Bodybuilding is viewed by many as a “taboo” sport because the illegal use of steroids is rampant in the sport.
Bodybuilders have been taking anabolic steroids since the 1970s, when legends including Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted to using them.
Fifty years ago, the dangers of steroid use were not well documented, so bodybuilders could easily obtain prescriptions from their doctors for cosmetic purposes.
Studies show that in some U.S. cities, 54% of men participating in bodybuilding competitions regularly use steroids. Ten percent of female bodybuilders do the same.
However, it is not just competitive bodybuilders who use steroids; the general public does as well. There are over 1 million steroid users in the United States, accounting for 0.5% of the adult population. An estimated 2.3% of 12th graders (ages 17–19) are also believed to be using steroids.
Why do bodybuilders use steroids?
Anabolic steroids can take a bodybuilder’s physique to a whole new level. We have seen patients gain 40–50 pounds in weight while simultaneously shedding body fat after using steroids.
Given the pressure from judges to become bigger and leaner, it is understandable why bodybuilders feel pressured to take steroids.
Social pressure may also be a reason why many non-bodybuilders use steroids; influencers on social media and reality TV shows have gained massive followings due to their chiseled physiques.
For some bodybuilders, their competitive dreams may come to an end if they stick to natural bodybuilding.
However, other bodybuilders who do not wish to compete in the IFBB Mr. Olympia or other federations may be more satisfied with their physiques. Different steroids build muscle and burn fat to varying degrees, which is why some steroids are more popular than others.
The Top 10 Steroids Commonly Used in Bodybuilding
Below are the top 10 steroids used in bodybuilding, with the pros and cons of each listed.
Testosterone
Dianabol
Anadrol
Trenbolone
Turinabol
Winstrol
Anavar
Deca-Durabolin
Equipoise
Masteron
Testosterone
Testosterone was the first anabolic steroid ever created, and it remains one of the most popular compounds today.
Testosterone produces significant gains in muscle mass and strength. It also promotes fat loss, leading to dramatic changes in body composition.
We find it is commonly used in bulking cycles aimed at increasing muscle size. Its popularity stems from its affordability, relative mildness (compared to other bulking steroids), and the fact that its side effects are not overly severe.
This is why many novice steroid users cycle testosterone alone during their first cycle.
Testosterone is primarily an injectable steroid, with the most popular esters being testosterone heptanoate, testosterone cyclopentylpropionate, testosterone propionate, and testosterone undecanoate. The latter is the only oral form of testosterone.
However, testosterone does cause side effects, including any or all of the following:
Low endogenous testosterone levels
Elevated blood pressure
Acne
Hair loss
Gynecomastia
Water retention
Dianabol
Dianabol was designed to be more anabolic than testosterone, but with less androgenic activity.
Our patients often confirm that this is indeed the case with Dianabol, as gains in muscle and strength are more pronounced compared to testosterone.
However, the difference is not significant, and testosterone remains a powerful steroid.
Dianabol is one of the most effective steroids for muscle gain and building. It is typically available in oral form, so no injections are required.
Dianabol is considered Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite steroid, and it remains highly sought-after today. It is best used during the off-season, leading to rapid weight gain.
Due to its reduced androgenicity, Dianabol is not one of the harshest steroids on the market, making it popular even among beginners (at low to moderate doses).
However, we have observed that Dianabol can cause the following side effects:
Low endogenous testosterone levels
Hepatotoxicity
High blood pressure
Water retention
Gynecomastia
Anadrol
Anadrol is a steroid similar to Dianabol that leads to significant gains in size and strength. It is arguably more potent than Dianabol, which can be attributed to the fact that it is taken in higher doses (mg/mg).
Anadrol is an oral steroid, typically available in 50 mg tablets.
In our liver function and lipid profile tests, we found Anadrol to be highly toxic, making it unsuitable for beginners. Blood pressure rises significantly when taking Anadrol; therefore, users with heart conditions may wish to avoid this steroid.
Anadrol also causes all the common side effects associated with steroids, but to a greater degree. Hepatotoxicity is also a concern, as it is processed by the liver upon ingestion (it is a 17α-alkylated anabolic steroid).
Trenbolone
In our experience, Trenbolone, like Anadrol, is a very harsh steroid. However, it remains popular among bodybuilders because of its absolute power in building lean muscle.
Tren does this without any water retention, due to its lack of aromatization and conversion to estrogen.
Consequently, bodybuilders can maintain a lean, aesthetic appearance while taking Trenbolone, rather than suffering from water retention and bloating. Users often notice increased vascularity and muscle definition due to low levels of fluid outside the muscle cells.
Trenbolone is primarily an injectable steroid, typically stacked with testosterone and Anadrol to enhance results during muscle-building cycles.
Trenbolone can also be used in cutting cycles to minimize fat while retaining or building new muscle tissue.
Although it is unlikely to place significant stress on the liver, the following side effects are commonly observed:
Elevated LDL cholesterol levels
Increased blood pressure
Hair loss
Acne
Turinabol
Turinabol, also known as Tbol, is a powerful oral steroid.
Some bodybuilders also refer to it as “Baby Dbol” (Dbol is short for Dianabol).
This nickname stems from the fact that Tbol is a derivative of Dianabol, although it is not as potent.
Turinabol does not cause water retention, so nearly all weight gain will be in the form of muscle. We have found this to be particularly beneficial for athletes looking to improve performance without carrying extra water weight.
Turinabol is not the most potent steroid for bulking; however, it will still produce noticeable gains in size and strength. Due to its “dry” nature, it is also used in cutting cycles to help users maintain muscle size while dieting.
We have found that Tbol is better at building muscle than Anavar, but weaker than Winstrol.
Turinabol generally does not cause severe side effects compared to other anabolic steroids and is relatively mild. However, we still observe elevated cholesterol levels, decreased testosterone levels, and some hepatotoxicity.
Winstrol
Winstrol (Stanozolol) produces significant muscle gains while shedding fat. This makes it an effective oral steroid that can be used during bulking or cutting cycles.
We have found that Winstrol’s muscle growth is not as pronounced as that of powerful bulking steroids such as Anadrol, Dianabol, Testosterone, or Trenbolone. Therefore, it is typically added to a stack to enhance muscle growth rather than used as the primary compound.
Winstrol is another “dry” steroid that can flush water from the body, increasing muscle definition and making bodybuilders appear leaner.
Consequently, because there is less fluid around the joints, Winstrol may place a strain on them, as it reduces the cushioning effect. The side effects of Winstrol are also severe; in our tests, ALT/AST liver values and blood pressure rose significantly.
Androgenic side effects (oily skin or hair loss) are common, and testosterone suppression may be significant after the cycle.
Anavar
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is arguably the safest steroid on the market. It helps bodybuilders build moderate muscle while burning fat.
As a result, it is commonly used during cutting phases.
Anavar is a “dry” steroid, much like Winstrol; therefore, bodybuilders appear exceptionally ripped while on a cycle.
In our experience, side effects are usually mild, which explains why Anavar remains FDA-approved for medical use and is frequently prescribed to women and children.
Beginners often take Anavar because of its safety and ease of administration (it is an oral steroid). However, Anavar on the black market can be very expensive, as oxandrolone is scarcer and more difficult to produce.
Many women also take Anavar because it is less likely to cause masculinizing side effects, such as:
Hair growth
Deepening of the voice
Enlarged breasts
Masculinized facial features
Although it is an oral steroid, we do not find Anavar to be excessively hepatotoxic, as it is also metabolized by the kidneys.
Deca
Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone) is an injectable steroid that is typically stacked with other bulking compounds to achieve significant gains during the off-season.
Deca is a slow-acting steroid that does not produce dramatic results on its own. However, when combined with Dianabol or Anadrol, for example, it can accelerate muscle building.
Deca can also increase muscle fullness, providing extra thickness to the muscles and enhancing the pump (both in and out of the gym).
Our patients generally find that Deca’s side effects are more tolerable and milder compared to other bulking steroids. However, erectile dysfunction may occur while taking Deca Durabolin due to increased prolactin and decreased DHT (and testosterone).
It is believed that Arnold took Deca Durabolin alongside Dianabol in the 1970s.
Equipoise
Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate) is an injectable steroid commonly used in veterinary medicine for horses. Equipoise is similar to Deca Durabolin, although it is a stronger and more androgenic compound than Deca. As a result, the side effects of Equipoise can be somewhat severe.
However, the gains from Equipoise may be similar to those from Deca; consequently, bodybuilders often stack Equipoise with more potent muscle-building steroids to significantly increase size and mass.
When taken alone (like Deca Durabolin), Equipoise produces slow and steady gains, with cycles typically lasting 12 to 20 weeks.
Masteron
Masteron is a DHT-derived steroid that moderately increases lean muscle mass and possesses significant fat-burning properties.
Masteron acts similarly to a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) and has strong anti-estrogenic properties, resulting in a hard, dry muscle appearance.
Masteron is not as popular as other steroids on this list, primarily because it does not add as much size or mass as other compounds.
However, we have found that Masteron’s side effects are mild compared to other cutting steroids, such as Winstrol. Therefore, it is a more desirable cutting steroid for bodybuilders who do not wish to bulk up excessively.
Bodybuilders typically use Masteron during contest preparation to achieve the leanest possible physique. We also see Masteron frequently used by CrossFit athletes seeking to increase strength and endurance without severe side effects or significant weight gain.