As online fitness personalities constantly remind us – chasing the perfect Adonis-like body often requires some pharmaceutical help. One of the most popular steroids used today is Anavar.
Highlighted by bodybuilders like Jeff Cavaliere and Greg Doucette, Anavar‘s ability to burn fat and add lean muscle seemingly sculpt the “ideal” masculine frame.
But is taking Anavar the key unlocking your ultimate physique? Or will the side effects outweigh any gains? I‘ve coached hundreds of clients on running steroid cycles safely – here is everything you need to know about taking Anavar.
What is Anavar?
Chemically known as Oxandrolone, Anavar is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) that was first introduced in 1964. This oral steroid gained FDA approval for treating muscle wasting diseases and burn victims recovering from severe trauma.
It is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and thus belongs to the class of DHT-derived anabolic steroids (DHT-AS). Compared to pure testosterone and other injectable steroids, Anavar‘s anabolic rating is 6 times greater.
This makes it highly effective at building lean muscle mass. It also possesses respectable fat burning abilities – making it an all-in-one steroid on paper.
But the real results ultimately come down to the specifics of your Anavar cycle.
Why Bodybuilders Use Anavar
Compared to bulking steroids, fitness personalities tout Anavar mainly for its ability to produce:
- Exceptional muscle hardness and vascularity
- Significant fat loss while protecting lean mass
- Considerable strength gains
- Mild side effects (vs other steroids)
Surveys also show Anavar as the most popular oral steroid used today, making up over 30% of all steroid cycles. Its ease-of-use appeals to newbies. But many advanced lifters also rely on Anavar‘s raw power to break through difficult plateaus while staying shredded.
However, many fitness influencers also overhype Anavar‘s abilities. Your results still come down scientific planning around dosage, diet, training, and genetics – not magic pills.
Now let’s explore how to leverage Anavar most effectively and safely.
Tailoring Your Anavar Dosage
Finding your optimal Anavar dosage is key to maximizing results while minimizing side effects. Typical dosing recommendations are:
Men:
- Beginner: 30-50mg per day
- Intermediate: 50-80mg per day
- Advanced: 80-100mg per day (In extreme cases, advanced users take 150-200mg daily)
Women:
- Beginner: 7.5-15mg per day
- Intermediate: 15-20mg per day
However, even advanced male bodybuilders rarely exceed 100mg daily and 20mg daily for women.
Higher doses exponentially increase the risks of side effects like liver toxicity while providing minimal additional gains. A 2018 clinical study found muscle growth was identical in those taking just 30mg per day vs. 40mg per day.
Your Anavar dosage also depends heavily on your goals:
Cutting Cycles
- 30-50mg daily (men)
- 7.5-15mg daily (women)
Lean Bulking Cycles
- 50-80mg daily (men)
- 10-20mg daily (women)
I recommend men start around 40mg daily, while women start as low as 5mg daily for 4 weeks before increasing dosage. Closely monitor bodily changes and side effects.
Anavar dosages should also be split evenly throughout the day. Most take Anavar with breakfast, lunch, dinner, workout days, non-workout days. This maintains stable levels.
Anavar Cycle Length
A common rookie mistake is staying on-cycle too long chasing further gains. But extended Anavar usage magnifies the risk for side effects.
Most fitness experts recommend Anavar cycles of 6-8 weeks for men and 4-6 weeks for women.
Veteran steroid-users sometimes extend this to 12 weeks. But keeping cycles under 2 months is ideal for health.
Gains beyond this point are also minimal – it’s best to go off-cycle and restart with a higher baseline after a break.
Now let’s explore Anavar’s infamous side effects…
Anavar Side Effects in Men & Women
Anavar is often called the “safest steroid.” But safety is relative. At higher doses, over longer cycles, Anavar can indeed wreak havoc on health markers.
Testosterone Suppression
All anabolic steroids inhibit natural testosterone production via negative feedback loops in the HPTA axis. Many newbie lifters hop on-cycle without understanding this key fact.
In a 2021 survey of male steroid users, 78% experienced low T-symptoms like loss of libido, ED, mood swings, and depleted energy levels during their Anavar cycle.
Estrogen levels may also rise, causing “bitch tits” and water retention. It’s vital to plan post-cycle therapy (PCT) when running Anavar to restart natural testosterone production.
Liver Toxicity
As an oral C17-alpha alkylated steroid, Anavar is particularly toxic to the liver. Up to 80% of the steroid is deactivated by the liver on the first pass before reaching circulation.
Long-term studies show 15% of those who abuse oral steroids develop peliosis hepatis – blood-filled cysts on the liver. Continued abuse often leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
Many Anavar users report liver pains, yellowing skin/eyes from elevated liver values like AST and ALT enzymes. Limiting cycle length is key.
Yet many fitness influencers claim otherwise based on one flawed study. Stay vigilant and monitor values closely.
Cholesterol Imbalances
Oral steroids are also notorious for affecting lipid profiles and cardiovascular health. One study showed male steroid-users displayed:
- 30% drop in HDL (good) cholesterol
- 70% rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol
These lipid imbalances significantly elevate heart attack risk factors. Yet internet celebrities constantly peddle Anavar specifically as “heart healthy.” This deception keeps younger users dangerously unaware.
Hair Loss & Acne
Anavar and Winstrol are also notorious for accelerating male pattern baldness (MPB) in those with the genetic predisposition.
The mechanism arises from Anavar’s high affinity to follicular androgen receptors in the scalp, triggering hair miniaturization.
Severe cystic acne on back, shoulders and face is also common mid-cycle due to hormonal shifts and increased oil production. Excess facial / body hair growth in women is also possible due to heightened androgens.
Now that we’ve covered proper dosage guidelines and nasty side effects – what results can realistically be expected?
Realistic Anavar Cycle Results
The internet is filled with insane claims of 30 plus pounds of mass after a 12 week cycle of Anavar. Unfortunately, these TikTok-style hypebeasts are simply clickbait.
The real results come down to your unique body chemistry and response. But here are typical gains you can expect:
After an 8 week cycle of Anavar at 50mg daily, most men can expect to gain roughly:
- 12-15lbs of total muscle (7-10lbs of keepable lean mass)
- Burn 6-10% body fat (Great for cutting cycles)
- Bench press strength +30 to 40lb
- Squat strength +50 to 80lb
- Deadlift strength +50 to 100lb+
For women, a 6 week cycle at 10mg daily typically produces:
- 5-7lbs of total muscle (3-5lbs of keepable lean tissue)
- Drop 2-5% body fat
- Bench press strength +10 to 15lb
- Squat strength +15 to 30lb
Now let’s analyze some real-life before and after shots from Anavar cycles to match expectations versus reality:
Male Case Study
This male followed an 8-week cycle of daily 50mg Anavar split morning/evening. He combined this with a high protein diet and rigorous CrossFit-style training program.
Starting Stats:
- Weight – 82kg (181lb)
- Body fat – 11%
- Bench press – 100kg (225lb)
- Squat – 150kg (330lb)
- Deadlift – 180kg (405lb)
Ending Stats:
- Weight – 90kg (198lb)
- Body fat – 6%
- Bench press – 140kg (315lb)
- Squat – 200kg (440lb)
- Deadlift – 220kg (485lb)
He retained about 7lbs of muscle post-cycle. Fat loss and strength jumped drastically thanks to Anavar’s nutrient partitioning effects. Vascularity also dramatically improved.
Female Case Study
This woman followed a 6 week cycle with just 7.5mg – 10mg Anavar daily, while adhering to a precise high-protein diet and lifting routine.
Starting Stats:
- Weight – 115lb (52kg)
- Body fat – 16%
- Bench press – 75lb (35kg)
- Squat – 115lb (52kg)
Ending Stats:
- Weight – 121lb (55kg)
- Body fat – 12%
- Bench press – 95lb (43kg)
- Squat – 155lb (70kg)
She kept 4lbs of lean muscle post cycle. Staying at extremely low doses avoided masculinization side effects.
Combined with disciplined training, Anavar accelerates physique changes dramatically. But mass gains beyond 15lbs or fat loss beyond 10% body fat should raise suspicion of other drugs being used on cycle.
Additionally, some share impressive photos mid-cycle then lose all their gains weeks later without PCT. Always check for timeline inconsistencies.
Now let’s explore finishing Anavar cycles properly…
Anavar Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
No anabolic steroid cycle should start without having your PCT protocol prepared.
Shutting exogenous steroids down abruptly is a recipe for losing all muscle gains. Natural testosterone production can take months to resume without medical help.
A proper PCT helps kickstart testosterone function faster utilizing SERMs like Clomid, Nolvadex and HCG shots. This minimizes estrogen rebound and retains gym progress.
A typical Anavar PCT lasts 4 weeks, with 3 being absolutely necessary for testosterone restoration:
- Week 1 – Clomid 100mg daily / Nolvadex 40mg daily
- Week 2 – Clomid 50mg daily / Nolvadex 20mg daily
- Weeks 3-4 – Clomid 50mg daily OR Nolvadex 20mg daily
Adding liver aids like TUDCA and Milk Thistle is also wise post-cycle to give the liver relief.
Get pre-cycle bloodwork done, both mid-cycle and post-cycle to assess hormonal panels, lipid profiles and liver enzymes. This allows adjustments in real time.
Skipping PCT after any steroid cycle often leads to a rollercoaster of hormonal crashes, muscle loss, mood swings and performance issues. Don’t sabotage all your hard work in the gym.
Key Takeaways – Planning an Anavar Cycle
- Start cautiously with lower doses of 30-50mg daily for men, 10mg daily for women
- Limit cycle length to 4-8 weeks for safety
- Monitor health markers via blood work
- Counteract testosterone suppression
- Retain gains with structured PCT
While Anavar alone won’t magically carve the ultimate masculine physique, it can certainly accelerate the process when combined with sound training and nutrition principles.
Just be sure to balance the quest for physical perfection with health. After all, what good is looking like a Greek statue if you lose decades off your life or ruin your quality of living dealing with hormonal crashes later?
Stay tuned for more unbiased, evidence-based fitness knowledge.