There are loads of great cycles of steroids aimed at different standards of bodybuilder or looking at different outcome. I've just picked out ten great ones and given a brief description for each. Please bear in mind that sometimes there are different names for drugs depending on where you are in the world or who makes it.
Most importantly - do not even consider using steroids unless your diet is ideal for gaining muscle mass, even if you are looking to increase your definition. You should also be training very hard and regular. Make sure your natural gains have slowed down if this is to be your first time. Read the other articles on MuscleTalk, or post questions on the board if you have any queries.
Gynecomastia (presence of female breast tissue) and other aromatising side effects of some steroids (for example water retention) may be more apparent in certain individuals. If this is a problem take 20mg per day of Nolvadex / Tamoxifen until symptoms disappear, then continue with 10mg per day until the end of the cycle, or Clomid. It is generally thought best not to take Nolvadex unless you have these side effects, though it is good practice to keep some in stock in case it's required.
Clomid or HCG may be taken post cycle if a few weeks break is expected. This is in order to help kick start your own natural testosterone secretion, to minimise post-cycle side effects and, more importantly, to minimise any muscle loss after a course. There are a number of recommended ways to take Clomid, but an effective method is: 100mg per day for 7 days commencing 7-18 days post cycle depending on what is in the cycle. This is followed by a further 50mg per day for a further 2 weeks.
Some folk prefer to use HCG, and after heavy stacks both may be suggested. HCG should commence during the last week, with a jab weekly, for 3 jabs of 2500iu each.
Also I've not mentioned beta-agonists, thyroid hormones or growth hormone in this article. These can be added to any of the stacks as appropriate.
Warning: some of these are over the top and should only be used by top professional that are dedicated for life to the goal of being Mr. Olympia
1. Beginner Cycle #1
The most frequently asked question in the steroids forum is for a great effective beginners cycle:
Deca durabolan - 200-400mg per week for 8 weeks
Testosterone Enanthate - 500mg per week for 8 weeks
This is a standard first course recommended by most, even if the individual wishes to lose fat (as diet is the key to fat mobilisation, NOT gear). Whether you opt for Testaviron or Sustanon is personal choice or depends on availability; both are great drugs. 400mg of Deca per week is generally assumed to be the minimum amount for gains, however, many first time users do extremely well on less than this.
Continue on this for the full 8 weeks, but if you are still growing well, why stop? Review gains every two weeks, and it may be continued for 10, 12 or more weeks.
Nolvadex should be on hand in case symptoms of aromatisation become apparent. Clomid should be used post cycle commencing at 10-14 days afterwards.
The testosterone and the Deca can be split down into 2-3 shots per week: 250mg of test (1ml) plus 100mg of Deca (1ml) mixed into the same syringe, and another of 200mg of Deca (2ml).
2. Beginners Cycle #2 - The Classic Mass Builder
This is a variation on the above:
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week for 8 weeks
Testosterone Enanthate - 500mg per week for 8 weeks
Dianabol - 30mg per day, six days per week for 6 weeks
This stack should produce good results for the steroid user looking for mass. Here the Deca should be 400mg for optimum effects, and the Dianabol at the onset helps kick start the cycle while you are waiting for the longer acting Deca and test to take effect.
Nolvadex should be on hand in case symptoms of aromatisation become apparent. Clomid should be used post cycle commencing at 10-14 days afterwards. You may hold a lot of water from this brought about by the Dianabol and the testosterone but this can be reduced by the use of Nolvadex / Tamoxifen or Arimidex.
The dosage of Dianabol may be divided out through out the day and taken every 3-4 hrs as it has such a short half-life. Though most people take half in the morning and half in the evening. Take them with / after a protein-based meal.
The testosterone and the Deca can be split down into 3 shots per week: 250mg of test (1ml) plus 100mg of Deca (1ml) mixed into the same syringe, and another of 200mg of Deca (2ml).
3. Nick's Favourite - well, one of many!
One of my many favourites, again a variation on the above, just with more dosage. This one is a great mass builder and for the more advanced bodybuilder:
Testosterone Enanthate- 750mg per week for 8 weeks
Deca durabolan - 500mg per week for 8 weeks
Dianabol (Naposims) - 30mg per day, Monday to Friday weeks 2-7
This is a big stack, but not huge, but bloody great !!! I always seem to grow well on Testaviron.
The above instructions apply, i.e. Nolvadex, Clomid, etc. Clomid should begin 7 days post cycle.
4. A Biggy from Trident
Trident claims this is his favourite cycle which he has done a few times:
Weeks 1 - 4
Sustanon 250 - 1,000mg per week
Testosterone Enanthate - 1,000mg per week
Anadrol50 / Anapolan 50 - 100mg per day
Weeks 5 - 8
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week
Testaviron depot - 1,500mg per week
Dianabol / Anabol - 50mg per day
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Weeks 9 - 12
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week
Testaviron depot - 250mg per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Nolvadex 10mg per day all through
Proviron - 50mg per day weeks 2 to 6.
Commence Clomid week 10 - 50mgs per day for 14 days
HCG - 2 shots per week of 2500iu with the Clomid
This is a big cycle, and very androgenic. Like me, Trident swears by Testaviron. Side effects may be high, hence the use of Nolvadex throughout, and the use of Clomid commencing 14 days afterwards, and HCG before the end of the cycle. The use of HCG gets your own testosterone levels up before any fall in androgens. There is a degree of tapering in this cycle due to its high testosterone amounts.
5. Superman's Super Stack
This is another great lean mass builder, from a prominent member:
Finajet / Trenbolone - 75mg per day
Winstrol - 50mg per day
Testosterone propionate / Viromone - 100mg every other day
A six-week course and the usual precautions apply.
6. Phantomdh's 'Sus-deca-dbol-end-with-winny' Stack
Phantomdh's favorite cycle is the 'Sus-deca-dbol-end-with-winny' cycle:
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week, weeks 1-10
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week, weeks 1-10
Dianabol - 35mg per day, weeks 1-4
Winstrol 30mg/ed, weeks 5-10
This is another great mass builder. The usual precautions apply.
7. A Testosterone-Free Lean Mass Builder
This is one if you want to avoid testosterone-based steroids. It's too often assumed that just because 'mild' steroids like Primabolan are not very androgenic, then they're not very good mass builders. Remember, all steroids are anabolic, and Primabolan as part of a stack is an excellent adjunct:
Primabolan depot - 300mg per week for 8 weeks
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week for 8 weeks
Winstrol - 150mg per week, weeks 2-7
This is not a huge stack, but is great for building quality, lean size (coupled with a sensible diet). We have a number of non-bodybuilding members of MuscleTalk, e.g. athletes, footballers, etc, and this may be a great cycle for them to try.
8. Knorkop's Frontloader
This is a great cycle from Knorkop, used as an example of frontloading Equipoise and Deca:
Week 1 - Frontloading
Equipoise / Bolderbol-H - 800mg per week
Deca durabolan - 800mg per week
Testosterone propionate / Viromone - 100 mg every other day
Week 2
Equipoise / Bolderbol-H - 400mg per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Testosterone propionate / Viromone - 100 mg every other day
Week 3 - 4
Equipoise / Bolderbol-H - 400mg per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Winstrol - 50mg every other day
Week 5 - 8
Equipoise / Bolderbol-H - 400mg per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Winstrol - 50mg every other day
Week 9 and 10:
Equipoise / Bolderbol-H - 400mg per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
Testosterone propionate / Viromone: 100mg every other day
This is a great lean mass builder again, showing how frontloading is done. The downside is a lot of jabs, due to Equipoise being just 50mg per 1ml. The usual precautions apply, and use HCG and Clomid post cycle at 7 days.
9. Wrongun's Mind Blower:
This 'Mind Blowing Stack' was posted by Wrongun. It is a heavy androgenic cycle, and only for use by the experienced gear-user.
Testosterone Enanthate- 1,000mg per week, weeks 1-10
Equipoise - 800mg per week, weeks 1-10
Dianabol - 50-75mg per day, weeks 1-5/6
Testosterone suspension - 100mg per day, weeks 1-4/5
Finajet/Trenbolone - 150mg per day, last 4-6 weeks
Winstrol at the last - 100mg per day, last 4-6 weeks
This is not for the faint hearted, and certainly for advanced bodybuilders only. Equipoise is used rather than Deca so as not to overdo progesterone aromatisation. This involves a lot of injections, so try to get Ttokkyo Equipoise, as this is 200mg per 1ml, as opposed to Ganabol or Bolderbol H, which is 50mg per 1ml.
Side effects will be high on this so take precautions. I would recommend Nolvadex use throughout at 10mg per day, or Arimidex 1mg every other day. Clomid and HCG post cycle are a must - commence the HCG in the last week of the cycle, but Clomid 14 days afterwards
10. Another Favorite!
Nice and simple, but very effective:
Anadrol 50 / Anapolan 50 - 100mg per day, 6 days per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
The usual precautions are a must here, with Clomid commencing 7 days post cycle.
Friday, 5 September 2014
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
What Can Be Done About Prolactin-Induced Gynecomastia During a Steroid Cycle?
Q: “I’m concerned about prolactin-induced gynecomastia (gyno) during my steroid cycle, as I’ve read a lot on the boards about it. Do I need to have anything on hand to counter prolactin? Which anti-prolactin drug would you recommend?”
A: The first thing to understand with regard to gynecomastia is that individual susceptibility varies widely.
Most don’t have any pre-existing gyno, and have only average susceptibility or less to developing it. For them, major adverse hormonal changes will cause gyno, but for example they could take amounts such as 500 or sometimes even 750 mg/week oftestosterone without an antiaromatase with no effect on gyno.
Some don’t have any gyno, but at all times are on the edge of developing it. They may acquire gyno at some point without ever using any bodybuilding drug, simply from bodyweight gain or a natural hormonal fluctuation.
Still others actually have gyno already even if they don’t know it. When it’s unknown, typically the gyno will have developed during puberty. Sometimes it will be more than ready to grow further at the slightest hormonal provocation; in others, it won’t grow except with major adverse hormonal changes.
Where you are on this spectrum is the most important factor.
Elevated prolactin during a steroid cycle can aggravate gyno in susceptible cases, particularly where estradiol is also elevated.
The most important factor causing elevated prolactin is elevated estradiol. Limiting the use of aromatizing steroids or using an anti-aromatase at proper dosage is the best solution here.
Additionally, low thyroid levels can cause high prolactin levels by increasing TRH (not TSH) secretion, which stimulates prolactin production by the pituitary. A thyroid test can determine whether low thyroid levels is an issue, or if desired, T3 can be used at 25-50 mcg divided into two doses per day.
A dopaminergic drug can reduce prolactin secretion. Selegiline (Deprenyl) is a mild, safe choice at 2.5 mg/day. I would not rely on this to have a strong anti-prolactin effect: this would be for insurance, so to speak, if you’re worried about it. Pramipexole (Mirapex) at 0.25 to 0.5 mg taken before retiring would be a more aggressive choice. I’d be reluctant to go that route unless knowing from a blood test that you have a prolactin problem. (Many assume elevated prolactin without any blood test. The assumption may well be wrong in many cases.)
If the total antiglucorticoid effect of a steroid stack is strong, this could increase prolactin somewhat by reducing the inhibitory effect of cortisol on prolactin production.
None of these effects are important where the individual is not on the edge of gyno in the first place and where estradiol is kept within the normal range.
But for those who are on the edge and need all possible help
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Best Way to Use Oral Anabolic Steroids Within a Eight-Week Steroid Cycle
Q: “I’m planning on a bulking cycle at a dosing level of about a gram of steroidsper week. I have testosterone enanthate 200 mg/mL and plenty of Dianabol, and I have a little oxandrolone too. I don’t want to use orals for more than 6 weeks total. Week by week, how would you dose these for an 8-week steroid cycle?”
A: Because you’re doing a bulking cycle and you’ll need more help for gains in the later weeks than in the earlier weeks, I’d schedule the orals for the last 6 weeks.
I’d start the first two weeks with only testosterone, plus an anti-aromatase for estrogen control.
A convenient ongoing dosing would be 200 mg intramuscularly via an insulin needle five days per week. The two off days would be 3 or 4 days apart. In one example, the off days could be Tuesday and Saturday.
If you prefer less frequent though larger injections, then I’d do 500 mg twice per week.
In either case, I’d frontload the first day’s injection to be 700 mg larger than your ongoing injections. So for example if your ongoing injections are 200 mg at a time, your first injection would be 900 mg.
The reason is that during a cycle, ordinarily your body will have not only what was just injected, but also an amount remaining from previous injections. On the first injection, you have nothing from previous injections. Frontloading gets the correct amount into your body on the first injection.
At the start of week 3, I’d add the Dianabol at 50 mg/day, and reduce the testosterone to 800 mg/week. The combination of the two is considerably stronger than 1000 mg/week testosterone; you can be confident in making this small reduction in testosterone dosage.
The only potential reason for not reducing the testosterone dosage at this point would be if at this time point you really aren’t satisfied with results at the higher dose. If you’ve done several cycles before at gram-plus per week doses, this could occur. If so, you could maintain the 1000 mg/week testosterone dosage while adding the Dianabol.
I’d end the testosterone injections in the middle of week 7. This is so by the start of week 9 or soon after, levels will be low enough to allow recovery to begin.
I’d strengthen week 8 with oxandrolone to compensate for falling levels of injected testosterone. I’d either use 50 mg/day oxandrolone throughout week 8, or start at 50 mg/day and go to about 75 mg/day in the final 3 or 4 days of the cycle. Which way to go would depend on how much oxandrolone you have, and personal preference. Your final outcome would be almost identical either way.
This cycle will remain effective throughout the entire 8 weeks, and then transition quickly to levels of exogenous androgen low enough to allow a fast recovery. This will be a very effective bulking cycle for anyone who has not already reached a plateau at this level of steroid usage.
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