5 Best Steroids for Mass: Anabolism vs. Toxicity

The primary reason people take anabolic steroids is to build muscle size and strength. In this article, we reveal the best steroids for mass and the dosages utilized by bodybuilders today.

These steroids will be ranked in order of potency from 1 to 5, with 1 producing the best results.

Note: Some of the following steroids build significant amounts of lean muscle but not overall weight or mass gain, so they are ranked lower on the list.

Dianabol

Dianabol (methandrostenolone) first became popular in the 1970s, when bodybuilders from the Golden Era heavily relied on this steroid to bulk up.

Consequently, Arnold, Franco, Zane, and others produced some of the greatest physiques of all time, still leaving fans in awe today.

Thus, it is of no surprise that Dianabol’s popularity has only increased over the last 50 years, maintaining its unofficial title of being the most popular bulking steroid on the market.

Bodybuilders in our clinic typically gain 25–30 pounds of weight during their first Dianabol cycle, with roughly two-thirds of this being lean muscle and the remaining being water retention.

Exceptional increases in muscular strength are also to be expected, with users commonly adding 50 pounds to their compound lifts.

We have seen Dianabol cause gynecomastia in users due to its estrogenic nature (1), with the aromatase enzyme being present. Thus, users may want to keep a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) close by in case their nipples start to become puffy.

We have found that SERMs, such as Nolvadex, effectively inhibit estrogenic activity in the mammary glands without affecting estrogen levels.

This is advantageous, as estrogen contributes to some of the gains experienced on-cycle (2), so blocking it is not optimal.

Dianabol is a C-17 alpha-alkylated steroid, and thus liver toxicity is certain, essentially increasing the workload on the organ. We have found that supplementation with TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) during Dianabol cycles minimizes hepatic stress, decreasing ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) enzymes.

In our experience, testosterone suppression with Dianabol is typically significant, with endogenous levels taking several months to restore to normal levels. A PCT, including a SERM such as clomiphene, can help shorten this recovery period.

Dianabol has a significant negative effect on cholesterol and blood pressure, based on our patient’s blood work. This is due to Dianabol being an oral compound that causes water retention.

Oral steroids stimulate hepatic lipase in the liver, further reducing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and thus exacerbating blood pressure. The aromatizing nature of Dianabol also causes water retention, which increases blood viscosity, reducing circulation to the heart.

Complementary steroids that are often stacked with Dianabol are:

• Deca Durabolin
• Testosterone

Anadrol

Anadrol (oxymetholone) is potentially equal to Dianabol in terms of muscle mass and weight gain, in our experience. However, Anadrol does have a tendency to cause harsher side effects; hence, why it’s ranked number two on this list.

Anadrol is very similar to Dianabol, causing impressive strength and muscle gains (3). The main difference between the two is that Anadrol is more androgenic due to it being a DHT derivative, and thus our patients experience greater hypertrophy in the trapezius and deltoid muscles on Anadrol, as well as enhanced fat loss.

Such reductions in fat mass are one of the reasons why Anadrol can sometimes be used as a cutting steroid. We have found that when users adopt low-sodium diets, they can keep extracellular water retention at bay while increasing intracellular muscle volume.

When Anadrol is taken in today’s dosages of 50–100 mg/day, we have found it to be one of the worst steroids for cholesterol and blood pressure.

Anadrol’s high toxicity is perhaps why it remains considerably less popular than Dianabol (despite offering much of the same benefits).

The nickname “A-Bombs” for Anadrol is fitting, as its physiological effects resemble dropping a bomb on the liver. We have seen extensive cycles and high doses cause excessive amounts of hepatic damage and, in some cases, cause cirrhosis.

Anadrol is very suppressive; it takes several months for endogenous testosterone levels to correct back to a normal range. PCTs are designed specifically for potent AAS like this. We typically see recovery times shorten by approximately 50% when taking effective endogenous testosterone-stimulating medications.

Some genetically sensitive bodybuilders at our clinic have experienced acne vulgaris and male pattern baldness on Anadrol. Such side effects are possible due to it being a DHT-derived compound.

Note: Anadrol is not suitable for beginners. We have seen experienced steroid users who are competing and want to run aggressive steroid cycles, even increasing the dosage to 100 mg/day. However, we advise against this.

Complementary steroids that can be stacked with Anadrol are:

• Testosterone
• Deca Durabolin

Bodybuilders also stack trenbolone with Anadrol; however, this should be viewed as highly toxic and an unnecessary stack for most users.

Testosterone

The first anabolic steroid ever created comes in third on the list. However, if we were strictly weighing up the pros and cons of each steroid, testosterone would be first.

It may not be the best steroid for mass, but it’s not far behind Dianabol or Anadrol on the anabolic scale.

Also, based on our tests, testosterone is far superior to Dianabol and Anadrol in terms of damage limitation, producing only mild side effects in moderate dosages.

This is why doctors are comfortable prescribing it to men worldwide who naturally have low testosterone.

Testosterone is commonly used as the first steroid cycle, which typically produces 20–25 lbs in mass.

Testosterone also has potent fat-burning properties, with users experiencing a notable reduction in subcutaneous fat. Thus, despite testosterone’s powerful anabolic nature, it can also be used as a cutting steroid.

A modest rise in blood pressure is to be expected on testosterone. However, out of all anabolic steroids, we have found testosterone to be the most cardiovascular-friendly.

Testosterone will decrease endogenous testosterone production, so if a person wants to maintain normal testicular function, they should only utilize testosterone in cycles as opposed to taking it all year round (blasting and cruising).

Testosterone is particularly androgenic; therefore, acne vulgaris and hair loss or recession can occur in bodybuilders susceptible to such side effects.

Complementary steroids that we see bodybuilders stack with testosterone are:

1. Dianabol
2. Deca Durabolin
3. Anadrol
4. Trenbolone

Also, several cutting steroids work well in conjunction with testosterone, including:

1. Anavar
2. Winstrol
3. Primobolan

Testosterone’s versatility makes it an optimal compound for virtually any stack.

Trenbolone

If this weren’t a list of the best steroids for mass but instead the best steroids for lean muscle, trenbolone would be number one.

In terms of pure muscle tissue being built, trenbolone can rival any bulking steroid. However, because it doesn’t cause excessive weight gain due to water loss and fat loss, it takes the 4th spot.

Trenbolone is arguably the most powerful steroid a person could take to transform their body as quickly as possible. Bodybuilders at our clinic have packed on muscle fast and burned fat at a rapid rate (with the acetate ester); thus, it could be classified as the best bulking and cutting steroid, respectively.

The downside to trenbolone is undoubtedly the harsh side effects it produces, making it only suitable for experienced steroid users.

We have seen trenbolone cause a hefty rise in blood pressure in almost all patients due to its potency and because of its stimulative effects on the central nervous system (increasing adrenaline production).

Furthermore, a lack of aromatization can exacerbate HDL cholesterol, as estrogen is cardioprotective.

Endogenous shutdown can be severe on trenbolone, and thus users will need to wait several months before their testosterone levels recover before utilizing further cycles.

Failure to leave gaps like this in-between cycles, in our experience, can lead to permanent damage to the HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular) axis.

Trenbolone has an androgenic rating of 500, indicating its potent nature in this regard. Thus, some hair thinning, recession, or loss is to be expected, with acne commonly experienced by our patients who are genetically susceptible to overstimulated sebaceous glands.

Two complementary steroids that are commonly stacked with trenbolone for more mass are:

1. Testosterone
2. Anadrol

However, users should be comfortable running trenbolone-only cycles first before thinking about stacking it with other compounds due to its high cardiotoxicity.

Deca Durabolin

Deca Durabolin (nandrolone) was a bulking steroid commonly used in the Golden Era, alongside Dianabol.

Anecdotally, we do not find Deca Durabolin to be among the most powerful steroids on this list; however, its effects on mass are not to be underestimated (especially when stacked with other bulking AAS).

Deca Durabolin doesn’t just produce impressive gains in mass but also drastically increases intracellular fluid, resulting in exceptional muscle fullness and thickness.

Furthermore, due to a lack of androgenicity, Deca Durabolin offers unique protection to hair follicles on the scalp and helps to reduce acne.

We have also seen Deca offer joint-rejuvenating qualities, which are particularly beneficial for older bodybuilders who have a history of lifting heavy.

Impotence, or Deca dick, is a common side effect reported by bodybuilders in our clinic. This occurs due to a lack of nitric oxide production (4), combined with excessive prolactin in the bloodstream on Deca Durabolin.

We have had some success in overcoming Deca dick by taking cabergoline, which reduces prolactin levels.

Another effective option is to stack Deca Durabolin with an androgenic steroid, such as testosterone, increasing nitric oxide and thus blood flow to the penis.

We often find Deca Durabolin to be very suppressive of the HPTA, and thus users should administer a PCT following cycle cessation.

Deca Durabolin will have a mild adverse effect on cholesterol levels. Although this is a side effect, numerous blood tests from our patients indicate that the severity of cholesterol alterations is much less compared to other anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids that complement Deca Durabolin are:

• Testosterone
• Anadrol
• Dianabol

The Best Stack for Mass

It is important for readers to understand that stacks will increase the severity of side effects.

In bodybuilding, the best steroid stack for mass, in terms of sheer potency, would be:

• Dianabol and Testosterone

Below is a sample steroid cycle of Dianabol and testosterone when taken together:

The above stack is not suitable for individuals seeking optimal cardiovascular, testicular, and hepatic health.

The Least Toxic Anabolic Steroid Stack

No anabolic steroid is safe, especially when obtained from the black market and used without medical supervision.

In our experience, the least toxic stack for mass would be testosterone and Deca Durabolin.

Testosterone has mild to moderate adverse effects on cholesterol and poses little to no liver toxicity.

Deca Durabolin also only impacts HDL/LDL cholesterol to a mild degree and poses no hepatotoxicity, being an injectable steroid like testosterone.

The main drawbacks we observe with Deca Durabolin are sexual side effects, impotence, and a lack of libido. However, this stack is a complementary duo, as testosterone often counteracts such side effects due to its additional androgenicity.

Below is a sample stack of testosterone and Deca Durabolin:

Muscle Retention Post Cycle

Anabolic steroids permanently affect the number of myonuclei in the muscle cell. Thus, through the concept of muscle memory, we see that hypertrophy can be restored in patients at any given time.

Therefore, users will retain the majority of muscle they gain from steroids (if they continue to lift weights and train). If users stop lifting weights and experience muscle atrophy, should they resume training in the future, the body will restore the previous muscle size in a matter of weeks.

This is why certain sporting federations are looking to ban athletes if they have ever taken steroids during their lifetime, as it has a long-term or permanent effect.

Summary

There is no best steroid for mass, from a health perspective, unless it is being taken in a legal and prescribed manner for medicinal purposes.

Bodybuilders will often have different answers regarding the best steroid for mass, depending on how their body responds to different compounds and their personal objectives.

• If a person wants to strictly gain lean mass with no water retention, trenbolone is the most efficacious compound.
• Similarly, if users want to gain as much mass as possible and are content with accumulating 10 pounds of water retention in the process, Dianabol or Anadrol are the most effective options, based on our findings.
• Testosterone meets most of the requirements for a bulking steroid, enabling significant muscle growth and fat burning in the least harmful manner. However, one should monitor for androgenic side effects like prostate hyperplasia.

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