Equipoise: Compound Profile, Benefits & Side Effects

Equipoise, or Boldenone Undecylenate, is one of the most controversial steroids on the market. Some bodybuilders praise it for lean muscle mass gains, endurance, and a moderate side effects profile. Others avoid it because they don’t know what to expect and how to run EQ.

Our take? EQ is perfect for steady muscle growth.

It might be tricky to use for cutting, but it's great for recomp and lean bulking cycles. Hard work, clean, and keepable gains without excessive water retention: these are the results you’ll get. 

Equipoise isn’t your “quick fix” option, it takes time ― at least 16 weeks ― but it’s more than worth it.

Equipoise Compound Profile

Equipoise is a steroid derived from Testosterone, with a pronounced anabolic profile. EQ has a similar structure to Dianabol, though they couldn’t be more different. 

If you’re curious about its formula and other technical details, here’s a quick overview of EQ steroid profile:

Chemical Structure

Characteristics

Boldenone Undecylenate isn’t the compound that acts or gets out of the system fast. There’s a reason why the minimal EQ cycle length is 16 weeks: a long ester. 

Remember, the half-life doesn’t equal elimination time. EQ can be detected 5-8 months after the last injection.

Even though Equipoise doesn’t aromatize, it can elevate your prolactin levels. To avoid the consequences (primarily gyno), use Caber throughout the whole cycle at 0.5 mg/week.

Equipoise Benefits & Results

The main rule of steroid cycling ― know your compounds and what you can achieve with them. 

When it comes to EQ, you shouldn’t hope for an overnight change and a strength boost a week into the cycle, but the results you can expect are:

• Increased lean muscle mass: you won’t gain +20 lbs in 8 weeks ― EQ isn’t the compound for fast-and-loose bulking. But the muscle mass you’ll gain will be clean & dry, easy to preserve post-cycle;
• Enhanced endurance: one of the most potent EQ’s effects. You will feel like you have a spare heart or two ― not using this benefit for cardio is a sacrilege; 
• Enhanced recovery: like all AAS, EQ helps you to progress faster ― no post-workout soreness, no overtraining. What it means is you can train up to 6-7 days a week and feel peachy;
• Increased vascularity: some bodybuilders report pronounced vascularity, often compared to Tren. If you’re going for great pumps and kind of a natural look with roadmap veins, EQ’s a good choice;
• No estrogenic side effects: when stacked with Test or Deca, EQ can help you mitigate estrogen-related side effects. It can crash your E2 levels, if you’re not prone to aromatization ― though it’s something you can easily fix with a bit of HCG or Dbol;
• Additional joint support: EQ is no Deca, but it can boost your collagen synthesis.

Another benefit ― or a drawback, depending on the type of your cycle ― is increased appetite. Most bodybuilders experience it. Can make cutting a pain in the @ss, but useful for bulking cycles. 

Fair warning for bodybuilders with a body fat content higher than 12-15%: you’ll need every ounce of your willpower to keep your bulk clean. Otherwise, it’s quite easy to creep into the 20% and higher zone ― and that’s not something you want.

Can Equipoise be used for cutting?

Yes, Equipoise can be used for cutting if you don’t experience an appetite boost from EQ or if you have martyr-level self-discipline. Cardio benefits, lean muscle mass, and no estrogenic side effects DO make this compound compelling for a recomp or a cutting cycle. 

In short, yes, it’s doable. But only if you know what you’re signing up for and are ready to face sudden surges to raid the fridge.

Is Equipoise good for joints?

Yes, Equipoise increases collagen production and provides additional joint support. Its effects can be compared to Primo or Anavar, the effects aren't as potent as with Deca or HGH. 

Joint health is something you might keep in mind when choosing compounds (ahem, Winny, ahem), but picking EQ JUST for enhanced joint lubrication doesn’t make sense. Consider it a bonus.

Will Equipoise make you stronger?

While Equipoise stacked with Testosterone can help you to break through strength plateaus, EQ doesn’t have much to do with the result. EQ can boost your endurance & muscle growth, but strength stats aren’t on the menu.

Add Dbol or Var, Test or Deca, and you will crush your PRs. 

Equipoise Side Effects

Side effects are part of ANY steroid cycle ― even one with the mildest compounds. Here are the side effects you might have to deal with on EQ:

• HPTA suppression;
• Anxiety;
• Low libido;
• Fatigue and brain fog;
• Hypertension;
• Increased cholesterol levels;
• Elevated RBC and hematocrit;
• Sleep disturbances;
• Virilization in women.

Equipoise can help you control estrogen levels, but it can also cause them to plummet. Before adding EQ to your cycle, make sure you know E2 crash symptoms ― low libido, fatigue, and lack of concentration. 

If you feel any of these signs, check your estrogen levels. It might be helpful to add HCG to the cycle at 250-500 IU/week (if you haven’t run it from the start).

Does Equipoise cause gyno?

Equipoise doesn’t cause gyno. EQ is a well-tolerated compound with little to no estrogenic side effects. When stacked with Test or Deca, Boldenone keeps your E2 levels in check. Might crash them, but won’t elevate them.

EQ’s metabolites can act as an aromatase inhibitor in your protocol, preventing gynecomastia. These effects depend on the dosage, cycle duration, and your individual reaction, so you need to have Arimidex or Aromasin on hand.

If you have already developed the first signs of gyno, you shouldn’t rely on EQ as a solution to your problem. Add an aromatase inhibitor, or cut the cycle short and start Nolva. Don’t risk your health ― time is crucial if you don’t want to go through surgery.

Can Equipoise cause anxiety?

Yes, Equipoise can cause anxiety. It rarely makes you aggressive or irritated, though. 

You need to remember that mood swings depend on your temper and what you stack EQ with. If you’re prone to aggression or run EQ with Test or Deca, you may experience both anxiety and aggression.

Is Equipoise hair-safe?

EQ can cause androgenic side effects, including hair thinning and acne. However, it isn’t a common side effect. Most bodybuilders note that EQ is hair-safe.

How to take Equipoise?

Equipoise is an injectable steroid with a VERY toned-down side effects profile. Since adverse effects aren’t pronounced, you can run as high as 1200 mg/week, if your estrogen levels are fine. It’s practically impossible to mess up the dosage:

EQ is the poster boy for “not like other steroids”. If you run it at 100-250 mg/week, you won’t notice the difference except for estrogen control:

• Want muscle mass gains or its preservation? Start at 400 mg/week and up the dosage 2-3 weeks into the cycle;
• Sure that cardio is the best thing, and want to boost your endurance? No need to go higher than 350 mg/week;
• Can handle the side effects and want to get the most out of the cycle? Go for 800+ mg/week.

How long for Equipoise to kick in?

Equipoise kicks in 3-4 weeks into the cycle, if you do frontloading (injecting higher doses of the compound in the first weeks to achieve peak blood levels). 

It’s a common practice for long esters. If you already have experience with EQ and don’t have a lot of time to run it, frontloading is a great choice. This method isn’t beginner-friendly.

How long to run Equipoise?

The standard cycle length is 16-20 weeks, since EQ is a long-acting compound with a half-life of 14-16 days. Running it for 6-8 weeks makes no sense: it reeks of unrealistic expectations and a “just do something” mindset.

You will need to use hCG as an on-cycle support to avoid HPTA suppression ― 250 to 500 IU/week.

Can women take Equipoise?

Female bodybuilders can inject Equipoise. Yes. EQ isn’t as safe as Anavar or Winstrol, but it has its advantages, especially when it comes to advanced athletes. 

A relatively safe dosage varies between 20-70 mg/week. It’s better to start with 20-30 mg/week to make sure that you’re not hypersensitive to the compound. EQ can cause virilization, so if any signs appear, the cycle should be cut short.

Best stacks with Equipoise

EQ goes with everything ― Testosterone, Deca, Primobolan, Anavar, Masteron. The list goes on.

Some bodybuilders stack EQ with Trenbolone or Anadrol. The combos are not off-limits, but are high-risk, better suited for experienced bodybuilders.

Testosterone and EQ classic stack

Running EQ with Testosterone base is a simple, beginner-friendly, and effective solution for a lean bulk or a recomp cycle. Both compounds can be used for 16+ weeks, being the safest options on the PEDs market.

With this stack, you can gain up to 15-20 lbs without excessive fluid retention. EQ will provide the pump, vascularity, and muscle hardness. Here’s a protocol for you:

Androgenic side effects can become more pronounced, and there will be a higher risk of hypertension and cholesterol imbalance. But overall, it’s a time-tested, classic bulking stack that will help you get shredded.

Testosterone, EQ, and Anavar cutting cycle

Adding Anavar to Testosterone and Equipoise stack is an optimal choice for a recomposition or a cutting cycle. Anavar is a fast-acting oral compound, so you’ll feel stronger from the second week of your cycle.

If Testosterone and EQ can get you to shredded, Anavar will help you achieve a nice, dry look. Lean muscle mass, decreased body fat content ― those are the results you can expect from this cycle:

You can switch Anavar for another oral cutting agent: Winstrol. Take it at 20-50 mg/day for 4-5 weeks, or Cardarine, at 5-20 mg/day for 4-8 weeks.

Testosterone, EQ, and Deca bulking stack

A golden era stack with EQ instead of Primobolan. Testosterone acts as an anabolic base, increases muscle mass, improves your strength stats, and boosts libido. Deca Durabolin or NPP is there for more gains, enhanced recovery, and joint support.

Equipoise also helps mitigate estrogenic side effects, achieve a leaner physique, and make your muscles harder. 

Yes, it’s possible to avoid bloating, even with Deca in the mix ― if you run the right protocol:

To spice things up, you can throw in some Dbol for the first 4-5 weeks of the cycle. 

The recommended dosage is 30-40 mg/day. 

It will speed up your progress a little while EQ, NPP, and Testosterone concentration haven’t peaked yet.

EQ, Primo, and NPP without a test base

Protocols without a testosterone base can get messy and result in greater HPTA suppression post-cycle. However, if you had a negative experience with Testosterone-based cycles, you can try to run this instead:

After all, there was a time when no aromatase inhibitors and Testosterone weren’t an essential part of steroid cycling.

Conclusion

Equipoise isn’t about playing fast and loose, it’s a long game. The wait? Worth it, if you have time, patience, and the right protocol. We’ve got plenty ― join the community, share your experience with others, and get advice from your peers. 

Sources

1. Boldenone undecylenate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boldenone_undecylenate
2. Equipoise Injectable (Canada) https://www.drugs.com/vet/equipoise-injectable-can.html
3. Equipoise on the Use of Steroids in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28376001/
4. 5 Things Athletes Should Know About Boldenone https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/5-thing-athlete-know-boldenone/
5. The Nature of Wound Healing: Experimental Tensile Strength Studies with Deca Durabolin and S35* https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1476788/?page=3 
6. Equipoise (Boldenone) Steroid – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://steroidcycle.org/equipoise/