First Cycle Thoughts

[StrappedLynx]

I’m going to jump ship and do a cycle so far my cycle is as follows:

Test E @ 250mg per week (starting out / pinning twice a week)

Have an AI on hand (Aromasin / Arimidex?)

Undecided on HCG or not.

2 weeks after last pin going to run Enclo for PCT for 6 weeks @ 12.5 mg per day or up it based on how I feel.

Any thoughts would be great.

 

[trtbuilder]

Up it to 500mg/week

How many weeks are you running?

 

[lukiss96]

I like the moderate approach bro, many people would benefit from lower dose on their first cycle. In fact if I could turn back time I'd probably do 300mg test only. First time is where less drugs will yield the biggest gains assuming you put max effort in to diet and training.

Now before you start have everything on hand, if you miss something then wait out. Especially AI and pct stuff.

Hcg is optional. I see you plan to pct, then it's gonna be helpful and make it easier if you run it throughout your cycle.

As for AI, some say aromasin, I say arimidex even if it's stronger if you crash you will recover much faster. On 250mg you will possibly not need it, or maybe until good 6 weeks in. Always do blood work to confirm and not only symptoms. Start low (0.25mg e3d) only when necessary. Don't randomly dose it based on symptoms! And give it some time to work.

What are your stats and training experience? What will your training look like and how are you planning your routine? Post more details so we can correct and adjust some parts if needed.

 

[StrappedLynx]

Up it to 500mg/week

How many weeks are you running?

I initially thought about 500 but I wanted to see my body’s reaction and I’ll be running it for 20 weeks.

 

[Eddie.]

250 is good for first cycle, i started with 200 and it did some job, although i'm going to titrate up for a longer time and not call it a x weeks cycle. Considering i was already a natty gymrat for 19 years with a good amount of muscle and my natural test was 650 before i got to gear, i think anyone should see and feel a difference with 250 as a start. You could actually be at 250 for lets say 12-16 weeks and then bump the dose to 350-375 for another 6-8 weeks and your bloodwork will probably take less beating than doing a 12-16 weeks at 500.

What's your bodyfat? It plays a role on your AI dosing, although i suggest bloodwork after 4 weeks on cycle to check your tt, ft and e2 at least. 2 shots per week it's easier but you won't be as stable as possible, and you need this especially on your first cycle because you don't know how you will react to sides like acne, water retention, blood pressure etc. IMO do at least 3 shots per week. With a simple estimation for 250 test divided in 2-3 shots per week you may need a full tab aromasin or arimidex splitted in your shot days. If you add HCG you'l probably need more. If you're lean enough, under 10% bodyfat you might need less AI.. Only bloodwork will determine. Don't trust your feelings because i overdid it with HCG and my e2 came at 106..and i didn't experience ANY side effect.

 

[StrappedLynx]

I like the moderate approach bro, many people would benefit from lower dose on their first cycle. In fact if I could turn back time I'd probably do 300mg test only. First time is where less drugs will yield the biggest gains assuming you put max effort in to diet and training.

Now before you start have everything on hand, if you miss something then wait out. Especially AI and pct stuff.

Hcg is optional. I see you plan to pct, then it's gonna be helpful and make it easier if you run it throughout your cycle.

As for AI, some say aromasin, I say arimidex even if it's stronger if you crash you will recover much faster. On 250mg you will possibly not need it, or maybe until good 6 weeks in. Always do blood work to confirm and not only symptoms. Start low (0.25mg e3d) only when necessary. Don't randomly dose it based on symptoms! And give it some time to work.

What are your stats and training experience? What will your training look like and how are you planning your routine? Post more details so we can correct and adjust some parts if needed.

I just want to see my bodies reaction first. I have my PCT already, just haven’t committed to the rest yet. If I do HCG I was going to do 500iu a week and pin 2x a week.

I have done all my bloodwork already I’m just waiting for the pdf version.

I’m 5’9 @ 197lbs / BF about 18% (I’m actually working hard at getting this lower). I’m in a cal deficit right now, which ideally will change if I go on a cycle.

I currently do more of a cutting routine with Majors / aux motions:
M- Chest
T- Back
W-Legs (quad focus)
Th-Shoulders
F- Legs (Hamstring focus)
S- Arms


Cardio also on most days.

 

[StrappedLynx]

250 is good for first cycle, i started with 200 and it did some job, although i'm going to titrate up for a longer time and not call it a x weeks cycle. Considering i was already a natty gymrat for 19 years with a good amount of muscle and my natural test was 650 before i got to gear, i think anyone should see and feel a difference with 250 as a start. You could actually be at 250 for lets say 12-16 weeks and then bump the dose to 350-375 for another 6-8 weeks and your bloodwork will probably take less beating than doing a 12-16 weeks at 500.

What's your bodyfat? It plays a role on your AI dosing, although i suggest bloodwork after 4 weeks on cycle to check your tt, ft and e2 at least. 2 shots per week it's easier but you won't be as stable as possible, and you need this especially on your first cycle because you don't know how you will react to sides like acne, water retention, blood pressure etc. IMO do at least 3 shots per week. With a simple estimation for 250 test divided in 2-3 shots per week you may need a full tab aromasin or arimidex splitted in your shot days. If you add HCG you'l probably need more. If you're lean enough, under 10% bodyfat you might need less AI.. Only bloodwork will determine. Don't trust your feelings because i overdid it with HCG and my e2 came at 106..and i didn't experience ANY side effect.

I thought about pinning EOD (like micro dosing). In October my total T was sitting at 618 but I just had it done and it was sitting at like 415 which was way lower.

 

[StrappedLynx]

Forgot my age! 32 years old

 

[lukiss96]

I just want to see my bodies reaction first. I have my PCT already, just haven’t committed to the rest yet. If I do HCG I was going to do 500iu a week and pin 2x a week.

I have done all my bloodwork already I’m just waiting for the pdf version.

I’m 5’9 @ 197lbs / BF about 18% (I’m actually working hard at getting this lower). I’m in a cal deficit right now, which ideally will change if I go on a cycle.

I currently do more of a cutting routine with Majors / aux motions:
M- Chest
T- Back
W-Legs (quad focus)
Th-Shoulders
F- Legs (Hamstring focus)
S- Arms


Cardio also on most days.

I would trim off that body fat % and get as lean as possible to let myself have more space to gain, as some fat will likely be gained, so less to cut after all is said and done.

When you gonna start cycle then you will up your calories, but try and keep majority of it clean and avoid junk.

Not much reason to do eod injections, 2x week is fine for such dosage.

What will your macros look like on cycle and what they look like now?

Can you go in to more details on your training split routine?

 

[StrappedLynx]

I would trim off that body fat % and get as lean as possible to let myself have more space to gain, as some fat will likely be gained, so less to cut after all is said and done.

When you gonna start cycle then you will up your calories, but try and keep majority of it clean and avoid junk.

Not much reason to do eod injections, 2x week is fine for such dosage.

What will your macros look like on cycle and what they look like now?

Can you go in to more details on your training split routine?

Yeah I’m trying to get down to 15%, but I want to make sure I have everything online prior to starting.

I eat mostly chicken, fish, ground turkey, jasmine rice, fruits and veggies and protein shakes. No junk trying to keep it super clean.

Currently I’m only doing about 1400 cals = carbs 176g / Fats 36g / Protein 120g (I’ll be honest sometimes I don’t meet these goals a day I’m way under on most but protein.

Like what I’m actually doing on those days?

 

[Juicedhead]

Whats your stats and goals with the cycle? Testosterone is a good first cycle. If youre running a 20 weeker I would consider upping it to 400-500mg range for the second half of the cycle. Welcome to the dark side.

 

[StrappedLynx]

Whats your stats and goals with the cycle? Testosterone is a good first cycle. If youre running a 20 weeker I would consider upping it to 400-500mg range for the second half of the cycle. Welcome to the dark side.

Man I just want to get thicker and more shape and stronger. Ideally I would like to me more veined as well but I know a lot of that comes with muscle index and %bf.

 

[ackmack78]

Seems silly to run your first cycle at 15-18% body fat. Get down to 10% or lower so you can take advantage of it and eat. If you start at 15 and eat to gain you're gonna look like crap esp since you're dose is low. If you diet you're gonna miss out on gains. The only positive i see is it's a mild cycle, more of a TRT+ so if you do cut you can still get gains later on with 500mg/Wk.

Personally I would just get to 10% natural then jump on. I'd do 500 but if you wanna do 250-300 it's your choice. But at least you'll be able to eat and look halfway decent by the time the cycles over if your goal is to gain max muscle.

 

[StrappedLynx]

No I’m definitely going to get my BF down before I start. I just want everything in place and ordered.

 

[lukiss96]

Then everything seems to be answered OP. What other questions if any do you have?

 

[RaddishPork]

What everyone is saying will be the standard feedback. Keep up the cut for a little longer and get bloodwork at 4-5 weeks in. If you're a lower responder or the gear is a little underdosed, that 250mg would barely put you out of natty range.

I understand both sides of the argument. I got decent results very undisciplined on 250mg of test my first "cycle." But if you really have your diet and nutrition down, you can make insane progress off just 400mg-500mg. You're the only one who knows deep down if you're going to be 100% committed this cycle.

Also, figure out which AI you want to use. Some people say Adex gives them a rebound effect because it it blocks the aromatase instead of killing it.

 

[StrappedLynx]

What everyone is saying will be the standard feedback. Keep up the cut for a little longer and get bloodwork at 4-5 weeks in. If you're a lower responder or the gear is a little underdosed, that 250mg would barely put you out of natty range.

I understand both sides of the argument. I got decent results very undisciplined on 250mg of test my first "cycle." But if you really have your diet and nutrition down, you can make insane progress off just 400mg-500mg. You're the only one who knows deep down if you're going to be 100% committed this cycle.

Also, figure out which AI you want to use. Some people say Adex gives them a rebound effect because it it blocks the aromatase instead of killing it.

When I do something I take it above and beyond. I’m totally data driven! I’m a chemist in real life so I constantly look at the AAS analysis and HPLC data for all the testing on steroids.

 

[Sector]

Seems like you've done your research, your proposed plan looks solid, the moderate approach is also a good way to start until you can see how your body responds to estrogen, and the effects of using an AI.

You could even tiltrate up to 400-500 from weeks 10-20 if you feel like it, as by week 10 you should have a good feel for things.

As others have mentioned, starting at a lower BF% would be ideal so that you could maximize your first cycle gains in a calorie surplus, BUT, even assuming you started at your current bodyfat %, or maybe 2-3% under your current BF, you'd still be able to re-comp nicely in a calorie deficit and gain a bunch of strength.

 

[StrappedLynx]

Do you think it would be worth starting a TRT dose to help rid some of that unwanted fat, or should I just keep busting my butt and get that %BF down.

 

[RaddishPork]

Do you think it would be worth starting a TRT dose to help rid some of that unwanted fat, or should I just keep busting my butt and get that %BF down.

If you actually have low test, then it would make it easier to lose fat if you’re in a deficit. For example, I have a friend whose test levels were 180. Getting on TRT was a huge difference for him losing weight. But that’s because he had the test of a 60 year old man.

You need to get bloodwork and make an honest decision with yourself to know if you actually need TRT or just want to start using gear sooner because you’re impatient. And I don’t mean that as a jab at you. I think a lot of people started a little too early so I know the feeling.