Anabolic steroids are an effective way to induce muscle growth; however, blind use can lead to poor results and major health risks. For a successful steroid cycle, it is important to monitor health, take only the prescribed dose, and align it with diet, training, and recovery.
Bulking up and building muscle mass is on the list for all bodybuilders. However, even with training, diet, and a strict regimen, many fall short of reaching their target body mass and muscle definition. A good route to achieve this is taking anabolic steroids, which are a proven route to building muscle definition and strength.
Let’s take a look at how to get started on the best steroid cycles for muscle gain.
Understanding How Steroids Help Build Muscle
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) play an important role in protein synthesis and recovery. They increase nitrogen retention, red blood cells, and workout endurance. Thus, they allow bodybuilders to take up intense training regimens, absorb the most nutrients from food, and increase protein synthesis.
What are the Three Core Phases of a Steroid Cycle?
Every steroid cycle involves the following three phases:
| Bulking Phase | Cutting Phase | Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) | |
| Goal | Increasing muscle mass and strength | Losing fat while maintaining muscle mass | Recovering natural hormone levels |
| Steroids Used | Anavar, Testosterone, Deca Durabolin | Anavar, Winstrol | Clomid, Nolvadex |
| Duration | Depending on the steroid | Depending on the steroid | 4–6 weeks |
| Key Focus | High-calorie diets and strength training | Calorie-lean diets and high cardio regimens | Preventing hormone fluctuations and long-term side effects. |
Table 1: Three Phases of a Steroid Cycle
The Best Steroid Cycle For Muscle Gain To Follow
As a bodybuilder, the dosage for your Anavar cycle is as follows:
- Women (6-8 weeks)
- Beginners: 5-10 mg per day
- Experienced: 15-20 mg per day
- Men (8-10 weeks)
- Beginners: 30-50 mg per day
- Experienced: 60-80 mg per day
Being an oral steroid, the Anavar cycle is generally considered safer.
You can also opt for Anadrol, lasting 4–6 weeks, which has the following dosage:
- Beginners: 25 – 50 mg per day
- Intermediates: 50 – 75 mg per day
- Advanced users: 75 – 100 mg per day
You can also go for injectable steroids such as Deca Durabolin (taken over 8 – 12 weeks), which has the following dosage:
- Beginners: 200 – 300 mg per week.
- Advanced levels: 600 – 800 mg per week.
Another potent steroid is injectable testosterone in the following dosages:
- 75-100 mg per week for injections
- 200-400 mg per week for advanced users
A detailed consultation with your physician will reveal which anabolic steroid is best for your fitness goals and health. It is also important to remember that consumption in higher doses will not lead to faster gains but will actually have serious negative effects on your health. Follow your physician’s directions to the letter. In short, keep these in mind:
- For oral steroids, take only the recommended dose, preferably at the same time, whole, with water or milk. Do not miss a dose; if you do, take one as soon as you remember. If it’s too close to the next dose, skip it and move on.
- Injectables should only be administered by a licensed doctor or nurse. Never self-administer, as they can be intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous, and only a practiced health professional will know how to administer each.
- For both, no more than a single dose must be administered at any time.
Stacking: Combining Compounds for Synergy
To get the most out of their bulking cycle, bodybuilders and athletes use multiple steroids in one cycle for enhanced results. For instance, a typical Bulking Stack may include Testosterone + Dianabol + Deca. Similarly, for a Cutting Stack, you can try Testosterone + Anavar + Winstrol. However, Anavar is a potent anabolic steroid and can be used for both bulking and cutting cycles.
For safe and responsible steroid stacking, people need to keep the following in mind:
- Don’t stack more than 2 or 3 compounds at once.
- Always include a testosterone base.
- Monitor for interactions and side effects.
- Use AIs (Aromatase Inhibitors) if stacking estrogenic compounds.
Why Periodisation and Planning Matter
Another factor that comes into play when you get started on a steroid cycle is periodisation, i.e., managing your steroid intake to stay healthy while getting the most out of them. With proper periodisation, you can:
- Prevent plateauing and long-term side effects.
- Allow time for organs to recover from steroid use.
- Prevent steroid dependency and HPTA shutdown.
- Meet all your fitness goals, such as mass, recomp, or lean aesthetics.
Cycle Support and Side Effect Management
For a healthy and effective steroid cycle, it is important to take on-cycle support supplements. These include:
- Liver protectants
- Blood pressure management
- Estrogen blockers
Further, it is important to monitor yourself for side effects such as acne, mood swings, libido changes, bloating, hair loss, high blood pressure, and others. Also, steroid users are advised to get pre-, mid-, and post-cycle blood work to check their body’s hormone levels.
Diet and Training Sync with Your Cycle
Getting set up with a steroid cycle is not all when it comes to ensuring long-term muscle gains. Alongside this, you need to follow a strict diet and training regimen that aligns with your goals. Further, the diet and training regimen that you will have to maintain will vary depending on the phase you are in
| Phase | Diet to Follow | Training Focus |
| Bulking | Calorie surplus, high protein diets such as those rich in carbs and plant/animal proteins. | Heavy compound lifts to facilitate hypertrophy |
| Cutting | Calorie-deficient diets that contain lean proteins | High-rep training along with cardio for a toned physique |
| PCT | Meeting exact calorie requirements | Balanced training and moderate lifting |
Table 2: What to Do During a Steroid Cycle
Our advice is to speak to a dietitian to fix a proper diet that meets your calorie requirements. Further, you can also take whey and clean carbs to maximize anabolic response. Do avoid alcohol and poor sleep habits, which can hinder your results.
Smart Guidelines for Long-Term Gains
If you wish for the muscle gains from your steroid cycle to last long, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Track blood work before, mid, and post cycle
- Prioritize rest, hydration, and sleep
- Never skip PCT, even after a mild cycle
- Keep cycles spaced (at least 12–16 weeks off between)
Further, to ensure responsible use, do adhere to the following:
- Do not extend the steroid cycles recklessly
- Avoid stacking too many compounds at once
- Build cycles around your level and goals
- Educate yourself and track every phase for performance and health
Wrapping Up: Safe Muscle Gain With A Steroid Cycle
Building lean weight is the main purpose of a steroid cycle. However, to be safe, first take your physician’s advice on whether or not it is suitable for you and the steroid that you should take. Our recommendation is to take oral steroids such as Anavar in the recommended dosage.
Want to build muscle definition that lasts? Get started on the best steroid cycle for muscle gain as per your requirement.
