Anavar vs. Trenbolone: Two Steroids That Are Not the Same

Anavar (oxandrolone) and trenbolone are two anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders to burn fat and build muscle.

Anavar is predominantly viewed as a cutting steroid. However, trenbolone can also be used as a bulking steroid, with it displaying powerful anabolic (muscle-building) and fat-burning properties. Women typically do not take trenbolone due to a high risk of masculinization.

Anavar vs. Trenbolone: How Do Their Positive Effects Compare?

Administration

Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas trenbolone is an injectable. Thus, some users may prefer the convenience of administering Anavar.

Muscle Gains

We have found trenbolone to be among the most potent bulking steroids for building lean muscle tissue. Weight gain may not be as much compared to wet bulking steroids, such as Dianabol or Anadrol, but the overall net gain of muscle tissue is equal to or more.

• We have seen users gain 20–30 pounds of lean muscle from a single trenbolone cycle.
• Anavar is not viewed as a bulking steroid, as it only builds moderate amounts of muscle. Users can expect to gain 10–15 pounds of muscle on Anavar.

As trenbolone and Anavar do not aromatize, they both produce dry muscle gains without any water retention or bloating. This consequently increases muscle definition and vascularity during cycles.

Strength Gains

Trenbolone is a steroid utilized by various powerlifters due to its potency and androgenicity. Anavar is also effective for increasing muscular strength, although not to the same degree as trenbolone.

We have seen trenbolone users add 50 pounds to their bench press from their first cycle, despite it not causing any water retention.

Fat Loss

Trenbolone is usually utilized during bulking cycles, where users eat in a calorie surplus, whereas Anavar is typically taken when users eat in a calorie deficit. Thus, it is difficult to gauge and compare the actual fat-burning effects of each compound.

However, anecdotally, we see increased fat loss in Anavar users, which may be attributed to increased T3 (triiodothyronine) levels and improved insulin sensitivity.

Trenbolone may not burn as much fat as Anavar, but its high androgenicity and potency enable it to burn noticeable amounts of subcutaneous fat. Thus, trenbolone is arguably the best bulking steroid for reducing fat mass.

Anavar vs. Trenbolone: Which Is the Harsher Compound?

Anavar is considered one of the least toxic anabolic steroids, with it being FDA-approved in medicine and even used by women and children in research (1).

Trenbolone, however, is one of the most toxic anabolic steroids that has never received FDA approval for human use.

Liver Toxicity

Despite Anavar being a milder anabolic steroid than trenbolone, it will cause higher elevations of ALT and AST enzymes, marking liver stress. This is due to it being C-17 alpha-alkylated, and thus it must be metabolized by the liver in order for it to become active.

Trenbolone, however, is an injectable steroid, and thus direct entry into the bloodstream prevents any hepatic complications.

We have seen 500 mg/day of TUDCA provide hepatoprotective effects in studies; thus, it may be an advantageous supplement for those taking orals (2).

Cholesterol

Due to Anavar’s milder nature, cholesterol levels do not rise excessively. Thus, it is one of the least harmful anabolics for cardiovascular health, alongside:

• Testosterone
• Deca Durabolin

Trenbolone, however, is very cardiotoxic, according to existing research (3). We typically see a significant reduction in HDL combined with a sharp rise in LDL during tren cycles, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

We advise users on trenbolone or other cardiotoxic steroids to:

• Follow a ketogenic diet.
• Take 4 grams of fish oil per day.
• Perform regular cardiovascular exercise.

Existing studies indicate that the above protocols can lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol, and enhance vasodilation, effectively reducing blood pressure.

Hair loss

Anavar is a DHT-derived anabolic steroid, so it can accelerate hair loss in genetically sensitive users.

• Trenbolone, in our experience, is more likely to cause shedding than Anavar due to its high androgenicity.
• This side effect is individualized, as we see some IFBB bodybuilders take androgenic steroids for years and have a full head of hair. Whereas other bodybuilders only run a few cycles and lose significant amounts of hair. Thus, anabolic steroids accelerate a person’s natural balding process.

Acne

Tren may overstimulate the sebaceous glands in genetically sensitive users, causing acne vulgaris. Anavar is less likely to do this, although it is a possible side effect for those with naturally oily skin, increasing the risk of blocked pores.

Prostate

Studies have shown that prostate enlargement is a possible side effect of anabolic steroids, including Anavar and trenbolone, potentially making it more difficult to urinate.

Testosterone Suppression

In our experience, Anavar causes moderate testosterone suppression, while trenbolone shuts it down.

Thus, an aggressive PCT should be utilized after tren to help the HPTA recover. Doing so could help restore natural testosterone levels within several weeks; however, this will require multiple drugs.

We have had success combining the following medications post-cycle to treat hypogonadism:

• HCG
• Nolvadex
• Clomid

Anavar users may or may not wish to utilize PCT, but if they do, they may only require one of the above medications. Without PCT, testosterone levels may take several weeks to normalize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Anavar and Trenbolone Be Taken Together?

Anavar and trenbolone can be taken together, although we don’t see this duo too often due to Anavar being a milder anabolic and trenbolone being a harsher one. So, stacking them together will produce superior results than taking either of them alone, although adding trenbolone to Anavar significantly increases cardiac risks.

• We have found Anavar to be most optimally used by itself when cutting or paired with testosterone when trying to gain lean mass.
• We find trenbolone to be best paired with Anadrol or testosterone when bulking, although any trenbolone stack should be considered risky and only necessary for advanced steroid users who have built up tolerance to these compounds.

Summary: Which Compound Is More Favorable?

Anavar and trenbolone are unique anabolic steroids, with Anavar producing mild side effects and trenbolone producing harsh ones, based on existing research.

Anavar is more commonly utilized by beginners or advanced steroid users, whereas trenbolone is typically only utilized by the latter.

Additional differences:

• Trenbolone is a bulking compound, whereas Anavar is best suited for cutting.
• Anavar can be taken by women, however, trenbolone is likely to cause masculinizing side effects.
• Anavar is an oral steroid and trenbolone is an injectable.
• Anavar can be expensive, whereas trenbolone is typically inexpensive.

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