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Equipoise is an effective steroid that helps users gain muscle mass and increasing endurance.
Keep reading and learn about this highly effective anabolic steroid.
Derived from testosterone, Equipoise is an anabolic steroid which is also known on the market as boldenone undecylenate.
Boldenone undecylenate was originally developed in the 1950s by CIBA when it was released for use in humans under the brand name of parenabol. The drug was used for the next two decades with some success but was discontinued by the end of the 1970s.
When it was in use for humans, it was prescribed for osteoporosis due to its ability to increase bone mass density and to protect ligaments.
The next release of boldenone undecylenate was under the brand of Equipoise, but intended only for use in animals, more specifically cattle and horses. It remains on the market but only for veterinary use.
Currently, there is no country in the world which has approved this steroid for human use.
Boldenone undecylenate was created to be a long-acting version of Dianabol and is based on the same hormone. However, unlike Dianabol, boldenone undecylenate and Equipoise have a long-acting ester attached which is what extends its half-life.
Can it be Taken on its Own?
Although it stacks well with other drugs, Equipoise can also be used on its own to great effect.
Equipoise doesn’t act quickly so, for this reason, it can be thought to be ineffective but used at the right dose and with patience it can be extremely beneficial during a cutting cycle. By itself, the gains for bulking are probably not sufficient but there are other benefits such as improved endurance and increased regeneration of tissue.
For athletes who are already lean, using this alone will result in muscles which are much harder and excellent definition.
Stacking Info
Equipoise stacks extremely well with other anabolic steroids and is flexible enough to be used for both cutting and bulking.
When used in a bulking cycle, it can be stacked with Sustanon or Anadrol and is normally dosed at 600mg per week. Although not the most effective bulking agent, it can help to produce hardness and steady gains.
For cutting purposes, this steroid can be stacked with Trenbolone or Winstrol and is normally dosed at 400mg per week. Excellent when used for this purpose, it will provide superior muscle definition and vascularity.
How it is Administered
Equipoise is typically administered in its injectable form, with the steroid delivered in an oil solution. This can cause irritation on the skin so it’s essential to rotate the sites used.
Although the drug is long-acting, most users opt to inject it on a weekly basis. This ensures that serum levels remain constant without any fluctuations.
Boldenone isn’t a fast-acting steroid with the effects not becoming apparent for up to 28 days. For this reason, is often used in much longer cycles of 14-18 weeks. Because of the mildness of its side effects, this is normally tolerated well and experienced users may even extend the use up to 20 weeks.
Dosage Info
The normal dosage range for performance enhancement is 400-600mgs per week. In more experienced users, a dosage of up to 800mgs may be seen but this is rarely required.
Half-life Info
Equipoise was deliberately created to have a much longer half-life compared to Dianabol, and it has achieved this, lasting 12-14 days.
This can be an advantage during the cycle as it means that the drug does not have to be administered too frequently. However, at the end of a cycle it can be problematic as following the final injection there is a prolonged period where the steroid neither has a sufficiently strong anabolic effect but also prevents recovery from commencing. For this reason, some users prefer to front load with this drug during a cycle rather than using it at the end.
Although Equipoise will clear from the body within approximately six weeks, like other forms of long-acting esterified anabolic steroids, it can be traced for a much longer period. This compound can be detected in tissue up to 18 months, or potentially longer after the last injection was administered. For this reason, it’s not normally suitable for those who will undergo doping tests such as in competitions.
Positive Effects
Similarly, to certain other anabolic steroids, boldenone can synthesize protein more effectively as well as promote nitrogen retention, both essential components for improved muscle growth.
It is known to protect ligaments and boost lean muscle mass, as evidenced by its prior use in osteoporosis. The red blood cell count is another major medical benefit, and this allows athletes to pump oxygen more effectively around the body, with the net result of muscles being able to train more intensively.
Potential Side Effects
The minimal side effects of Equipoise are one of the reasons there’s still such a demand for this drug. No longer produced for human use, devotees are willing to go to extreme measures to use Equipoise because of the advantages it offers compared to other steroids.
Nevertheless, it is possible for side effects to occur, especially at a higher dose.
Androgenic Effects
It is an androgenic drug so it’s possible that side effects may be experienced, even though this is generally a well-tolerated steroid.
The types of androgenic side effects could include irritability, oily skin, acne and excessive growth of body and facial hair. Although these effects may occur in anyone, usually they only manifest in individuals who are particularly sensitive to androgen or at a very high dose.
Estrogenic Effects
EQ has the ability to aromatize but only to a very mild degree, so, therefore, estrogenic effects are not normally a major concern for many users. Aromatizing at roughly half the rate of testosterone, a mild estrogenic effect may be noticed by some.
Noticeable water retention is an uncommon but potential problem, normally only occurring with the higher dosage. Such individuals may be similarly affected by the presence of gynecomastia.
If estrogenic effects are a problem for the user, Nolvadex or Proviron can be run alongside which should eliminate the issue. Stronger anti-aromatase drugs such as Arimidex are available but with such mild effects they are rarely warranted.
Cardiovascular
The cardiovascular effects of this steroid are potentially far less than with other anabolic steroids and should not be a major cause for concern unless there is a pre-existing history of heart disease.
Although blood pressure is typically unaffected, levels of cholesterol may change, with HDL being suppressed. These side effects normally only occur at much higher doses so the average user won’t be negatively affected. It is, however, a good idea to eat a healthy diet and to have regular cholesterol tests to check.
Hair Loss
Hair loss can occur with this steroid because of the androgenic effect of the steroid. However, male pattern baldness can only be triggered in individuals who already carry the gene. Hair loss can be accelerated in these individuals but it won’t always occur, often only being caused by the higher doses.
In those who do suffer steroid-related hair loss when taking Equipoise, the problem can be resolved by ceasing use. This won’t restore hair already lost but will prevent further accelerated loss.
Liver Toxicity
There is no evidence that Equipoise has any hepatotoxicity and no supplementation is required to protect the liver during use.
Other Effects
Equipoise can increase the appetite so those on a calorie restricted diet, such as during a cutting cycle, might find it challenging.
Contraindications
Equipoise is extremely well tolerated and is widely known to have mild side effects. However, there are some individuals where use is not recommended. Anyone with a history of any of the following should consult a physician before use:
• Breast cancer
• Prostatic hypertrophy or cancer
• Circulatory disease
• Cardiovascular disease
This drug is also not proven to be safe in women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is this Steroid Best Suited to Cutting, Bulking or Both?
It is a very versatile steroid as it can be used for both bulking and cutting purposes, depending on the dose and the stack.
When used solo, Equipoise doesn’t really deliver the huge gains that most users want during a bulking cycle but when used in a stack it can deliver hard, solid muscle. It is, therefore, a useful addition to any bulking stack.
This compound is perfect for cutting, even when used on its own because it helps to preserve and promote muscle gains, increasing hardness and definition. The only problem on a cutting cycle can be the fact that it stimulates appetite, not helpful for those on a calorie restricted diet. Users who notice this effect will need to have low-calorie snacks available to fill up on.
Is it Safe for Women to Use?
Equipoise doesn’t have any strong androgenic effect and for this reason, it’s fairly popular as a steroid for use within women. In males, there are arguably other steroids which do the same job or better, such as Trenbolone, Deca Durabolin or Masteron, but for women, it offers a real advantage.
Because of the low degree of androgenic activity, virilization is a much lower risk for females and only tends to occur at very high doses. Most women use Equipoise at a dose of 25-50mg per week.
Type of PCT Needed After the End of the Cycle
Like other anabolic steroids, PCT is highly recommended in order to support the body while natural testosterone returns to normal levels. Clomid or Nolvadex typically form part of PCT along with HCG and this can be commenced around three weeks after the last injection.
Typical Cost to Buy
If you want to buy Equipoise you will soon find that this is not an easy drug to purchase, with nothing available legally.
As Boldenone has not been produced for the human market since the 1970s (and in a different form) there is currently no pharmaceutical grade available. This only leaves the black market and underground labs to satisfy the demand and the quality of the drug provided can significantly vary.
For this anabolic steroid, in particular, it is essential to buy from a trusted source if you want to be certain that you are getting the purity you expect.
The price you will have to pay depends on the grade of the drug you buy. Veterinary grade EQ is generally priced at $40-75 per 10mls, while the black market price is cheaper at roughly $35-60 per 10mls.
Sports That Use it
The bodybuilding community can use this steroid to great effect, adding lean gains as well as benefitting from the increased red blood count too. However, because the drug has the ability to appear in a urine sample many months after it has been taken it’s not ideal for those taking part in competitions.
For the same reason, although Equipoise has the potential to offer benefits to a number of different sports, the fact that it remains in the system for such a long period is a major deterrent.
Legality of Purchase and its Usage in the US
Anabolic steroid use is controlled in the US and the drugs cannot be freely bought, distributed or possessed. Considered to be a Schedule III controlled substance it cannot be legally owned or used in the US.
Schedule III drugs can only be used with a legitimate prescription from a physician but as it’s not licensed for use in humans, this is not possible. Therefore, all uses of Equipoise in the US in humans is illegal and the penalty could be either a heavy fine or even imprisonment.
These penalties apply to the possession of Equipoise even for personal use, as the US has a much stricter law on anabolic steroids than elsewhere in the world, such as the UK and Canada where it is classified as Schedule IV.
Bringing the drug into the US from elsewhere, even if purchased legally, is a felony and would be subject to the same penalties.