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.

Testosterone Enanthate is an oil based injectable steroid, which is designed to slowly release testosterone from the injection site. This slow release delivery leads to an elevation in testosterone levels lasting for approximately two weeks (it may even take as long as three weeks for the drug levels to fully diminish). Due to its relatively long activity level, Testosterone Enanthate is favored by the medical profession and is primarily used to treat cases of hypogonadism and similar disorders where low androgen levels are at fault.
As with all testosterone products it has strong anabolic and androgenic activity. Gains in strength and muscle mass are notable, along with an increase in libido. It has also been noted that a relief in tendon pain and an increase in stamina are direct effects of testosterone administration. This is probably due to increased water retention coupled with an increase in red blood cells – leading to a greater oxygen uptake in the blood.

On the downside, all the usual androgenic side effects can be expected e.g. oily skin, acne, aggressiveness, facial/body hair growth and male pattern baldness. In addition, testestosterone does have a high tendency to convert into estrogen (related side effects being water retention, storage of excess body fat and possible gynecomastia (the development of breast like tissue in males). This can be greatly reduced by adding a drug such as Nolvadex (or, if your budget can stretch to it, the superior Arimidex). However, the use of anti-estrogens during a cycle of testosterone is thought by some to reduce the anabolic effects of the drug, so you may wish to see whether their use is absolutely necessary before using them. You may also choose to add them towards the end of your cycle rather than throwing them into the mix early and risking slightly lower gains.
If you do begin to experience a little puffines in the nipple area, swelling or soreness you should act immediately to treat it by either adding an anti-estrogen or switching to another compound as your main drug.

Although this drug does have a long active life, most athletes choose to inject it on a weekly basis with the dosage ranging from 250mg- 750mg. This is done in an attempt to keep drug levels at a more uniform level throughout the cycle. Just remember, the higher the dose the more likely estrogenic side effects are to develop – so start out low to asses your tolerance.

STACKING TIPS: Those looking for greater bulk could add an oral like Anadrol 50 or Dianabol.

For more quality and definition an injectable like DecaDurabolin or Equipoise may be a better way to go. In this case you can lower the intake of Enanthate in order to keep estrogen build up to a minimum.

USER FEEDBACK: Those who have used this drug find it produces significant weight and strength gains with side effects well within the tolerable range provided dosages are kept at acceptable levels. Greater stamina and an overall feeling of well being have also been widely reported.

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.

(Testosterone blend: 30mg Testosterone Propionate, 60mg Testosterone Phenylpropionate, 60mg Testosterone Isocaproate, 100mg Testosterone Decanoate)

Sustanon 250 is an oil based injectable testosterone blend. Its popularity lies in the fact that it presents the user with a blend of four different testosterone esters: Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Isocaproate and Decanoate. This allows for a fast yet sustained release of testosterone which stays active in the system for around three weeks.

The Propionate and Phenylpropionate esters are the first to be released in the system and take effect within the first four days, whilst the Isocaproate and Decanoate remain active for two to three weeks respectively. This supplies the user with the obvious advantage of more sustained testosterone levels throughout its active life – unlike the shorter activity of other testosterone products. However, despite this fact, some athletes choose to inject Sustenon at a dose of 250mg every seven to ten days. As with all drugs, higher doses have been reported with some using 750-1000mg/week but this is not advisable since side effects are likely to increase hand in hand with dosage.

Talking of side effects, you can expect all the usual testosterone related ‘suspects’ to manifest e.g. oily skin, body/facial hair growth, premature balding and elevated estrogen levels which can also produce noticeable water retention. However, due to its slow and sustained release, Sustanon 250 does seem to aromatize (convert to estrogen) at a lower rate than other testosterones. There are always going to be some individuals who are more susceptible to estrogen conversion than others and therefore the addition of an anti-estrogen such as Nolvadex may be necessary.

Sustenon will also suppress natural testosterone production so it may also be necessary to add HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) and/or Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) at the conclusion of your cycle in order to avoid a hormonal crash. Keep in mind the fact that Sustenon will remain active in the body for up to a month after your last injection, therefore HCG or Clomid use should be delayed by two or three weeks until your blood androgen levels begin to display a significant decline.

STACKING TIPS: Athletes whose focus is gaining size and strength should find that adding orals such as Anadrol 50 or Dianabol produces the desired result.
Meanwhile, those seeking a harder, more defined, look should look to Trenbolone or Winstrol as a supplementary drug.

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.

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.

Dianabol is one of those drugs that seem to have gained a ‘cult’ following over the years. Originally introduced in 1960, it soon gained the tag “Breakfast of Champions”. Whether this tag is deserved or not, Dianabol still remains one of the most popular bodybuilding staples to this day.

Similar to testosterone and Anadrol 50, Dianabol is a powerful substance with a great effect on protein metabolism. It also promotes calcium storage in the bones and is believed to have a strengthening effect on the whole system. A weight gain of 2-4 pounds per week in the first six weeks is usually observed which is accompanied by significant strength gains.

On the down side, it does have fairly noticeable side effects. Being quite estrogenic, gynecomastia (growth of female like breast tissue in males) could be a concern and water retention can become pronounced. For this reason sensitive individuals may wish to add an anti-estrogen such as Nolvadex or preferably Arimadex when using this drug. Androgenic side effects are also common and may manifest as bouts of oily skin, acne, body/facial hair growth as well as aggression.

Due to its androgenic effects, Dianabol is really only popular with male athletes. However, women who choose to experiment with it usually find low doses (5mg/day) produce significant gains in muscle growth.

For men a daily dosage of 4-5 tablets (20-25mg) is enough to produce dramatic results. Some do go higher than this but it must be noted that the higher the dose the higher the incidence of side effects.

It should also be noted that Dianabol has a relatively short half-life (only 3-5 hours) which means that you should split your dose and take it twice a day in order to keep blood levels more constant (this option is strictly up to the individual).

STACKING TIPS: Dianabol stacks well with a number of steroids, however it has been known to mix particularly well with Deca-Durabolin. In fact, legendary steroid ‘guru’ Dan Duchaine once said, “If you can’t grow on Deca and Dianabol you’re not going to grow at all!”

DIET TIPS: Dianabol (along with most steroids) relies on quality protein intake in order to exhibit maximum results. It has a particular affinity with steak, so be sure to include lean red meat in your diet.

LIVER ALERT: As a c17 alpha alkylated steroid, Dianabol does give your liver a lot of extra work to do. With this in mind you might want to monitor your liver enzyme values (achieved by regular blood testing by a physician) and take liver protecting supplements such as milk thistle and NAC.

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.