While anabolic steroids were originally purposed to increase muscle mass in patients with muscle wasting diseases, they also have fat-loss effects. Besides, some steroids have significantly stronger fat burning properties than others.
This is why many illegal users take anabolic weight loss steroids with the goal to lose weight. In this article, we will reveal which are the most commonly used steroids for fat loss and what are their health risks.
Furthermore, we will suggest legal alternatives, that are completely safe and natural.
If you are looking for quality fat burners, read our fat burner guide.
What is Cutting in Bodybuilding?
Cutting is a phase in a bodybuilder’s preparation for competition that involves adjusting the diet and training in order to reduce body fat levels while maintaining muscle mass.
The goal is to appear as defined as possible. It typically involves a reduction in calories and an increase in cardiovascular training.
A successful steroid cutting protocol should be accompanied by a caloric reduction and an increase in cardio training.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to buying anything, check that it is compliant where you live with your current government laws.
Steroids for Weight Loss
While most people associate steroids exclusively with adding muscle mass to the body, they are also able to help a person get cut.
In fact, bodybuilders have been using steroids to get ripped for decades.
There are some steroids that are dual purpose in that they support muscle growth while also promoting fat loss through the belly and other areas.
Other compounds are exclusively designed to strip body fat from your physique.
Best Fat Burning Steroid
The question of which steroid is the best for fat loss is subjective, with different people having different experiences based on their hormonal make-up and dosage tolerance. Based upon my own experience and observations, I would have to rank Clenbuterol as the best overall compound for cutting.
Although not officially a steroid – it belongs to a class of drugs called beta2-agonists that are used to treat asthma – Clenbuterol has a proven ability to help people get ripped without compromising any muscle mass.
While there are very few studies regarding the weight loss effects of Clenbuterol on humans, there is quite a lot of research that has been conducted on animals.
These confirm that it is able to significantly reduce body fat levels with no muscle atrophy. Studies also show that Clenbuterol supplementation also leads to what is known as repartitioning where muscle growth occurs at the expense of fat tissue.
A study that was conducted on horses also showed that Clenbuterol use could increase the expression of genes related to fat metabolism.
Clenbuterol side effects may include rapid breathing, increased heart rate, anxiety, tremors, and chest pain.
What are the Best Fat Loss Steroids?
There are a number of compounds out there that have proven themselves to be very effective in terms of weight loss.
These are the illegal anabolic steroids that legal steroids attempt to mimic.
So, before we delve into the best legal steroids, we need to get our head around the real deal products that they are based on.
There are 4 main anabolic steroids for weight loss…
1. Winstrol (Stanozolol)
Winstrol is only available legally with a prescription.
It was originally developed to treat patients who were severely underweight in the wake of World War Two.
The active ingredient in Winstrol is stanozolol.[1]
This product came on the bodybuilding radar because of its ability to achieve the key objectives of bodybuilding:
- Mass Gain
- Fat Loss
Stanozolol has the ability to increase fat burning in the body. This accelerates the release of stored body fat for energy.
Winstrol for Cutting
For many bodybuilders, Winstrol is the steroid of choice for cutting. It is often preferred because it is doesn’t aromatize (the conversion of steroidal testosterone into estrogen).
It is a popular choice among many celebrities who need to transform their body quickly for a screen role. These include Tom Hardy, Chul Soon and Jeff Seid.
Winstrol promotes fat loss by preventing fat accumulation, increasing lipolysis and thermogenesis.
Winstrol is a drug that can be used for both muscle gain and weight loss.
A typical beginner cutting cycle lasts between 6-8 weeks at a dosage of around 50 mg per day. For intermediate level bodybuilders, the dosage should be increased to 75 mg per day.
Mass monsters (guys who are 250 pounds plus) can take 100 mg per day over a 6-8 week cycle.
2. Phentermine
Phentermine is a prescription-only drug that is designed to reduce appetite.[2]
It is prescribed to people who are obese to bring down their daily caloric consumption.
This drug has been banned primarily because it has effects that are similar to amphetamines.[3]
Phentermine encourages the body to produce more of three key hunger reducing neurotransmitters:
- Norepinephrine
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
Weight Loss with Phentermine
Phentermine belongs to a class of drugs known as anorectics or appetite suppressants.
It is believed that Phentermine decreases the appetite by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
Over a 12-week cycle Phentermine has been shown to help people lose as much as 10 percent of their body weight.
In terms of dosage, the FDA recommends a dosage of 8 mg per day when the drug is prescribed by a doctor.
The most common side effects of phentermine use are insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, irritability, fatigue, and constipation.
Check out PhenQ as a legal alternative to Pentermine.
3. Trenbolone
Trenbolone is an injectable anabolic steroid. [4]
It will improve your physique in four main ways:
- It boosts the body’s natural fat-burning ability
- It lessens the body’s increase of cortisol
- It increases nitrogen retention
- It makes you stronger
Bodybuilders use Trenbolone in the cutting phase of their bodybuilding competition prep.
Trenbolone is one of the best steroids to cut water weight from the body to produce the freaky, dry look that you often see on stage.
Tren for Cutting
Trenbolone has been around for about half a century and has proven itself in terms of both muscle gain and weight loss.
There are two main types of Tren based on the ester that is attached to it:
- Trenbolone Acetate
- Trenbolone Enanthate
When it comes to cutting, Tren Acetate is the better option.
A typical Tren cycle is between 100-200 mg per day over 4-6 weeks. Side effects of Trenbolone include what is known as Tren Flu, which mimics the symptoms of the regular flu, acne, oily skin, night sweats, and erectile dysfunction.
4. Primobolan
Primobolan has been around since the early 1960s.
It was one of the best cutting agents used in the 1970s for competitive bodybuilders to get ripped, being a favorite of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Widespread production of this drug was stopped in the 1990s due to serious side effects.
Today it is only available in a small number of countries. It is used both as an oral and an injectable.[5]
The benefits of Primobolan are that it will:
- Increase lipolysis
- Increase nitrogen retention
- Improve muscle protein synthesis
- Boost red blood cell count
Primobolan for Cutting
Many people consider Primobolan to be the best steroid for cutting.
The ideal dose for men is 200-400 mg every week, with females lowering that dosage to 50-100 mg per week.
For best results stack Primobolan with Deca Durabolin, Testosterone, Dianabol, Clenbuterol or Anadrol. Along with your cycle, use PCT using Clomid, Nolvadex or HCG.
Here is a popular weight loss stack that uses Primobolan.
- Week One: Sustanon 250 – 500mg weekly; Anadrol – 50 mg daily; Primobolan – 0; Nolvadex – 0
- Week Two: Sustanon 250 – 500mg weekly; Anadrol – 100 mg daily; Primobolan – 0; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Three: Sustanon 250 – 500mg weekly; Anadrol – 100 mg daily; Primobolan – 0; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Four: Sustanon 250 – 500mg weekly; Anadrol – 50 mg daily; Primobolan – 0; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Five: Sustanon 250 – 500mg weekly; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 750 mg daily; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Six: Sustanon 250 – 0 ; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 750 mg daily; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Seven: Sustanon 250 – 0 ; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 750 mg daily; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Eight: Sustanon 250 – 0 ; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 750 mg daily; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Nine: Sustanon 250 – 0 ; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 0 ; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
- Week Ten: Sustanon 250 – 0 ; Anadrol – 0 ; Primobolan – 0 ; Nolvadex – 20 mg daily
SARMS for Fat Loss
SARMS are selective androgen receptor modulators that, because they are selective in the cells that they target, are safer than anabolic steroids.
They will work with the physiology of the body to improve muscle mass and get you ripped with less risk.
The 3 best SARMS for fat loss are Cardarine, Stenabolic, Andarine.
Cardarine for Fat Loss
Cardarine (GW501516) is commonly used by endurance athletes to enhance their performance. However, it also has potent fat stripping effects.
Its non-catabolic fat loss characteristics make it especially appealing to bodybuilders. In addition to burning fat, it will also enhance energy for training in the gym.
A typical Cardarine cycle will see you taking 10-20 mg per day for 12-14 weeks. Then go off-cycle for 4-6 weeks before starting another cycle.
Cardarine has a half-life of 20-24 hours so it should be taken daily with meals.
Can Legal Steroids Do the Same Thing as Illegal Ones?
No, there is no way that so-called legal steroids will ever be able to approach the effects of illegal anabolic steroids. That is just as true whether we are talking about muscle gain or fat loss.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of hormones within the body that control muscle gain, fat loss, and appetite.
So, when you take an anabolic, you are immediately increasing the amount of that hormone in your body.
In contrast, legal steroids contain natural compounds that are intended to encourage the body to naturally produce more of the hormone. It does this by creating the ideal environment for the secretion of that hormone to take place.
When it does produce more of the hormone it will never do so in the amount to match the synthetic hormone that you immediately get when you take an illegal anabolic steroid.
With all of this being true, it doesn’t stop nearly every seller of legal steroids from promoting their products as being as good as illegal anabolics. They do this because they think we are all stupid. But that doesn’t mean that their products won’t work. They will, but just not as good as the real version.
5. TestoPrime (Legal Alternative to Testosterone)
TestoPrime provides men of all ages with natural support for testosterone levels in order to maximize strength, boost energy, and raise overall confidence in their masculinity.
This potent testosterone booster contains 12 ingredients sourced from vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements that are clinically backed and have been proven to enhance men’s natural testosterone production.
Some of the key ingredients included in this scientifically-researched formula include:
- 2,000 mg D-Aspartic Acid – Supports the production of luteinizing hormone (LH)
- 8,000 mg Panax Ginseng – Boosts sex drive and energy
- 668 mg KSM 66® Ashwagandha – Supports natural testosterone production and levels
- 800 mg Fenugreek – Boosts sex drive and sexual function
- 40 mg Zinc – Increases free testosterone by reducing its conversion into estradiol
It is recommended for men 18 and older to take 4 capsules of TestoPrime daily in order to maximize results.
Whether you’re running low on energy and libido or need an extra boost of strength, TestoPrime has you covered!Pros
- 12 clinically-proven ingredients
- All-natural solution
- Easy-to-take capsule form
Cons
- 4 capsules per serving
- Doesn’t contain iodine, selenium, magnesium, or vitamin K2
- Vitamin D dosage is somewhat low for testosterone support
READ FULL TESTOPRIME REVIEW HEREBUY TESTOPRIME HERE
Winstrol and Legal Alternative
Benefits
Winstrol (stanozolol) is arguably the most popular steroid for weight loss, with it causing noticeable amounts of fat and water loss. Zac Efron’s Baywatch transformation is typical of someone implementing a Winstrol cycle.
If users are already lean and use Winstrol; they will get ripped. If users are higher in body fat, they will notice a decrease in stubborn areas. Not only will winstrol burn fat, but it will also increase lean muscle mass. The size gains are not going to be dramatic on winstrol, however there will be a notable difference, from the start and end of a cycle.
Building muscle is very important when losing weight, as it will prevent your muscles from sagging and produce an athletic look with enhanced muscle tone. Winstrol may also increase vascularity, due to a reduction in the extracellular fluid outside of the muscle cells.
Bodybuilders typically take 15-25mg of winstrol per day for 6-8 weeks.
Side Effects
Winstrol is a harsh steroid, and thus: liver, cholesterol, and blood pressure values will shoot up.
It’s an oral steroid, therefore is toxic to the liver, causing AST and ALT values to rise (marking liver stress). This can be a dangerous side effect, especially if winstrol is abused for long periods of time, with excessive cycles.
LDL cholesterol levels will rise on winstrol, impeding blood flow to the heart, and increasing blood pressure. This effect is considerable on winstrol, therefore anyone with heart conditions or existing high blood pressure should stay away from this steroid.
Winstrol is also androgenic in nature, sometimes causing oily skin and acne in genetically prone individuals. Furthermore, hair loss on the scalp is a possibility, due to increased DHT levels and damage to the hair follicles.
Winstrol is not recommended for women as it is likely to cause virilization side effects, causing females to form a masculine appearance.
Legal Winstrol Alternative
Winsol is a legal compound, created by Crazy Bulk to emulate the fat-burning effects of winstrol; but without the side effects. This gives men and women a safe steroid for weight loss, without causing any dangerous side effects or turning women into men. Winsol is also available in pill form.READ OUR WINSOL REVIEWBUY WINSOL HERE
Best Fat Burner for Women:Lean Bean
Lean Bean is an extremely popular product amongst women and with a good reason – it contains pure extract of green coffee which supports fat burning and reduced caloric intake with some caffeine and chlorogenic acid. The addition of glucomannan might improve the satiation levels for some but it won’t do much else.Pros
- Contains Green Coffee
- Turmeric reduces inflammation and joint pain
- Optimal dosage
Cons
- Glucomannan, Chromium, Choline and Garcinia Cambodia are likely ineffective for fat loss according to studies
- Zinc is in an oxide form which has poor absorption
Anavar and Legal Alternative
Anavar (oxandrolone) is one of the most popular steroids for weight loss, with it being very well tolerated by men and women. It is similar to winstrol, however slightly less powerful. Fat loss will be significant and muscle gains will be mild (yet noticeable).
In terms of results, men and women have reported building approximately 5kg of muscle, whilst losing 4kg of fat from a 5/6 week cycle. To replicate such results, users should combine Anavar with regular weight lifting and eating in a calorie deficit.
Women may experience such results from taking 10mg per day for 5 weeks.
Whereas men can experience significant fat loss from taking 20mg per day for 6 weeks.
Men can generally tolerate higher doses than women, as they have higher natural endogenous testosterone levels. Women should take no more than 10mg per day for a maximum of 6 weeks, helping to keep masculine effects at bay.
Muscle pumps in the gym will be very big, due to water filling the muscles, causing a continuous ‘pumped’ look.
Many anabolic steroids will burn fat, however not to the degree of Anavar, due to its stimulative effect on T3 levels.
T3 is the thyroid hormone that is responsible for regulating metabolism. When t3 levels are high it can burn significant amounts of body fat, and when it’s low the body will store more fat.
Some anabolic steroids will cause a decrease in subcutaneous fat, whilst increasing visceral fat.
Visceral fat cannot be viewed from the outside, as it’s located closer to the internal organs. However, when visceral fat builds up, it can push the stomach out, causing a bigger waist/bloated look.
One of the benefits with anavar, is that it decreases subcutaneous fat AND visceral fat. Thus, a persons midsection and belly will decrease in size.
Side Effects (Cons)
The reason why Anavar is such a popular steroid for weight loss is not just because of its fat-burning effects, but also its side effects. They are so mild, that some people who are too anxious to take steroids, often end up taking a cycle or two of Anavar.
The worst side effect on Anavar is likely to be a slight (temporary) decrease in natural testosterone production. This will restore post-cycle when you come off. Testosterone levels will not be shut down, unlike other steroids, and thus a PCT is not essential.
Despite never being an oral steroid (pills), it does not cause notable liver toxicity. Uniquely, the liver isn’t the only organ responsible for processing oxandrolone. The kidneys also help to break it down, before it hits the bloodstream. Other steroids however rely more on the liver, causing additional strain.
However, there are two downsides to Anavar:
- It is commonly counterfeited
- It is expensive (but this legal alternative is not)
Due to Anavar’s high price and so many men and women coveting this steroid, it is often faked on the black market. Bottles labeled as ‘Anavar’ may be replaced with Dianabol.
Consequently, men may experience big muscle gains, but without the fat loss they were craving; plus a tonne of water retention. If a woman unknowingly took Dianabol, she would be at a high risk of experiencing virilization symptoms. To avoid this scenario, users should test the substance before they ingest it, by ordering a steroid test kit online. This will detect the active compound(s) in the tablet.
Due to previous brands of Anavar monopolizing the market and ramping up sales prices, the current price today remains very high.
However, the price for women is considerably cheaper, as they require much smaller doses than men. A woman may be able to get a cycle for roughly $100, whereas men may spend double this (or even more).
Legal Anavar Alternative
Anvarol by Crazy Bulk, is a legal alternative for anavar; with a formula designed to mimic its fat burning and muscle-building effects. Although anavar does not produce many side effects, it is illegal to use for cosmetic purposes. Anvarol is also considerably cheaper than anavar and can be bought online (instead of potentially getting scammed on the black market).
Tags: Best Weight Loss and Fat Loss Steroids (for Bodybuilders)