Improve Competitive Form with Masteron

Another favourite for athletes and bodybuilding enthusiasts, Masteron (drostanolone propionate) is one of the most difficult steroids to obtain (at least with reference to the human-grade drug formerly made by Syntex of Belgium which had discontinued its production). For years, only top-notch athletes have access to this exclusive drug. The almost legendary reputation of this drug stems from the high androgenic properties that make this steroid a preferred choice for competitive bodybuilders and athletes, as it allows superior cutting to achieve leaner, harder and better-looking ripped muscles. And the fact that it has a very short life makes it more attractive, as it allows users to be on this drug just days before competition and still test negative for doping (this is true at least in the ear Materonly days, when tests aren't sophisticated and urine metabolites of drostanolone weren't recognized yet).

To get a better overview of this drug, it is necessary to trace its origins. Originally used as a breast cancer (BC) treatment, Masteron is a potent drug that is used to combat certain forms of BC. In combination with other drugs such as Tamoxifen, it was observed that it managed better than chemotherapy in treating BC. The composition of Masteron is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the drug shares the strong androgenic properties of DHT. Masteron doesn't automatize (convert) to estrogen.and is, in fact, anti-estrogenic, as it binds with aromatase enzymes that interferes with aromatization of other steroids and thereby acts as a estrogen blocker. For these reasons, the drug was a well-prescribed and successful therapy for BC, but because of its androgenic (masculinizing) effects and since most BC patients are women, it was later replaced with safer options.

As Masteron is a relatively weak anabolic, its muscle-building properties is not much sought after. It does build muscles, thanks to its 2 alkylation, but in a much lesser degree compared to testosterone derivatives, such Dianabol (methandrostenolone) or other DHT derivatives such as nandrolone undecanoate or Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate)

Its strength lies in its ability to cut muscles into well-defined, leaner shapes that is highly-prized during competitions. This is attributed to the lipolysis (fat loss) property of androgens, which decreases lipoprotein lipase (lipid conversion) and regulates adipocytes (fat-storing cells) - thereby inhibiting the accumulation of fats. Especially useful in the run-up to competitions, Masteron allows athletes with low body fat percentage to further improve their physique by bringing out denser and harder muscle tissues. Androgens also provide a kick that is vital in sustaining the extreme training during this period, when the user would most likely cut calorie intake in preparation for the competition.

Because Masteron is anti-estrogenic, the usual steroidal side-effects such as gynecomastia, water retention and blood pressure problems - which are mostly caused by wayward estrogen levels - are not present when taking this drug alone. Of course, the androgenic effect of the drug causes oily skin, acne and male pattern baldness, so if you are one predisposed to any of these conditions, you might opt to stay away from this drug. It's also worth mentioning that use of this strong androgenic drug by women is not recommended. The virilizing risks are great and immediate, so even experimentation is discouraged. If it is absolutely necessary to take this drug, female athletes should stick to very low doses of 25-50mgs/week and ensure that administration of the drug is done at least seven days apart.

For male bodybuilders, stacking Masteron with another anabolic such as Deca-Durabolin or Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate) can provide enhanced muscle mass without increasing water retention. Masteron can be stacked with most testosterone steroids, and would often eliminate the need for ancillary anti-estrogens such as Arimidex or Letrozole.

Look Your Best with Deca

Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate), more affectionately known as Deca in bodybuilding and athletic circles, is another 19-nortestosterone drug, which means that it is a testosterone altered at the 19th carbon atom (nandrolone). It thus shares many of the characteristics of nandrolones, such as good binding with the Androgen Receptor (AR) making it a class I, fat-burning steroid and minimal androgenic effects. Next to the pioneering steroid Dianabol, Deca-Durabolin is considered the most popular drug for bodybuilders, as it has been used in bulking and cutting cycles.

The removal of the 19th carbon atom notwithstanding, nandrolones are much like testosterone in its anabolic and androgenic effects. Aside from being a strong AR agonist, nandrolones stimulate decanon-AR mediated responses such as increased protein synthesis which is responsible for the anabolic (muscle building) properties of the drug. New muscle is produced when the tube-like fibers in the muscle are broken (during training) which protein synthesis heals quickly and effectively by attaching protein molecules to the torn fibers. When compounds like nandrolone are present in the system, the stimulated fibers seek out every stray protein molecule, causing muscle mass buildup.

Deca also doesn't aromatize (convert to estrogen through the aromatase enzymes) like other nandrolones. Non-aromatization results in poor androgenic properties, which means there are minimal virilizing effects which are common from pure testosterone, like deepening of voice, oily skin, hair loss, acne and facial/body hair growth. In the human body, nandrolones convert to dihydronandrolone (DHN), a substance that has merely 20% potency compared to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the compound that results from aromatization of testosterone. It is for this reason that nandrolones are well-favored by bodybuilders, as the risk of gynecomastia for men and musculinization for women is minimal. However, when taking Deca alone, men run the risk of testicular atrophy, as the drug lowers luteinizing hormones secreted in the pituitary gland and may thus suppress or halt production of natural testosterone in the body.

Another characteristic in favor of Deca is its low toxicity to the liver. Being an injectable, it doesn't affect the liver as much as altered 17-carbon drugs like Dianabol do. Besides, it has been shown that Deca increases bone mineral content and collagen [1] [2], and some reports indicate increase in the water content of connective tissues, all of which help in alleviating joint pains, particularly after training. Nandrolones are also one of the few drugs that won't negatively affect the body's lipid profile (cholesterol) and is therefore safe to use for extended periods.

Deca is normally used with testosterone or its derivatives to add high-quality muscle mass in bulking cycles or to develop well-defined muscles in cutting cycles. The addition of testosterone is necessary to prevent erectile and sexual dysfunction associated with the suppression of luteinizing hormones. Current recommended dosage of Deca for a bulking cycle is up to 600mgs/week for a 12-16 weeks extended duration, together with 400mgs/week of testosterone and an anti-progestorenic drug such as Cabergoline. For a cutting cycle anabolic steroids like 400mgs/week of Deca and 400mgs/week of testosterone are ideal for 12-16 weeks. Of course, one must use ancillaries such as anti-progestorenic. For best results, stacking Deca with Masteron (drostanolone propionate) is well-advised for cutting cycles, as these drugs complement each other well in their anabolic effects and Masteron eliminates the need for anti-estrogen ancillaries.

DELTS BOB’S WORKOUT

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE BOB Cicherillo? Persistent. After 13 years battling for his pro card in the amateur ranks, Chick finally broke through at the 2000 NPC USA Championships.
He brings the same state of mind to the gym, training hard ‘n’ heavy for that polished look.
>> “When training shoulders, use your chin as a guide,” Cicherillo instructs. “I begin and end my overhead presses at my chin, and bring upright rows to a point just underneath my chin.”
>> He also gives delts their own training day, rather than pairing them with chest, triceps or another bodypart, to give them his utmost attention.

SEATED MACHINE PRESS
START: “I like to begin my workout with a power motion like overhead presses to get the muscles moving and the blood going,” Bob says. “I sit on a bench with a backrest and grasp the handles with my hands just outside shoulder-width apart, or even a bit wider.”
MOVE: “I begin with the handles precisely at chin level and use my chin as a guide throughout the exercise. I press the weight up and over my head at a steady rate of speed — not too fast, and nothing explosive. I come to a full extension overhead without locking out, then slowly come back to the start, lowering the weight only to chin level.”

BENT-ARM DUMBBELL LATERAL RAISE
START: “I begin with the dumbbells to the sides of my thighs with my palms facing my body,” Bob says. “It’s nearly impossible to cheat because this position totally isolates the middle delt and keeps you from using your back or traps to help with the lift.”
MOVE: Slowly raise the dumbbells up and out, making sure your elbows are always higher than the weights. Pause a moment at the top before slowly returning to the start.

EZ-BAR UPRIGHT ROW
START: “Standing with my knees slightly bent, I hold the bar with my shoulders down and my focus forward,” Bob explains.
MOVE: “Leading with my elbows, I lift the bar straight up, keeping it close to my body, until my wrists come underneath my chin. I pause a moment and squeeze hard in this top position before slowly lowering the bar back to the start.”