Bigmurph6
Banned
I wrote this 6yrs ago im going to update it for 2021
First cycle with deep explanations Steroid Cycles and Discussion
Your first cycle should be a relatively simple and straight forward one, meaning one anabolic compound the necessary ancillaries, and a proper PCT. Do not over complicate this one as test will be the base for all your future cycles. Its good to find out how you react to it alone before you add on extra compounds an using a longer estered test (enanthate or cypionate) will take around 4 weeks before the test is “noticeable” in your system, so you need to have some patients for the effects of testosterone to take effect but it will and it will be worth it.
EDIT 2021 Testosterone starts working as soon as you inject it you will have to allow it to build up but your making gains from day one.
Can you run an oral only cycle? Yes you can, but its really really not worth it in all cases. Most people won’t retain any of the gains they make off a 4-6 week oral cycle - you’ll blow up quick, but you won’t have the extra time on cycle to get your body used to holding the extra mass while being in an elevated anabolic state. Also, all anabolic/androgenic compounds shut down your natural test production. Testosterone is a key component in your everyday functioning in life, and when you supplement your system with anabolics other than testosterone (that shut down your test production), you will feel the effects of the reduced testosterone and all the gains you will get will really just be water and will eventually dissappear and with your Testosterone production shut down it will be hard to keep up with your training regimen.
EDIT 2021 NEVER RUN AN ORAL ONLY CYCLE
Can I just run Deca or EQ or Tren by itself with no test for my first cycle - it will still be only one compound? No especially decca and tren are extremely harsh compounds that you should wait to use until your 3th maybe 4th cycle.
EDIT 2021 So we all know that in the far past Arnold and the others are known for using nandrolone dbol and primo no testosterone but in 2021 its definitely best to start with test and not have a second compound especially a nor19 compound that shuts you down immediately upon injection.
Using these other anabolics still result in shutting down your natural production of testosterone and you will experience side effects of no testosterone - lethargy, depression, lack of libido, erectile dysfunction, etc… not worth it. Yes, some people have run cycles with no test and have been fine, but that is generally the exception, not the rule. Much better to play it safe then “hope” you are the exception to the rule.
EDIT 2021 No one is the exception to the rule we know through science that testosterone is needed and in 2021 testosterone is available through even doctors.
What’s this about gyno? Testosterone (along with a number of other anabolics - deca, dbol) is an aromatizing compound meaning with elevated levels of it, you will have corresponding elevated levels of estrogen in your system. It is generally wise to combat these during cycle to avoid excessive bloating and the posisbility of developing breast tissue (gyno). Two ways of doing this: an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) or a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). In general, I think using an AI during cycle is better as it prevents the testosterone from aromatizing in the first place, whereas a SERM prevents the estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors. A popular and easily available AI for on cycle use is Anastrozole (brand name Arimidex) or aromasin which is a stronger suicide ai. SERMs like Nolvadex are generally used if gyno is already an issue on cycle, or for PCT.
EDIT 2021 I wouldn’t use an AI unless its necessary. That means your blood work shows that you’re above your comfortable level of estrogen. Once you’re above your comfortable level because everyone is different start and use arimidex to control your estrogen. Other AI such as exemestane or aromasin should be used with caution crashing estrogen is just as bad as high estrogen we know that both ends of the spectrum effect the cardiovascular system very negatively.
PCT - what’s that? Post Cycle Therapy - this is a necessity and not something that is optional. So all cycle long you’ve been injecting testosterone and you have lots of it in your system, much more than your body naturally produces. So what does your body do ? - it stops producing its own testosterone. As the long estered testosterone or short ester wears off at the end of the cycle roughly 3 days to 6wks depending from your last injection your body realizes that it no longer has testosterone in it and decides to try to make some of its own. At the same time, your estrogen to testosterone ratio is high, meaning you have a lot of estrogen, but very little testosterone, and whats worse, as your body tries to start making testosterone, it converts some of that to estrogen so you have even more estrogen (very simplified explanation of whats happening). Long story short, you need a SERM, peferably Tamoxifen (Nolvadex brand name) to combat these estrogen levels and help your body get itself creating enough testosterone again to sustain your new muscle mass. You also should use clomiphene it will help with starting your natural Testosterone production to come back faster helping you definitely keep your gains. A normal protocol is
Clomiphene 100/100/50/50
Nolvadex 40/40/20/20
Thats 4 wks and how many mgs each week.
EDIT 2021 so nolvadex is what stops estrogen from binding to the receptors it does not remove estrogen from the body like an aromatase inhibitor or AI. Nolvadex can be used during cycle but is frowned upon by many because it lowers igf1 me personally ive done it twice but you have to have aromasin on hand also just incase your estrogen goes sky high because nolvadex will not remove estrogen from the body.
Clomiphene is actually best for PCT and best for restarting your natural production. For your first pct use both definitely. After your end of cycle blood work you can see how you responded and adjust for future cycles.
Lastly, HCG? HCG is not reccomended on your first cycle because it spikes your estrogen and your first cycle is really about learning to control your estrogen. But it is a choice in your future cycles as a great tool to bring you back faster… So remember how the testosterone you are injecting is telling your body to stop producing its own testosterone? Well HCG tells you body through a LH signal and fsh signal which are both low from running your cycle this will keep your testes trying to produce testosterone. This will not only limit the amount of shrinkage you will occur on cycle in your boys down below, but it will drastically aid in how quickly you recover post cycle. Now remember, HCG is suppressive as well, meaning it must be discontinued before PCT as well. So this is only used during cycle or TRT maybe a blast between your last injection and pct. I will explain in another post the 2 ways to properly run hcg because there are so many crazy methods out there.
EDIT 2021 HCG is not necessary in any cycle but if your original PCT didn’t go well or you would like for your testicles to stay full hcg is a big help with this and PCT. If taken it can spike estrogen so just get blood work done to find out if HCG spikes your estrogen but its not a must only a choice to help you because everyone is different and you have to know how each compound effects you and how you have to react to the way it is effecting your body.
Hcg cycles look like 2021
10wks 250iu 2x a week possibly 500iu 2x a week right up until pct meaning weeks 2-12 then pct when running testosterone weeks 1-10
Another is
Hcg blast 2wks between last injection and PCT
1000iu 5 days later 2000iu 5 days later 2000iu
This is what a first cycle should look like
Weeks 1-10: 500mg Testosterone Enanthate per week 2 injections of 250mg, Sunday Morning Wednesday night or monday and Thursday.
Weeks 3-12: .5mg of Anastrozole Every other Day (EOD)
Weeks 4-12: 500iu’s of HCG per week (2 injections of 250iu’s, same days as test, but not in the same syringe)
PCT starts week 12, two weeks after last test shot
Week 1&2: 100mgs of Clomiphene 40mg Nolvadex per day split mourn and night
Week 3&4:50mgs of Clomiphene 20mg Nolvadex per day split mourn and night.
EDIT 2021
This is what a first cycle should look like
1-10 testosterone(fill in ester)split 2x a week inj
PCT 12-14 clomiphene/nolvadex
100mg/40mg first 2wks 50mg/20mg second 2wks
Split your doses morning and night 100mg of clomiphene is alot and you don’t want side effects.
On hand an AI adex or aromasin use as needed
Blood workpre cycle blood then blood work wk 4-5 than blood work 2wks after PCT ends
And that’s it. Simple, straight forward and a great first cycle. Remember, time on + PCT = time off before next cycle. So this whole cycle would take you 14-16weeks depending upon the ester of testosterone choosen, so you need to wait 18 weeks before your next cycle so your body is fully normalized in its natural hormonal state before doing another cycle.
You should always do blood work its very important to know where your estrogen is and in the future other things like prolactin. You should do blood work pre-cycle, wk 4-5 and 2wks after you finish pct to make sure that your system is back to normal.
Also remember that the biggest thing is your diet. Growth comes from 80% diet 19% training and 1% compounds. Make sure you visit the diet section and read about macros and pre prepping meals.
EDIT 2021 I can’t stress how important diet really is if you don’t want to waste your time get a solid diet together counting all your macros protein carbs fats plus calories. Your diet determines your gains and if you will reach your goals plus without a proper diet you will take 1 step forward and after your cycle take 2 steps backwards not keeping gains. There are many apps in 2021 to help with diet and training most are free don’t waste your time and possibly your health to not get the most possible out of your cycle.
Good luck and good gains brothers
Banned
Check this out next
Estrogen, Prolactin, Progesterone Management + Gynecomastia Prevention & Reversal General
FIRST CYCLE 2021
Your first cycle should be a relatively simple and straight forward one, meaning one anabolic compound the necessary ancillaries, and a proper PCT. Do not over complicate this one as test will be the base for all your future cycles. Its good to find out how you react to it alone before you add on extra compounds an using a longer estered test (enanthate or cypionate) will take around 4 weeks before the test is “noticeable” in your system, so you need to have some patients for the effects of testosterone to take effect but it will and it will be worth it.
EDIT 2021 Testosterone starts working as soon as you inject it you will have to allow it to build up but your making gains from day one.
Can you run an oral only cycle? Yes you can, but its really really not worth it in all cases. Most people won’t retain any of the gains they make off a 4-6 week oral cycle - you’ll blow up quick, but you won’t have the extra time on cycle to get your body used to holding the extra mass while being in an elevated anabolic state. Also, all anabolic/androgenic compounds shut down your natural test production. Testosterone is a key component in your everyday functioning in life, and when you supplement your system with anabolics other than testosterone (that shut down your test production), you will feel the effects of the reduced testosterone and all the gains you will get will really just be water and will eventually dissappear and with your Testosterone production shut down it will be hard to keep up with your training regimen.
EDIT 2021 NEVER RUN AN ORAL ONLY CYCLE
Can I just run Deca or EQ or Tren by itself with no test for my first cycle - it will still be only one compound? No especially decca and tren are extremely harsh compounds that you should wait to use until your 3th maybe 4th cycle.
EDIT 2021 So we all know that in the far past Arnold and the others are known for using nandrolone dbol and primo no testosterone but in 2021 its definitely best to start with test and not have a second compound especially a nor19 compound that shuts you down immediately upon injection.
Using these other anabolics still result in shutting down your natural production of testosterone and you will experience side effects of no testosterone - lethargy, depression, lack of libido, erectile dysfunction, etc… not worth it. Yes, some people have run cycles with no test and have been fine, but that is generally the exception, not the rule. Much better to play it safe then “hope” you are the exception to the rule.
EDIT 2021 No one is the exception to the rule we know through science that testosterone is needed and in 2021 testosterone is available through even doctors.
What’s this about gyno? Testosterone (along with a number of other anabolics - deca, dbol) is an aromatizing compound meaning with elevated levels of it, you will have corresponding elevated levels of estrogen in your system. It is generally wise to combat these during cycle to avoid excessive bloating and the posisbility of developing breast tissue (gyno). Two ways of doing this: an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) or a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). In general, I think using an AI during cycle is better as it prevents the testosterone from aromatizing in the first place, whereas a SERM prevents the estrogen from binding to estrogen receptors. A popular and easily available AI for on cycle use is Anastrozole (brand name Arimidex) or aromasin which is a stronger suicide ai. SERMs like Nolvadex are generally used if gyno is already an issue on cycle, or for PCT.
EDIT 2021 I wouldn’t use an AI unless its necessary. That means your blood work shows that you’re above your comfortable level of estrogen. Once you’re above your comfortable level because everyone is different start and use arimidex to control your estrogen. Other AI such as exemestane or aromasin should be used with caution crashing estrogen is just as bad as high estrogen we know that both ends of the spectrum effect the cardiovascular system very negatively.
PCT - what’s that? Post Cycle Therapy - this is a necessity and not something that is optional. So all cycle long you’ve been injecting testosterone and you have lots of it in your system, much more than your body naturally produces. So what does your body do ? - it stops producing its own testosterone. As the long estered testosterone or short ester wears off at the end of the cycle roughly 3 days to 6wks depending from your last injection your body realizes that it no longer has testosterone in it and decides to try to make some of its own. At the same time, your estrogen to testosterone ratio is high, meaning you have a lot of estrogen, but very little testosterone, and whats worse, as your body tries to start making testosterone, it converts some of that to estrogen so you have even more estrogen (very simplified explanation of whats happening). Long story short, you need a SERM, peferably Tamoxifen (Nolvadex brand name) to combat these estrogen levels and help your body get itself creating enough testosterone again to sustain your new muscle mass. You also should use clomiphene it will help with starting your natural Testosterone production to come back faster helping you definitely keep your gains. A normal protocol is
Clomiphene 100/100/50/50
Nolvadex 40/40/20/20
Thats 4 wks and how many mgs each week.
EDIT 2021 so nolvadex is what stops estrogen from binding to the receptors it does not remove estrogen from the body like an aromatase inhibitor or AI. Nolvadex can be used during cycle but is frowned upon by many because it lowers igf1 me personally ive done it twice but you have to have aromasin on hand also just incase your estrogen goes sky high because nolvadex will not remove estrogen from the body.
Clomiphene is actually best for PCT and best for restarting your natural production. For your first pct use both definitely. After your end of cycle blood work you can see how you responded and adjust for future cycles.
Lastly, HCG? HCG is not reccomended on your first cycle because it spikes your estrogen and your first cycle is really about learning to control your estrogen. But it is a choice in your future cycles as a great tool to bring you back faster… So remember how the testosterone you are injecting is telling your body to stop producing its own testosterone? Well HCG tells you body through a LH signal and fsh signal which are both low from running your cycle this will keep your testes trying to produce testosterone. This will not only limit the amount of shrinkage you will occur on cycle in your boys down below, but it will drastically aid in how quickly you recover post cycle. Now remember, HCG is suppressive as well, meaning it must be discontinued before PCT as well. So this is only used during cycle or TRT maybe a blast between your last injection and pct. I will explain in another post the 2 ways to properly run hcg because there are so many crazy methods out there.
EDIT 2021 HCG is not necessary in any cycle but if your original PCT didn’t go well or you would like for your testicles to stay full hcg is a big help with this and PCT. If taken it can spike estrogen so just get blood work done to find out if HCG spikes your estrogen but its not a must only a choice to help you because everyone is different and you have to know how each compound effects you and how you have to react to the way it is effecting your body.
Hcg cycles look like 2021
10wks 250iu 2x a week possibly 500iu 2x a week right up until pct meaning weeks 2-12 then pct when running testosterone weeks 1-10
Another is
Hcg blast 2wks between last injection and PCT
1000iu 5 days later 2000iu 5 days later 2000iu
This is what a first cycle should look like
Weeks 1-10: 500mg Testosterone Enanthate per week 2 injections of 250mg, Sunday Morning Wednesday night or monday and Thursday.
Weeks 3-12: .5mg of Anastrozole Every other Day (EOD)
Weeks 4-12: 500iu’s of HCG per week (2 injections of 250iu’s, same days as test, but not in the same syringe)
PCT starts week 12, two weeks after last test shot
Week 1&2: 100mgs of Clomiphene 40mg Nolvadex per day split mourn and night
Week 3&4:50mgs of Clomiphene 20mg Nolvadex per day split mourn and night.
EDIT 2021
This is what a first cycle should look like
1-10 testosterone(fill in ester)split 2x a week inj
PCT 12-14 clomiphene/nolvadex
100mg/40mg first 2wks 50mg/20mg second 2wks
Split your doses morning and night 100mg of clomiphene is alot and you don’t want side effects.
On hand an AI adex or aromasin use as needed
Blood workpre cycle blood then blood work wk 4-5 than blood work 2wks after PCT ends
And that’s it. Simple, straight forward and a great first cycle. Remember, time on + PCT = time off before next cycle. So this whole cycle would take you 14-16weeks depending upon the ester of testosterone choosen, so you need to wait 18 weeks before your next cycle so your body is fully normalized in its natural hormonal state before doing another cycle.
You should always do blood work its very important to know where your estrogen is and in the future other things like prolactin. You should do blood work pre-cycle, wk 4-5 and 2wks after you finish pct to make sure that your system is back to normal.
Also remember that the biggest thing is your diet. Growth comes from 80% diet 19% training and 1% compounds. Make sure you visit the diet section and read about macros and pre prepping meals.
EDIT 2021 I can’t stress how important diet really is if you don’t want to waste your time get a solid diet together counting all your macros protein carbs fats plus calories. Your diet determines your gains and if you will reach your goals plus without a proper diet you will take 1 step forward and after your cycle take 2 steps backwards not keeping gains. There are many apps in 2021 to help with diet and training most are free don’t waste your time and possibly your health to not get the most possible out of your cycle.
Good luck and good gains brothers
Banned
Check this out next
Last edited:
