Injection Site Atlas

Proper injection site selection is critical for ensuring:

• Effective compound delivery
• Reduced post-injection pain (PIP)
• Avoidance of nerve and vascular injury
• Long-term scar tissue management

This guide details the most common intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SubQ) injection sites used in performance-enhancing drug (PED) use.

• Rotate injection sites regularly to avoid scar tissue buildup
• Use the correct needle gauge and length based on site and body fat
• Inject into relaxed muscle, not flexed
• Never inject into inflamed, bruised, or previously infected areas

Pros: Very safe, low nerve/vessel risk, ideal for larger volume injections Needle: 23G, 1.5” (leaner users may use 1”) Volume Tolerance: Up to 3–4 mL

How to Locate:

• Lay on your side or stand with relaxed glutes
• Place the palm of your opposite hand on the greater trochanter (bony part of hip)
• Index finger goes on anterior superior iliac spine
• Middle finger fans out to form a “V” shape
• Inject in the center of the “V”

Pros: Commonly used, large muscle Cons: Higher risk of hitting sciatic nerve or blood vessels Needle: 23G, 1.5” Volume Tolerance: Up to 3 mL

How to Locate:

• Divide buttock into 4 quadrants
• Inject in the upper outer quadrant (top corner, away from centerline)

Note: Many clinicians avoid this site due to sciatic nerve proximity.

Pros: Easy access, ideal for self-injection Cons: May be sensitive for some users Needle: 23–25G, 1–1.5” Volume Tolerance: Up to 3 mL

How to Locate:

• Sit down or lie flat
• Divide thigh into thirds from hip to knee
• Inject into the middle outer third

Tip: Massage after injection to minimize stiffness.

Pros: Accessible, fast absorption Cons: Small muscle, limited volume tolerance Needle: 25G, 1” Volume Tolerance: 0.5–1 mL max

How to Locate:

• Find the acromion process (bony point of the shoulder)
• Measure about 2–3 finger-widths below it
• Inject in the thickest part of the lateral deltoid muscle

Note: Not suitable for high-volume injections.

Pros: Alternative to lateral thigh Cons: Higher nerve concentration; risk of twitching or burning Needle: 23–25G, 1–1.5” Volume Tolerance: Up to 2 mL

How to Locate:

• Sit with legs relaxed
• Target front-center of upper thigh, halfway between hip and knee

Note: Use cautiously—some users experience more nerve hits here.

Used for compounds like hCG, insulin, peptides, or even low-volume TRT.

Tip: Pinch a fold of skin and inject into the fat—not the muscle.

• Rotate sites each injection to reduce scar tissue
• Allow at least 1 week before reusing the same spot
• Maintain an injection log for tracking

• Warm vial before injection (run under warm water)
• Inject slowly and steadily
• Massage injection site post-injection
• Use filtered gear and ensure sterility
• Avoid injecting cold oil or with blunt/dull needles

• “Ventrogluteal is king—safe, deep, and pain-free if you do it right.”
• “Thigh shots are easy but twitchy. Use a mirror to stabilize.”
• “Delts are okay for small shots but never pin more than 1 mL.”
• “Rotate everything. I didn’t and developed a hard lump after 2 months.”

• Use large muscles (glutes, quads) for high-volume IM injections
• Use smaller muscles (delts) for low-volume compounds
• Use SubQ for ancillaries and peptides with fine insulin pins
• Locate injection sites using anatomical landmarks
• Rotate consistently to avoid scar tissue and injection fatigue

Injection site mastery prevents complications, improves comfort, and enables long-term success with PED protocols.