What is Winstrol?
Winstrol, Winny or Stanozolol, is one of the worlds most recognized oral steroid, after Dianabol, which has been on the market since the mid to late ’60s. It has long been the oral of choice for competitive bodybuilders and athletes.
Winny is a very powerful oral PED. As far as lean gains go, it has one of the best reputations on the market for delivering exactly what it states on the tin. Maximum tissue growth with minimal water retention or aromatization.
Throughout the years Winstrol has long been a staple of competitive bodybuilders in the run-up to and even through competitions. Its ability to increase muscle density and contribute to the overall ‘look’ of a bodybuilder has always made sure it was the number one choice of oral for competition time.
Winstrol is another compound which was favoured amongst the ‘golden era’ of bodybuilders with the likes of test, deca and dbol. It was a staple for many competitors in the ’70s onwards and will continue to be so going forward.
Of course, taking a c17 alpha alkylated tablet does have its downsides. Side effects can be more widespread and common when taken without precaution or run for longer and high dose cycles.
Androgenic Rating: 30
Anabolic Rating: 320
Winstrol
Stanozolol is widely available by many, if not all, UGLs and is most commonly found in 10mg tabs. You can also find 25mg and 50mg tabs on the market.
How Much Does Winstrol Cost?
Most labs will offer Winny in tubs of 50 or 100 tablets for between £35 – £55.
What Does a Winny Cycle Look Like?
Winstrol cycles can be run in a couple of ways. It entirely depends on what the user hopes to achieve. It can be run solo in cycles of 4 – 6 weeks, it can be run as a kickstart alongside other compounds e.g. Testosterone and Trenbolone Acetate, or Equipoise with Winny being run for the first 4 weeks to ‘kick start’ the cycle.
Winstrol is a great addition to a cutting cycle, if not one of the main components. Its ability to build lean muscle mass and help build strength while losing weight is not one which can be compared to much.
When run alone cycles will typically be 4 – 6 weeks in length in doses ranging from 30mg daily to 50mg on the higher end. Depending on how you react some people have taken doses up to 100mg daily, although it isn’t recommended due to the wear and tear on the liver.
One of the most effective ways of taking Winny is as a kickstart to a longer cycle. In the first few weeks of a cycle, people are eager to see and feel gains. Using Winstrol for the first 4-6 weeks allows for greater gains from day one and maximum synergistic effect.
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.
Winstrol Cycle Examples
Beginner Winstrol Cycle
Weeks 1 – 6
- 50mg Winstrol daily
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 12 – 14 PCT
More Experienced Winstrol Cycle
Weeks 1 – 12
- Monday 1 x 250mg Testosterone
- Thursday 1 x 250mg Testosterone
- 50mg Winstrol daily for the first four weeks
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 12 – 14 PCT
Advanced Winstrol Cycle
Weeks 1 – 12
- Monday 1 x 250mg Testosterone / 200mg Boldenone
- Thursday 1 x 250mg Testosterone / 200mg Boldenone
- 75mg Winstrol daily for the first four weeks
- AI (Aromatise inhibitor)
- Weeks 12 – 14 PCT
What Are The Side Effects of Winstrol
Any drug can have side effects and steroids are no different. Side effects of Winny can come in various ways, however, it is important to note when taking oral steroids they can affect the liver much more than injectable steroids.
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.
Winstrol has also been known to be used by female competitors, the side effects for women can be much more serious and often not reversible.
We can break down the side effects of Winstrol into the following subjects;
- Estrogenic side effects
- Androgenic side effects
- Cardiovascular side effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Natural testosterone shutdown
Androgenic Side Effects Of Winny
Winstrol is a very powerful anabolic steroid compared to its adrogenicity, yet it still does have the power to produce androgenic side effects. More users than not still suffer from oily skin, breakouts on the back and shoulders as well as deepening of the voice and an increase in body hair growth.
If you suffer from male pattern baldness it is possible Winny will increase the rate at which you are losing hair.
Winstrol is also very popular amongst female athletes and it should be noted side effects for women can be more pronounced.
Menstrual irregularities or issues, facial hair growth, deepening of the voice and enlargement of the clitoris are all possible side effects of Winstrol.
Estrogenic Side Effects
Winstrol is not aromatized by the body and any side effects related to estrogen should not occur while running Winstrol. Users should not have to worry about side effects including, water retention, gynecomastia or an increase in fatty deposits.
Users sensitive to estrogenic sides are usually fine while running Winstrol.
Cardiovascular Side Effects
Winstrol 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.
It 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 Winstrol affect the liver?
Winny is a c17 alpha-alkylated drug. This means a larger portion of the compound survives being broken down by the liver and enters the bloodstream. This passing causes extra strain as the liver has to work much harder to process it.
Damage to the liver can happen in doses from as little as 15mg per day and above. Running longer cycles exposes the liver to more damage over a prolonged period of time.
It is recommended to take a liver support product while running Winny, however, they are not always effective in repairing damaged cells.
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 Winstrol
- Oral tablet, convenient and easy to take
- Fantastic for building lean mass
- Perfect in the run-up to a competition
- Great synergistically when ran alongside other PEDs
- Helps create a ‘thin skin’ appearance
Conclusion
Winstrol is the perfect pre-competition drug as it brings to much to the table. Not only is it fantastic at building lean muscle it also delivers insane pumps and helps create an overall more aesthetic look.
When ran alongside other compounds the muscle density, feel and look can be a total game-changer. Helping towards having grainy and more striated muscle heads. Of course, it all sounds fantastic but the side effects of oral steroids can be very toxic.
When running a cycle involving Winstrol it is best to leave any social, or any type of, drinking aside. Using a liver supplement may help and also taking in healthy fats from diet or supplemented to support cholesterol levels.