This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

HALOTESTIN (Fluoxymesterone)

Halotestin is chemically a very interesting and complex drug. It is made by modifying testosterone with three major groups – a 17alpha-methyl group, an 11beta-hydroxy group and a 9-fluoro group (this being the group that gives the drug the chemical name ‘Fluoxymesterone’). These modifications enable it to survive the first pass through the liver, inhibit conversion to estrogen and increase its anabolic potential. However, with regard to anabolic potential, Halotestin is not really known as a muscle builder when used alone but the increases in strength and aggression gained by its use may assist the anabolic qualities of other drugs it may be stacked with due to the users accelerated training intensity. In addition, the fact that it has no estrogenic activity leads to zero water and fat retention which makes it ideal for use at the end of cutting cycles since in athletes who already have a low body-fat percentage it adds hardness and definition.

Endurance athletes may also benefit from its use since Halotestin increases the production of red blood cells and therefore cell respiration and aerobic capacity also show increases.

It is very easy to detect though, so those who enter drug-tested events would do best to steer clear of it. However, if testing is not an issue, a short cycle of Halotestin stacked with a longer cycle of Equipoise (maximum duration 4-6 weeks) will have a significant effect on VO2 max (aerobic capacity).

DOSAGE

The most important thing to remember (and take seriously) about Halotestin is that it is very liver toxic and should only be used by a select group of people who have very specific goals and who do not intend to use it for more than 4-6 weeks. It is also NOT a drug for women to even consider using.

Basically known for increasing aggression and strength, typical doses are 10-20mg/day and should never exceed 40mg. In fact, 10mg prior to a workout is often all that you need to increase strength and aggression levels. Cycles should also be kept to the aforementioned 4-6 week time frame. With Halotestin it is always recommended to play safe rather than be sorry.

Liver values and blood pressure should also be monitored when possible and the use of liver protecting agents such as Milk Thistle is advised throughout its use.
As far as stacking is concerned, it may stack well with Winstrol or be added for the last 4 weeks of a cycle of Boldenone, Methenolone or Trenbolone – this will give an extra density and hardness to the physique.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

Anavar is one of those drugs that have attained cult status amongst athletes over the years. It has also become relatively hard to find and also fairly pricey. This puts it high on the ‘purchase it while you can and keep it stashed away’ list for many bodybuilders.

Anavar is also an extremely popular drug amongst female athletes who wish to avoid many of the side effects associated with anabolic steroid use (but more of that later).

Anavars near legendary status is due to the fact that it causes a strong strength gain without increasing water retention. It does this by stimulating the creation of phosphocreatine in the muscle cell without depositing water in either the joints or the muscles. Powerlifters often choose to combine Anavar with Halotestin to foster the strength and aggression required in their sport.

Another notable bonus with Anavar use is that this compound does not aromatize at any level. This provides the athlete with many benefits since it allows for a very hard and ripped appearance to evolve – making it the number one pre-contest drug. Another asset pre-contest is the fact that many users have noticed a distinct suppression of appetite whilst on the drug. Athletes preparing for a contest who are interested in gaining quality muscle would be advised to combine Anavar with steroids such as Winstrol, Parabolan, Primabolan Depot and Testosterone Propionate (check out these products elsewhere on our site). In this respect, a stack of Winstrol 50mg every two days, 50mg Testosterone Propionate every two days, and 25mg Anavar every day has proven to be very effective.

It is important to point out that Anavar is a 17 alpha alkylated oral steroid – an alteration that does put extra stress on the liver. However, despite this fact it is important to point out that Anavar is usually very well tolerated and whilst an elevation in liver enzymes is generally noted during use, actual damage to the liver is not usually a problem. It appears that Anavar is not as extensively metabolized by the liver as other 17 alpha alkylated orals.However this is not a green flag to allow you to take huge amounts of this drug, since side effects are always dose related.

SUGGESTED DOSAGES
Men: 20- 50mg/day
Women: 5- 15mg/day

Tablets are normally taken two to three times daily after a meal to ensure optimum absorption. This prevents the occurrence of gastrointestinal disturbances which some individuals may experience with this drug. The nausea, bloating and diarrhea sometimes encountered with Anavar use is due to its effect on the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. If you suffer these effects you may wish to try administering the drug one to two hours after a meal.

STACKING
Primobolan and Winstrol are often stacked with Anavar in order to achieve a harder, more defined look without water retention. Male athletes may also stack Anavar with strong non-aromatizing compounds like Halotestin, Pro-viron or Trenbolone.
Some athletes also choose to utilize Anavar in traditional bulking cycles, stacking it with Dianabol or Testosterone. The goal here would be a gain of strength to accompany the bulk gains facilitated with D-bol and Test.

ANAVAR FOR WOMEN
Women who wish to avoid the masculinizing effects of many steroids are often very happy with the results obtained on moderate dosages of Anavar. In this case a dose of 5mg day should produce significant growth without side effects. Less cautious females may combine Anavar with Winstrol, Primobolan or Deca Durabolin for faster, more pronounced muscle building effects. This may also increase the likelihood of androgenic build up and – if this is a concern – drugs should be discontinued on the first signs of masculinization (e.g. deepening of voice or increasing hoarseness, accelerated body hair growth -particularly on the face)

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.