If you’ve made your way to this post, I’m going to make the assumption that, like many thousands of other people across the world, you’re considering embarking upon an Anavar only cycle. If so, you’ve definitely made the correct decision by visiting our website! I know a few things about Oxandrolone only cycles, given that I’ve run them on several occasions, and will share my experience(s) and knowledge with you today.

If you head over to Google and search for anything Oxandrolone-related, you’ll find a wide array of websites, articles, studies, and opinions about this very popular oral steroid; however, there is a distinct lack of information about Anavar only cycles. Granted, there are discussions on Bodybuilding forums and message boards, but if you were to read these, you’d soon realize 95% of people are dead against oral only cycles, meaning you’ll not find any actual helpful information on the subject and are instead drowned by internet strangers telling you oral only cycles are a complete waste of time.

Luckily, we don’t think Anavar only cycles are a waste of time. Plus, we’ll present you with all the facts and allow you to make up your own mind as to whether or not it’s the right choice for you. We’ll discuss Oxandrolone only cycles in greater detail than you’ll find anywhere else, and I’ll talk about my personal experience with using Anavar as a standalone steroid. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Anavar Only Cycles: Everything You Need To Know

Although it’s true that the majority of those with any knowledge related to anabolic steroids and PEDs will advise against oral only cycles, using steroids in this manner has been popular for decade after decade after decade - and it’s more than likely that their popularity will continue indefinitely. The question is, is using Oxandrolone by itself worthwhile, or do all the anti oral only cycle brigade have a point? Let’s find out.

Ok, so while it’s true that I can only use my own experiences and the experiences of those I know and have worked closely with over many years, I think this is sufficient anecdotal evidence on which to base a reasonably concrete answer to the above question.

But what is my answer?

Well, the conclusion I came to at the end of my first Anavar only cycle (and every single one that proceeded it) was that Anavar by itself is more than capable of producing decent results in terms of lean muscle gains and strength. However, if you’re going to take a leaf out of my book and embark on an Oxandrolone only cycle, you must have realistic expectations. Although it can be used for bulking, Var is primarily a cutting and recomping drug; therefore, you’re not going to out huge amount of size on regardless of how many calories and how much protein you eat.

What you will see, however, is more muscle definition, which will occur due to Anavar’s ability to increase lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Your body will appear tighter and leaner, provided that you’re sensible with your calories and meal timings. Although it certainly is possible to bulk up using Anavar alone, you’ll definitely not blow up like you would with Anadrol or Dianabol.

Furthermore, you’ll experience exceptional strength gains for what many describe as a ‘mild’ steroid. Where strength is concerned, Anavar is up there with the big boys, i.e., Anadrol, Trenbolone, and Halotestin. In fact, some people say that Anavar is the best steroid, bar none, where strength is concerned. Although I wouldn’t agree with this sentiment, it is certainly up there, that’s for sure!

Almost everyone using Anavar will use it for the purpose of cutting or recomping, which, in my opinion, is where it shines. I have used Oxandrolone twice for cutting and recomping, and I can certainly attest to just how potent it is at improving body ‘aesthetics’. When I used Oxandrolone for cutting/recomping, I consumed the exact calories I needed to maintain my current body weight (i.e., ‘maintenance calories’) and factored in the calories burned during workouts. Although this may seem slightly strange given that you typically require a calorie surplus to build muscle and a calorie deficit to burn body fat and lose weight, this method enabled me to build a small amount of lean tissue and drop a little body fat.

Results from an Anavar Only Cycle

The very first time I used Anavar as a standalone compound was for my first cutting cycle, which was around nine months after my first ever steroid cycle (no-nonsense 500mg Testosterone enanthate a week for 12 weeks). I remember ordering Var 10 from Anabolics.com for the very first time. I have really fond memories of my first cutting cycle as it was the very first time in my entire life I actually looked like I was in half-decent condition! I’d always carried a little too much excess fat around my midsection and love handles, so to reduce the fat and see definition was a major confidence boost. The second time I used Oxandrolone alone, I experienced exactly the same thing, i.e., better definition, lower body fat, and amazing strength gains. These are also the Anavar results one might expect.

Prior to my first Anavar only cycle, I weight around 213lbs at around 18-19% body fat. I’d done my first bulking cycle nine months earlier, and I’d gained a lot of muscle but also quite a bit of fat and water too. Therefore, my goal was to drop body fat and preserve as much lean tissue as I possibly could. To do this, I opted for an eight-week cycle, taking 40mg for the first two weeks (to see how well I tolerated it), 60mg for the next five weeks, and 80mg for the last week as a final boost.This was the schedule I was on:

By the time the eight-week cycle had finished, I weighed in at 205lbs and had lost a very visible amount of body fat. After finishing my three-week PCT, I still weighed exactly the same, and my body looked almost identical to how it did when I stopped taking Anavar. If I had to guess, I’d say I was around 12-13% body fat, which is a significant drop from 18-19%, with a physique I was definitely very proud of! Although I didn’t get a DEXA scan before and afterward, I am certain that I built a little bit of muscle and definitely lost a good chunk of body fat; not bad for eight weeks on maintenance calories, that’s for sure!

The second time I used Anavar alone, I experienced pretty much exactly the same results. My goal was the same, i.e., at least maintain current muscle mass/bit a little bit and lose body fat, both of which were achieved successfully on maintenance calories. However, given the fact that I was leaner to start with, I looked in fantastic shape when I finished the eight weeks (at the same dosages mentioned above).

I also want to point out that in both eight-week cycles, I also took in some supplements to support the liver.

When combined with other steroids, the dosage should off course be adjusted. You can read more on dosage when stacking Anavar in an other article of our Anavar series.

For women on an Anavar only cycle, the daily doses should start at just 10 mg per day during the first two weeks. As of week 3 in the cycle, this dosage can be doubled up to 20mg per day for the rest of the cycle. It is widely accepted that a woman's Anavar only cycle should be shorter and thus last no longer than four to six weeks instead of eight weeks.

Side Effects of an Anavar Only Cycle

As I’ve mentioned several times throughout this article, Anavar is often referred to as a ‘mild’ steroids; therefore, many people who use it assume that the side effects will also be mild (or even non-existent). Sadly, this isn’t the case. While more potent oral steroids such as Anadrol and Superdrol will undoubtedly have greater potential side effects than Anavar, this doesn’t mean that the side effects from Anavar should be downplayed or ignored.

Whenever I cycle steroids, I always have blood tests done before, during, and after to see how my body is doing. From looking at my blood results mid-cycle (for both Var only cycles), it was apparent that Anavar profoundly impacted my cholesterol and triglycerides. My LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and triglycerides were raised, and my HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) was lower. Although everything went back to pre-cycle levels a few weeks after I had finished my cycles, it’s certainly worth noting that for the duration of my cycle and a few weeks into PCT, my blood markers for LDL, HDL, and triglycerides were adversely affected.

Due to the fact that Anavar doesn’t aromatize to estrogen, I did feel low-estrogen types side end of my cycles (the last couple of weeks), such as a little bit of brain fog and irritability, but these soon disappeared when I started my PCT. Even though the above cholesterol-related side effects aren’t ideal, I think the lack of testosterone and estrogen is probably the worst element of steroid cycles that only involve one compound or don’t include testosterone. How much it will affect you will depend on your genetics; some people get on fine, some people really don’t get on well with no testosterone, and some people sit between the two extreme ends of the spectrum. Ultimately, it should cause you too many issues, given that Anavar only cycles typically last no more than six to eight weeks, but it’s something to be mindful of.

Other than the above, I suffered no other side effects. My blood pressure and liver values stayed within the normal range, and I had no acne, hair loss, hair growth, or any other common side effects associated with anabolic steroids.

Anavar Only Cycle: My Review

If you’ve read all of the above, it’s probably not hard to guess what I’m going to write in my review, but it’s always nice to finish with a nice, succinct summing up! All in all, my experience of Oxandrolone only cycles has been largely positive aside from the cholesterol and triglycerides side effects that sadly come with taking oral androgens. Of course, not everyone will be affected by Anavar in the same way, and lowering the dose can certainly reduce the chances of adverse effects; however, given the fact that levels returned to normal post cycle, it’s not something to overly worry about.

In terms of results, I was very impressed both times I used Oxandrolone as a standalone compound. I built muscle and lost body fat even though I was eating at maintenance levels; therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that eating in a calorie surplus would yield greater lean muscle mass gains, and eating in a calorie deficit would result in greater fat loss. Of course, your results will depend on your diet and training. If everything is on point, you’ll get the best out of Anavar; if not, it’ll not shine as much as it truly can.

If you want to (literally) see Anavar results, it’s best to be at a body fat percentage of 15% or lower; otherwise, you’re not going to see visual changes. You will definitely see strength increases regardless of body fat levels, but aesthetically you’ll not see a thing.