Anavar vs. Tren: Two Steroids That Are Not the Same

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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. However, tren can also be used as a bulking 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: How Do Their Positive Effects Compare?​

1. Administration​

Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas tren is an injectable. Thus, some users may prefer the convenience of administering Anavar.

2. Muscle Gains​

Tren is among the most potent bulking steroids for building lean muscle tissue. Weight gain may not be as much compared to wet 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.

3. Strength Gains​

Tren is a steroid utilized by various powerlifters due to its potency and androgenicity. Anavar is also 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, despite it not causing any water retention.

4. 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 increased 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: Which Causes the Most Ill Effects?​

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

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

1. 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).

2. Cholesterol​

Due to Anavar’s more mild nature, cholesterol levels do not rise excessively. Thus, it is one of the least harmful anabolics for cardiovascular health, alongside:

1. Testosterone
2. Deca Durabolin

Trenbolone, however, is very cardiotoxic, 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.
• Perform regular cardiovascular exercise.

These protocols can lower blood sugar levels, improve cholesterol, and enhance vasodilation, effectively reducing blood pressure.

3. 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 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 bodybuilders only run a few cycles and lose significant amounts of hair. Thus, anabolic steroids accelerate a person’s natural balding process.

4. 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.

5. Prostate​

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

6. Testosterone Suppression​

In our experience, Anavar causes moderate testosterone suppression, while tren 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 several weeks; however, this will require multiple drugs.

We have had success combining the following medications together post-cycle to treat hypogonadism:

• HCG
• Nolvadex
• Clomid

Anavar users may or may not wish to utilize PCT, but if they do, they may only require one of the above medications. Without 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 milder 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.

We have found Anavar to be most optimally used by itself when cutting or paired with testosterone when trying to gain lean mass.

We find tren to be best paired with Anadrol or testosterone 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: Which Compound Is More Favorable?​

Anavar and tren are completely unique 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 bulking compound, whereas Anavar is best suited for cutting.
• Anavar can be taken by women, whereas tren is likely to cause masculinizing side effects.
• Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas tren is an injectable.
• Anavar is expensive, whereas tren is inexpensive.