Anavar vs Tren: Which is the Better Choice? – Inside Bodybuilding

Anavar (Oxandrolone) and Tren (Trenbolone) are two anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders to burn fat and build muscle.

Anavar is predominantly viewed as a cutting steroid, used by men and women to burn significant amounts of fat. However, Tren can be used as a bulking or cutting steroid, with it displaying powerful anabolic (muscle building) and fat-burning properties. Women typically do not take Tren due to a high risk of masculinization.

Anavar vs Tren: Benefits

Administration

Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas Tren is an injectable, so most users prefer the convenience of administering anavar.

Muscle Gains

Tren is among the most potent bulking steroids on the market for building lean muscle tissue. Weight gain may not be as much compared to wetter bulking steroids, such as Dianabol or Anadrol, but the overall net gain of muscle tissue is equal (or more).

We have seen users gain 20–30 pounds of lean muscle from a single Tren cycle.

Anavar is not viewed as a bulking steroid, as it only builds moderate amounts of muscle. Users can expect to gain 10–15 pounds of muscle on Anavar.

As Tren and Anavar do not aromatize, they both produce dry muscle gains without any water retention or bloating. This consequently increases muscle definition and vascularity during cycles.

Strength Gains

Tren is one of powerlifter’s favourite anabolic steroids due to its exceptional potency and androgenicity. Anavar is also very effective for increasing muscular strength, although not to the same degree as Tren.

We have seen Tren-users add 50 pounds to their bench press from their first cycle, which is quite remarkable considering it doesn’t cause any water retention.

Fat Loss

Tren is usually utilized during bulking cycles where users eat in a calorie surplus, whereas Anavar is typically taken when users eat in a calorie deficit. Thus, it is difficult to gauge and compare the actual fat-burning effects of each compound.

However, anecdotally, we see greater fat loss in Anavar users, which may be attributed to increased T3 (triiodothyronine) levels and improved insulin sensitivity.

Tren may not burn as much fat as Anavar, but its high androgenicity and potency enable it to burn noticeable amounts of subcutaneous fat. Thus, Tren is arguably the best bulking steroid for reducing fat mass.

Anavar vs Tren: Side Effects

Anavar is considered one of the safest anabolic steroids, with it being FDA-approved in medicine and even used by women and children in research (1).

Tren, on the other hand, is one of the most toxic anabolic steroids that has never received FDA approval for human use.

Liver toxicity

Despite Anavar being a milder anabolic steroid than Tren, it will cause higher elevations of ALT and AST enzymes, marking liver stress. This is due to it being c-17 alpha-alkylated, and thus it must be metabolized by the liver in order for it to become active.

Tren, however, is an injectable steroid, and thus direct entry into the bloodstream prevents any hepatic complications.

We have seen 500 mg/day of TUDCA effectively lower ALT and AST levels, offering liver protection for those taking orals (2).

Cholesterol

Due to Anavar’s mild nature, cholesterol levels do not rise excessively. Thus, it is one of the best anabolics for cardiovascular health, alongside Testosterone and Deca Durabolin.

Trenbolone, however, is very cardiototoxic, according to existing research and our patients’ lipid profiles (3). We typically see a significant reduction in HDL combined with a sharp rise in LDL during Tren cycles, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

We advise users on Tren or other cardiotoxic steroids to follow a ketogenic diet, take 4 grams of fish oil per day, and perform regular cardiovascular exercise. This will lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol, and enhance vasodilation, effectively reducing blood pressure.

Hair loss

Anavar is a DHT-derived anabolic steroid, so it can accelerate hair loss in genetically sensitive users.

Trenbolone, in our experience, is more likely to cause shedding than Anavar due to its very high androgenicity.

This side effect is individualized, as we see some IFBB bodybuilders take androgenic steroids for years and have a full head of hair. Whereas other guys only run a few cycles and virtually lose their hairline. Thus, anabolic steroids only accelerate the natural balding process.

Acne

Tren may overstimulate the sebaceous glands in genetically sensitive users, causing acne vulgaris. Anavar is less likely to do this, although it is a possible side effect for those with naturally oily skin, increasing the risk of blocked pores.

Prostate

Prostate enlargement is a possible side effect of Anavar or Tren, potentially making it more difficult to urinate.

Testosterone Suppression

In our experience, Anavar causes moderate testosterone suppression, while Tren completely shuts it down.

Thus, an aggressive PCT should be utilized after Tren to help the HPTA recover. Doing so could help restore natural testosterone levels within 30 days; however, this will require multiple drugs.

We have had success combining hCG, Nolvadex, and Clomid together post-cycle to treat hypogonadism.

Anavar users may or may not wish to utilize a PCT, but if they do, they may only require one of the above medications.

Without a PCT, testosterone levels may take several weeks to normalize.

FAQ

Can Anavar and Tren be taken together?

Anavar and Tren can be taken together, although we don’t see this duo too often due to Anavar being a mild anabolic and Tren being a harsh one. So, stacking them together will produce better results than taking either of them alone, although adding Tren to Anavar significantly increases cardiac risks.

Anavar is best taken by itself when cutting and arguably paired with testosterone when trying to gain lean mass.

We find Tren to be best paired with Anadrol or Test when bulking, although any Trenbolone stack should be considered risky and only necessary for advanced steroid users who have built up tolerance to these compounds.

Summary

Anavar and Tren are very different anabolic steroids, with Anavar producing mild side effects and Tren producing harsh ones. Anavar can therefore be utilized by beginners or advanced steroid users, whereas Tren should only be utilized by the latter.

Tren is also a potent bulking compound, whereas Anavar is best suited for cutting.

Anavar is suitable for women, whereas Tren will cause masculizing side effects.

Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas Tren is an injectable.

Anavar is expensive, whereas Tren is inexpensive.

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