Equipoise
Boldenone is a very different type of performance enhancer, primarily due to the fact it is a veterinary drug.
You may come across vials labelled as boldenone undecylenate or ‘Equipoise’, equipoise being the brand name it was manufactured under.
Boldenone shows similar characteristics to deca, it has a long ester to reduce injection frequency and has for many years been used to improve muscle mass and performance in horses or for a treatment for horses suffering from degenerative issues.
Boldenone is a modified version of testosterone, it has a double bond between carbons 1 and 2. The characteristics of it are what makes it release much more slowly than other steroids. The initial peak over a few days will then be followed by a slow release for around 20 – 25 days.
It has also been a choice drug for athletes and bodybuilders. The mild nature of the drug on humans makes it a great addition to a cycle however, it is rarely used as a standalone drug.
Users report an increase in lean muscle mass, a more ‘veiny’ and ‘pumped’ look. Equipoise is known to cause an increase in red blood cell production which can increase the feel of a pump and make it much more pronounced (although all steroids do this, boldenone does it much better).
Boldenone is generally a well-tolerated performance-enhancing drug, it should be noted though that increasing red blood cell count can cause serious health issues.
Androgenic Rating: 50
Anabolic Rating: 100
Boldenone Undecylenate
Boldenone is only available from UGLs. The strength can vary from lab to lab. More often you will find vials dosed around 200mg/ml. If you are lucky enough to find veterinary grade boldenone the vials are dosed at 50mg/ml.
How Much Does Boldenone Cost?
It is only available from unlicensed manufacturers. However, generally speaking, the cost of raw powder isn’t super expensive.
An average price range for purchasing from an underground lab can be from £25 per 10ml vial up to £45.
What Does a Boldenone Cycle Look Like?
Running a cycle will vary from person to person. It typically depends on the reason for using it. Boldenone is actually quite versatile in the fact it can be used on a bulking cycle to improve appetite and on a cutting cycle to improve the overall look.
Most users will run boldenone as an additional compound in a cycle. During a bulking cycle, users may run a cycle of testosterone, deca and boldenone.
A cutting cycle may consist of testosterone and boldenone alongside Winstrol to improve the deep cuts of the muscle. Cycles like this are also an alternative to running tren. Results are person dependent.
People often report boldenone as being a ‘weak’ or ‘mild’ steroid. This is true if it was compared to the likes of tren or deca which are all out mass and strength builders. However, it should be run for longer periods of time to see maximum results, often 12 – 16 weeks.
As with anything to do with performance-enhancing drugs, not everything works for everyone. It is important to listen to your body and see what works for you.
Beginner Boldenone Cycle
Weeks 1 – 14
- Monday 1 x 250mg test / 1 x 150mg boldenone
- Thursday 1 x 250mg test / 1 x 150mg boldenone
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 14 – 16 PCT
More Experienced Boldenone Cycle
Weeks 1 – 14
- Monday 1 x 375mg test / 1 x 250mg boldenone
- Thursday 1 x 375mg test / 1 x 250mg boldenone
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 14 – 16 PCT
Advanced Boldenone Cycle
Weeks 1 – 14
- Monday 1 x 500mg test / 1 x 375mg boldenone
- Thursday 1 x 500mg test / 1 x 375mg boldenone
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 14 – 16 PCT
How To Inject Boldenone
For a step by step guide on how to safely inject steroids please see this article ‘How to inject steroids safely’.
What Are The Side Effects of Boldenone
Any drug can have side effects and steroids are no different. Side effects of equipoise can come in various forms and are usually more prevalent for people who run continued length cycles or use more substantial doses.
Side effects from steroids can affect the cardiovascular system, estrogenic and androgenic.
When using anabolic/androgenic steroids, it is essential to understand the risks associated with the use and also how to minimise the chances of them occurring.
It is important to note that not everyone will experience side effects from steroids. It is essential to know and understand the risk associated with them, though.
We can break down the side effects of Sustanon into the following subjects;
- Estrogenic side effects
- Androgenic side effects
- Cardiovascular side effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Natural testosterone shutdown
Androgenic Side Effects Of Boldenone
Boldenone has a low androgenic rating and is primarily classed as an anabolic steroid. Many people still report side effects which are more common in stronger androgenic steroids.
Side effects include breakouts of acne especially around the back and shoulders, oily skin and an increase in hair growth on the body and face.
Users who may normally suffer from male pattern baldness or an increase in prostate-related side effects usually have no issues.
Estrogenic Side Effects
Boldenone is aromatized in the body, however at a much lower rate than testosterone. As such people would refer to it as a mildly estrogenic compound. As boldenone is often run alongside other compounds this can cause more estrogenic side effects than if it was run alone.
Added water weight, holding more body fat and gynecomastia are all unwanted side effects.
Anti-estrogens such as Arimidex or Anastrozole work by reducing or stopping the conversion of testosterone to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme.
Cardiovascular Side Effects
Added water weight in short spaces of time and can result in added strain on the heart and organs.
Boldenone can affect cholesterol levels by reducing HDL or ‘good cholesterol’ and increasing LDL ‘bad cholesterol’. This shift, over time, can result in the hardening of the artery walls and higher levels of fat in the bloodstream leading to strokes, or heart attacks if left unchecked and untreated.
The increase in muscle mass and weight can also lead to higher blood pressure which can again, affect the heart and kidneys.
Running boldenone can also affect your blood ‘thickness’, by increasing your red blood cell count.
It is highly recommended for anyone thinking about running a cycle, or who has already run one to get blood tests done at least every three months. This not only allows you to know what is going in regards to your health but also make any necessary adjustments before starting.
Does Boldenone affect the liver?
Boldenone, much like testosterone, is metabolised by the liver. Running a cycle in moderate doses doesn’t really have too much of an impact on liver lipid levels.
It is important to note, though, high dose cycles or prolonged cycles could push liver markers beyond normal levels.
Natural Testosterone Shutdown
Using any form of steroid will lead to the suppression of your natural test production. This often returns after the cycle has stopped. In rare cases or when users have been on cycle for prolonged periods, people can be shut down permanently or suffer from low testosterone levels for many years.
PCT ancillaries such as HCG can help keep the testes stimulated and producing natural testosterone. It is usually taken as a part of a PCT (post cycle therapy).
Benefits of using Boldenone
- Great for lean muscle gains
- Manageable side effects
- Increase in muscle density
- Ca increase hunger levels
FAQs on Boldenone Undecylenate
What is Boldenone used for in bodybuilding?
Boldenone is quite a versatile steroid. It can be used in bulking and cutting cycles and often adds a more synergistic effect to a cycle.
It can increase hunger, increase RBC and build quality lean muscle. It stacks great with testosterone.
How often should you inject equipoise?
Most users will inject equipoise twice per week. The half-life will keep a consistent hormone release into the bloodstream while increasing levels to optimum for muscle building.
Is boldenone good for cutting?
It is great for cutting. It does not have much in the way of thermogenic properties but the increase in RBC and its ability to build lean mass make it a great cutting steroid.
Conclusion
Although equipoise is primarily a veterinary steroid it has certainly gained its place amongst the best performance enhancers on the market.
It works fantastic when stacked with other steroids. Running equipoise alongside Sustanon, for example, could help amplify the effects of running either compound alone. Boldenone is far from being a rapid muscle builder, gains are more steady yet they are leaner than what one could gain with say, deca.
For this reason and more, it has always been favoured as a cutting drug or pre-summer cycle drug for regular gym-goers.
It is important to monitor your RBC levels when using boldenone.