Experience for guys over 40

[Barbender]

Hi folks. Have been a member of this board for a few years now and have come close a few times to doing a cycle but after doing my research (maybe too much) I always seem to chicken out. Thanks to those on this site who have been more than helpful (shredded wheat and solo in particular). My question is to guys out there that are in their 40's and have done a cycle. Was the experience worth it in terms of gains and overall benefits? What type of cycle did you do and where there any major side effects that caused you concern. I am 5 10 210 lbs and have been naturally bodybuilding for 14 years. Not really looking to get huge but would like to see the body improve over what I am currently experiencing. Thanks in advance.

 

[Zete]

I did my first cycle last Jan. I was 43. It was a very simple one

TestE --500mg a wk for 12 weeks
Deca -- 200 mg a wk for 12 weeks
Novaldex -- 20 mg every day the entire cycle (something I read from Tony Roberts)

The only negative side effect that I suffered was twice bending the pin in my ass (which hurt like hell) and sore glutts were I was pinning the entire 12 wks.

I was doing resistance training 3/wk, bikings 2/wk, running 2/wk, swimming 2/wk

I was prep for 2 1/2 Ironman and 1 Ironman race
End of twelve weeks I reduced my BF from 31% to 14%.
Increased my Lean Body Mass from 129lbs to 160lbs.
( but was still carrying around almost another 20+ lbs of fat. Had three good races in that I finished but I was hurting after every race.)

In retro I have since learned that DECA probably wasn't what I needed for what i was training for but live and learn. I'm stil and Iroman -- granted a puggy one

I've managed to keep the lean body mass for the past nine months but my BF has gone up again to 17%, 30+ lbs) so I'm getting ready to start another cycle in prep for three Ultra distance bike races this summer.

Hope that helps
Zete From Texas

 

[Scooby67]

Bro, I'm 42 and did my 2nd cycle back in March of this year. My first was nearly 18 years ago, so it's been a long time in between.I was hesitant, too!! I ran Test E at 500mgs/week for12 weeks with Anavar for the last 6 weeks. I loved it! Put on 15 pounds and the strength gains were incredible!! They say your first go round is your best and that's very true. Now I'm not a big dude. Currently 5' 4", 168lbs. However, I was 150 before my cycle!! I'm a real hard gainer, so for someone of my stature to gain that amount of mass is unreal to me.
If you choose to do it, keep it simple. Test E or C for 10-12 weeks at 500mgs/week and see how you react and feel. Have your PCT ready to go, such as Clomid. Have Arimidex on hand for any gyno issues that may arise. I had none, fortunately. Keep a clean diet with no junk and up your caloric intake. Hope this helps and be safe.

 

[solo47]

Hi folks. Have been a member of this board for a few years now and have come close a few times to doing a cycle but after doing my research (maybe too much) I always seem to chicken out. Thanks to those on this site who have been more than helpful (shredded wheat and solo in particular). My question is to guys out there that are in their 40's and have done a cycle. Was the experience worth it in terms of gains and overall benefits? What type of cycle did you do and where there any major side effects that caused you concern. I am 5 10 210 lbs and have been naturally bodybuilding for 14 years. Not really looking to get huge but would like to see the body improve over what I am currently experiencing. Thanks in advance.

It's still your choice, BB. The danger with us latter-day (older) bodybuilders/gear users is that a long cycle or cycle after cycle could shut us down below normal testosterone levels permanently when we're off-cycle. It's not nice to admit this on this gear-friendly forum, but the possibility is there and it needs to be brought out into the open. Seems to me most hardcore bodybuilders, gear-users in their late forties and beyond are on testosterone supplementation (TRT or HRT) all year round, so it's no big deal to them any more. That being said, beyond that, in my opinion, there is absolutely no difference to using gear in your 20s or in your 50s. It works wonders either way.

If you are (at long last) about to get on board but just want to experiment with a lighter cycle, Barbender, I'd suggest you run Test enanthate or Test cypionate for 10 weeks at 500 mgs/EW, that is, 250 mgs twice per week. That's it. Nothing else, though you should keep Arimidex or maybe just Nolvadex on hand during your cycle in case the dreaded gyno symptoms appear. Follow two weeks after your last inject with Nolvadex PCT for four weeks. You may also wish to use small amounts of HCG during cycle to prevent testicular shrinkage, though you may want to save the HCG until the end to see how badly your shrinkage is.

I think you can safely try one light cycle and if you choose not to pursue chemistry after that you could do no more.

Gots to make your own mind up, Buddy.

Solo

 

[Barbender]

Solo as ever you are the wise sage. I appreciate all the responses and they all make sense. I noticed my recovery time is getting longer and longer yet the intensity and desire is still there. I have also heard that a cycle may help with tendons retaining more elasticity therefore limiting tendonitis. Any truth to this ?

 

[solo47]

Solo as ever you are the wise sage. I appreciate all the responses and they all make sense. I noticed my recovery time is getting longer and longer yet the intensity and desire is still there. I have also heard that a cycle may help with tendons retaining more elasticity therefore limiting tendonitis. Any truth to this ?

Not to get autobiographical and all, Mr. Fish King, but back in my mid forties I too noticed that it took more will power to get me to the gym. The weights seemed to be getting heavier. Worse yet, it took me a long time to recover from each workout. These were not big deals but they bothered me, so I looked at supplements. After using this & that over the counter, I began using prohormones, settling on androdiol, which actually helped quite a bit but only for short periods. If prohormones helped, I thought, going to the roids should help even more. At that point, all the warnings & alarms that have been put out as maternal gov't propaganda rang in my ears, but I also considered all the athletes who looked so great and who must have been using gear over long periods. Why weren't they dying off or losing their nuts or bursting with high blood pressure? There must be a way to manage such dangerous sides, I reasoned, and set out to find out how. To make this story short, I at first planned an orals-only cycle but after seeking advice from the Euro site guys I bought Test cyp from & had my first cycle, unfortunately running out of gear six weeks into it. It was about then I found this site and was given excellent (if hard-boiled) advice about how to set up my new "first cycle" properly. I was also given advice and found all the sources to explain how to properly use gear without those famous side effects. I ran Test e @ 500 mg/EW with a 4 week 30 mg/ED Dbol start. In short, it worked well, beyond my wildest dreams in fact. I got chunky. Suddenly going to a workout was a treat again. I felt stronger, lifted more weight, and could see the results without any wishful thinking. I was revitalized, a new man, just beginning to live again at 47 years old. Since then, I have not looked back, but I still cycle carefully. At this stage, 10 years+ later, I am beginning to see I will have to cease cycling or go on TRT, neither choice is to my liking, but I really do not want to surrender to time just yet. Got a new girl 16 years younger than me I hope to keep for life, so I intend to do whatever is necessary to stay young, active, and myself.

Things to consider, my friend!

Solo

 

[mikelee777]

Been a while since I have been on this board, but had to jump in on this one, as you echoed my words and situation of about three years ago.

I listened to the advice, and ultimately took the plunge, and have never looked back, I will be 55 in a few days, I hear it all the time that I have the body of a 30 year old (from the neck down of course )

I am done with the cycles, but I am on HRT, and have no issues with that, once a week to keep my test where it was when I was in my 20's and I'm good to go.

Doing MMA now, and having great fun kicking those 20 and 30 year old guys asses

And yes, it really helps my recovery, and yes, I think it does wonders to my libido, and yes I do my lady is 17 years younger.

So my advice, start with test cyp, see how that works for you, then after you understand how your body reacts, then you can start stacking. Go slow.

 

[DIE KRAFT]

Feel free to e-mail me. I turned 50 in November and have been a BB competitor since 1980 and have done numerous cycles every year since. I have loads of perspectives I can share. Some are good and some not so good. I have done some smart things and some that others would say that are very stupid. And I would agree with that thinking as well. Yes, I am still going forward and plan on competing this summer. God willing....................................

 

[Barbender]

Thanks all. You all have pretty much answered my question and it seems we all went through the same criteria for making the decision for doing a cycle. Mikelee doing mma at 51 is nuts as that is tough on the body at 19 (almost as tough as Solo rolling around with a much younger woman), I cant imagine doing it now. Good for you. I appreciate all the candor offered, I still have a question regarding tendons. Does a cycle help in any way with improving tendon elasticity? They have always been problematic for me and I have noticed the situation is getting worse. Have any of you encountered better or worse tendon issues on a cycle?

 

[solo47]

I could mention that I'm running about 5 iu of human growth hormone every day and hope to continue doing so as long as I can get my hands on it. Have found it great for retaining gains and staying slim. Do you run hGH, mikelee or DIE KRAFT? Barbender, it's expensive, but something to consider as a good back for cycles and great for anti-aging. GH should help with "tendon elasticity" and even assist joints. Nothing else I can recommend, however, though EQ is said to help joints long term.

Solo

 

[DIE KRAFT]

I could mention that I'm running about 5 iu of human growth hormone every day and hope to continue doing so as long as I can get my hands on it. Have found it great for retaining gains and staying slim. Do you run hGH, mikelee or DIE KRAFT? Barbender, it's expensive, but something to consider as a good back for cycles and great for anti-aging. GH should help with "tendon elasticity" and even assist joints. Nothing else I can recommend, however, though EQ is said to help joints long term.

I did HgH 3 years ago and didn't see the point. Yes I did it for about 5 months doing between 4-6i.u. daily And I do have some attachment problems, i.e. elbows, knees, shoulders. Still trying to figure out what is best for me.

 

[solo47]

I could mention that I'm running about 5 iu of human growth hormone every day and hope to continue doing so as long as I can get my hands on it. Have found it great for retaining gains and staying slim. Do you run hGH, mikelee or DIE KRAFT? Barbender, it's expensive, but something to consider as a good back for cycles and great for anti-aging. GH should help with "tendon elasticity" and even assist joints. Nothing else I can recommend, however, though EQ is said to help joints long term.

I did HgH 3 years ago and didn't see the point. Yes I did it for about 5 months doing between 4-6i.u. daily And I do have some attachment problems, i.e. elbows, knees, shoulders. Still trying to figure out what is best for me.

Perhaps you did not have a good brand of hGH. The first effects of GH are subtle but when you realize you haven't hurt in a long while, that you're slim & hard, and that you're sleeping well, you thank the GH you've been taking daily. GH is best for retaining gains, staying slim, & healing muscles, ligaments, tendons, & other strains. The only fountain of youth I know of.

Solo

 

[Bayou230]

Solo, just a quick shout out to you for the previous posts in this thread. A reasoned, balanced and insightful view Ill remember.
Regards,
B230

 

[solo47]

Solo, just a quick shout out to you for the previous posts in this thread. A reasoned, balanced and insightful view Ill remember.
Regards,
B230

Much appreciated.

Solo

 

[5k|/\/ /\/ Y]

well i am 39 and my last girlfriend was 20. I started my first cycle with test e 500 and deca300 the only side effect i saw was acne and a litte hair falling out . but that s it . I am now on my 2nd cycle of the same thing. I love it. Great post guys I enjoyed reading the knowledge you gentlemen have . thank you