Choosing safe steroid alternatives means carving out huge slabs of muscle and developing superhero strength without the life-threatening side effects and risks of anabolics.
Lifting is life bro. And with hard graft and the right amount of commitment you’ve already etched out a powerful, natty physique. But there’s just something missing. Maybe you’re after another inch on your arms or your rep max on bench is still hovering around 220.
You’re thinking steroids might be the answer.
The thought of taking steroids has always been on your mind. But now it’s a serious consideration you’re having. You’ve maybe even started researching it.
Well hold right there bro. Don’t commit just yet. Because in this guide we’ll give you the bro-down on the best steroid alternatives. So you can be safe in the knowledge that your gains won’t come with a deadly cost.
What Are Steroids?
All steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, synthesized in either pharma or underground labs.
In your body right now there’s a hormone called testosterone. It’s made naturally in your testes and flows through your blood, helping to make you a masculine specimen of a man. The kind of dude that no one f*cks with.
Testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid hormone. That’s a long word so let’s break it down.
- Anabolic – builds muscle mass by elevating muscle protein synthesis
- Androgenic – develops a deep, assertive voice, broad shoulders and intimidating facial and body hair
- Steroid – a class of fat-soluble hormones that are derived from cholesterol
The benefits of testosterone are broad and varied:
- More energy, endurance and stamina
- Optimal power production and maximal strength
- Lean muscle and lower body fat
- Lower risk of metabolic illnesses such as diabetes
- Turns you into a goddamn Lothario f*ck machine
It’s naturally high testosterone production that gives you a confident, alpha hunter-gatherer attitude and a thick, muscular frame. Increased testosterone levels means you’re as tough as you are attractive. You’re top of the social ranking and women gravitate to you with their ass in the air and panties around their ankles.
All men should strive to be alphas.
And it’s testosterone that provides the answer.
All steroids derive from testosterone
Steds, ‘roids, juice, gear. These are the terms you’ll hear thrown around the ion house to describe steroid drugs.
The proper name for performance-enhancing steroids is anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). They were first made to help men with low testosterone. But as more and more men realized the strong anabolic and androgenic effects, they made their way into the realm of cheating athletes and lazy bro that wouldn’t work for their gains.
The US has around 3 million steroid users. Let that sink in.
When you buy steroids, you’re getting a derivative of testosterone that’s been synthesized in a lab somewhere. All AAS drugs share a common carbon compound arrangement ‘ring structure’ based on the testosterone molecule.
Steroids work by providing supraphysiological levels of testosterone. AAS drugs bind to your natural androgen receptors which are encoded with genes, and it’s these genes that work like a doorman at the club. It checks the ID of the incoming steroid, and because it checks out, it’s allowed to enter the receptor.
And once through the doors, steroids start to take effect. When triggered, androgen receptors begin to spike protein synthesis and push your body into a more anabolic position by boosting uptake of amino acids amongst other things.
[infobox]Bro Point: Steroids are based on the carbon ring structure of testosterone. When you take steroids your testosterone levels increase because you’re pumping fake, synthetic hormones into your body.
[/infobox]Why Are Steroids So Dangerous?
Steroid use is on the increase in bodybuilding. And so are deaths and serious illnesses relating to misuse of the performance-enhancing drugs.
You might be licking your lips at the thought of elevated anabolism, supraphysiological testosterone levels building muscle and gaining strength.
And who could blame you.
But with the benefits comes a bunch of hard-hitting, ball-shrivelling side effects that you really need to know about. Because its these that should really put you off taking steroids for good.
The bottom line is that we’ve never come across anyone that doesn’t regretting using AAS. They will straight up f*ck up your shit bro, leaving you a shadow of your former self.
Here’s a breakdown of the risks of taking steroids:
Steroid misuse leads to cardiovascular issues
According to a study of AAS-enhanced weightlifters, prolonged AAS use leads to an increase in blood pressure, peripheral resistance in your arteries and enlargement of the muscles of your heart. It also decreases contractility, meaning the heart gets bigger but the contractions that control it get weaker.
Take the late, great Rich Piana for example.
He was a regular steroid user and died at the age of 46 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Another bro, Dallas McCarver succumbed to congestive heart failure at 26.
Take ‘roids and watch your balls shrink
When you take steroids you shut down your body’s own testosterone-producing pathways. This causes a knee jerk (or should that be ball jerk) reaction that leads to a reduction in testicular tissue size.
Your boys literally shrink bro. And not only that, AAS use is linked to erectile dysfunction, lack of bedroom stamina and reduced fertility too. So even if you did mange to get it up, chances are you’ll leave her laughing at your crappy form and dribble-like spunk.
Depression, anxiety and low mood
The thought of getting jacked with steroids might put a smile on your face. But long term use of AAS has been clearly linked to disorders such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Steroid dependence
- Psychosis
- Homicidal tendencies
- Significant risk of suicide
- Aggression and anger
As many as 33% of men are hooked on steroids.
And with testosterone being an important regulator of mood in men, AAS use leads to what one study called ‘long-term psychiatric and medical consequences relating to neuropsychological deficits’.
Serious sh*t in other words.
You’re run a real risk of mental instability and killing either you or someone else.
Big swinging man boobs
When you come off steroids there’s a period of time where you’re not flooding your body with artificial hormones, and natural testosterone production is suppressed. That means NO testosterone production whatsoever.
When this happens, estrogen becomes the more dominant hormone in your body. And as a primary feminizing steroid hormone, high estrogen leads to all kinds of female characteristics – the worst being gynecomastia – you literally develop breasts.
Not a great look when you’re sporting 18 inch arms and a set of weaponized, lactating tiddies is it?
[infobox]Bro Point: Steroids might seem like a good idea. But you’ve got a high risk of suffering from a number of severe side effects that can ruin your life.
[/infobox]Best Safe Steroid Alternatives #1: Testosterone Booster Supplements
Optimize testosterone levels naturally and safely and improve muscle mass, strength and psychological performance.
As the safest, most powerful alternative to steroids, testosterone boosters increase hormone levels naturally rather than through synthetic drugs.
Test boosters don’t contain fake hormone derivatives that trick your androgen receptors. Instead, they use all-natural nutrients to help your body make its own testosterone.
T-boosters enhance testosterone levels in 3 ways:
- Directly stimulate your testes to increase total and free testosterone levels
- Trigger messenger hormones such as luteinizing hormone to stimulate androgen production
- Decrease protein binding so more testosterone in the blood can be taken up by the muscles
Testosterone booster supplements magnify and influence natural testosterone production rather than pumping your body full of dangerous drugs.
You won’t suffer any side effects from testosterone boosters either. No gyno, no heart disease and zero mood changes. Just pure lean gains, bro.
The benefits of testosterone boosters include:
- Muscle growth and increased strength
- Fat loss due to increased metabolic rate, making it easier to burn fat
- Increased stamina and endurance – both in the gym and in the bedroom
- Rocket-like erections and a cumshot that can only be measured in liters
So how do testosterone boosters actually work?
Premium test boosters contain vitamins, minerals and nutrients that have been shown to elevate androgen levels in clinical trials. Combining these in one supplement is like adding jet fuel to the smouldering fire of your low test levels.
Here’s a breakdown of the nutrients that premium T-boosters contain:
Vitamin D3 –
This fat-soluble nutrient is known as the sixth steroid hormone. That’s how potent it is at coaching your hormone levels out of the shadows.
Studies have shown that D3 doses of 5,000 IU boost athletic performance, muscle recovery, physical ability and energy levels. It also improves heart health and cognitive performance too. And doses as little as 3,332 IU have been shown to elevate both total and free testosterone levels in athletes.
D-Aspartic Acid –
As an amino acid found to regulate both growth hormone and testosterone levels, D-AA is a must-have nutrient for any bro wanting to look and feel his best.
D-aspartic acid triggers the release of luteinizing hormone. This is important as it’s LH that sends signals directly to the testes to increase testosterone production.
One study found that just 90 days of D-AA supplementation as part of a test booster protocol led to increased testosterone levels of 30-60% and an increase in sperm count by 100%. Your girl will be mightily impressed!
Other important and reliable nutrients in testosterone boosters include:
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Fenugreek
- Vitamin K2
All of these have been found to enhance hormonal profile of men – from older dudes with low test levels to athletes wanting that extra competitive edge.
Check out our best testosterone booster page to see the best, natural supplements for supporting your testosterone. Each one has been hand selected by our team and thoroughly reviewed so you can make the best possible choice.
[infobox]Bro Point: Testosterone booster supplements are a safe steroid alternative that enhance natural hormone production without the side effects.
[/infobox]Best Safe Steroid Alternatives #2: SARMs
SARMS might be called ‘legal steroids’. But they aren’t risk free.
We’re not so sure that selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS) are a great safe steroid alternative, especially next to natural testosterone boosters. But they are that little bit safer than steroids themselves, and that’s why they’re on this list.
SARMs mimic androgen hormones and are often referred to as ‘legal steroids’.They’re similar to illegal anabolics in that they share a few common chemical structures.
Because they haven’t been passed as pharmaceutical compounds, companies haven’t started producing them in mainstream medicine. For that reason, most have awkward alphanumerical names such as MK-2866 or GSX-007.
What are SARMS said to do?
Much like steroids, SARMs do contain androgen hormones. But because they’re ‘selective’, SARMs claim to stay away from your liver and other organs and instead exert their effects on muscle tissue.
SARMS might be safer than steroids… but don’t be fooled
Although not as harsh as steroids, SARM use can still lead to serious side effects. These include:
- Hair loss
- Gynecomastia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blurred vision (you can’t even see your gains bro!)
- Testosterone suppression
The problem is that many selective androgen products are so new to market that science hasn’t even had chance to research them yet. You’re flying blind when it comes to the risks and side effects.
So even though manufacturers are calling them safe steroid alternatives, they really aren’t. They just might not be as severe when it comes to side effects.
Consistently incorrect labeling could be dangerous
Many SARM products online contain banned, illegal and unsafe substances. A study in JAMA for example found that when 44 drugs marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators were analyzed, this is what they found:
- 40% contained chemicals banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
- 60% of doses were incorrect
- 25% contained chemicals not even highlighted on the ingredient list.
Bro Point: Although safer than anabolic-androgenic steroids, SARM use can still lead to side effects.
[/infobox]Summary – Use a Testosterone Booster As Your Safe Steroid Alternative
When it comes to a safe bulk or a symptom-free shred we suggest you use a testosterone booster. Not only are they free of synthetic hormones, they influence natural testosterone production rather than synthetically through banned drugs.
Keep safe bro. And let the gains flow through you.
Hi,
currently am using Tren and test. Once in a week am using tren and test, within 2 weeks it will get finish. So should i continue it or should i drop it.
Please suggest me.
Hi Varun,
We do not advocate any kind of anabolic steroid use at SpotMeBro. Therefore, we do not advise that any of our readers use them. For further help on what you should do please contact a registered medical professional.