The judges had this one nailed, with Centopani leading the way with 12 points and ‘The Blade’ 18. Abiad (34) barely held off Wolf (36), with Ben Pakulski and Ben White rounding out the top six.

For Centopani, he added this first place trophy to his 2009 New York Pro championship and now seems destined for great things in the sport of bodybuilding. He has timed everything right in his career and does not burn himself out with multiple contests. He picks and chooses his battles and it has apparently worked out well for the Connecticut native.

At 41, Jackson does not appear to be losing much and has been the antithesis of Centopani, competing in four or more shows a year throughout his illustrious career. He had three top six finishes a year ago (fourth at the Arnold Classic, second at the Australian Pro Grand Prix and fourth at the Mr. Olympia) and is on track to match or better that.

Abiad was last seen on the stage back at the 2009 Europa Super Show, where he finished fourth. The Canadian has yet to make a name for himself as a pro but this high placing may be just the type of springboard he needed. Abiad’s physique appeared wide and conditioned on his 6’2″ frame.

Written off after not placing at the 2009 Olympia, Wolf took fifth in Las Vegas last year and remained a force to be reckoned with in California. He may have to compete more than he would have liked to so he can qualify for the O, and next month at the Arnold may be his ticket out west. If not, perhaps the New York Pro may be his destination again.

Trenbolone is one of the most popular drugs used by bodybuilders today and, when you look at the stats, it is not hard to see why. A very potent androgen with strong anabolic activity, Trenbolone is an extremely effective hardening and cutting agent. In fact, it is considered indispensable when it comes to pre contest preparation. However, it is also extremely valuable in the off-season as it creates a rapid build up of strength and muscle mass. In fact, the anabolic effect is often compared to testosterone or Dianabol with one very important difference – it does not convert to estrogen. This is what truly sets it apart, as most mass building drugs readily aromatize, leading to many estrogen related problems (e.g. water retention gynecomastia).

Due to the lack of water retention, the gains when using this drug are more easily maintained on discontinuing its use. In addition to this, a very hard and defined appearance can be achieved. Also, since gynecomastia is not an issue, there should not be any need to add an anti-estrogen as long as Trenbolone is the only steroid being used.

Due to the highly androgenic nature of this drug an increase in the burning of body fat is observed and a much tighter physique can be achieved without having to resort to extreme dieting.

TRENBOLONE- POINTS OF INTEREST

• Trenbolone is more potent than testosterone with an effect being gauged as three times as strong on a milligram for milligram basis. It is also four times as anabolic as Deca Durabolin and ten times as androgenic. This makes the majority of the weight gained on this drug lean, quality muscle.
• Trenbolone also creates an increase in the levels of the hormone IGF-1 (Insulin like Growth Factor-1) which is highly anabolic within muscle tissue.
• Trenbolone has a stronger binding affinity to the androgen receptor than testosterone. This feature is a major contributing factor to the process of anabolism and fat loss.
• By promoting nitrogen retention and protein synthesis within the muscle Trenbolone allows the food you eat and the nutritional supplements you take to be used more effectively. It also reduces levels of the catabolic hormone cortisol.
• Trenbolone is also involved in the production of red blood cells and increases the rate of glycogen replenishment (both of which contribute not only to stamina but also to recovery from workouts)

SIDE EFFECTS

A reduction in aerobic capacity is the most common complaint with Trenbolone. This is thought to be caused by bronchial dilation resulting from an increase in prostaglandin production. The condition known as “Tren Cough” is often a complaint registered with users of the Acetate version (Trenbolone is available in Acetate and Enanthate forms). Androgenic side effects may also be experienced which include oily skin, aggressive behavior, acne and hair loss. For this reason women would be advised to stay away from this drug.

DOSAGES

If using Trenbolone Enanthate, doses are normally in the 200-600mg/day, since the ester length of this drug is reasonably long. This is usually split up into twice weekly injections.

Trenbolone Acetate is usually administered in a daily dosage of 37.5 -75mg and, although a potent solitary steroid, it is often combined with other drugs for greater effect. This would be Winstrol or Primobolan for cutting purposes and Dianabol or Testosterone for mass building cycles. The addition of Dianabol or Testosterone would also increase the level of water retention experienced.

Due to the strong impact Trenbolone has on endogenous (within the body) testosterone levels the use of a drug such as HCG and/or Clomid is recommended on concluding a cycle (preferably a combination of the two). Without this strategy it may take some time for the hormonal balance to return to normal.

N.B. Trenbolone – and all products mentioned in this article – can be found at www.maximedicine.com

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

Equipoise is a derivative of testosterone, which exhibits strong anabolic and moderately androgenic properties. In common with all steroids, Equipoise increases red blood cell production, which in turn leads to increases in stamina due to an improvement in oxygen uptake. It is also known to increase vascularity, which makes it a favorite when it comes to contest preparation. However, the downside of its use in pre-contest situations is that it does tend to produce an increased appetite in a high percentage of users.

The good news is that Equipoise produces very little in the way of estrogen related side effects. In fact its actual rate of estrogen conversion is half that of the various testosterones. Of course some sensitive individuals may still experience estrogenic effects (or those using extremely high doses). In this case the addition of Nolvadex should be considered – with Arimadex being a stronger option.

Although it is not known as a rapid mass builder, Equipoise will produce slow but steady gains in strength and quality muscle. Due to this slow and steady result pattern, Equipoise is most commonly used for longer cycles of at least ten weeks. This would ensure solid muscle gains with very low water retention. Gains with Equipoise are also easily maintained following use since size increases are not due to water weight.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF EQUIPOISE

Equipoise is an extremely versatile drug and, as such, combines very well with other steroids. An example of a great mass building stack would be 300-400mg/week of Equipoise with 500mg of Sustanon or Testosterone Enthanate. For mass building purposes it can also be effectively stacked with Anadrol. This would result in significant gains in strength and mass without the additional side effects that would result from using the androgen alone.
In terms of its use as part of a cutting cycle, Equipoise combines very well with non-aromatizable steroids such as Trenbolone acetate or Winstrol. However, even the extremely low aromatization rate of these substances may be enough to confine usage to bulking cycles only.

As a side note, those who usually favor Deca Durabolin may want to give Equipoise a try since for most people it proves to be stronger as well as safer and less suppressive. I say ‘most people” because there are always going to be individuals who, due to their unique chemistry, may have a different experience with its use.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects from the use of Equipoise are pretty low when it is taken in normal (300-400mg/week) dosages and estrogenic side effects only occur in those who are very susceptible to estrogen. In terms of androgenic side effects, long term or high dose use can result in slight virilizing effects including acne and increased body hair growth. Also worth noting is that Equipoise is not the ideal choice for the drug tested athlete since it has the tendency to produce detectable metabolites in the urine months after use.

DOSAGE

The use of 300-400mg/week is normally recommended when it comes to Equipoise use. There have been reports of users ‘front-loading’ it to achieve greater results. This would involve the use of high doses of 600-800mg/week for two weeks and then lowering the dose to 300-400mg/week for the remaining 8-10 weeks.

Women usually find this drug to be fairly safe in terms of virilizing effects as long as dosages are kept at 50-150mg/week.

N.B. Equipoise and all other products mentioned in this profile can be found at www.maximedicine.com.

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.

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.