Boldenone (Equipoise)

Equipoise is the trade name for Boldenone Undecylenate, an injectable anabolic steroid originally developed for veterinary use. Boldenone itself is a derivative of testosterone that was first synthesized by Ciba in 1949. In the 1960s, boldenone undecylenate was introduced for human clinical use under the brand Parenabol, but human medical use was short-lived and discontinued by the late 1970s. The compound found a lasting role in veterinary medicine: Equipoise (EQ) was marketed by Squibb for horses, where it’s used to improve appetite and weight in debilitated animals. Its name “Equipoise” reflects the idea of balance and steady gains. Although no longer approved for humans, bodybuilders began using EQ for its anabolic benefits. Chemically, boldenone is very similar to testosterone, but with a double bond between carbon 1 and 2 – this modification reduces its estrogenic and androgenic potency relative to testosterone.

In the bodybuilding scene, Equipoise gained popularity as a milder, longer-acting anabolic. It provides steady, lean muscle gains without the rapid mass or bloating that comes from drugs like testosterone or Dianabol. It’s sometimes considered an injectable form of Dianabol (since Dianabol is basically a modified boldenone), minus the added liver toxicity. Over the decades, EQ has been used in many off-season bulking cycles and even some cutting stacks for its ability to preserve muscle. However, its use in competitive sports led to many doping cases; boldenone is a well-known banned substance, and its long detection time (it can be detectable for months) has caught athletes in drug tests.

Boldenone Undecylenate is not approved for human use in the United States or most countries; it is legally available only as a veterinary drug (e.g. for horses and sometimes dogs). Nonetheless, it is listed as a controlled anabolic steroid in the U.S., making possession or use outside veterinary context illegal (Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act). In places like Canada, the UK, and Australia, boldenone is also a controlled substance restricted to veterinary or research settings. In practice, Equipoise is obtained through underground labs or veterinary sources for illicit use. All major sports organizations ban boldenone; it’s on the WADA prohibited list under anabolic agents. High-profile doping cases (in baseball, MMA, etc.) have involved boldenone positives. Its veterinary status and long half-life mean users risk detection long after use.

Equipoise is an injectable oil-based steroid, usually dosed at 200–300 mg/mL in multi-use vials. The undecylenate ester attached to boldenone is very long (11-carbon chain), giving Equipoise a half-life around 14 days. Because of this extended half-life, injections are typically done weekly or split into two shots per week for steadier levels. Common bodybuilding dosing protocols range from 300 mg to 600 mg per week for men. Cycles with EQ tend to be longer – often 12 to 16 weeks – to take advantage of its slow, steady gains (and because it takes a few weeks to “kick in” due to the long ester).

Beginners might run ~300 mg/week stacked with a normal dose of testosterone (e.g. 300–500 mg/week). More experienced users may go up to 600 mg or occasionally higher, though doses beyond 600–800 mg/week aren’t common because of diminishing returns and potential side effects (particularly on appetite and blood pressure). Women generally avoid EQ due to virilization risk, but some female competitors have cautiously tried very low doses (like 50–75 mg/week); even then, the long duration in the body makes it risky for women.

Notably, because Equipoise builds up slowly, some users employ a “frontload” (using a double dose for the first week) to reach stable blood levels faster, though this practice varies. The long ester means residual hormone remains for weeks after the last injection. A rule of thumb is to stop EQ well before a cycle ends if planning a prompt post-cycle therapy – often EQ is cut off 2–3 weeks before the final testosterone shot, to let levels decline.

Equipoise is known for providing steady, quality muscle gains with relatively low side effects. Users do not report the rapid mass or “kick” associated with steroids like Dianabol or Anadrol; instead, gains come gradually but consistently. This often results in lean muscle weight that is easier to maintain post-cycle (since there’s less water weight).

Anecdotally, one of EQ’s signature effects is a dramatic increase in vascularity. Users frequently mention developing pronounced veins and a “full” look to muscles while on boldenone. This is partly due to increased red blood cell (RBC) production – EQ is well-known to raise RBC count significantly. The higher RBC count can improve the endurance and pumps during workouts, as more oxygen is delivered to muscles. In fact, some athletes appreciate EQ for its stamina benefits (though at higher doses the RBC increase can thicken blood and reduce cardio capacity for others).

Another effect often attributed to Equipoise is increased appetite. Many users find that after a few weeks on EQ, their hunger ramps up, which can be a boon during bulking phases. However, this isn’t universal; some experience appetite increase at moderate doses (~400 mg/week), whereas very high doses might actually cause appetite loss or nausea in certain individuals.

Strength gains on EQ are moderate. It’s an anabolic that provides some strength improvement, but nothing extreme; it’s less potent milligram-for-milligram in strength gain than testosterone or trenbolone. Users describe the strength gains as a steady progression, with a nice correlation to the muscle gained. The muscle “quality” on EQ is often praised – the gains tend to be dry (no estrogen bloat from boldenone’s minimal aromatization), giving muscles a harder, more defined look. This makes Equipoise popular in lean bulking or recomposition cycles. Some even include it in pre-contest stacks up to a certain point (though caution with its long detection time and possible low-level estrogen conversion is needed).

Mood-wise, boldenone is generally well-tolerated. It doesn’t usually cause wild mood swings. In fact, some users say they feel “normal” on EQ – neither the high aggression of Tren nor the overt euphoria of Dianabol, but a mild sense of well-being and focus. One subjective downside frequently mentioned is anxiety or a sense of restlessness at higher doses; a number of users report EQ can make them slightly anxious or prone to overthinking, which might be related to its effect on increasing dopamine or other neuroactive pathways (this is anecdotal and varies person to person).

Equipoise’s side effect profile is relatively mild in the realm of steroids, but it has some notable considerations:

Estrogenic: Boldenone can aromatize into estrogen, but at about 50% the rate of testosterone. This means estrogenic side effects are possible, especially at higher doses, but generally less pronounced than with an equivalent dose of testosterone. Moderate doses of EQ rarely cause gynecomastia or severe water retention; however, sensitive individuals or those stacking EQ with other aromatizing compounds might notice some bloat or blood pressure increase. Often, users don’t need a strong aromatase inhibitor on EQ unless doses are high or combined with test – controlling estrogen from the testosterone in the cycle is usually sufficient. Mild water retention from EQ can occur but is often seen as fuller muscles rather than obvious bloating.

Androgenic: As a derivative of testosterone, boldenone has some androgenic effects, but it is considerably less androgenic than testosterone (boldenone’s androgenic rating is lower). This means acne, oily skin, hair loss etc. are less frequent than with equal testosterone doses, but they can still occur, especially in those predisposed. Male-pattern baldness can be exacerbated by EQ if one is genetically susceptible, though it's generally milder on the hairline than drugs like Tren or high-test. Women risk virilization with boldenone – deep voice, hair growth, menstrual irregularities – and these effects can come on insidiously due to the long-term buildup. Even low-dose use by females has led to irreversible virilization, so it’s not considered female-friendly despite its mild nature for men.

Cardiovascular: Boldenone can have cholesterol impacts similar to other injectables: typically a reduction in HDL and increase in LDL cholesterol. It’s not as harsh on lipids as 17α-alkylated orals, but long cycles of EQ (which are common) mean one should monitor their cholesterol. Another big cardiovascular consideration is increased red blood cell count (erythrocytosis). EQ stimulates erythropoiesis strongly (sometimes even used in veterinary medicine for this purpose), so hematocrit can rise. While more RBC can aid endurance to a point, too high a hematocrit increases blood viscosity, raising the risk of high blood pressure, headaches, or clotting issues. It’s advisable for users to track hematocrit during an EQ cycle and donate blood if levels get too high. Some users experience higher blood pressure on EQ, likely due to this RBC effect combined with any water retention.

Hepatotoxicity: Boldenone is not c-17 alkylated, so it is not liver-toxic in the way oral steroids are. Liver enzyme elevations from EQ are rare and usually minor. In studies, even extended use of nandrolone/Boldenone-type injectables show little liver impact compared to orals.

Others: One side effect that can occur is anxiety or mental effects as noted. Some users describe a “constant adrenergic” feeling or slight anxiety, especially at doses above 600 mg/week. It’s not universal, but notable enough that “EQ anxiety” is mentioned in forums. Another effect is suppression of natural testosterone – boldenone will suppress HPTA over the course of a cycle, requiring PCT (post-cycle therapy) to help restart natural hormones. Users also need to be aware of appetite quirks: while moderate EQ often increases appetite (useful for bulking), some experience appetite loss if their hematocrit gets too high or if using very high doses.

Finally, because EQ’s ester lingers, any side effects (like if gyno were to start, or blood pressure creeping up) may take a while to resolve after discontinuation. It’s a drug where side effects can be subtle and slow, so consistent monitoring is key. In summary, Equipoise is considered one of the more tolerable injectable AAS, with manageable estrogenicity and moderate androgenicity, but it notably elevates RBC count which users must monitor to stay safe.

Lean Bulking: Equipoise is a staple in many lean bulk cycles. Users seeking quality muscle without excessive bloat favor EQ. A classic cycle might be Testosterone Enanthate 500 mg/week + Equipoise 400 mg/week for 14 weeks. By the end, one might gain, say, 10–15 pounds of lean mass with low water gain, as reported in sample beginner EQ cycles. The appetite boost helps individuals eat enough to grow. EQ’s gains, while slower to come, are typically reported as maintainable: people find they keep a higher percentage of their EQ gains post-cycle compared to an oral-heavy cycle that adds rapid weight. During lean bulks, EQ is sometimes combined with an oral kickstarter (like Dianabol for the first 4–6 weeks) to get things moving while EQ builds up. The Dianabol brings quick strength/weight, and EQ sustains slower gains that continue after the oral is dropped. Users also enjoy the vascular, hardened look EQ provides even while adding calories.

Recomposition: Thanks to its ability to promote some fat-free mass and boost endurance, EQ can be used in recomp (simultaneous fat loss and muscle gain) protocols. For example, Testosterone + Equipoise + Trenbolone is an advanced stack where Tren strongly burns fat and adds hardness, EQ adds fullness and endurance, and Test supports overall anabolic needs. In such use, EQ’s role is to keep muscles looking full on a calorie deficit and maintain performance. It also aids vascularity which visually complements a recomp/cutting physique (veins pop as body fat drops). Some have noted that EQ’s slight estrogen conversion is beneficial on a cut to avoid the completely “flat” look that zero-estrogen cycles can cause – it’s a gentle mass-preserver.

Endurance Athletics: Although not as common as in bodybuilding, some endurance athletes have used low-dose EQ (e.g. 200 mg/week) to capitalize on the increased red blood cell count. There are anecdotal reports of cyclists or fighters using boldenone to boost endurance and recovery without too much bulk. However, the risk of detection and long half-life make it a poor choice for tested athletes (and safer erythropoietin analogs would be more direct). Also, paradoxically, higher doses of EQ can reduce cardio capacity due to blood thickening or possible bronchial tissue effects – one user described feeling like doing cardio “at altitude” on a high EQ+Tren regimen. So dose and context matter.

Stacking and Bridge: EQ stacks especially well with testosterone (as a base) and other bulking agents. A popular stack is EQ + Deca + Test for an off-season: Deca (nandrolone) and EQ together can yield a big increase in appetite and steady gains, and with Test included, all three provide a high anabolic load with diverse mechanisms (EQ and Deca both increase collagen synthesis and joint comfort, helping with heavy lifting). However, stacking two long-ester 19-nors (Deca) and EQ requires careful post-cycle planning due to lingering suppression. Another strategy is using EQ in a bridging role: because it’s not super harsh, some might cruise on a low test + low EQ between heavier cycles to slowly gain or maintain mass. This is risky from a recovery standpoint, but it speaks to EQ’s reputation as a generally well-tolerated compound that one can run for extended periods.

One must be cautious stacking EQ with other RBC-elevating drugs (like Anadrol or high-dose GH) as the RBC increase could compound. Similarly, stacking with strong aromatizers (high test, Dbol) means one should watch blood pressure (since EQ will add RBC and the others add fluid). On the flip side, EQ pairs excellently with Trenbolone in cutting or strength phases: Tren is extremely powerful but can kill cardio – EQ might slightly counteract Tren’s hit on endurance by boosting red cells, and provides some estrogen to keep joints and mood stable while Tren has zero estrogen. An example advanced cut: Test Prop + Tren Ace + EQ + Masteron – here EQ might be run the first 10 weeks of a 12-week prep and cut out to allow clearance, while Tren and short esters finish the job.

In summary, Equipoise is used when the goal is slow, steady gains of quality muscle, with added benefits of appetite and vascularity. It’s rarely a “solo” drug; rather, it complements other steroids in a cycle. Users appreciate that it feels relatively “mild” (less acute side effects), yet over a long cycle the results accumulate impressively. The main caution is its long half-life and RBC effect, which require planning and monitoring during use.

Equipoise is often compared with two other popular injectables: testosterone and nandrolone (Deca).

Comparison: Boldenone and nandrolone are both derivatives of testosterone (and both lack a carbon at position 19, making them “19-nor” steroids, though boldenone isn’t typically called 19-nor). EQ and Deca are often seen as somewhat interchangeable in bulking cycles, but they have differences. Deca is a stronger anabolic for sheer size and joint relief, whereas EQ provides more definition, vascularity, and appetite stimulation. Deca’s downside is the progestogenic side effects (e.g., possible gyno or sexual dysfunction), which EQ largely avoids. Testosterone, as the natural hormone, aromatizes the most and gives the biggest strength boost, but also the most side effects at high dose (estrogenic and androgenic). Boldenone is like a milder testosterone – you might think of EQ as “Testosterone-lite” that doesn’t cause as much bloating or androgenic issues, but also not as rapid in effect. Users often stack boldenone with testosterone to get the best of both worlds (some quick gains and high libido from test, plus steady lean gains and appetite from EQ). Nandrolone, on the other hand, is often stacked with test as well; some advanced cycles even include all three (test/EQ/Deca) for a comprehensive approach, though managing estrogen and blood viscosity is then critical.