post-workout. Try and consume a minimum of 1,500 calories. Don’t shy away from calorie-rich, healthy fat-rich foods and dressings.
Eat Some Junk food
Don’t shy completely away from junk foods. While I am NOT recommending that you eat an entire bag of Doritos, or a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting, it is okay to have small portions of junk food each day. A diet that contains 10% unhealthy foods won’t kill you. in fact, the extra calories will aid you in gaining muscle.
Try Some Weight Gain Shakes
Have a high protein shake once or twice a day, with your whole milk. Put a couple of cups of whole milk in a blender. Add a banana, 2 scoops of protein powder, and peanut butter to taste. Blend, and enjoy. Each of these shakes contains, at minimum, 700 calories and most likely much more.
Note: With some weight gainer brands, you’ll 100% need a blender as these drinks can often become ‘clumpy’. Also it’d be wise to drink up your shake ASAP after drinking, as they can quickly transform into concrete.
How Long to Bulk
There is no set answer to the question of how long you should bulk for. The length of your bulk will depend on how much muscle you want to put on. As a general guide you should aim to add half a pound of lean bodyweight each week. You can bulk for as long as six months. However, you should be careful about not putting on an excessive amount of body fat.
Extra Tips for Bulking
The key to bulking is what you put in your mouth. A lot of guys who try to bulk simple don’t eat enough food. As a general guide, you should eat around 20% more than your BMR every day. To work out your BMR, multiply your weight in kilograms by 24 if you are a guy and by 22 if you are a female. Now multiply that figure by an activity level of 1.6 to represent intense weight training.
As an example, if you weigh 90 kg and you are a guy, your BMR will be 3456 calories per day. Add 20% to this total to get a daily bulk caloric intake of 4147 calories per day.
Now divide this number by five to get 829 calories at every one of 5 meals spread very 2-3 hours apart throughout the day.
Basically..
By following these simple tips, you will be consuming over 4,000 calories per day. This is a great range to be in for bulking.
Start your day with oatmeal and a protein shake. Eat a moderately sized lunch, and a huge dinner. Snack in between meals with almonds, whole milk, and small portions of healthy carbs (fruits, veggies, etc.). And don’t avoid the occasional cookie, bag of chips, or piece of pie.
Follow this plan during your bulk, and you will be maximizing your results.
The Bottom Line to Gaining Bulk Is..
Each of the 5 bulking steroids mentioned in this article will result in significant muscle gains.
The best steroid for you, and their dosing, will depend on your own personal size, experience with anabolics and goals.
For example, the best compound for pure mass would be anadrol. But if you’re concerned about side effects, then dianabol or testosterone would be better options.
If you only want to gain as much strength and mass as possible and you don’t care about the side effects, anadrol and testosterone would be a powerful duo.
Equally, if you wanted to do a lean bulk and didn’t want to gain any water retention or fat from your cycle; trenbolone would be a suitable compound (possibly deca durabolin too).
For maximum bulking gains, you can take a few of these steroids at the same time in a stack. However stacking like this will also elicit more side effects.
What’s the best steroid for building muscle quickly?
Any compound (mentioned in this article) which contains short esters. Short ester steroids enter and leave your body very fast, and thus it doesn’t take long to experience significant gains on them. Examples of fast-acting steroids:
Anadrol Dianabol Test propionate Test suspension Tren acetate
If patience isn’t your strong point, stay away from deca durabolin, test cypionate and test enanthate which have longer esters (take longer to kick in).
Are there any steroids NOT mentioned in this article, which can be used to build muscle?
Yes. These are just the top 5 steroids for bulking. Other steroids which can help to build muscle are:
