Anavar vs. Primobolan vs. Winstrol: Which Is Best for Cutting Cycles?

The key goal of a cutting cycle is to undergo rapid fat loss while retaining muscle mass. To achieve this, the three top steroids are: Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol.

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned bodybuilder, a key fitness goal is to be able to fine-tune your cutting cycle to achieve a lean, toned musculature. While your diet and training are at the core of this, an effective way to get a lean, cut body is by undergoing a steroid cycle.

Let’s check out the science behind each steroid and learn what works best, among Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol, depending on goals and user profile.

Understanding Cutting Cycles

Cutting cycles are a specific phase in bodybuilding when bodybuilders and athletes take up certain training regimens. This helps them shed excess weight and body fat, while retaining their lean muscle mass. Thus, at the end of a cutting cycle, a bodybuilder should ideally have a lean, cut body with a low body-fat percentage and defined musculature.

Typically, during a cutting cycle, the focus is on the following:

• Caloric restriction
• Increased training intensity
• Supplements to promote fat loss and muscle preservation

However, having a successful cutting cycle can be a challenge since many lose muscle mass alongside body fat. Thus, to ensure muscle retention while undergoing fat loss, many opt for anabolic androgenic steroids. The three top choices in this regard are Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol.

It is important to make the right choice in steroids because they have a significant impact on your health, the results you get, and the side effects that you experience.

An Overview of the Best Steroids for Cutting Cycles

When one has to undergo a cutting cycle, the top choices are Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol.

1. Anavar (Oxandrolone)

Oxandrolone is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is available are oral pills. This anabolic steroid is popular among bodybuilders for facilitating fat loss, lean muscle retention, and increasing strength.

With its low androgenic rating, Anavar offers a safe medication to both beginners and female bodybuilders for achieving a dry, defined look. Additionally, its low hepatotoxicity and water retention make it a safer choice over other AAS of its kind.

Dosage and Cycle

Anavar’s dosage and steroid cycle are as follows:

User	Duration	Dosage
Men (Beginner)	6 weeks	20 – 30 mg/day
Men (Intermediate)	6 – 8 weeks	30 – 60 mg/day
Men (Advanced)	8 weeks	60 – 100 mg/day
Women	6 weeks	5 – 20 mg per day

Table 1: Anavar duration and dosage

Note: This will be prescribed by your doctor after a thorough checkup.

Benefits for Cutting Cycle

By taking Anavar, the benefits one experiences are:

• Lean muscle mass gain
• Zero to low water retention
• Increased strength and endurance that allows intense training sessions

Common Side Effects

The general side effects of taking Anavar include:

• Liver strain
• Cholesterol issues

Among women, the side effects include:

• Oily skin
• Acne
• Male pattern baldness

Additionally, men may also experience Testosterone suppression.

2. Primobolan (Methenolone)

Also a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Primobolan is available as both oral acetate and injectable enanthate esters. Originally, this anabolic steroid was meant to treat wasting disease, osteoporosis, and anemia.

A non-aromatising anabolic steroid with mild androgenic effects, it is one of the most popular steroids for a cutting cycle. However, Primobolan’s benefits and effects are often milder in comparison to other AAS.

Dosage and Cycle

Primobolan cycles​ last 6 – 12 weeks, depending on a person’s gender, health, tolerance, and fitness goals. Further, the Primobolan dosage to follow for bodybuilding is as given below:

User	Duration	Oral (Acetate)	Injectable (Enanthate)
Men (Beginner)	6 – 8 weeks	25 – 50 mg per day	200 – 300 mg per week
Men (Intermediate)	8 – 10 weeks	50 – 75 mg per day	300 – 500 mg per week
Men (Advanced)	10 – 12 weeks	75 -100 mg per day	400 – 600 mg per week
Women	4 – 6 weeks	25 – 50 mg per day	50 – 100 mg per week

Table 2: Primobolan dosage in men and women

Note: This will be prescribed by your doctor after a thorough checkup.

Benefits of Cutting Cycle

Primobolan’s benefits when used in a cutting cycle are as follows:

• Builds lean muscle mass.
• No bloating or excessive water retention.
• Offers a natural, toned appearance.
• Improves strength and endurance.

Common Side Effects

Further, when taking Primobolan, the following side effects may be observed:

• Hair loss and thinning
• Mood fluctuations
• Dry joints

Additionally, men may face mild testosterone suppression.

Among women, Primobolan can cause:

• Acne
• Oily skin
• Male pattern baldness
• Suppressed libido

3. Winstrol (Stanozolol)

Stanozolol, too, is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and was developed in the 1960s to treat hereditary angioedema, wasting disease, and inflammation. This anabolic steroid is available in both oral and injectable forms, thus catering to the preference of a greater group of bodybuilders.

Being a non-aromatising compound, taking Winstrol reduces the chances of water retention. Thus, it facilitates rapid fat burning and strength gain, and takes users one step closer to achieving a dry, defined aesthetic.

Dosage and Cycle

When taking Winstrol, the dosage and cycle are as follows:

User	Duration	Oral	Injectable
Men (Beginner)	6 weeks	20 – 30 mg per day	25 – 50 mg at EOD
Men (Intermediate)	6 – 8 weeks	40 – 50 mg per day	50 mg at EOD
Men (Advanced)	8 weeks	50 – 60 mg per day	50 – 100 mg at EOD
Women	4 – 6 weeks	5 – 10 mg per day	–

Table 3: Winstrol dosage and cycle for men and women

Note: This will be prescribed by your doctor after a thorough checkup

Benefits for Cutting Cycle

Winstrol’s benefits are as follows:

• Lean muscle retention
• Increased strength and speed
• Greater muscle hardening and vascularity
• No estrogenic side effects

Common Side Effects

When taking Winstrol, the side effects can be as follows:

• Liver stress and toxicity
• Joint pain and dryness 
• Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol

Men may also experience mild to moderate Testosterone suppression.

Among women, it may also cause:

• Acne
• Oily skin
• Male pattern baldness
• Voice deepening (with long-term use)

Comparative Table: Anavar vs Primobolan vs Winstrol

Here’s how the three anabolic steroids in question measure up against each other:

Feature	Anavar	Primobolan	Winstrol
Strength Gain	Moderate	Low-Moderate	High
Fat Loss Support	High	Moderate	High
Muscle Preservation	High	High	Moderate
Water Retention	None	None	Low
Androgenic Effects	Low	Very Low	Moderate
Liver Toxicity	Moderate (oral)	Low	High (oral)
Cost and Availability	High	Very High	Moderate
Best For	Beginners, women, and lean cuts	Long-term and mild cycles	Quick, hard-dry look

Table 4: Comparison between Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol

Choosing the Right Steroid for Your Cutting Goals

To select the right anabolic steroid for your cutting cycle, it is important to account for your goals and experience level. Thus, for beginners, Anavar is often the more popular choice due to its safety and mild side effects. For longer, steady steroid cycles, people opt for Primobolan. If a bodybuilder requires a dry, hard, and competition-ready look quickly, they often opt for Winstrol.

Fitness Goal	Medication of Choice
Safe, mild, preserves muscle	Anavar
Long, Steady, Lean Cut	Primobolan
Strong results, competition prep	Winstrol
None of the above	SARMS and natural supplements

Table 5: Fitness goal versus AAS to take

Stacking Options and PCT

Alongside taking steroids for a cutting cycle, two other factors come into light – steroid stacking and PCT.

Safe Stacking Examples

Experienced bodybuilders often stack multiple steroids to get the most effect. Some suggested steroid stacks for a cutting cycle include:

• Anavar: Testosterone and Trenbolone
• Primobolan: Testosterone and Anavar
• Winstrol: Testosterone, Deca, Trenbolone, and Anavar

However, this should be done only after strict medical advice. Further, it is also important to follow the prescription to the letter.

Why PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) is Critical

Taking anabolic steroids for weeks can suppress one’s natural hormone production as well as testosterone levels. To restart this, it is important to complete PCT, which stimulates LH and FSH. The two most popular medications for PCT are tamoxifen and clomiphene, both SERMS.

These reestablish the natural hormone balance in your body and help you recover from the effects of long-term steroid use. Additionally, taking PCT meds will help you hold on to the muscle definition built using steroids.

Risks and Legal Considerations

In the UK, steroids are Class C medications and can be legally procured only when you have a valid prescription. Thus, it is important to obtain a prescription from a licensed physician before you procure them. Additionally, it is best to opt for reputable stores to prevent the chances of receiving counterfeit medication. 

People should also be aware of the health concerns that steroids pose. Thus, anabolic androgenic steroids, whether oral or injectable, should be taken only when necessary. Further, one can also consider safer alternatives, such as SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) and natural supplements.

Wrapping Up

Anavar is safe and effective for beginners, while the Winstrol steroid offers rapid results and is best for cutting during competition prep. Primobolan is a milder AAS that is good for long-term lean muscle retention.

Choosing a Steroid for Your Cutting Cycle

Looking to take steroids for your cutting cycle? Visit your doctor and find the steroid that is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions