Finally, a substance that’s close to the hearts of every bodybuilder – EQ, also known as Equipoise. Whether you’re looking to bulk up, cut down, or just maintain your gains, EQ is an anabolic steroid that you may want to add to the stack. So, let’s dive in and see what makes EQ so special.
The History
EQ as a version of Boldenone has been around since the 1940s and was originally used in veterinary medicine to improve the growth and appetite of livestock.
It wasn’t long before bodybuilders caught wind of its benefits and started using it to boost their own muscle growth and performance. Over the years, EQ has become a staple in many bodybuilding cycles and is often used in combination with other AAS.
The Chemical Structure and Active Compound of EQ
EQ’s active compound is boldenone undecylenate, which is a derivative of testosterone. This makes it a versatile steroid that provides a range of benefits, including improved endurance and stamina, and faster recovery times, and definitely — the gains.
The undecylenate ester that’s attached to the boldenone molecule is what makes EQ a slow-acting steroid, meaning its effects are slow to kick in but can be sustained for longer periods of time.
EQ’s Benefits
EQ is a jack of all trades when it comes to bodybuilding. Here are just a few of its benefits:
- Boosted muscle mass growth speed (though less notable than with, say, Testosterone itself or Trenbolone);
- Increased red blood cell production, which means more oxygen is delivered to your muscles, allowing you to lift harder weights and stay in the gym for as much as you need with no fatigue;
- EQ reduces muscle damage and inflammation, which helps you recover from workouts faster and get back in full force sooner;
- A nice additional benefit — EQ has been shown to reduce joint pain and inflammation, making it a great choice for older bodybuilders.
My favorite positive side effect, though, is the appetite stimulation. Equipoise can help to increase appetite, making it easier to consume the high-calorie diets that are simply a must for proper muscle growth.
Do You Need Aromatase Inhibitors on EQ Cycle?
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are often used during EQ cycles to prevent the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which can lead to unwanted side effects such as water retention, gynecomastia, and decreased sex drive.
But not because of EQ! It does not aromatize. AIs are used simply because EQ is rarely used alone, and other gear in your cycle might be aromatizing.
While AIs are not necessary during EVERY Equipoise cycle, they may be necessary for some stacks, depending on their individual goals and hormone levels.
Is EQ Good for Cutting and Weight Loss?
EQ is not typically used for cutting and weight loss, as its slow-acting and somewhat “lazy” nature means it’s not as effective as other AAS for burning fat. However, it can still be a useful addition to your cutting cycle, as its ability to increase muscle mass and strength can help to maintain muscle while you’re losing weight.
Additionally, EQ’s ability to reduce muscle damage and inflammation can help to prevent muscle loss during a cut. Less rollbacks — more mass in the end.
The Side Effects of EQ and How You Counter Them
Like any other powerful performance-enhancing compound, EQ can cause some side effects. Here’s a list of the most common ones and how to mitigate them:
Increased cholesterol levels
EQ can increase both good and bad cholesterol levels, so it’s important to monitor this closely and take steps to maintain a healthy lipid profile. Consider supplements with fish oil to regulate it.
Hair loss
Hair loss is a common side effect of EQ due to its impact on hormone levels. You can’t get gains without affecting all other body functions (that’s what peptides and SARMs do, but it’s a whole different story.
To minimize this, you can use topical treatments like minoxidil or natural remedies like saw palmetto, Finasteride and green tea extract.
Acne
EQ can cause a flare-up of acne due to its impact on sebum production. Your skin suffers the most if you’re prone to it.
To get relief, you can use a gentle, oil-free cleanser and topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Accutane is the nuclear option, but I believe it should be reserved for the worst cases only, as it has side effects too.
Testosterone suppression
Finally, EQ can suppress natural testosterone production, which can lead to decreased libido, energy, and muscle mass. Suppressed testosterone means no gains and all the problems a hormonal imbalance can give you.
EQ is not THAT suppressive. though I’d still recommend to run EQ only with Testosterone ester of your choice in a stack to prevent the complete shutdown.
Best Alternatives to EQ Among Other AAS
While EQ is a great performance-enhancing drug, it’s not the only option. It’s FAR from being the only option, to be true. Here are some others:
- Deca Durabolin — a slow-acting steroid that is often used for bulking, based on Nandrolone. It’s known for its joint-healing properties and its ability to improve nitrogen retention and protein synthesis (aka MASS growth);
- Trenbolone — one insanely powerful steroid, known for its ability to increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance, as well as its fat-burning properties. Oh, and it gives you almost superpower in bed;
- Anadrol — a powerful ORAL steroid that is often used for bulking. It’s known for its ability to increase muscle mass and your size. It’s a much faster alternative to EQ and far more effective when it comes to bulking.
Each of these options has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you.
The Final Word
EQ is a powerful option, but it almost never works alone. Use it in your stack and enjoy the gains! keep in mind that EQ is not without its side effects, however, including the nastiest of all, natural testosterone suppression. It’s important to be aware of these side effects and take steps to minimize them. This way — you get the best results possible.
