Both Anavar and Testosterone are both significantly popular in the world of bodybuilding due to their effects on muscle and strength gain. Thus, before starting an Anavar and testosterone cycle or running them individually, it is important to understand what each compound offers.
Choosing the right compound and following the doctor’s advice is the key to a successful steroid cycle that helps meet bodybuilding goals. While Anavar is favoured for its mild effects and lean muscle growth, Testosterone is popular for significant bulking, strength gain, and endurance boost.
However, not every user might be planning to stack both, instead opting for a testosterone cycle alone or an Anavar-only cycle. Let’s take a look at Anavar vs Test to understand which is the better choice.
What’s Anavar and How Does It Work?
A derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Anavar is a 17α-alkylated oral anabolic steroid. Owing to its favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio (~10:1) and low hepatotoxicity, Anavar is clinically used to treat wasting disease.
In bodybuilding, Anavar is a popular compound chosen during cutting cycles to ensure muscle retention while creating a dry, vascular look. Taken regularly, Anavar improves protein synthesis by binding to the androgen receptors. It also improves nitrogen retention, stimulates satellite cells for muscle hypertrophy, and elevates (IGF-1) levels to aid tissue repair and recovery.
Anavar Before and After: What to Expect
The changes observed in the body before and after Anavar are distinct from other compounds:
- Lean, balanced muscle gains and maintenance of existing muscle mass during a calorie-lean diet.
- Significant strength boost due to increased phosphocreatine synthesis and improved ATP production.
- A defined, vascular look instead of rapid bulking and bloating, in contrast to results from aromatising steroids.
- Reduction of visceral fat during “cutting” and body recomp phases.
Anavar Only Cycle: Dosage, Benefits, and Side Effects
The dosage to maintain during an Anavar-only cycle, based on the experience level of the user, is as follows:
|
User Type |
Recommended Daily Dosage |
Notes |
|
Men (Beginner) |
20 – 30 mg/day | Assessing and establishing tolerance |
|
Men (Advanced) |
50 – 80 mg/day |
Regular monitoring to prevent risks of suppression |
| Women | 5 – 10 mg/day |
Lower doses due to higher androgen sensitivity |
Table 1: Dosage chart for an Anavar-only cycle.
Further, when taking Anavar, cycles should last between 6 – 8 weeks, not extending beyond this due to hepatotoxicity.
Taking Anavar for bodybuilding usually has the following benefits:
- Gaining lean mass without water retention for those seeking sharp definition and pre-contest prep.
- Lower androgenic activity manages the risk of androgenic side effects.
- Significant increase in neuromuscular strength and higher athletic output.
- Increase in RBC count for better endurance, conditioning, and recovery.
However, some may experience the following Anavar steroid side effects:
- Low but possible chances of hepatotoxicity.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular strain and atherosclerosis due to the elevation of LDL levels.
- Suppression of natural testosterone production, loss of libido, and testicular atrophy.
- Possible psychological effects include mood swings, aggression, and irritability.
- Chances of virilisation with voice deepening, hair growth, and menstrual changes in women.
Thus, a proper PCT is necessary after completing an Anavar-only cycle. Further, PCT must be started within 1 – 2 days of taking the last dose since Anavar has a short half-life of only ~9 hours.
What’s Testosterone and How It Impacts the Body?
Available in both injectable and oral forms, Testosterone is the original endogenous androgen. Thus, it is not only responsible for maintaining male reproductive health but also muscle mass, bone density, fat distribution, and energy levels. Clinically, it is used to treat hypogonadism.
Among bodybuilders, Testosterone is a popular choice for achieving greater muscle mass, performance, and recovery. It binds to androgen receptors for effective muscle growth and increases RBC production. It also aromatises to oestrogen (estradiol), which improves libido and joint health. Additionally, it affects the production of dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, influencing mood, focus, and drive.
Testosterone Cycle Before and After
Before starting a testosterone cycle, people are limited by their natural metabolism, training, and diet. Understanding the before and after testosterone cycle results is crucial for managing expectations. The typical results observed are:
- Substantial increase in lean body mass through fat-free mass gains.
- Steady strength gains observed within 3 – 6 weeks of starting the cycle.
- Significant increase in muscle size and bulk.
- Better stamina and enhanced recovery that allows higher training volume and intensity.
Testosterone Only Cycle: Dosage, Benefits, and Side Effects
When opting for a testosterone-only cycle, the dosages to follow are:
|
User Type |
Recommended Daily Dose | Notes |
|
Men (Beginner) |
200 – 300 mg/week | Assessing testosterone tolerance |
| Men (Intermediate) | 400 – 500 mg/week |
Maintaining a balanced dosage throughout the week |
| Men (Advanced) | 600 – 750 mg/week |
Regular monitoring and tests to check for suppression |
Table 2: Dosage chart for a Testosterone-only cycle.
A testosterone cycle should last between 10 and 12 weeks, as directed by the physician. Further, if you are prescribed injections, it is important not to self-administer and instead visit a healthcare practitioner for your dose.
**Testosterone should not be taken by women due to the increased risk of virilisation.
With testosterone as the anabolic steroid of choice, bodybuilders usually enjoy the following benefits:
- Lean muscle growth due to improved protein synthesis and nitrogen retention.
- Improvement in workout performance, less delayed onset muscle soreness, and faster tissue repair.
- Improved energy levels, mood, clarity, and cognitive performance.
- Improvement in libido.
However, users may also experience the following side effects:
- Oily skin, acne, and hair loss.
- Fluid retention, bloating, and gynecomastia due to aromatisation.
- Increased aggression, irritability, or depression.
- Cardiovascular, respiratory, and liver strain.
- Testicular atrophy and lowered sperm count.
As a result, completing PCT is critical after a testosterone cycle to restore the body’s natural hormone production and prevent any issues. You may also take aromatase inhibitors to manage the estrogenic effects (on medical advice).
Stacking Anabolic Steroids: Anavar Testosterone Cycle
Together, Anavar and Testosterone have complementary activity, creating a balanced hormonal environment where they compensate each other’s limitations. Anavar offers lean gains without the risk of oestrogenic effects. Testosterone drives hypertrophy while preventing suppression.
A sample protocol to follow when stacking for an Anavar-Test cycle is as follows:
- Week 1 and 2:
- Anavar: 20 mg/day
- Testosterone Enanthate: 300 mg/week
- Week 3 to 8:
- Anavar: 50 mg/day
- Testosterone Enanthate: 500 mg/week
Alternatively, you can take Anavar for the first 6 weeks and only Testosterone for the remaining time in a 12-week Anavar testosterone cycle.
However, PCT is crucial when stacking and should be completed using:
- Clomid: 50 mg/day
- Nolvadex: 20 – 40 mg/day
Whether you are planning to go for an Anavar-only cycle, just Testosterone, steroid stacking, or completing PCT, it is important to consult a doctor and obtain a prescription.
Comparing Anavar vs Test: Which is the Better Choice
To make your choice easier, let’s take a look at a side-by-side, tabular comparison of an Anavar and Test cycle:
|
Feature |
Anavar |
Testosterone |
| Primary Goal | Cutting, Lean Muscle, Strength | Bulking, Raw Strength, Muscle Mass |
| Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio | 10:1; Higher anabolic than Test; Very low androgenic | 100/100 (Balanced) |
| Administration | Oral (Tablet) | Oral (Tablet) and Injection (Cypionate/Enanthate) |
| Water Retention | Extremely Low (Dry look) | Moderate (Bloating) |
| Liver Toxicity | Yes | No |
| Estrogen Conversion | None | Yes |
| Best For | Beginners, Women, Cutting | Intermediate/Advanced, Bulking |
Table 3: A side-by-side comparison of an Anavar-only and Testosterone-only cycle.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are choosing an Anavar-only cycle or Testosterone, the first step is to account for your bodybuilding goals. Keeping these in mind, visit a doctor for a consultation and checkup, and understand which is the better choice for you. In case you are an intermediate or experienced user, you may also be asked to stack steroids for your next cycle.
Choosing Between Anavar and Testosterone for a Steroid Cycle
Planning on opting for a steroid cycle to achieve your bodybuilding goals? Seek a doctor’s advice, decide between Anavar and Testosterone, and get a prescription for one that best suits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How Long Does It Take for Anavar to Work?
Anavar has a fairly short half-life of 9 days, making it a mild yet quick-acting medication. Thus, some may feel the effects of Anavar within the first few weeks of their 6-week-long steroid cycle. However, since the effects may vary from person to person, the same might not be true for every individual.
2. Can I Gain More Muscle on Anavar or Test?
Testosterone produces significantly more muscle growth. Testosterone is the foundation of muscle building, promoting substantial hypertrophy and strength. Anavar is better suited for gaining strength and lean, “dry” muscle, but it is not effective for significant bulk.
3. Which Cycle is Better for Cutting and Fat Loss?
Anavar is the better choice for cutting. Anavar promotes lean muscle definition, increases vascularity, and helps harden muscles without causing water retention. It is a popular “cutting” agent because it preserves muscle while in a calorie deficit
4. Which Cycle is Safer for Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a side effect of all anabolic steroids. However, Anavar is generally considered less androgenic than testosterone. However, because Anavar is a DHT derivative, it can still accelerate male-pattern baldness in those who are genetically predisposed.
