There are many different ways of using steroids as they range from testosterone esters to oral products. On the whole they are used by body-builders and weightlifters but they will give athletes a competitive edge in any sport. Steroids are present in the most popular of modern day sports such as tennis and baseball as they give the athlete added speed, increased performance and muscle strength as well as the advantage to win.

Anabolic steroids are currently not permitted to be used in competitions due to the so called UNNATURAL edge they would have over other competitors. Steroids are also illegal in the majority of countries meaning that you have to break the law in order to acquire them. As steroids are used for muscle growth, they are also taken by non athletes although your average gym goer doesn't use them for vanity reasons.

All steroids are synthesized from testosterone, the most common steroid used. Popular steroids include; testosterone enanthate, testosterone cypionate, deca durabolin, dianabol, anadrol, equipoise, and more. All the aforementioned steroids are derivatives of synthetic testosterone, having been altered to change the profile to make the steroids more anabolic or androgenic.

Anabolic steroids are usually used for pre-contest bodybuilding use, or by casual users and lifters due to the minimization of side effects generally associated with high androgen use. Such steroid side effects include; increased body hair, male pattern baldness, acne, oily skin, and more. Androgenic steroids cause more rapid increases in body weight, but not all of the gains may be from muscle, increases can also be water retention as high androgen steroids cause more of the unwanted side effects.