Beginning a Cycle

[Flycivicsi]

Good afternoon All,

I have searched this quite heavily, and not sure if I am just searching the wrong wording, or if I am just overlooking something. Looking for your thoughts on starting a cycle and if you should "hard" start a cycle or "soft" start a cycle.

You may be asking what I mean by this, and let me clarify it. For example lets say you were running 500mg/week of test and 500mg of Mast a week for 20 weeks.

Would your first week consist of 500mg of each or would you say, start with 200mg of each, and then in two weeks go to 300mg/each, then in 3 weeks go to 400mg of each, ext.

The above is just hypothetical numbers, so please don't read too much into that.

Thank you in advance!

 

[buzzingonaas]

Good afternoon All,

I have searched this quite heavily, and not sure if I am just searching the wrong wording, or if I am just overlooking something. Looking for your thoughts on starting a cycle and if you should "hard" start a cycle or "soft" start a cycle.

You may be asking what I mean by this, and let me clarify it. For example lets say you were running 500mg/week of test and 500mg of Mast a week for 20 weeks.

Would your first week consist of 500mg of each or would you say, start with 200mg of each, and then in two weeks go to 300mg/each, then in 3 weeks go to 400mg of each, ext.

The above is just hypothetical numbers, so please don't read too much into that.

Thank you in advance!

Depends on length of cycle imo, but everyone will do it differently. If i wanted to shoot for like 26 weeks, I’d go with an escalating approach. That’ll allow bloodwork to be less impacted by the end of the cycle or at least sit in a worse spot for less time, so you’re minimizing potential issues. If you know that 1g is the most that you’d want to end up at and know you’ll be making progress on that amount in 20 weeks, that’s not a bad approach

 

[caffaddicted]

Def
Start low and titrate up as you go
Watch your hair line and your lipids levels if you run mast more than 20 weeks

 

[Erox]

Thanks for the info guys! That was what I had been doing, but it wasn’t made very clear. So wanted to get some insight

 

[BigTomJ]

the word your looking for is "titrate"

in my opinion there is absolutely zero reason to titrate any cycle at any dose other than to access tolerance.

for example, in your example of 500 test/mast, if you have ran those dosages in the past, and tolerated it well, there is no reason to titrate, pick your dose and stick to it for the duration.

if its a combination or dose you havent attempted before, there is an argument to be made for titrating. for something that is fairly miild, and non aromatizing like mast, i dont really see much reason to titrate unless youre going into some insane dosages.

 

[Trainedbytylerlofthouse19]

How many cycle have you ran previous to what you have planned?

As BigTom says all well and good if it's to assess tolerance but if you have previous experience just stick to what you know.. If that 500mg don't quite cut it maybe up your calories and change your training methods for a few weeks to see if that helps.. And then up the dose if this isn't working.. Slowly upping the dose won't do much anyway if nothing else is nailed it..

Get bloodwork done at your new dose/s then you know exactly how things are going

 

[lukiss96]

If this is your first cycle I will say the most obvious shit - TESTOSTERONE SOLO.

Why?

Because you will know how much and how well you can handle without big side effects. You will know how much estrogen issues you experience or not. You will know how sensitive you are to it or not.

No need for masteron and such for now, save it for later. You will not experience better gains, trust me. First cycle is where the least shit makes the biggest difference in the world.

250-500mg/week is your spot, pick it do it and enjoy the ride. Come back for more if you wish to then you can add other steroids. Gl.

 

[klokke23]

the word your looking for is "titrate"

in my opinion there is absolutely zero reason to titrate any cycle at any dose other than to access tolerance.

for example, in your example of 500 test/mast, if you have ran those dosages in the past, and tolerated it well, there is no reason to titrate, pick your dose and stick to it for the duration.

if its a combination or dose you havent attempted before, there is an argument to be made for titrating. for something that is fairly miild, and non aromatizing like mast, i dont really see much reason to titrate unless youre going into some insane dosages.

What does "tolerate it well" mean? Everybody gets sides. You say there is no reason to titrate lol. I think he made a pretty good point. Why not titrate if you plan a 6 month cycle.

 

[Trainedbytylerlofthouse19]

I think he means if you are consistently making progress on the doses there is no need to tirate.. As I stated myself natural progression in the gym should be happening and also a natural progression to eating over that 20 weeks.. If these are not made titrating or even double Dosages won't do a thing but cause sides in my opinion

 

[buzzingonaas]

I think he means if you are consistently making progress on the doses there is no need to tirate.. As I stated myself natural progression in the gym should be happening and also a natural progression to eating over that 20 weeks.. If these are not made titrating or even double Dosages won't do a thing but cause sides in my opinion

This. Eating and training should be dialed in first. Then around that 20 week mark you may be gaining more fat than muscle and at that point it would make sense to increase dosage. That way, if you’re running a 26 week push, you’re only exposed to that higher dose for 6-8 extra weeks and bloodwork will look nasty for less time

 

[BigTomJ]

What does "tolerate it well" mean? Everybody gets sides. You say there is no reason to titrate lol. I think he made a pretty good point. Why not titrate if you plan a 6 month cycle.

i suggest you go and reread the post you quoted. Seems pretty clear to me.

If its a protocol dosage and combination that youve ran in the past and are familiar with how you tolerated it (IE with no issues) then there is no point to titrate, that time spent titrating would be better spent at your intended dose and then you dont have to waste your time with some 6 month cycle.

if you are familiar how a particular dosage effects you, titrating is entirely a waste of time.

 

[farbeyonddriven]

OP if you are doing a first cycle and want the best advice give us more info including your stats and how long you have been training without PEDs. Most would want to know if you have peaked naturally first.

I suggest a first cycle be test only. IMO 300 mg per week would be fine for a first cycle although many others suggest 500 mg per week.

No need to ramp up dosing either IMO. Just stick with a simple test cycle and evaluate bloods/performance at the end and then go from there.

 

[klokke23]

i suggest you go and reread the post you quoted. Seems pretty clear to me.

If its a protocol dosage and combination that youve ran in the past and are familiar with how you tolerated it (IE with no issues) then there is no point to titrate, that time spent titrating would be better spent at your intended dose and then you dont have to waste your time with some 6 month cycle.

if you are familiar how a particular dosage effects you, titrating is entirely a waste of time.

Huh okay xd

 

[BoloYang2023]

Good afternoon All,

I have searched this quite heavily, and not sure if I am just searching the wrong wording, or if I am just overlooking something. Looking for your thoughts on starting a cycle and if you should "hard" start a cycle or "soft" start a cycle.

You may be asking what I mean by this, and let me clarify it. For example lets say you were running 500mg/week of test and 500mg of Mast a week for 20 weeks.

Would your first week consist of 500mg of each or would you say, start with 200mg of each, and then in two weeks go to 300mg/each, then in 3 weeks go to 400mg of each, ext.

The above is just hypothetical numbers, so please don't read too much into that.

Thank you in advance!

like everyone says here boss if its your first cycle you should titirate if its not then dont. also if its your first cycle only go test dont do that mistake alot of ppl do and run a complex cycle then when horrible sides start you wont know is causing it

 

[marsupial]

Fact is any dose sub 500 leaves gains on the table. And you’ll likely contend with high E sides anyway 250 or above no matter what if you’re on for more than 12 weeks.

That said, it may benefit you to leave just some gains on the table. Maybe if you’re not at a baseline natty physique you deem ideal (but let’s be real if you’ve lifted for 4+ years you’re very close to your natty limit) and want to save 500 for later, or if you’re into some heavy cardio sport in which your performance will suffer for every rapid lbs of body mass gained. Maybe you need to minimize the risk of being accused and tested for gear on your job, and need to pass off your bulk cycle as a natty bulk. Not limited to those reasons either

You may also do sub 500 and be disappointed with the gains made. You may be on 500 and you get sick of estrogen sides and needing to increase AI (because you will need to increase it as you inevitably also accumulate a bit of fat as with any bulk), and then you come off at 12 weeks rather than stay on for longer (which you should, 12 weeks is way too short for test only, hardly any actual tissue will stay in pct).

Lastly if you’re prone to estrogen sides, I do think taking ~3 weeks at the end to taper and cut on test is beneficial. Acne can be brutal and last for a while long after post cycle. Don’t taper at beginning though, as it’s not necessary and the E sides tend to kick in later on

As Morpheus said, “you take a chance either way. I leave it to you”

 

[Flycivicsi]

Good morning All,

I greatly appreciate all the insight! You have definitely helped answer the question.

This would be my Third cycle.

The first was Test only
The second was Test/Mast


For the first two I did Titrate up, but it made me wonder if it was actually necessary. I had tried finding information on it, and it seemed to be lacking, so hence reaching out to all you fine folk!

It seems like when there are discussions around gear, opinions are like assholes as everyone has one lol. Which can make it extremely difficult to get accurate information. Unlike math where 1+1 always equals two. In the gear world 1+1 can equal 39, 1, 46, 4 just based on peoples views and opinons.

So thank you to all who answered my question. I still have A LOT to learn, and will continue doing so with all your help!

have a great day everyone

 

[BoloYang2023]

Good morning All,

I greatly appreciate all the insight! You have definitely helped answer the question.

This would be my Third cycle.

The first was Test only
The second was Test/Mast


For the first two I did Titrate up, but it made me wonder if it was actually necessary. I had tried finding information on it, and it seemed to be lacking, so hence reaching out to all you fine folk!

It seems like when there are discussions around gear, opinions are like assholes as everyone has one lol. Which can make it extremely difficult to get accurate information. Unlike math where 1+1 always equals two. In the gear world 1+1 can equal 39, 1, 46, 4 just based on peoples views and opinons.

So thank you to all who answered my question. I still have A LOT to learn, and will continue doing so with all your help!

have a great day everyone

hey bro honestly thats why the forum is here. but to be honest you can only mitigate harm by bloodwork and having a coach with proper knowledge of dosing. even then without the knowledge of bloodwork and panels you dont know. some people react different and can run like 500 test and 300 npp or 300 mast and get fucking ripped and it be the best combo and perfect sweet spot with zero sides and zero effects on the negatively. that is something i hope you do understand that everyone does say do some bloodwork.

 

[lukiss96]

hey bro honestly thats why the forum is here. but to be honest you can only mitigate harm by bloodwork and having a coach with proper knowledge of dosing. even then without the knowledge of bloodwork and panels you dont know. some people react different and can run like 500 test and 300 npp or 300 mast and get fucking ripped and it be the best combo and perfect sweet spot with zero sides and zero effects on the negatively. that is something i hope you do understand that everyone does say do some bloodwork.

This is correct, we are all different and react different. Person A is not a person B and person C is neither.

For example I find that I only really tolerate Testosterone even at high dosages, there are other anabolic steroids that I do well on. But I respond best to high T and oral like dbol. For others that's a doomed cycle. I can't touch deca on the other hand. To each their own.

 

[Flycivicsi]

hey bro honestly thats why the forum is here. but to be honest you can only mitigate harm by bloodwork and having a coach with proper knowledge of dosing. even then without the knowledge of bloodwork and panels you dont know. some people react different and can run like 500 test and 300 npp or 300 mast and get fucking ripped and it be the best combo and perfect sweet spot with zero sides and zero effects on the negatively. that is something i hope you do understand that everyone does say do some bloodwork.

Hey Man,

Appreciate the response! Fortunately I have a Doctor who is a men's health specialist (as apposed to a GP). He has me going for blood work every 8 weeks, I have a yearly blood request form that means I can go every 8 weeks. Definitely not going about it the "blind" way and hoping for the best. I am 36 years old, and definitely do not think I am invincible. I just got my bloods back last week, (everything looks good), but meeting with him Monday to review, and then will go on my next cycle!

 

[Flycivicsi]

This is correct, we are all different and react different. Person A is not a person B and person C is neither.

For example I find that I only really tolerate Testosterone even at high dosages, there are other anabolic steroids that I do well on. But I respond best to high T and oral like dbol. For others that's a doomed cycle. I can't touch deca on the other hand. To each their own.

Which makes total sense, just like any medication, we all can react differently to it.