Equipoise is the brand name for Boldenone, an oil-based injectable anabolic steroid with an undecylenate ester attached.
As a testosterone derivative, it maintains anabolic effects while exhibiting reduced androgenic properties.
Originally developed as a veterinary product for animals, it is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes due to its lower estrogenic activity compared to testosterone.
It is often compared to Nandrolone, but Nandrolone is a distinct drug with different chemical properties from Equipoise.
Interestingly, Equipoise was developed in 1949, before Dianabol, and Dianabol can essentially be viewed as a C17-alpha alkylated version of Equipoise.
In the 1960s, it was released under the name Parenabol for treating osteoporosis and muscle wasting, but was soon withdrawn from the market.
Later, Squibb acquired the drug and relaunched it as Equipoise, an anabolic steroid for horses and other animals.
Equipoise is notable for increasing lean body mass and stimulating appetite, tending to stimulate appetite more strongly than other steroids.
It is now sold worldwide under various brand and generic product names.
Chemical Properties of Equipoise
Equipoise is a synthetic derivative of testosterone, with a double bond added at carbons 1 and 2, which reduces interaction with the aromatase enzyme and results in lower estrogenic activity than testosterone.
The undecylenate ester is attached, extending the half-life to 14 days and slowing the release rate.
It is chemically almost identical to Dianabol, but Dianabol adds a methyl group (C17-alpha alkylation) for oral administration, altering liver breakdown resistance and properties.
This difference causes the two drugs to act differently in the body; Equipoise exhibits slow release and low estrogenic activity, while Dianabol shows powerful anabolic effects and high liver resistance.
Characteristics of Equipoise
Equipoise is a derivative of testosterone with the same anabolic strength (100), and through interaction with the aromatase enzyme, some of it is converted into estrogen.
However, the double bond modification at carbons 1 and 2 slows the aromatization rate, resulting in lower estrogenic activity than testosterone.
When taken moderately, estrogenic side effects are low, but high-dose use increases the conversion rate to estrogen, raising the likelihood of side effects.
Its low androgenic strength makes it suitable for users sensitive to androgenic side effects, and it allows for expecting solid lean mass gains while minimizing water retention.
Furthermore, it can be utilized in all bulking or lean mass cycles and can also serve as a replacement for Nandrolone.
Equipoise Side Effects
Equipoise has lower estrogenic activity in the body compared to testosterone, with an aromatization rate approximately half that of testosterone.
Therefore, estrogenic side effects are fewer, but its estrogenic activity is slightly higher than Nandrolone.
When taking more than 200-400mg per week, estrogenic side effects increase, and an anti-estrogen or aromatase inhibitor may be necessary to prevent them.
Estrogenic side effects include water retention, bloating, increased blood pressure, fat gain, and the potential for gynecomastia.
Equipoise converts to DHB instead of DHT, and the conversion rate is low.
Androgenic side effects include oily skin, acne, increased body hair, and the risk of male pattern baldness; it has no liver toxicity.
Endogenous testosterone suppression and cardiovascular risks are similar to most steroids.
Equipoise Dosage and Administration
Equipoise is not currently approved as a pharmaceutical, so there are no official dosage guidelines.
It was briefly used for humans in the 1970s but has since been discontinued.
For bodybuilders, beginners typically use 300-500mg per week, and intermediate users use 500-700mg per week.
Dosages similar to testosterone are recommended, and increasing beyond moderate doses when used with other drugs is rare.
For women, due to its low androgenic effects, 50-75mg per week may be suitable; however, if virilization symptoms appear, immediate discontinuation is necessary due to its long half-life (14 days).
Administration is recommended by dividing the weekly dose into two injections per week. (e.g., Monday 250mg, Thursday 250mg)
Equipoise Cycles and Usage
An Equipoise cycle consists of a mass-gaining phase that includes a minimum amount of testosterone (primarily long-ester testosterone).
Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate is commonly used, and due to Equipoise’s long half-life, the cycle duration is also set to be long.
Beginner Cycle: Use 300-500mg of Testosterone Enanthate (or Cypionate) per week and 400mg of Equipoise per week for 14 weeks, aiming for long-term muscle mass gains.
Intermediate Cycle: Add Dianabol to amplify initial effects, using 25mg per day for the first 4 weeks.
In this case, use 100mg of Testosterone per week and 400-600mg of Equipoise per week, running for a total of 12 weeks.
Advanced Cycle: Add 400mg of Trenbolone Enanthate per week, limit Equipoise to 600mg or less per week, and reduce Testosterone to 100mg per week.
Run for a total of 12 weeks, with the structure adjusted according to the user’s experience and goals.
| Chemical Name | 1,4-androstadiene-3-one, 17 beta-ol, 1-dehydrotestosterone |
| Molecular Weight | 286.409 g/mol |
| Chemical Formula | C19H26O2 |
| Manufacturer | Ciba |
| Half-Life | 14 days |
| Detection Time | 4-5 months |
| Anabolic Rating | 100 |
| Androgenic Rating | 50 |
