The Importance of Testosterone Inclusion in Every Cycle

It is a well-known set-in-stone rule that Testosterone is such an essentially important hormone that it must be included as the primary base compound in every single cycle as either a primary anabolic compound, or at the very least as a supportive compound in the role of TRT. A ‘primary anabolic compound’ is defined as a compound within a cycle that acts as one of the primary contributors to muscle accrual, and must usually be run at supraphysiological bodybuilding doses to do so. A perfect example is a cycle consisting of Testosterone and Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) in which Testosterone is run at 500mg per week alongside Dianabol at 30mg per day. In such a case, both compounds are utilized at bodybuilding doses (supraphysiological doses), and are therefore acting as primary anabolic compounds. A cycle consisting of Testosterone, Dianabol, and Proviron (Mesterolone) at doses of 500mg/week (Testosterone), 30mg/day (Dianabol), and 25mg/day (Proviron) is a display of Proviron not acting as a primary anabolic while the other two compounds do. The role if Proviron in this case is that of a supportive compound, as it is run at a dose too low to be considered a ‘bodybuilding’ dose, and Proviron itself is not a very strong anabolic compound by any measure.

The use of Testosterone in a cycle that includes, for example, Testosterone at 100mg/week, Trenbolone at 400mg/week, and Masteron (Drostanolone) at 400mg/week is the perfect example of a cycle in which Testosterone is not a primary anabolic compound. In this case, Testosterone then takes upon a supportive role of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) in order to merely maintain normal physiological levels of Testosterone during a period in which the body’s own endogenous production of Testosterone will be suppressed and/or shut down (as a result of the anabolic steroid cycle). This is a perfect description of the use of Testosterone at TRT doses during cycles, and this concept, as well as the reasons behind it, will be further expanded upon slightly very shortly in this article. Whichever the individual’s decision may be, the concept that Testosterone must be run in every single cycle is a basic stipulation of proper and responsible anabolic steroid use. It is a basic rule that Testosterone must be included in every cycle run – there are no exceptions to this rule.

Why Must Testosterone Be Included In Every Cycle?
Testosterone is, quite plainly, the original anabolic steroid; it is the body’s primary androgen that is necessary for a myriad of proper physiological functions. It is a hormone that is manufactured naturally inside all humans and the majority of animal species. It is because of this that Testosterone is considered the safest anabolic steroid, as mentioned many times throughout this article. It cannot be stressed enough that this is because it is the hormone within each human being that is already secreted, already utilized, and is already accustomed to. The logic then follows that the use of Testosterone for the purpose of performance and physique enhancement is easily described as the act of presenting greater amounts of a hormone that the body already secretes and utilizes into the body in order to maximize levels of these hormones for a temporary period (a cycle).
It is through this logic that it has also been determined, as a solid ground rule to anabolic steroid use, that every single first cycle for should always be a cycle of Testosterone-only (any selected variant of Testosterone) as their very first cycle. Testosterone-only cycles introduce the user to a safer anabolic steroid (Testosterone) that the human body has been previously accustomed to naturally for many years prior, as all human beings previously manufacture and utilize Testosterone endogenously. What this opens for the individual anabolic steroid user is the ability to gauge their reaction to the most basic anabolic steroid, Testosterone. It is the result of this gauging procedure that the user can assess his potential reactions and responses to other anabolic steroid analogues and derivatives. This is because the rationale behind the process dictates that there is a high probability that if an individual responds nastily in various undesirable manners to a basic Testosterone cycle, then there will likely be a greater probability of the individual responding in an even worse manner to the majority of other anabolic steroids, which of course are essentially modified analogues of Testosterone.

Illegal Steroids

Anabolic steroids are the steroids of particular interest that receive all of the negative attention in the media and on the television. They are the illegal steroids in the United States and a few other nations in the world, while other types of steroids are not illegal at all in most Western countries. The legality of anabolic steroids varies quite a bit, with relatively few countries imposing very strict control on them while in the vast majority of countries they are not illegal. In the United States, illegal steroids are placed under the Schedule III category of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which was originally imposed via the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. This makes the posession, use, distribution, manufacture, buying, and selling of illegal steroids a felony with criminal punishments. Illegal steroids in the UK are classified as Class C controlled drugs by way of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which was enstated on November 1st, 1996. In the UK, it is not illegal to possess or use anabolic steroids, but it is illegal to manufacture, supply, sell, or import licensed approval. In Canada, almost the exact same is true where illegal steroids are permitted for personal possession and use, but the sale, distribution, importation, and manufacture is illegal. This is made possible by virtue of the fact that anabolic steroids in Canada are classified as Schedule IV substances under the CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) of Canada, whereby any items classified under Schedule IV are permitted for personal use and possession, but not for the reasons previously stated.

The rest of the world expresses very few or no laws in regards to anabolic steroids. Only a very small handful of countries in the world have adopted laws towards illegal steroids that are as draconian as the United States, with perhaps a handful in Western Europe. This also includes Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal, where illegal steroids hold generally the same status as in the United States (any and all forms of possession outside of prescription use is deemed criminal). Otherwise, those steroids that are typically deemed ‘illegal steroids’ in the United States or other similar Western nations, are not illegal in the rest of the world. An example of a couple of countries where anabolic steroids are freely and legally available without a prescription are Mexico and Thailand, which are common locations whereby individuals will purchase and consume anabolic steroids, and are also known as popular hubs for the black market illegal steroid trade.

What Makes Illegal Steroids Illegal?

The concept of anabolic steroids being illegal is a very relative one, and it is very relative to the United States, which is the very first nation that has expounded the idea that anabolic steroid use is necessarily a bad thing, and subsequently pressured other nations into siding with its anti-steroid sentiment. The reason for anabolic steroids obtaining the legal status that it has in the United States (and the West in general) is an extremely deep and rich subject that could be debated for ages on end. Illegal steroids have been deemed as such for many difference reasons, ranging from the claims that they provide an unfair advantage in professional sports to the supposed claims concerning the negative health effects. Some might claim that the justifications for the legal status of anabolic steroids in the United States are absent and void of any validity, while there are staunch supporters that the public must be protected from the abuse of these drugs. Whatever the case may be, it is very evident that the moral justifications for the legal status of anabolic steroids are very grey ones. For example, a close look at the records of the discussions and debates on the hearing floors of the Congressional hearings on anabolic steroids in 1990 will reveal the fact that the overwhelming majority of the pages of transcripts are filled with discussion concerning their ability to enhance athletic performance. This comes as quite a surprise considering the public is constantly told by the government and the media that the sole reason for the criminalization of anabolic steroids is to control the health risks associated with their use. 

Fat Loss Steroids

One of the most common questions asked is; what are the best fat loss steroids? Anabolic steroids, which will lead to a greater reduction in body fat than others do exist actually. Whilst it can be said that all anabolic steroids will aid in fat loss, some are better than others at this action. But it should be understand all anabolic steroids, whether oral or injectable can be put in the same category as fat loss steroids. In other sections of this site we have discussed some of the most popular steroids in existence, some of which, can be classified as fat loss steroids, as apposed to anabolic steroids more inept to putting mass or lean tissue on the users frame. Some of the other more popular drugs or agents used primarily for fat loss are not actually fat loss steroids, but other drugs and compounds thought to be anabolic steroids.

What Are Fat Loss Steroids?

Fat loss steroids can be steroids that increase or decrease a number of bodily functions or factors that can mean the user burns more fat. These mechanisms vary, but in the simplest of terms anabolic steroids that either increase muscle mass (most do) or those that reduce adipose tissue can be classified as fat los steroids. But that doesn’t really tell us much as all anabolic steroids would be in this group. So in simple terms:

    The more muscle mass we carry the more calories we burn
    Anabolic steroids increase lean body mass (LBM)
    Added mass increases energy expenditure

Almost all anabolic steroids can yield the above anabolic effects, but some can directly reduce excess body fat. These anabolic steroids can be classified as fat loss steroids and some are more effective than others. You may or may not already be familiar with Trenbolone or Winstrol (Stanozolol) by now, but these two along with Anavar are some of the most popular anabolic steroids ever used. These steroidal agents are primarily used for fat loss, although Trenbolone can be used as part of a mass gaining cycle or phase. Al three anabolic steroids have a large impact on fat cells, although each also increases muscle mass at varied degrees. These three steroids are often part of a bodybuilders cutting cycle or when leading to competition. Anabolic steroids that are also excellent and more favourable compounds for fat reduction, other anabolic steroids do exist that can also be known as fat loss steroids.

These below steroids are commonly part of cutting cycles as opposed to bulking, mass or offseason steroid stacks.

    Winstrol (Stanozolol)
    Boldenone Unddeclynate (Equipoise)
    Trenbolone
    Anavar (Oxandrolone)
    Primobolan (Methenolone)
    Masteron (Drostanolone)
    Testosterone (Sustanon, Enanthate, Cypionate, Propionate)

Drugs Not Fat Loss Steroids

Some of the most popular compounds that are thought to be steroids, or somewhat affiliated to anabolic steroids, are those attributed to fat loss. If it’s not in the group of above discussed anabolic steroids, its simply not a steroid, but another drug. These include mostly stimulants and other thermogenics as well as Human Growth Hormone. Although its often referred to as the steroid black market, this market involves the illegal sale and distribution of many other drugs, performance enhances and ancillaries. From SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators), such as, Nolvadex, to dopamine agonists, such as, Cabergoline, the market is full of other performance enhancing agents. So its easy to confuse a stimulant, such as, Clenbuterol as an anabolic steroid, or fat loss steroid in this instance. Its not and neither are a group of other drugs.

    Clenbuterol (Clen)
    Albuterol
    Ephedrine
    Cytomel (T3)

The above are stimulants, whilst Cytomel (T3) is a synthetic thyroid hormone. These drugs often have medical benefits, such as, the treatments for asthma, hypertension, shock and hyperthyroidism. These drugs are not fat loss steroids, but are inherently used for the reduction of adipose tissue or excess body fat. In fact, these drugs are probably more effective than fat loss steroids, but this comes down to personal preference. Stimulants increase energy expenditure, lipolysis and fat oxidation, similar to fat loss steroids, but their action of these processes is more magnified than anabolic steroids.

Human Growth Hormone is another compound often thought to be an anabolic steroid but isn’t. Its actually a peptide hormone and is a potent weapon against unwanted excess fat. HGH is often used as part of a long cycle containing both fat loss steroids or bulking steroids, depending on the users goals. One thing is for sure, HGH needs to be run for months, not weeks, if lean muscle mass is the objective or fat loss is wanted. Fat loss from Human Growth Hormone can be like no other fat loss steroid or stimulant when run correctly. 

Masteron vs Equipoise – Which is Better to Gain Muscle?

Is Masteron or Equipoise the better steroid to gain muscle? The answer depends on how it’s being looked at.

Effectiveness milligram per milligram: One way is, having the rest of a stack already, and wanting to add X mg of boldenone, or the same mg of Masteron. To some extent it would depend on what the rest of the stack was, but in most cases I’d call this a pretty even match.

Cost per milligram: Another would be, having the rest of a stack already, and having $X to spend on either boldenone or Masteron. Usually the answer would be, whichever is cheapest per mg. I think this would usually be the boldenone but not always.

Side effects: Still another would be, having the rest of a stack already, and picking appropriate doses for each drug, considering side effects. Depending on preferences or on the rest of the stack, Masteron would win in many cases; boldenone in some others.

When looking at side effects, it’s always necessary to look at the sum total of the stack. Too often an individual component gets blamed, when the problem is that that the total was simply too much, and omission of another of the compounds would also have avoided the problem.

Don’t think Masteron is the slightest bit worse than anything else when it comes to hair loss or effect on the prostate for any given amount of anabolic effect. But if you had what was a substantial steroid dosage already and then added another steroid to it, the total could easily be more than personally suitable for you.

However if you used it alone and found it unsuitably harsh for you, that would be a different story. That would be unusual though: I’ve never encountered it.

Single steroid stack: THEN you have the question of using by itself.

If mass is the only consideration and if only one can be picked, boldenone. Not recommended as the way to gain the most mass in either case.

If mass is the only consideration and there’s the option of using both: Using both.

It was Masteron propionate 100 mg/day, boldenone propionate 50 mg/day, so just over a gram per week total. Nice. Nothing wrong with it at all, I’d be fine with doing it again.

The enanthates would have been more convenient as it was an 8 week cycle and would be fine, but propionates were what was on hand.