Dianabol is one of the most popular anabolic steroids for building mass quickly, but using it without a proper regimen can lead to more harm than good. Thus, maximising muscle gains and minimising side effects when taking anabolic androgenic steroids, such as Dianabol, calls for a structured plan.
Strength training, cardio, and reps aren’t the be-all and end-all in bodybuilding. Maintaining your health and adhering to a strict diet are also essential. For fast and effective gains, many follow this up with a steroid cycle that aids muscle gain while increasing endurance.
Let’s take a look at how you can optimise your training, diet, recovery, and post-cycle therapy (PCT) when running a Dianabol cycle.
Understanding Dianabol: What It Does
Dianabol (also called Dbol) is an oral anabolic steroid that contains the active ingredient Methandrostenolone, a derivative of testosterone. Popular among bodybuilders since the 1950s, Dianabol facilitates rapid muscle gain and improves endurance and athletic performance.
Benefits of Dianabol
By taking this medication as prescribed, the following benefits of Dianabol can be experienced:
- Rapid increase in lean muscle mass in a 4 to 6-week cycle.
- Improvement in strength and power due to ATP regeneration.
- Improved endurance aided by an increase in glycogenolysis (glycogen breakdown to glucose).
- Faster recovery times during workouts and fewer chances of facing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
- Increase in confidence, motivation, and training discipline.
How It Works in the Body
Once in the system, Dianabol acts in a way similar to testosterone. Thus, it binds to the androgen receptors present in the muscle tissue and leads to an anabolic response. As a physiological response, this stimulates protein synthesis, nitrogen retention, and the breakdown of glycogen to glucose.
Thus, this oral medication aids muscle building, tissue repair, improved strength output, faster recovery after workout sessions, and an increase in endurance.
Dianabol Dosage: How Much Dianabol to Take
The recommended Dianabol doses for different levels are as follows:
- Beginner: 20 – 30 mg per day
- Intermediate: 30 – 40 mg per day
- Advanced: 50 mg per day (with caution, on medical advice)
Further, the cycle lasts no longer than 4 – 6 weeks. Additionally, you may divide the Dianabol dosage and take it 2 – 3 times a day. This will help maintain a balanced blood serum level and prevent hormone fluctuations, which may occur due to its short 3 – 5 hour half-life.
**Note: The exact Dianabol dosage to take will be prescribed by your doctor. Only procure Dianabol when you have a valid prescription issued by your doctor.
Why It’s Best Used in Short Cycles
In a 4 – 6 week cycle, it can lead to approximately 2 to 9 kgs of lean mass gain. This varies with the physiology, metabolism, and training habits of the person.
However, being a 17-alpha-alkylated oral compound, it can lead to liver stress. Thus, with longer steroid cycles, it can elevate liver enzymes and lead to hepatotoxicity. It can also lead to hepatic inflammation and even hepatocellular damage.
Thus, Dianabol is best suited for rapid muscle gains in short cycles.
Workout Plan During a Dianabol Cycle
Simply taking Dianabol is not the way to effective mass gain. This must be paired with a suitable training routine that helps you prevent common workout mistakes:
Focus on Compound Lifts
Dianabol helps break a training plateau and improve your ability to perform squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. Conversely, performing compound lifts will help increase muscle strength and fitness.
Split Routine (Push/Pull/Legs or 5-day Split)
To get better overall gains, divide your routine between strength training and cardio, and push (shoulders and triceps), pull (back and biceps), and leg days. You can also try out a 5-day split that includes 2 push days, 2 pull days, and 1 leg day.
Progressive Overload and Volume Recommendations
To manage the risk of injury and DOMS, a major workout mistake to avoid is overdoing it on the first day. It is important to start your workout routine with a regimen that you can manage. Then, gradually increase this with heavier weights, more repetitions, sets, and reduced rest time. A steady increase of 10% training volume can prevent overtraining while ensuring progressive overload.
Rest and Recovery Guidelines
For an effective steroid cycle, proper rest and recovery are important. Get a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day for complete REM cycles. Have rest days in between to help your body recover from the intense training regimen. Do not overtrain.
Further, it is important not to skip Dianabol on your rest day. Taking your scheduled Dianabol dosage will promote muscle recovery, maintain hormonal stability, and ensure that your body stays in an Anabolic state.
Nutrition Strategy for Maximum Gains
Taking Dianabol will increase your muscle protein turnover, water and electrolyte demand, and carb intake. With a calorie surplus diet, you can keep up with the glycogen demand to support the glycogenolysis that Dianabol facilitates. If you are on a lean diet, your gains will stall. However, eating too much will lead to bloating.
Here are the macronutrients to take for maintaining a balanced diet:
| Component | Amount (per day) | Source | Notes |
| Protein | 1.0 – 1.2 g/pound of weight | Eggs, whey protein, chicken, turkey, salmon, and beef | Adding leafy greens to your diet will help with micronutrient absorption. |
| Carbohydrates | 2.0–2.5 g/pound of weight or more (as required) | White rice, oats, bananas, berries, and potatoes | Take clean, insulin-friendly carbs, which get absorbed easily and offer low bloat. |
| Fats | 0.3–0.5 g/pound of weight | Avocado, walnuts, chia seeds, fatty fish, and olive oil | Healthy fats support hormone function and balance. |
| Water | 3 – 4 liters plus electrolytes | Maintaining fluid equilibrium |
Table 1: Macronutrients to Take on a Dianabol Cycle
Further, you can support your gut health through cruciferous vegetables, beets, berries, citrus, green tea, and fermented foods.
Additionally, a key mistake to avoid is the Dianabol bloat. Since Dianabol aromatises to estrogen, it retains water. More food and a higher water intake, when combined with elevated estrogen levels, will lead to a bloated look. Thus, the key is to maintain balance. You may seek a dietitian or your physician’s advice to create a diet chart that is suitable for your training regimen.
Stack or Solo? Combining Dianabol with Other Compounds
While you can take Dianabol by itself, experienced bodybuilders often opt for steroid stacks.
Common Stacks with Dianabol
Some popular steroid stacks are:
- Dianabol + Testosterone: maximising growth and maintaining stable hormone levels.
- Dianabol + Deca-Durabolin: Rapid and long-term size gains, better recovery, and joint relief.
- Dianabol + Winstrol/Anavar: Effective for lean weight gain in a cutting cycle
**Note: Steroid stacking should be done only under strict medical supervision. Further, maintain the prescribed dose while steroid stacking.
Risks of Oral-Only Cycles vs. Injectable Add-Ons
While you may opt for an oral-only cycle, this can increase liver stress. While injectables are less harsh on your liver, they often have a higher androgenic ratio. Further, they can be administered only by a medical practitioner.
Thus, seek medical advice regarding which is better for you and decide accordingly.
Side Effects of Routine Dianabol Use
Dianabol is a potent androgen and is prescribed to men. Some side effects that you may observe are:
- Acne and oily skin
- Increased facial and body hair growth
- Male pattern baldness
- Gynecomastia (breast tissue enlargement)
- Water retention
- Elevated blood pressure
- Liver stress
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Testicular atrophy
**Note: If any of the side effects from taking Dianabol persist or get more severe, visit your doctor.
Essential On-Cycle Support
To maintain your health when taking Dianabol, some medications and supplements that will help are:
Liver Protection
Milk Thistle, NAC, TUDCA, Liv 52, and other liver supplements are a good way to prevent the impact of Dianabol’s hepatotoxicity.
Estrogen Control
Aromatase Inhibitors like Arimidex can inhibit the aromatisation of Dianabol in the system to maintain balanced estrogen levels and prevent estrogenic side effects.
Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) After Dianabol
To retain the gains from Dianabol use, prevent the incidence of persistent side effects, and restore your body’s natural testosterone production, it is important to undergo PCT (which starts 2 – 3 weeks after your last steroid dose). Some PCT medications that are prescribed include:
- Clomid: 50 – 100 mg/day, 4 – 6 weeks
- Nolvadex: 20 – 40 mg/day, 4 – 6 weeks
- hCG: 500 – 1000 IU on alternate days, 2 – 3 weeks
For a second Dianabol cycle, seek your doctor’s advice regarding how soon you can start, its duration, and the precautions you need to maintain.
Wrapping Up
Dianabol can deliver serious muscle gains, but only when paired with a proper training regimen, nutrition, and recovery plan. On-cycle support and PCT are non-negotiables when it comes to taking Dianabol. Be sure to plan your cycle well, stick to your regimen, and visit the doctor in case of any issues.
Get Started With a Dianabol Cycle
Thinking of starting your first Dianabol cycle? Speak to your trainer, consult your doctor, and seek a prescription for a safe Dianabol cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When and how to take Dianabol?
Split your Dianabol doses into 2 or 3 and take them with water at equal intervals to maintain balanced blood serum levels.
2. Does Dianabol burn fat?
Dianabol has little to no effect on cutting fat other than the synthesis of stored glycogen (which is not fat). While it can be effective during a recomp phase, for fat loss, it is best to opt for Anavar and Winstrol.
3. Can I take Dianabol after a workout?
Your Dianabol doses need to be divided equally throughout the day, instead of a pre-workout/post-workout approach that will lead to fluctuations.
4. What are some common mistakes to avoid during these workouts?
Overdoing your workout, focusing only on a certain type of workout, and not having a balance of workout and recovery are the most common mistakes.
