Top 5 Steroids for Weight Loss (Fat Loss)

Anabolic steroids are often associated with gaining exceptional amounts of muscle hypertrophy and strength, which is medically what they were designed for: treating patients with cachexia (muscle wasting conditions).

Although the sole goal of anabolic steroids is to promote weight gain, we have discovered that increases in muscle mass frequently coincide with concurrent fat loss (1).

Also, researchers have found that certain steroids are better than others for burning fat, which is why bodybuilders cycle similar compounds when cutting in an attempt to accelerate lipolysis (fat loss) and increase muscle definition.

It is somewhat deceptive to say the following compounds listed in this article are the best steroids for weight loss because, although they will enhance fat burning, they also simultaneously add lean muscle tissue, ultimately causing weight gain.

Thus, the scales may not reflect dramatic weight loss, but the mirror will.

A more accurate description of the AAS’ below are the best steroids for fat loss (not weight loss).

5 Best Steroids for Fat Loss

1. Anavar

Anavar not only causes weight loss in terms of lipolysis (fat loss), but it also has diuretic qualities, flushing out extracellular water.

Thus, we have found users will not only become leaner and more toned on Anavar, but they will also achieve a smaller waist and relieve any bloating.

The scales may not be the best measuring apparatus for monitoring fat loss on Anavar, as this steroid simultaneously produces moderate lean muscle gains. We have found hydrostatic weighing to be the most accurate method for measuring body fat.

All anabolic steroids will have some fat-burning properties because they are all forms of exogenous testosterone.

We see that bodybuilders typically have lower subcutaneous fat but higher visceral fat after taking anabolic steroids. This increase in visceral fat (around the internal organs) is caused by insulin resistance via estrogen dominance (commonly caused by steroids that aromatize).

However, one unique trait of Anavar is that it doesn’t aromatize into estrogen or directly affect estrogen receptors. Thus, not only does Anavar reduce subcutaneous fat mass but also visceral fat. Therefore, we see our patients’ stomachs becoming smaller and more defined after Anavar cycles.

In contrast, bodybuilders who take estrogenic steroids can end up having more toned abs (due to less subcutaneous fat) while possessing a more bloated or distended stomach (an increase in visceral fat).

Another reason why Anavar is arguably the best steroid for weight loss (fat loss) is due to its safety profile. Anavar is a medical treatment for cachexia (2) that has received FDA approval and is frequently well-tolerated by both women and children.

Thus, due to Anavar’s low toxicity, we find that users generally do not experience any obvious side effects when taking this compound. However, if abused with excessive dosages or overextended cycles, dangerous side effects can occur.

Anavar is also one of the few steroids women can take to safely burn fat and increase muscle tone, with it seldom causing virilization effects in our experience (when taken in conservative dosages).

Anavar cycle for men

Anavar cycle for women

Here are some before and after pictures demonstrating potential fat loss from an Anavar cycle:

Note how the woman above didn’t actually lose any weight (+2 kg), yet she experienced dramatic fat loss.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

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2. Winstrol

Winstrol (Stanozolol) is a similar anabolic steroid to Anavar, in regards to both of them being DHT derivatives and having potent fat-burning and lean mass-building properties.

If we were ranking the best steroids for weight loss (or ‘fat loss’), Winstrol would likely take the top spot. However, it comes behind Anavar on our list simply because it has more toxic side effects.

Bodybuilders often cycle Winstrol during cutting phases to get as lean and ripped as possible, maximizing muscle definition.

Winstrol not only burns a little more fat than Anavar, but it will also flush out more water. This may be a bonus for those looking to get as lean as possible, but it is also a possible disadvantage for bodybuilders as they are likely to lose some intracellular muscle fullness.

Like Anavar, Winstrol does not aromatize, and thus it burns both subcutaneous and visceral fat stores.

Winstrol, however, causes significant fluctuations in LDL/HDL cholesterol levels, based on our lipid profile tests, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Winstrol is also an oral compound that is c-17 alpha-alkylated. Because of this, we often see significant increases in AST and ALT liver enzymes, which means the liver is under a lot of stress.

Winstrol will also cause testosterone levels to shut down due to damage to the HPTA axis. Users often experience their natural testosterone levels returning several months after taking Winstrol (assuming they don’t take any other anabolic substances following post-Winstrol cessation). Our patients typically see endogenous testosterone levels return to normal levels within 45 days with an effective PCT.

Winstrol is not female-friendly, unlike Anavar, with the former being the culprit for many cases of virilization at our clinic. If you want to avoid masculinization, Anavar is a better choice for women. The only exception would be if females took very small doses of Winstrol and utilized short cycles, in which case women are likely to retain their femininity.

Winstrol cycle for men

Winstrol cycle for women

3. Turinabol

Turinabol is a Dianabol derivative, which may surprise some considering Dianabol is mainly used as a mass-building agent.

Turinabol is a ‘dry’ anabolic steroid, whereas Dianabol is a ‘wet’ compound. This is due to Turinabol failing to aromatize, resulting in lean and dry muscle gains, whereas Dianabol can cause water retention and bloating.

Turinabol also does not pose any risk in terms of gynecomastia, making it a very effective and coveted anabolic steroid that can be successfully utilized during bulking or cutting cycles.

We see Turinabol users build moderate amounts of muscle and burn noticeable amounts of fat, similar to the potency of Winstrol but with more muscle fullness.

Turinabol is arguably the best steroid for weight loss (fat loss) if users are planning on incorporating regular cardio into their training split.

This is because it is among the best AAS for muscular endurance; thus, cardiovascular performance will vastly improve due to a notable increase in red blood cell production.

The actual purpose of Turinabol’s creation was to improve endurance, specifically in German swimming athletes. German scientists had previously observed Dianabol increasing muscular strength and power, but at the cost of excessive weight gain.

Thus, they created a compound virtually identical to Dianabol, with the exception of an extra 4-chloro alteration of clostebol. This meant that athletes could carry less weight yet experience superior athletic performance.

Therefore, if someone were to combine anabolic steroids with regular cardio or HIIT (high-intensity interval training), Turinabol may indirectly help them burn more fat by increasing the intensity and duration of workouts. Calorie expenditure is also likely to increase.

In our experience, Turinabol is a milder steroid in terms of side effects, presenting less toxicity to the liver and heart than Winstrol. Female athletes wanting to avoid masculinization will be safer taking Turinabol than most other AAS, as women frequently took Tbol during the 60s and 80s.

However, virilization cases did sporadically appear, especially when female athletes started combining turinabol with other anabolic steroids, such as Testosterone and Deca Durabolin. Thus, despite some promise, until more research is completed on the virilization effects of turinabol in an isolated environment, it may be wise for women to opt for Anavar (a more thoroughly researched compound in medicine for almost six decades).

Turinabol cycle for men

Turinabol cycle for women

4. Trenbolone

If we ignore side effects completely, trenbolone is perhaps the best steroid for fat loss (subcutaneous) and superior to all other anabolic steroids on the market.

We have found trenbolone to possess exceptional muscle-building and fat-burning effects, making it a powerful bulking or cutting steroid. Its impressive fat-burning capabilities can be attributed to its strong androgenic nature, with androgen receptors shown to stimulate lipolysis in adipose tissue (3). This occurs due to an increase in beta-adrenoceptors and adenylate cyclase activity.

Trenbolone also does not aromatize, keeping estrogen levels low and ensuring additional weight loss in the form of water.

The reason that trenbolone ranks low on our list of the top 5 steroids for weight loss (fat loss) is due to its harsh side effects and increased progesterone.

We commonly see trenbolone causing significant surges in LDL cholesterol, posing serious cardiovascular risks to users, and dramatically increasing the chance of developing hypertension.

Trenbolone also causes notable testosterone suppression due to damage to the HTPA. We have had patients report low testosterone symptoms for several months post-cycle, such as decreased well-being, libido, energy, and erectile quality (4), before reaching out for help.

Trenbolone also has the potential to greatly increase male pattern baldness via sharp elevations in DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

Unfortunately, trenbolone can actually cause an increase in visceral fat, which is frequently a result of rising female sex hormones. Although there is no notable aromatization or estrogen activity with trenbolone, we have found that progesterone mimics the same fat-storing effects of trenbolone.

Thus, users can experience a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat at the expense of an increase in visceral fat, causing a leaner yet more bloated appearance to the midsection.

Trenbolone is not suitable for women to take if they want to avoid masculinization.

Trenbolone cycle for men 

Note: Weight loss (fat loss) will occur faster when taking Trenbolone Acetate, in our experience. This is a short ester, and thus it peaks in users’ systems sooner than taking a longer Trenbolone ester (enanthate).

5. Testosterone

Testosterone is an FDA-approved injectable anabolic steroid, often prescribed in medicine for endogenous testosterone deficiency (5).

Bodybuilders have been using testosterone since it came to the market almost a century ago, assisting in building large amounts of muscle and strength. We have found testosterone’s fat-burning effects to be underrated, with it being a potent compound for reducing subcutaneous fat mass (6).

Its ability to burn fat surpasses that of many other anabolic steroids due to its high androgenicity (similar to Trenbolone).

However, testosterone does aromatize, and thus weight gain in the form of water is common and may lead to temporarily reduced muscle definition and bloating (especially in individuals following a moderate to high sodium diet).

Testosterone’s estrogenic effects may cause visceral fat storage. Although this type of fat is invisible (hidden internally around the organs), it can cause a distended look to the waistline.

However, testosterone takes the last spot on our top steroids for weight loss (fat loss) list due to its impressive safety profile. No anabolic steroid is 100% safe, especially when bought via an underground lab and taken without expert medical supervision. However, testosterone is an FDA-approved medicine, and thus it has proven to be safe when taken in the correct dosages when treating hormone imbalances or cachexia states. However, testosterone remains illegal for recreational use.

We typically see testosterone causing only mild fluctuations in cholesterol when taken in modest dosages with little hepatic toxicity. Thus, it is one of the most cardiovascular-friendly anabolic steroids available.

Its various esters come in injectable form, which may not be ideal for some users. The only exception to this is Testosterone Undecanoate, an oral form of Testosterone, otherwise known as TestoCaps. However, TestoCaps’ retail price is very expensive and a fraction of the price of injectable Testosterone esters, such as Cypionate and Enanthate.

Testosterone is not suitable for women to take due to its strong androgenic rating. We have also seen testosterone accelerate male pattern baldness in men, as well as oily skin and acne vulgaris.

Testosterone cycle for men

Dosages can increase up to 500 mg/day, with cycles extending to 12 weeks based on a user’s level of experience. Although higher dosages will increase fat loss, they also increase the risk and severity of side effects.

Here is a before-and-after photo demonstrating the typical fat-burning effects of testosterone from a typical first cycle.

Summary

There are no ‘best steroids for weight loss‘, as all AAS will cause weight gain. However, the above compounds are the best steroids for fat loss.

In terms of safety and suitability for both men and women, Anavar can be regarded as the best steroid for fat loss due to its mild effect on cholesterol, liver, testosterone suppression, and low incidents of virilization in our female patients.

If users are more willing to risk their health and are unable to afford Anavar’s high market price, they may opt for Winstrol (a more powerful fat burner). However, females should take a very low dosage of Winstrol to avoid virilization, as outlined.

All of the anabolic steroids listed above will cause significant muscle gain, which can assist in improving body composition. Additional muscle mass will also help to elevate a person’s metabolic rate, indirectly helping them to burn more fat.

Muscle gain occurring alongside fat loss is advantageous, as rapid or excessive weight loss through dieting can result in sagging (due to muscle loss). Having adequate levels of muscle mass will help to give a lift to the muscles, decreasing the impact of gravity over time while also increasing muscle tone.

To maximize fat loss and weight loss, users should eat in a calorie deficit (-500 calories per day), which will also maximize muscle retention. We have found that calorie deficits greater than this (starvation diets) can lead to water storage and muscle loss.

Co Authors :

Dr. Thomas O'Connor, MD, PA

For TRT inquiries, please contact Dr. O’Connor via the Anabolic Doc App.

Over the last 20 years, Dr. O’Connor has successfully treated thousands of men who have taken anabolic steroids, SARMs, and other PEDs, giving him first-hand experience of their effects. Board-certified MD since 2005.

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