Publicized cases of “doping” – the use of steroids by professional bodybuilders and athletes for enhancing their performance – bring us back to one question over and over again.
Do these steroids really work?
Is that why professional sportsmen and women like Hysen Pulaku, Chris Leben and Cristiane Santos used them?
Well, the most honest answer to that question would be, “yes”. They do work.
Performance enhancing steroids like Winstrol have been popular with athletes and bodybuilders for as long as they have existed.
Only recently, an international rugby player from South Africa was banned for two years for testing positive for Winstrol. He is completely banned from the game till the end of his penalty.
What does Winstrol do for bodybuilders?
So what is it that makes Winstrol a wonder drug?
For starters, it helps add lean muscle mass and enhances muscle strength without adding much weight. Winstrol is therefore a popular favorite among bodybuilders, jumpers, sprinters and throwers.
It is in fact, one of those anabolic steroids, which are used by professionals in almost every athletic category.
Ergogenic uses of Winstrol
Much of the ergogenic use of Winstrol consists of its use in bodybuilding.
Both professionals and amateur sportsmen, including athletes and bodybuilders, use Winstrol to gain lean mass (fat-free mass or muscle mass) and gain weight.
AASs are known to increase both, the size and number of fibers of the trapezius muscle, imporving composition of the body.
Winstrol helps sportsmen improve physical performance, enhances their testosterone levels and promotes an overall sense of well being.
Stanozolol use in bodybuilding
Winstrol (Winni, Winnies or Winni-V) remains a drug of choice amongst the bodybuilding group because of its highly anabolic nature.
An anabolic steroid, commonly referred to as an AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroid) is similar in structure to a steroid ring and produces effects akin the naturally produced testosterone.
It stimulates protein synthesis, thereby increasing the amount of protein inside cells, particularly the cells of skeletal muscles.
An androgenic steroid on the other hand, produces primary and secondary sexual characteristics in humans. Like all anabolic-androgenic steroids, Winnies posses certain androgenic characteristics too.
However, what makes them popular among bodybuilders is the fact that anabolic characteristics are more pronounced than the androgenic characteristics, in these drugs.
This enables them to build more muscles and increase their physical strength, without seeing significant changes in sexual characteristics.
Winstrol for female bodybuilders
A major concern many female bodybuilders have, with the use of anabolic steroids is the androgenic and virilizing effects they produce in addition.
Winstrol is among the limited group of anabolic-androgenic steroids that are preferred by women because of its mild androgenic characteristics.
It is an exceptional choice, since it eliminates the risk of developing male secondary sexual characteristics like increased body and facial hair or deep voice.
However, it is possible that certain undesired characteristics begin to surface, after prolonged usage or high dosage. Women can use the drug safely for close to 6 weeks, taking five mg to 10 mg of Winnie a day, without developing any masculine effects.
Many female bodybuilders consider Winstrol their number one choice, in comparison to other mildly androgenic anabolic steroids like Anavar and Primobolan, because Winnies are more powerful in comparison. The results obtained are effective and fast.
The “primary purpose” of Winstrol for bodybuilders
While all anabolic-androgenic steroids pack in diverse benefits, affecting each cycle, their benefits are generally categorized into a “primary” and a “secondary” benefit, related to a particular cycle.
The primary purpose of a Winnie in bodybuilding is related to the cutting cycle. It also improves the athletic performance of bodybuilders.
Winstrol greatly limits the extent of nitrogen retention in muscles, thus stimulating the production of protein. Enhanced vascularity translates into increased strength, thereby increasing speed, physical power and agility.
Additionally, the drug promotes a harder, more “dry” physique for bodybuilders with low body fat. It has a very pronounced and positive impact on the body’s fat burning process.
Bodybuilders undergoing a caloric deficit to lean down, use Winstrol for the purpose of prevention. It helps the body retain lean muscle mass and promotes the metabolism of fats first.
The prevention of lean muscles also increases the basal metabolic rate, promoting the burning of fat further.
Obtaining Winstrol
Since its use in the medical field continues, Winstrol can be purchased as a prescription medicine from pharmacies. Those who cannot have the drug prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner can by it over the Internet. People who buy Winstrol and other steroids online, say the delivery is secure, discreet and reliable.
Benefits of Winstrol in bodybuilding
Bodybuilders form a majority of the off-label users of Winstrol. It produces desired effects, rather than producing all the effects associated with the use of AASs.
For instance, the use of Winstrol does not lead to the increase in breast size in male or hair loss and deepening of voice in females, both of which, are common anabolic effects of AASs.
Winstrol has earned the reputation of being a drug of choice because it promotes:
Increased production of red blood cells
The use of Winstrol in bodybuilding stems from its ability to increase the body’s production of red blood cells, significantly. Red blood cells (RBCs) supply oxygen to the cells and muscles at different parts of the body.
For people who participate in intense workouts and strenuous exercise or physical activity, a high RBC count in the blood is linked to improved performance.
More the number of RBCs in the bloodstream, more is the amount of oxygen that gets supplied to the brain and muscles.
This helps athletes stay concentrated and perform to the best of their ability.
Further, sufficient oxygen in blood ensures lactic acid doesn’t build up in the stream. Athletes and bodybuilders with low RBC count typically suffer from more frequent episodes of muscle pain and cramps, because of the buildup of lactic acid.
Improved muscle growth
Courtesy the anabolic properties of Winstrol, it promotes growth of lean body mass as well as bone density.
It produces growth of cells and their differentiation, leading to increase in the overall size of the body – allowing bodybuilders to “bulk up”. They promote body’s natural synthesis of protein and insulin and the process of muscle growth.
Winstrol also promotes mineralization of bones, increasingendurance levels of bodybuilders by boosting strength.
Fat burning
Another key reason why Winstrol is the drug of choice of bodybuilders is its power in “cutting”.
It is believed to promote the faster metabolism of fatty adipose tissues, resulting in the decrease of overall fat mass. Since it helps burn fats and retain muscle weight, bodybuilders are able to increase strength without increasing their body weight.
Winstrol promotes body’s natural production of testosterone, resulting in an increase in the amount of free testosterone levels.
This provides the body more of the hormone for preserving muscle mass and burning the extra fat tissues.
Diuresis
Winstrol is anabolic in nature – it does not get converted into oestrogens and prevents retention of water.
Winstrol is also believed to induce a diuretic effect on the body. It improves the elimination of fluids from the body.
Since the drug activity avoids water retention, “water weight” is never a concern and bodybuilders prefer it because they don’t need to focus on getting rid of any water retained in the body.
It is still possible however, that some amount of water retention occurs during Winstrol use because of the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen.
The testosterone content of Winstrol is however, not large enough to produce significant amount of oestrogen or water retention.
Understanding the mechanism of action of Winstrol
Winstrol is fat soluble and therefore, possesses the ability of penetrating through the membrane of target cells and acting directing on the nuclei of cells, thereby influencing their actions.
Hormones from Winstrol reach the inner cytoplasm of target cell, after having penetrated through the cell membrane. Here, they bind themselves to the androgen receptors found in the cytoplasm, forming a complex compound.
The compound then diffuses into the core (nucleus) of the target cell and performs actions to influence the functioning of the cell.
These actions may include alteration of the genes’ expression or stimulating processes that signal different parts of the target cell to perform different functions.
Its effect on lean muscle mass for example, can be in any of the following ways – a) they promote the biosynthesis of protein from amino acids and, b) they block the effects cortisol has on muscle tissue.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that promotes the catabolism (breakdown) of muscles. Winstrol decreases recovery time by inhibiting the effects of cortisol.
It is believed that the drug arrests muscle catabolism by blocking the action of hormones that promote such catabolism.
Another typical influence anabolic steroids have on cells is with regards to cell differentiation. They promote differentiation in target cells, turning them into muscle cells.
This reduces the number of cells that are available for fat storage, thus helping maintain lean mass. The fat-burning capabilities of Cortisol and other anabolic steroids may be attributed to this effect too.
Since increase in lean body mass results in an increase in body’s basal metabolic rate, which in turn promotes burning of fat, Winstrol helps reduce fat in bodybuilders.
Side effects of using Winstrol
Winstrol is an ester free anabolic steroid that is found either in the form of an aqueous suspension (that can be injected in the muscles), or in the form of 17 Alpha Alkylated steroid (that can be consumed orally as a tablet).
Owing to the 17 Alpha Alkylated, or 17-aa structure, Winstrol is able to survive its first pass through the liver, after being ingested.
The Winni then becomes active, after dissolving in the bloodstream. This characteristic ropes in both positive and negative effects on the body.
The plus side is that Winnies become active very quickly in the bloodstream, producing desired results fast. On the downside however, Winnies bring some amount of toxicity to the liver.
But considering that all oral medicines affect the liver in a similar manner – the toxicity not being limited to oral steroids alone.
Liver toxicity is not a concern with injectable forms of Winstrol however. Bodybuilders using oral Winnies must stay informed about the health of their liver, in order to prevent liver diseases.
The following symptoms must be reported to the doctor immediately:
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Vomiting or nausea
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Yellowing or discoloration of the skin or eyes
- Darkening of the color of urine
- Allergic reactions (swelling, itching, skin irritation and so on)
- Hair loss
- Persistent headaches
- Acne
Early diagnosis of symptoms is the key to treating them and prevent the onset of severe liver diseases.
Important considerations when using Winstrol
While the regular use of Winstrol comes with some inherent risks, its popularity among the bodybuilding crowd is proof that people have found a way around the side effects and potential health problems.
For people taking Winnies without medical prescription, and therefore, doctor’s supervision, a healthy diet, regular exercise and some general caution, is the key to getting the most out of the wonder drug, without suffering from any related problems.
Women bodybuilders and athletes
It is recommended that women take oral Winstrols, in the beginning at least. Daily dosage must stay within 10mg and must be administered with food and a lot of water.
Four-week cycles are preferable for bodybuilders who are new to Winstrol. The ideal dose for women is between five mg and 15 mg a day, taken once in two days.
Men bodybuilders and athletes
The acceptable dose for men varies between 25 mg and 100 mg. Male bodybuilders can keep their Winstrol-cycles up to 8 week long. It is best to stay within the daily limit of 50mg in terms of dosage.
However, bodybuilders can increase their intake to up to 100 mg, during the last 14-15 days of their cycle.
Cylces longer than 8 weeks and 100mg-doses for longer than two weeks pose the risk of seriou sliver problems and must be avoided.
Stacking with other AASs
Several Winni users report increased capability of the drug after having stacked it with other anabolic, androgenic steroids.
Winstrols can be stacked with any steroid and go exceptionally well with Testosterone, Trenbolone, Anavar and HGH.
The mix used by professional bodybuilders typically consists of Trenbolone, Testosterone and Winstrol.
Ideally, components of the stack differ from one person to another and must be dictated by the goals of the person.
For example, bodybuilders who ant to preserve their lean muscle mass and reduce body fat percentage at the same time stack their Winnies with Testosterone.
Stacking Winstrol with Trenbolone is usually a good idea for bodybuilders who want to cut fats by using a rigorous cardio regime and strict diet control.
Women should keep stacking cycles under eight weeks to stay safe. Stacking by more experienced bodybuilders can go safely for up to 12 weeks.
Monitoring health
Monitoring the health of liver is of utmost important since many Winstrols available online may be of inferior quality and lead to liver toxicity, acne, high liver values and cholesterol.
Strength training exercises must be performed at least five days a week. It is important to read the label and follow instructions about dosage and administration.
Further, when stacking the Winnies with other drugs, it is important to ask an expert.
Prescription drugs like Phenprocoumon, Acenocoumarol, Bupropion, Phenindione, Anisindione and Warfarin are known to react adversely with anabolic steroids in general and must therefore, be avoided.
General advice
Bodybuilders using Winnies for cutting must be particularly cautious of their diet and exercise regimes. Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Regular lifting exercises will help preserve lean muscle mass.
- Low-intensity cardio exercises must be done to promote fat loss.
- Intake of green leafy vegetables must be increased.
- Intake of water must be increased. Water aids liver in its functions and reduces risks of liver toxicity associated with the use of Winnies.
- Citrus fruits (fruits rich in Vitamin C) must be eaten regularly and in sufficient quantity.
- Smoking and drinking must be reduced, preferably discontinued altogether. Winnies are potentially toxic for the liver as it is. They become lethal when combined with alcohol.
- Sweets, carbonated beverages and fatty foods must be avoided.
- A minimum of eight hours of sleep must be aimed for.
- Certain drugs like Liv-52 and Milk Thistle, which promote the health of the liver are a good option for supplements and can be used within Winnie cycles. Since Winstrol is anabolic, the conversion of steroid into oestrogen is not a concern. Anti-oestrogens are therefore, not required as supplements during Winni cycles.
Once the cycle is over, post cycle therapy is a good idea. It is preferrable to include a combination of HCG, Clomid and Nolvadex in the post cycle plan, along with other steroids. Bridging with Winstrol during post cycle must be avoided.