Steroid Cycles: Beginners & Advanced Users

Complete steroid cycles are listed in this article for your convenience.

If you are interested in bodybuilding then at some point you must have wondered, “what is the best steroid cycle?”.

The answer to this question varies from person to person. Steroid cycles are customized according to your individual needs.

If you want to bulk up then you can use a bulking steroid cycle. Similarly, if you want to look super shredded then you can use a cutting steroid cycle. So, it all depends on what you want to achieve.

In addition, an ideal steroid cycle will be different for both men and women. Some compounds cause virilization, so they are not suitable for women.

This is a detailed guide for steroid cycles that can be used by beginners as well as advanced users. It will help you understand what is better for bulking and cutting.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. We do not promote or recommend using illegal steroids. Consult a medical professional before using anabolic steroids.

Beginner Steroid Cycles

The first steroid cycle is usually the best cycle a person can run. When you take anabolic steroids for the first time, your body does not have any resistance/tolerance to them.

This new addition to your bodybuilding routine gives you a push and you experience dramatic physical transformation.

On the other hand, the first cycle can be dangerous and cause side effects. Basically, your body doesn’t know how to deal with this new change.

The compounds are new to your body and it takes time to adapt. During this process, you can get side effects.

Therefore, if you are a beginner, then it is highly advised that you use a mild steroid only. The side effects of mild steroids are minimal.

These mild steroids are equally powerful and effective in building muscle mass.

Note: It is not advised to stack steroids for beginners because different compounds when combined together can cause nasty side effects.

Testosterone Cycle

If you are a beginner in weight lifting then a Testosterone-only cycle is your go-to option.

Testosterone increases your strength and muscle gains significantly. Also, it causes only mild side effects.

This is why Testosterone is considered one of the best anabolic steroids. Its side effects are less in comparison to the benefits.

In the case of beginners, a wisely used Testosterone cycle can increase more than 20 lbs of lean muscle mass.

It is an androgenic compound so it can also help with fat loss.

You can increase your muscular strength a lot by performing exercises like deadlifts, squats, and bench presses.

Testosterone is usually injected so running its cycle can be inconvenient.

The c-17 α-alkylated anabolic steroids can be taken orally, so they are convenient for the user. But, they pass through your liver before entering your bloodstream.

With Testosterone this is not the issue as it is injected, it bypasses the process of entering your liver. It goes straight to your bloodstream, hence, giving faster results.

In addition, Testosterone causes very mild side effects and its hepatotoxicity is minimal.

There is an oral form of Testosterone also available under the name Andriol or Undecanoate.

It is very expensive so bodybuilders generally don’t use it.

Week	Testosterone
1	200 mg
2	200 mg
3	300 mg
4	300 mg
5	300 mg
6	350 mg
7	350 mg

If you are a novice bodybuilder then the above cycle is ideal for you. It can increase your strength and muscle mass.

The esters Testosterone Enanthate and Cypionate are popular among beginner bodybuilders because there is no need to inject them frequently.

Other forms of Testosterone are stronger and more painful to inject in comparison to Enanthate and Cypionate.

Testosterone Side Effects

Every steroid causes side effects and Testosterone is no exception.

It is androgenic so its side effects include male pattern baldness, acne, and prostate inflammation.

Another possible side effect is hypertension. Basically, Testosterone hinders the ratio of your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.

However, it is a very mild side effect in comparison to that caused by other anabolic steroids.

That is why Testosterone is considered one of the most heart-friendly steroids among bodybuilders.

It also has an aromatase enzyme which causes water retention.

So, when Testosterone converts to estrogen, it can cause bloating, muscle puffiness, and gynecomastia.

Due to estrogen, female breast tissue forms, which makes your physique look a little odd. So, it is important to manage this estrogen conversion.

It can also cause a decline in your natural testosterone production. This is known as hypogonadism.

Anavar Cycle

One of the most popular cutting steroids among bodybuilders is Oxandrolone. It is commonly known as Anavar.

It has some anabolic effects that give moderate bulking effects too. But, it is primarily a cutting steroid.

It works as a powerful fat burner that can increase vascularity, reduce water retention and tone your muscles.

Beginner bodybuilders prefer Anavar because it can reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass.

This steroid can be taken orally so you do not need an injection.

It is also suitable for women when taken in low doses. In women, Anavar does not cause virilization.

If you are a beginner then you can expect an increase in your lean muscle mass by up to 15 lbs.

Week	Anavar
1	15 mg/day
2	15 mg/day
3	15 mg/day
4	20 mg/day
5	20 mg/day
6	20 mg/day

The dosage mentioned in the above cycle is catered according to beginner male bodybuilders.

As far as women are concerned, it is recommended to reduce the dose to 10 mg/day for a period of 4 weeks.

If women increase their dosage then the masculinization effect can occur.

Legal Anavar Alternative

The most popular legal Anavar alternative product is Anvarol. It gives the same muscle-building and fat-burning effects as Anavar.

Anvarol mimics the effects of the real steroid Anavar. But, as it is made with natural ingredients it does not cause any side effects.

It is 100% legal so you can purchase it online from its Official Site. You do not need a medical prescription to buy it.

Also, it is manufactured in an FDA-approved facility so the quality is top-notch.

So, if you want to cut down your body fat percentage while maintaining your lean muscle mass then Anvarol is the best option.

Anavar Side Effects

Anavar is a part of the c-17 alpha-alkylated steroid group.

It is taken orally so when you consume it, your liver processes it. After that, it gets absorbed into your bloodstream.

This reduces the intensity of its side effects, hence, bodybuilders prefer using it.

It also disturbs your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. This may result in issues related to blood pressure.

In comparison to Testosterone, Anavar causes more cardiovascular-related side effects.

The reason could be that Anavar does not convert to estrogen.

Anavar also suppresses Testosterone levels in your body. However, your serum levels bounce back to normal from time to time.

As your body’s testosterone production does not stop completely, the post-Anavar cycle recovery period is short.

Bulking Steroid Cycles

Bodybuilders who want to achieve immense muscle gains follow bulking cycles.

Often these cycles cause harsh side effects. Therefore, only experienced bodybuilders should use bulking steroids.

However, a Testosterone-only cycle is an exception. It is a safe bulking steroid.

If we are discussing steroid cycles then it is important to talk about Dianabol.

Dianabol Cycle

One of the most popular bulking steroids is Dianabol. It is often touted to be the reason behind the amazing physique of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is also known as “Austrian Oak”. He became Mr. Olympia and even a famous Hollywood actor, thanks to his sculpted body.

Dr. John Bosley Ziegler was trying to formulate a compound stronger than Testosterone. Something that has a strong anabolic effect but less androgenic effect. The result was Dianabol.

In comparison to Testosterone, Dianabol increases your strength and muscle gains more.

As it is less androgenic, it does not cause side effects like male pattern baldness, acne, and enlargement of the prostate.

It can cause harsh effects on your heart and liver, so it is not recommended to be used by beginners.

Intermediate bodybuilders who have taken mild steroids like Testosterone in the past can handle Dianabol.

In a single cycle, Dianabol can help you increase up to 30 lbs of lean muscle mass.

It also increases your strength and stamina a lot.

Week	Dianabol
1	20 mg/day
2	20 mg/day
3	25 mg/day
4	25 mg/day
5	25 mg/day
6	25 mg/day

Dianabol Side Effects

Dianabol is an oral steroid that can be toxic. It impacts your liver’s AST and ALT levels.

That is why bodybuilders often use TUDCA, which is a liver support supplement to reduce the strain on your body.

Also, it easily aromatizes so it is highly estrogenic. Due to these high levels of estrogen, gynecomastia and water retention are also common side effects.

In addition, it causes heart-related issues. Dianabol is known to impact your cholesterol levels.

This results in the hardening of your arteries, commonly known as atherosclerosis.

Hepatic lipase enzyme stimulation and water retention are the main reasons behind the cardiovascular issues caused by Dianabol.

Another problem is that Dianabol stops the production of testosterone in your body.

Thus, it is important to follow a post-cycle therapy to restart your testosterone production.

Legal Dianabol Alternative

The best legal Dianabol alternative available today is Crazybulk D-Bal.

It is clinically proven to mimic the effects of Dianabol but it is made from all-natural ingredients.

It helps you bulk up without side effects. Also, it is 100% legal so you can use it without any issues.

Anadrol Cycle

The bodybuilding effects of Anadrol mimic Dianabol’s effects a lot. It increases your muscle mass and stamina big time.

Therefore, it is considered one of the strongest bulking steroids in the world. Usually, Anadrol gives more gains than Dianabol.

It is an oral steroid so you do not need any needles.

If you run an Anadrol cycle for the first time, you may expect a weight gain of more than 30 lbs.

Let’s check out the Anadrol steroid cycles below.

Week	Anadrol
1	50 mg/day
2	50 mg/day
3	50 mg/day
4	75 mg/day
5	75 mg/day
6	75 mg/day

If you are an advanced steroid user then you may increase your dosage up to 100 mg/day.

Anadrol Side Effects

Anadrol is a highly toxic steroid and that is why it is recommended not to be used by beginners.

It can cause nasty side effects like an imbalance of liver enzymes and fluctuations in blood pressure.

In fact, Anadrol is exceptionally harsh for your heart and liver.

So, if you are a heavy drinker or you have suffered high blood pressure issues in the past then use Anadrol with extreme caution.

It is commonly used as an off-season drug because it is a wet compound. This means that it can cause extracellular fluid retention.

In that situation, your muscles don’t look well-defined.

Anadrol is estrogenic in nature because it directly stimulates your estrogen receptors. This can even cause gynecomastia.

It is recommended to take a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) so that you do not get gynecomastia.

Although Anadrol’s androgenic effects are low, it can cause side effects.

These side effects include oily skin (seborrhea), male pattern baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and acne vulgaris.

Also, Anadrol shuts down the natural production of testosterone in your body. To restore it, you should follow up with a proper PCT.

If you avoid post-cycle therapy, your testosterone levels will not be restored for months.

This can even result in permanent low test levels.

Trenbolone Cycle

Trenbolone is one of the best bulking steroids. It helps you gain lean muscle mass easily.

A good thing about Trenbolone is that it does not convert to estrogen.

Trenbolone is amongst those steroids that bodybuilders prefer for transforming their bodies rapidly.

Trenbolone is a bulking steroid still it does not cause water retention. So, it makes you look ripped and dry at the same time.

If you compare the muscle-building effect of Anadrol or Dianabol with Trenbolone, then it is almost the same.

On the other hand, the weight gain effect of Trenbolone is very different from Dianabol and Anadrol.

Another difference is that when you stop using Trenbolone, your weight will still be maintained because there will not be any water loss.

Along with increasing muscle mass Trenbolone also burns fat.

Many bodybuilders often use Trenbolone as a cutting steroid too because it burns excess fat while retaining your muscle mass.

Week	Trenbolone
1	150 mg
2	150 mg
3	150 mg
4	150 mg
5	150 mg
6	150 mg
7	150 mg
8	150 mg
9	150 mg
10	150 mg

Trenbolone Side Effects

Trenbolone is listed among the strongest anabolic steroids. It gives amazing bodybuilding results.

Similar to Testosterone, Trenbolone is also injected. This causes less strain on your liver.

But there is one problem with injecting Trenbolone, it causes a tremendous surge in your exogenous Testosterone levels.

This type of testosterone does not convert to estrogen and results in an imbalance of cholesterol and blood pressure.

In addition, Trenbolone stops your body’s natural production of exogenous testosterone, this can cause hypogonadism.

Acne vulgaris and oily skin are common side effects.

Male pattern baldness is also one of its side effects. Basically, it increases DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels a lot.

The androgen effect of Trenbolone is 5 times more than Testosterone.

Also, it causes thermogenesis so your body produces more heat. This affects your central nervous system.

It can lead to some adverse side effects like restlessness, anxiety, sweating, and insomnia.

Legal Trenbolone Alternative

The best legal Trenbolone alternative available in the market today is Crazybulk Trenorol.

As it is 100% legal, it is available without a prescription and you can easily order it online.

Crazybulk Trenorol is effective because it mimics the bodybuilding effects of the real Trenbolone.

But, it is made from all-natural ingredients that do not mimic the side effects of the real steroid.

So, you can easily use it in your bodybuilding routine.

If you really want to follow steroid cycles then make sure to check out the legal alternative supplements.

Best Legal Steroid Alternatives

There is no doubt that steroid cycles help you achieve your dream physique rapidly but they can cause severe side effects.

So, we do not recommend using anabolic steroids. We recommend legal steroid alternatives.

The best legal steroid alternatives that you can try are available under the brand name Crazybulk.

There is a complete range of Bulking steroid alternative supplements and Cutting steroid alternative supplements.

You can even customize it according to your own needs. You can choose the supplement that you want and use it to get your desired goals.

The best thing is that they are 100% legal and clinically tested.

All the products are created to mimic the effects of steroids but they do not cause side effects. So, they are safe for use.

Hundreds of thousands of people have already used Crazybulk’s range of steroid alternative supplements to fulfill their natural bodybuilding goals.

So, you can also do that. Just imagine getting your dream body without actually using steroids.

Check out the complete Crazybulk product range, click the link below ⬎

Deca-Durabolin Cycle

Another bulking steroid on our list is Deca Durabolin.

It works best when cycled in a stack. The other steroids that best suit the Deca Durabolin stack are Testosterone, Anadrol, or Dianabol.

When you take Deca Durabolin, it increases nitrogen retention in the cells of your muscles. It also enhances protein synthesis in your body.

Deca Durabolin is known to bulk you up exceptionally.

However, it is almost always stacked with other steroids so finding its individual strength is a little difficult.

But, as soon as you stop taking it, you can notice a significant change in your gains.

Deca and Testosterone Cycle

Week	Deca Durabolin	Testosterone
1	300 mg	600 mg
2	300 mg	600 mg
3	300 mg	600 mg
4	300 mg	600 mg
5	300 mg	600 mg
6	300 mg	600 mg
7	300 mg	600 mg
8	300 mg	600 mg
9	300 mg	600 mg
10	300 mg	600 mg

When you combine Deca Durabolin and Testosterone, you can bulk up and get minimal side effects.

Once the user has adjusted to taking Testosterone alone, then he can follow along with this cycle.

Deca Durabolin and Dianabol Cycle

Week	Deca Durabolin	Dianabol
1	200 mg	Don’t start yet
2	200 mg	Don’t start yet
3	200 mg	10 mg/day
4	200 mg	10 mg/day
5	300 mg	10 mg/day
6	300 mg	15 mg/day
7	300 mg	15 mg/day
8	300 mg	15 mg/day

In the 70s when Arnold Schwarzenegger and other top bodybuilders used this cycle, it instantly became popular.

Intermediate steroid users can easily use this steroid cycle.

Deca Durabolin and Anadrol Cycle

Week	Deca Durabolin	Anadrol
1	400 mg	Don’t start yet
2	400 mg	Don’t start yet
3	400 mg	50 mg/day
4	400 mg	50 mg/day
5	400 mg	100 mg/day
6	400 mg	100 mg/day
7	400 mg	100 mg/day
8	400 mg	100 mg/day
9	400 mg	100 mg/day
10	400 mg	100 mg/day

This cycle consists of heavy doses, so it is recommended for experienced steroid users only.

Keep in mind that Anadrol is highly toxic.

Deca Durabolin Side Effects

FDA approved Deca Durabolin as a medicine for treating muscle wasting. However, it is illegal to use it for bodybuilding.

It is amongst the safest anabolic steroids because it is very mild in nature. FDA also approved it due to its mild nature.

It does increase your blood pressure, however, it is still mild when compared to the effect of other bulking steroids.

Deca Durabolin is an injectable steroid that is non-hepatotoxic and therefore, it does not cause any liver stress.

It can cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction (ED). Within the bodybuilding community, it is commonly known as “Deca Dick”.

Basically, Deca Durabolin has low androgenic levels and high prolactin levels. Due to this ED becomes a common side effect.

Nitric oxide plays an important role in improving blood flow to the penis. But, when your androgen levels drop, the nitric oxide levels in your body also drop and this causes ED.

If you want to balance the effect of low nitric oxide levels then you must stack Deca Durabolin with other androgenic steroids. The stack can consist of Anadrol Trenbolone or Testosterone.

Another side effect that affects men is low libido. Basically, high levels of prolactin in your blood cause this problem.

However, if you use the Cabergoline supplement then you can easily solve the problem of low libido.

Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor that effectively inhibits the high levels of prolactin.

Testosterone suppression is also a side effect of Deca Durabolin. After the cycle ends it takes a lot of time to recover.

A PCT is essential and it should not be skipped otherwise your natural testosterone levels will not recover easily.

Also while you are taking a PCT, you should not take other steroids.

Now, let’s talk about cutting steroid cycles in detail.

Cutting Steroid Cycles

A cutting cycle is used to shred excess body fat while maintaining your muscles.

Both Trenbolone and Anavar are top-notch cutting steroids. There are some other steroid cycles also that help with cutting. These are listed below.

Winstrol Cycle

Both Winstrol (Stanozolol) and Anavar have similar bodybuilding effects. They help you gain moderate muscle mass while burning huge amounts of fat.

Just like Anavar, Winstrol is diuretic in nature and does not convert to estrogen.

If you follow a proper workout routine and consume a well-balanced diet then a Winstrol cycle can easily cut down your body fat percentage.

Many bodybuilders believe that Winstrol is more powerful than Anavar. Both its side effects and benefits are more than Anavar.

Therefore, bodybuilders gain more muscle mass along with harsh side effects after using Winstrol.

Due to this, it is not recommended for beginners.

Week	Winstrol
1	20 mg/day
2	20 mg/day
3	25 mg/day
4	25 mg/day
5	25 mg/day
6	25 mg/day

Winstrol Side Effects

Winstrol is known to cause some very harsh side effects.

Users experience an increase in cholesterol levels which results in high blood pressure.

This side effect is quite significant because the users get flushed skin and it looks slightly pink. Along with this, it also causes joint pain.

Water helps to protect your joints by maintaining proper lubrication in them.

Winstrol flushes out a lot of water from your body to make you look shredded. This results in joint pain.

In addition, Winstrol depletes your body’s natural collagen levels. It hinders the production of collagen.

This speeds up your aging process and also increases your chances of getting an injury.

Another side effect caused by Winstrol is liver damage. It is hepatotoxic in nature, so if you run a longer cycle, it causes significant liver damage.

If you stack Winstrol with other steroids, it can lead to liver cholestasis or jaundice.

It also stops your body’s natural testosterone production. This can lead to a depletion of your sperm quality and quantity.

It is important to keep your Winstrol cycles short and also take regular breaks to recover from the side effects.

If you keep running a Winstrol cycle for a long time then it causes long-term permanent damage to your body.

Winstrol is known to cause masculinization, so women should not use it.

Primobolan Cycle

Primobolan is also an anabolic steroid that is very mild in nature. It is available in both forms injectable and oral.

In comparison, Primobolan has similar effects to Anavar. Both Anavar and Primobolan have very few side effects and they promote moderate fat loss.

It does not give amazing results like Trenbolone and Winstrol. But, it is still a safer option when it comes to taking steroids.

During the golden era, Primobolan was used extensively by bodybuilders for cutting down while preparing for shows.

However, these days IFBB pros prefer using stronger compounds.

With Primobolan, you can experience a slight muscle gain of up to 10 lbs while the fat loss will be quite evident.

Just like Anavar, Primobolan can also be used by women because it does not cause virilization.

Week	Primobolan
1	150 mg/day
2	150 mg/day
3	150 mg/day
4	150 mg/day
5	150 mg/day
6	150 mg/day
7	150 mg/day
8	150 mg/day

In the above table, the cycle is mentioned for men only.

However, in the case of women, you can customize your dosage to 50-75 mg/day. With this much dosage, the chances of getting masculinization are negligent.

Primobolan Side Effects

Even though Primobolan is a mild steroid it still causes some side effects.

These side effects include testosterone suppression and high blood pressure. But both these side effects are mild. With regular exercise, they can be managed.

It is not among the c-17 alpha-alkylated compound range. So, even if you take the oral form, it still does not cause liver toxicity.

To improve your bodybuilding results, you can stack it with Testosterone and Anavar.

Clenbuterol Cycle

Clenbuterol is not an anabolic steroid. It is a bronchodilator and it is a prescription medicine for asthma patients.

However, research shows that it has a certain level of anabolic effect. Due to this bodybuilders often use it for cutting purposes.

Clenbuterol promotes fat loss and that is why bodybuilders use it to get that shredded physique.

It causes thermogenesis while stimulating the nervous system.

Clenbuterol increases your body’s core temperature for a few weeks leading to an increase in your metabolic basil rate.

Your body’s temperature rises by 1 degree. Due to this heat produced in your body, you experience fat loss.

Also, this increased body temperature cools down within 4-6 weeks. When that happens fat loss naturally stops.

This is the reason why most bodybuilders keep their Clenbuterol cycle short. Usually, it is 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.

It can also be taken by women because it does not have a major effect on their hormones.

Week	Clenbuterol
1-3	20 mcg
4-6	30 mcg
7-9	40 mcg
10-12	50 mcg
13-15	60 mcg
16-18	70 mcg
19-21	80 mcg
22-24	90 mcg
25-27	100 mcg
28-30	110 mcg

Clenbuterol Side Effects

One of the side effects of Clenbuterol is that can cause cardiac hypertrophy as it increases your heart rate.

Therefore, you should increase the dosage slowly so your body can have time to adjust itself.

Other side effects include insomnia, anxiety, and depression. These are caused by excessive adrenaline and the over-stimulation of your nervous system.

If you use any other supplement during your cycle to reduce your heart rate then your fat loss also stops.

Now let’s move on to more advanced steroid cycles.

Advanced Steroid Cycles

NOTE – The steroid cycles mentioned below are strictly catered to advanced steroid users. Experienced bodybuilders who have taken steroids in the past and have developed tolerance to them can run advanced steroid cycles.

For example, a stack that consists of Winstrol, Anadrol, Trenbolone, or Superdrol is for advanced steroid users.

Testosterone Trenbolone and Anadrol Cycle

Week	Testosterone	Trenbolone	Anadrol
1	300 mg	150 mg	Don’t start yet
2	600 mg	150 mg	Don’t start yet
3	600 mg	150 mg	50 mg
4	600 mg	150 mg	50 mg
5	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
6	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
7	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
8	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
9	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
10	600 mg	150 mg	100 mg
11	300 mg	Don’t take it	Don’t take it

If you want to bulk like Hulk then the above cycle is highly effective. Advanced users can follow this bulking cycle and get amazing results.

This cycle consists of a combination of three very powerful mass gainer steroids that can help you increase size as well as strength.

This cycle can put you on the list of strong powerlifters. However, it can cause extremely harsh side effects.

Thus, it should be used wisely and rarely.

We do not recommend our readers to follow this cycle because it can cause long-term side effects.

Proviron Winstrol and Trenbolone Cycle

Week	Proviron	Winstrol	Trenbolone
1	25 mg/day	20 mg/day	150 mg
2	50 mg/day	20 mg/day	150 mg
3	50 mg/day	20 mg/day	150 mg
4	50 mg/day	20 mg/day	150 mg
5	50 mg/day	25 mg/day	225 mg
6	50 mg/day	25 mg/day	225 mg
7	50 mg/day	25 mg/day	225 mg
8	50 mg/day	25 mg/day	225 mg

If you want to look ripped and super shredded then the above cycle is highly effective. Advanced users can use this for the cutting cycle.

Bodybuilders who want to participate in a competition where extremely low body fat is needed can use this stack.

Within days you can see amazing body transformation. It has powerful diuretic effects and fat-burning effects. In addition, it also helps you build some muscle mass.

This cycle is ideal for users who are already on the leaner side but want to get more ripped.

If you have higher body fat then it can cause a lot of weight loss and the diuretic effects won’t be much noticeable.

I hope this detailed article on steroid cycles was helpful for you.

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References:

• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002339.htm
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/