Steroids can be broken down into two categories, those that help you “bulk” or build muscle, and those that will help you “cut” or burn fat.
Chances are if you are reading this article then you are looking for more advice on bulking steroids, why else would you be on Google searching for “steroids that build muscle the fastest”?
So let’s try and answer this question for you. Please read on to hopefully find the answer to your questions. [toc]
What are Steroids?
Steroids are derived from the male sex hormone testosterone, originally they were created in the 1930s to treat hypogonadism. A condition that causes the testes to stop producing enough testosterone to promote growth, development and sexual function.
It wasn’t long after that it was discovered that using steroids also offered various performance-enhancing abilities.
Using steroids will cause both anabolic and androgenic changes to your body. Anabolic changes are those that cause muscle growth, an increase in bone density and higher blood cells, while androgenic changes are those that affect your sexual characteristics.
The majority of steroids will affect the anabolic benefits rather than the androgenic, but this depends on what steroid is being used.
When steroids are used, they will travel through your bloodstream until they come into contact with a steroid receptor molecule, found in your muscle cells. When they interact you will experience an increase in protein synthesis, meaning that you are more able to build muscle.
One major benefit of certain steroids is that they are anti-catabolic. This means that when used they will not cause any breakdown of muscle tissue.
Potential Benefits of Steroids
There is plenty of proof available showing that using steroids will boost performance [1]. Is there any wonder why even today there are athletes willing to risk their reputation through their use?
Using steroids can help build lean muscle mass, boost strength, improve stamina and reduce recovery times.
They have also been shown to drastically cut body fat, increase bone density and reduce the risk of fracture.
These are short term benefits either, with research showing that those who stopped using steroids many years ago still having a competitive advantage over those who are “clean”.
Side Effects Associated with Steroids
While there are undoubtedly benefits to using steroids there are also countless risks [2] associated with their use too:
- Higher blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart and liver disease
- Greater risk of injury
- Infertility
- Increased aggression or “roid rage”
- Acne
- Unusual hair growth
- Hair loss
- Gynecomastia or “man boobs”
Female users of steroids should also be careful, as some steroids can cause virilization to occur, which is when a female will acquire male characteristics.
With proper PCT it is possible to avoid or reverse some of these side effects. However, in some cases, these problems may be permanent and cause irreversible damage.
Popular Muscle Building Steroids
There are too many different steroids to talk about here, so instead, we will look at the 5 most popular bulking steroids:
#1: Dianabol
Dianabol or D-Bol as it is otherwise known is one of the most popular bulking steroids available.
This is usually used orally but is also available as an injectable steroid too.
Unlike most steroids developed, Dianabol was created with the sole purpose of performance enhancement, which it has succeeded at, with many athletes using this steroid for many decades to give themselves a competitive advantage.
The main benefits of Dianabol are as follows:
- Protein synthesis – This helps build muscle
- Nitrogen retention – The more nitrogen we retain the more anabolic we remain
- Glycogenolysis – Helps you to use carbohydrates more effectively
Dianabol is a fast-acting steroid, so any gains will be seen within a few weeks of use. It is also not one of the more dangerous steroids, although using it is not without any risk.
#2: Anadrol
Originally created to treat people with anaemia, Anadrol is now often used to gain weight, increase appetite, gain strength and increase red blood cell count.
Unfortunately, despite its many benefits, this steroid comes with a few risks. Using Anadrol can cause your own testosterone levels to fall, while water retention is another common issue, along with serious headaches and high liver toxicity.
#3: Sustanon
Sustanon is one of the more popular testosterone mixtures available and was originally created for TRT or Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
Like so many other steroids it was soon found to offer numerous performance-enhancing benefits, therefore has a long history of abuse in athletics.
Not only will Sustanon increase protein synthesis, but it has also been shown to help produce more Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a peptide hormone produced by all humans that have been shown to aid in recovery.
#4: Trenbolone
Trenbolone is an extremely powerful steroid that some athletes would call the greatest performance-enhancing steroid.
Originally created in the 1960s, this steroid has primarily been used to bulk up cattle.
Nowadays there are plenty of underground labs selling injectable Trenbolone, which provides numerous bulking benefits, including muscle and strength gains.
Increased protein synthesis, nitrogen retention and IGF-1 production are all likely with this steroid.
Side effects include lower natural testosterone levels, higher than normal bad cholesterol levels, gynecomastia (due to high levels of progesterone rather than oestrogen) and male pattern baldness.
#5: Deca Durabolin
Derived from Nandrolone, Deca Durabolin is a popular steroid used primarily to build mass in the off-season.
Deca is a milder steroid than testosterone and is usually well-tolerated by healthy adult men.
This steroid can lead to an increase in protein synthesis, promote IGF-1 production and can increase nitrogen retention in your muscles.
Fastest Way to Build Muscle Naturally
It is certainly possible to gain muscle without the use of steroids, but it will require serious dedication to both your training and diet.
You will need to train intensely, perhaps 4-6 times a week using compound exercises like deadlifts, squats and the bench press. These exercises use a variety of muscle groups so will give you the greatest gains for your time.
The more muscle groups you use = The more testosterone produced
If any muscle groups are lagging behind then you can add a few isolation exercises into the mix too.
While lifting heavy is important, it is more important that you lift safely. Always use proper form and never train to failure unless you have a spotter in place.
When it comes to nutrition, you will need to ensure you are getting the right nutrients and the correct amounts too.
Remember your body cannot grow without calories and nutrients. I would recommend reading our bulking guide for a more in-depth look at what nutrients you require.
Rest is also important, as this is when your body will repair itself. Aim to get a minimum of 7 hours of good quality sleep every night. I would suggest knocking off your phone or any other distractions that could potentially affect your sleep.
Finally, I would also recommend looking at adding a muscle building supplement to your diet too.
Safe Alternative to Steroids
When it comes to finding safe alternatives to steroids there is one company that I would recommend above all others.
Its name is Crazy Bulk and they sell a variety of steroid alternatives.
One of their best products is a supplement called D-Bal, which is a safe and legal alternative to the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol.
D-Bal is made from various BCAAs, Whey Protein Concentrate and Tribulus Terrestris, which can help boost nitrogen retention within your muscle tissue. This can also help increase protein synthesis too, leading to both muscle and strength gains.
Benefits you can experience include:
- More muscle mass and strength
- Increased nitrogen retention
- Improved protein synthesis
- An increase in blood flow and oxygen retention
This supplement is completely safe to use, with only the highest quality ingredients and manufacturing standards used.
To save money off your order you should make use of their BUY 2 GET 1 FREE offer. There is also free delivery available for both USA and UK customers, with discrete shipping available too.
If you are in any doubt about the benefits on offer then you only need to read the various testimonials submitted.