Many bodybuilders are looking to build an aesthetic physique by maintaining lean muscles. Thus, the best option here will be to support muscle growth while avoiding water retention or fat gain. Here, the 7 best AASs that can help the development of muscle mass while also avoiding fat gain will be explored.
When you are working towards building muscle mass, you might be recommended bulking exercises and anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs). However, bulking can often lead to water retention and excess fat gain. However, some AASs can help promote lean mass growth, which means that water-retained fat gain can be avoided.
So, what are the best AAS options when you want to gain lean mass and avoid fat gain? This blog will look into some of the well-known options and their best use cases.
The 7 Steroids for Lean Mass Growth without Fat Gain
Here are the 7 steroids for muscle mass growth that promote the growth of lean muscles and avoid fat gain:
1. Testosterone Propionate
Testosterone propionate is an injectable testosterone ester that binds to androgen receptors in tissues and triggers protein synthesis, as well as helps accelerate cellular repair. It essentially works by suppressing cortisol, a hormone, whose catabolic effect leads to the breakdown of muscle tissue.
Therefore, it leads to rapid muscle growth, helps muscle tissue recovery, accelerates metabolic rate, and improves strength and performance. And so, it is naturally inclined to burn calories while also increasing muscle mass.
It is due to this capability that many bodybuilders consider testosterone propionate when planning how to shed fat and gain muscle at the same time. Also, due to its short half-life and fast onset speed, it is generally good during short, result-oriented cycles.
2. Anavar (Oxandrolone)
Anavar is considered one of the best steroids for gaining mass and losing excess fat. This is because of its mild side effect profile, lean muscle-building ability, and performance-enhancing capacity.
One of the reasons it is a widely respected AAS among bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts is that it promotes dry and lean gains, while also minimising water retention. This is why many bodybuilders consider it for cutting cycles.
It also has a lower androgenic risk, which mostly eliminates the masculinising side effects. A reason that makes many women bodybuilders pick Anavar as their AAS of choice.
3. Trenbolone Acetate
Trenbolone is a synthetic AAS that is potent in both anabolic and androgenic properties. Trenbolone Acetate is one of the most commonly used esters of Trenbolone, due to its fast absorption properties and sustained effects.
Trenbolone became popular in the 1990s due to its ability to create dense muscle mass and increase vascularity while eliminating water retention. It helps generate and sustain muscle mass by reducing cortisol and binds to glucocorticoid receptors, further preserving muscle mass alongside calorie-deficient diets.
Thus, it is potent in enhancing fat loss while maintaining rapid, dense, and dry muscle growth. This capability has it included in the best steroid cycles for mass gain and fat loss.
4. Primobolan (Methenolone)
Primobolan is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which does not get converted into oestrogen in your body. This makes it one of the most popular AAS in cutting cycles. While it is considered a mild substance, it can still produce strong results while also minimising androgenic and oestrogenic side effects.
It is an effective steroid for the preservation of lean muscle mass with fat loss diets and exercise routines. This AAS can achieve that result by maintaining slow and steady gains supported by high-quality muscle tissue retention.
With Primobolan, you are certain to observe signs of gaining muscle and losing fat due to its ability to enhance thyroid receptor sensitivity. This increases the rate of lipolysis, resulting in hard and lean muscles without excess water weight or fat gain.
5. Masteron (Drostanolone)
Masteron is another DHT-derivative. It is a powerful AAS that can deliver dry and dense muscle gains. And it can do it without leading to bloating or water weight.
However, this will not help you gain a massive bulk. It will be more suitable for lean muscle mass growth, and refine and harden the physique that you already have.
Similarly, while Masteron can help maintain low fat levels, it cannot help in major fat reduction. The best results are observed in people with already low body fat.
6. Boldenone (Equipoise)
Boldenone, commonly known as Equipoise, is a long-acting and injectable AAS, structurally derived from testosterone. It is unique in the case of a modification at the double bond between carbon 1 and 2.
Its properties include stable and sustainable impacts, increasing vascularity, and minimal oestrogenic effects. It also provides a cut and dense look with minimal water retention.
Moreover, its lower side effect profile can lead to long-term usage without major physical challenges, as long as it is partnered with a calorie-deficient diet and structured training regimen.
7. Winstrol (Stanozolol)
Winstrol is a powerful DHT-derived AAS that is famous among bodybuilders undergoing a cutting cycle. It is considered the best for a dry and lean look.
Available in both injectable and oral forms, its chemical structure causes Winstrol to be non-aromatising. This means that it does not get converted into oestrogen in your body. Instead, it focuses on providing density and definition to your muscles.
Therefore, even when training to lose weight and consuming calorie-deficient diets, you will not face any level of muscle loss. Hence, Winstrol can be effective in reducing fat without sacrificing muscle definition.
Therefore, Winstrol can be the ideal partner for an eating plan for muscle gain and fat loss.
A Comparison of the Side-Effects and Dosage Profiles of the 7 AASs
Throughout, while the benefits of the 7 best AASs for muscle growth and weight loss have been discussed, when considering which one you’d choose, a comparison of the appropriate doses and side effects would be necessary.
Here is a chart depicting that:
| AAS | Dosage (Men) | Dosage (Women) | Side Effects |
| Testosterone Propionate | 50-75 mg/alternate day | N/A | Acne and oily skin Androgenic effects, i.e., body hair growth |
| Anavar | 20-50 mg/day | 5-15 mg/day | Liver toxicity Cholesterol imbalance Hormone suppression |
| Trenbolone Acetate | 50-75 mg/alternate day | N/A | Acne, hair loss Cholesterol imbalance Tren cough |
| Primobolan | 50-75 mg/day (orally)300-500 mg/week (injected) | 25-50 mg/day (orally)200-300 mg/week (injected) | Mild testosterone suppression Dry joints Hair thinning |
| Masteron | 400-500 mg/week | N/A | Liver toxicity Disruption in cholesterol levels Joint pain and dryness |
| Equipoise | 300-500 mg/week | 25-50 mg/week | Excess red blood cells Disrupted cholesterol Hormone suppression |
| Winstrol | 20-40 mg/day | 5-10 mg/day | Mild hormone suppression Dry and painful joints Lipid imbalance |
Table: Side Effect Comparison
Wrapping Up
Several AASs exist that are effective in helping you increase your muscle mass while also keeping you from gaining a fat bulk or water weight. Seven top AAS choices in this account have been discussed here, such as: Test Prop, Anavar, Tren, Primobolan, Masteron, Equipoise, and Winstrol.
Considering Anabolic Steroids for Muscle Gain and Fat Loss?
If you are considering taking one of the mentioned AASs to gain muscle mass while also promoting fat loss, make sure that you take them responsibly. Always make sure to check the side effect profile and ensure that you consider a physician’s advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Winstrol Stronger Than Masteron and Anavar?
Winstrol can be considered a stronger AAS than Masteron and Anavar. It has a higher potency and risk profile compared to the latter two.
2. Can Trenbolone and Testosterone Be Stacked?
Yes. At intermediate and expert bodybuilding levels, Trenbolone and Testosterone can be stacked.
3. Is Test Prop the Best Cutting Steroid?
The list has only mentioned the top 7 choices, but the order is random. The 7 have not been ranked among each other.
4. Can I Increase My Winstrol Dosage as a Woman?
Winstrol has high virilisation effects. Therefore, it is not recommended that a woman user increase the dosage above 10 mg. However, if you need to, get the pros and cons evaluated by a physician.
