{"id":198,"date":"2024-12-06T03:42:46","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T03:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/superbolic.pro\/?page_id=198"},"modified":"2024-12-06T03:43:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T03:43:30","slug":"bodybuilding-steroids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/superbolic.pro\/?page_id=198","title":{"rendered":"Bodybuilding & Steroids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bodybuilding & Steroids
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Bodybuilding & steroids: this post tries to provide a general and practical introduction to bodybuilding using steroids. In particular on how they work, what they may do to you, and the side effects they carry. And how to reduce them. <\/span>
\nNote: the use of performance drugs and steroids is strongly not recommended to anyone under the age of 21. They interfere with the body’s natural development and growth, carrying unexpected, long term serious consequences. <\/span>
\nIn facts, anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs has a modest impact on developing muscles. People who take hormones and steroids because they are sick don\u2019t develop any special physique, because steroids do not build muscle on their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless if steroids are used or not, the body will increase its muscle mass only if you:
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Train properly<\/strong><\/span>
\nRest between training sessions<\/strong><\/span>
\nFollow a specific diet
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dieting<\/strong><\/span>
\nEating the right foods at the right time in the right quantities is part of a bodybuilder’s life. Protein, carbohydrates and fats are all essential. The caloric ratios below are recommended for bulking.<\/span>
\nCarbohydrates \u2013 main source of energy \u2013 40% of total calories. Brown rice, brown pasta, whole meal bread, sweet potatoes, oats. <\/span>
\nProtein \u2013 the core of muscle \u2013 40% of total calories. Chicken, turkey, fish, tuna, lean beef, egg whites, whey protein.<\/span>
\nGood fat \u2013 growth and energy \u2013 20% of total calories. Nuts, oily fish, avocado, coconut oil.<\/span>
\nThese percentages can be modified depending on the goals and the training regime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Training<\/strong><\/span>
\nMuscles grow only if they are stressed. The training damages the muscle fibers and the natural repair process makes the muscle bigger and stronger. A training program should be personalized to fit to the athlete’s goals. <\/span>
\nBulking \u2013 focus on heavy resistance training<\/span>
\nReduce body fat \u2013 focus on cardiovascular exercise<\/span>
\nTone and increase fitness \u2013 combine both.<\/span>
\nCardiovascular training should be included in every training program.<\/span><\/p>\n

How anabolic steroids work<\/strong><\/span>
\nAnabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are created to substitute natural Testosterone. These synthetic hormones work by binding with the androgen receptors at cell level and creating protein synthesis. This generates an increase in muscle size and strength. There are other important effects associated with AAS use. The body will also:<\/span><\/p>\n

Remain in a state of anabolism (muscle building and holding)<\/strong><\/span>
\nAvoid catabolism (muscle wasting)<\/strong><\/span>
\nMaintain a positive nitrogen balance(essential for growth)<\/strong><\/span>
\nIncrease red blood cell production, so that the blood can carry more oxygen. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Excessive usage of steroids (high dosage and\/or long periods of time) can led to a point where muscles don’t grow, regardless of how good training and diet are. Taking periodic and long breaks between steroid cycles is strongly recommended. Never use steroids for any more than 12 weeks in a row (8 weeks is recommended\u00a0 for injectables and 6 weeks for orals). Take the same length of time or longer for breaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Steroids & performance enhancing drugs – doses<\/strong><\/span>
\nBefore discussing the underground of bodybuilding, it is important to understand dosages and doses. You must be able to calculate the weight (in milligrams or micrograms) of a drug diluted in an oily compound you are going to inject in your muscle. Or if it’s a tablet, swallow. Micrograms (mcg) are the smallest unit of measurement. There are 1,000 mcg in 1 milligram (mg). There are 1,000 milligrams in a gram (g)<\/span>
\nLiquid is measured in millilitres (ml). The dose of a drug is its weight per ml of liquid, multiplied by the number of ml injected. Sometimes the dose is not exactly what printed on the label. It’s better to start with smaller doses and increase. <\/span>
\nHormone treatments and insulin are often prescribed in “International Units” (IU). It is very important to know the total number of International Units are contained in a compound like HGH or HCG, to calculate how many IUs there will be per ml of liquid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Injecting DO NOT <\/strong><\/span>
\nshare or reuse any injecting equipment<\/strong><\/span>
\ninject in a vein, blood vessel or nerve<\/strong><\/span>
\nuse more than 2 ml of oil based steroids on a site<\/strong><\/span>
\ninject into the muscles targeted for growth (spot injecting)<\/strong><\/span>
\nchoose needles shorter than 30 mm <\/strong><\/span>
\nuse injectable steroids for more than 12 weeks in a row<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Injectable and oral steroids: doses and frequency<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe list below shows the most common steroids used and related doses, for male bodybuilders. Side effects are to be expected with these doses. Higher doses are not a guarantee of better results but will surely increase the harshness of side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boldenone Undecanoate<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Equipoise<\/span> <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: EQ, equipoise <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 14 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 200 \u2013 400 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Drostanolone Propionate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Masteron<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Masteron<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 3 days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose:100 \u2013 150 mg (injections every other day)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Methenolone Enanthate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Primobolan <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Primo<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 10 days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 200 \u2013 400 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nandrolone Decanoate<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Deca Durabolin<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Deca<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 8 days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 200 \u2013 600 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stanozolol <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Winstrol<\/span> <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Winni<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 1 day <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg daily or every other day (injections every other day)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sustanon <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Sustanon 250 <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Sustanon <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 15 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 250 \u2013 750 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone Cypionate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Many<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Test C, Cyp<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 12 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 200 \u2013 600 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone Enanthate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Many<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Test E <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 10 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 200 \u2013 600 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone Propionate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: N\/A<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Test Prop, Test P <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 4 days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg every other day (injections every other day)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone Suspension <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Many<\/strong><\/span>
\nStreet name: N\/A<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 1 day <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg daily or every other day (injections every day)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trenbolone Acetate<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Finaject, Finajet<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarkete name: Tren A<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 3 days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg (injections every other day)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trenbolone Enathate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: N\/A<\/strong><\/span>
\nStreet name: Tren E <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 10 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose:200 \u2013 300 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trenbolone Hexahydrobenzylcarbonate<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Parabolan <\/strong><\/span>
\nStreet name: N\/A<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 10 Days<\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No<\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 152 \u2013 228 mg per week (injections once every 4 \u2013 7 days)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Oral steroids<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

4-chlorodehydromethyl Testosterone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Turinabol <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: T- Bol <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 7 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 20 \u2013 80 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fluoxymesterone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Halotestin <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Halo <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 8 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 20 \u2013 40 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Methandrostenolone, Methandienone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Dianabol, Anabol <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: D-Bol, dianabol, anabol<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 6 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 20 \u2013 40 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mesterolone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Provironum, Proviron <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Proviron<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 12 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Oxandrolone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Anavar <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Anavar <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 9 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 20 \u2013 40 mg per day \u2013 often a choice for women at lower doses<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Oxymetholone <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Anapoloon <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Oxy<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 8 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 50 \u2013 100 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stanozolol <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Winstrol, Stanzol, Stanozol <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Winni <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 9 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: No <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 20 \u2013 50 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone Undecanoate <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Andriol, Anadrol <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Androl<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 3 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nAromatises: Yes <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 80 \u2013 160 mg per day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Injectable steroids side effects<\/strong><\/span>
\nFor men<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Increase in bad cholesterol and decreases in good cholesterol<\/strong><\/span>
\nHeart enlargement<\/strong><\/span>
\nRisk of heart-related complications <\/strong><\/span>
\nAcne<\/strong><\/span>
\nHigh blood pressure<\/strong><\/span>
\nLiver damage,<\/strong> jaundice <\/strong><\/span>
\nPain at the joints<\/strong><\/span>
\nMood swings <\/strong><\/span>
\nDecrease in Testosterone natural production<\/strong><\/span>
\nMale baldness<\/strong><\/span>
\nErectile dysfunction<\/strong><\/span>
\nSex drive changes<\/strong><\/span>
\nDevelopment of breast tissue (gyno)<\/strong><\/span>
\nProstate enlargement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For women<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Changes in the reproductive system<\/strong><\/span>
\nBirth defects<\/strong><\/span>
\nDevelopment of masculine traits<\/strong><\/span>
\nBreast shrinkage<\/strong><\/span>
\nVoice tone deepening
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Oral steroids <\/strong><\/span>
\nThe use of oral steroids is very common. Whoever dislikes injections, both experienced bodybuilders and beginners, will choose orals. Also, there is a general assumption that oral steroids are not as harmful as injectables. This is a common myth: oral steroids can be particularly harmful. Some female bodybuilders prefer certain orals as they bring less androgenic (male characteristics) side effect. Oral steroids work in a similar way to injectables,\u00a0 but they must pass through the liver, sometimes with harsh effects. The most toxic steroids are C17 Alpha-Alkylated, often referred as 17-aa steroids. This means that the drug has been altered to pass through the liver more than once.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If oral steroids are to be used:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your dose low<\/strong><\/span>
\nKeep your cycle length short (6 weeks max)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Signs of liver damage<\/strong><\/span>
\nWarning signs indicating liver issues usually appear in the following order, from less serious to very serious:<\/span><\/p>\n

Reduced appetite<\/strong><\/span>
\nSwollen abdomen <\/strong><\/span>
\nFeeling sick with mild fever<\/strong><\/span>
\nItchiness<\/strong><\/span>
\nYellow eyes or skin <\/strong><\/span>
\nAmber colored urine<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)<\/strong><\/span>
\nThese drugs are commonly prescribed in the treatment of breast cancer. Essentially their role is to control or reduce estrogen, as\u00a0 some steroids convert to estrogen very easily. Estrogen is a female hormone that may lead to larger breasts in males. This is called gynaecomastia. An high estrogen can lead to water retention and sexual dysfunction. To preventing these side effects, bodybuilders add AIs and\/or SARMs to their steroid cycles. <\/span>
\nThe enzyme responsible for the conversion of Testosterone into estrogens is called aromatase. Testosterone users take an aromatase inhibitor to stop this process. Unfortunately, these drugs remove an unhealthy amount of natural estrogen from the body. Another way to deal with high estrogen levels is by taking Tamoxifen, commonly referred as Nolvadex, which blocks the estrogen’s effect. Nolvadex is universally used in Post Cycle Therapy (PCT).<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common AIs and SERMs are:<\/span><\/p>\n

Anastrozo (AI)<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Arimidex <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Arimidex <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 3 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 0.5 \u2013 1 mg every other day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Exemestane (AI) <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Aromasin <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: N\/A <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 24 hours <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 12.5 \u2013 25 mg every other day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Letrozole (AI) <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Femara <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Letro, Femara <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 2 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 1.5 \u2013 2.5 mg every other day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tamoxifen (SERM) <\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Nolvadex <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Nolva <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 5 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 10 \u2013 20 mg daily<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe system that regulates Testosterone production is called the Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis (HPTA). Parts of the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary) are involved in this process. Taking anabolic steroids for more than a few weeks may lead to a shutdown of HPTA, as the body detects that there is a high enough level of Testosterone and shuts down its production. The firs sign is a shrinking of the testicles. But the main issue start when the steroids leave the system and it is left with unnaturally low levels of Testosterone. To fix this imbalance, bodybuilders enter a PCT phase after or during he last weeks of their steroids cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n

HPTA shutdown symptoms:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

feeling low, tired, weak;<\/strong><\/span>
\nloss of sex drive;<\/strong><\/span>
\nerectile dysfunction; <\/strong><\/span>
\nmuscle shrinkage;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bodybuilders use the term “steroid crash” to describe HPTA shutdown.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Post Cycle Therapy describes a cycle of drugs taken to restart natural Testosterone production after a cycle. However, PCT is not essential, as in most cases the body will go back to its normal levels after an period of time without steroids. Although bodybuilders have been using PCT for decades, not all agree to its effectiveness. The majority of the drugs used for PCT are not licensed for this purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most used PCT drugs are:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Clomid: influences the release of Luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Clomid<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket\u00a0name: N\/A<\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 5 days Dose: 100 mg every day for 30 days (50 mg morning, and 50 mg evening)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

HCG: helps bringing back the testicles to normal size<\/strong><\/span>
\nHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: HCG <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: HCG <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 4 days <\/strong><\/span>
\nDose: 2000 IU every other day for 20 days. HCG is often cycled at a dose of 250\u2013500 IU every 4 or 5 days.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tamoxifen: taken to block the effect of estrogen on the HPTA.<\/strong><\/span>
\nBrand name: Nolvadex <\/strong><\/span>
\nMarket name: Tamox <\/strong><\/span>
\nHalf life: 5 days Dose: 40 mg every day for 45 days (20 mg morning, and 20 mg evening).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bodybuilding & Steroids Bodybuilding & steroids: this post tries to provide a general and practical introduction to bodybuilding using steroids. In particular on how they work, what they may do to you, and the side effects they carry. And how to reduce them. Note: the use of performance drugs and steroids is strongly not recommended to anyone under the age of 21. They interfere with the body’s natural development and growth, carrying unexpected, long term serious consequences. In facts, anabolic…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-198","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t