Ruckin's first cycle log: test cyp only [IV gear]

[ruckin]

EQ/Bold Cyp is on my list to brew and try soon but as of now I have yet to try either. What I offer is based in what I've read from the ppl I trust to get my info from.

EQ is more mild compared to say tren or nandrolone. The changes are smoother and more mellow. Going with higher test will just speed along the process and give you more in the end which is obvious: more Anabolics = more results. Out of all the successful powerlifters I talk to, every single one of them who can tolerate high test runs high test during their toughest training cycles. They'll run whatever doses on other compounds but test will always be 750-1g as a minimum. Now I'm not telling you to jump to that dose but I am saying for those who value performance over aesthetics as you do, they all prefer a lot of test.

From the cycles I've seen, 800mg EQ is a moderate dose not a high one. Maybe something like 500-750mg of test and ~800mg of EQ. If you want something to get the festivities started sooner add in some dbol or drol to the first few weeks. If you have the money halo would be my first choice but it's expensive and won't add much in terms of sides. Strength, aggression, focus, etc it absolutely is insane for but not so much the size.

I'd love to try halo one day but I don't think I can justify the cost of it at this early point in my rugby career when I could spend that money on more anabolics like test, eq, mast, maybe even tren. I can assure you that I'll have a truckload of halo at the top of my shopping list once I sign my first big contract one day though

Great points about high test for performance reasons by the way. Maybe I'll try something like 500 mg test (not that 500 test is high, per se) and 500 mg eq per week with 4 weeks of dbol to kick it off. Shit that sounds like fun I don't know if I'd want to raise my test any higher than that for just my second run though, since I'd already be adding the eq to bring my total gear usage up to a gram/week. Any more seems like it would be overkill.

I'm just excited to try new compounds, but I guess what you're saying is that I should try to get used to high test. Makes sense especially since if/when make it to a high level in the sport one day, I'll likely have random drug testing to work around, so I'm assuming test suspension will likely be my go-to anabolic at that point.

On a side note, I can't wait to be able to afford hgh some day. That sounds like a fun ride.

 

[ruckin]

I lifted semi-normally again on Thursday (today is Saturday), the only reason I say semi is because I did everything heavy like I normally have been, except for squats. I hated going light on them again, but this issue in my lower left leg is pretty concerning so I'm hoping that an extra 3 days of going light on it to let it heal will make a difference.

power clean: 235x1x8
Bench: 265x8,8,8,9
Squat: 165x8x3
Barbell rows: 215x8,8,8,9
Paused incline: -
Shrugs: 405x12x3 (straps)
Barbell holds: 405x20 sec x2
Weighted planks: -
Curls: 40sx10,10,12 superset w/
Side raises: 40sx12x3

My form on the cleans could have been better, but I didn't have my olympic shoes and also used a different type of barbell than normal (I did this workout on vacation so I hadn't been to this gym before) so I'll slide some of the blame there Still got all the reps though. Bench was alright, considering I hadn't benched at all, not even light, in 9 or 10 days. So I'm attributing that to slight loss of neural efficiency and I expect a big jump in performance there next time I bench. Also you all may not have noticed (I wouldn't have if I were you lol), but I switched back to normal shrugs instead of power shrugs. I just felt like I was at greater risk for injury by doing power shrugs instead of more traditional ones, and for no additional trap development. The power shrugs seemed to be more taxing on my nervous system too, and again for no additional benefit.

So my good friend who goes to the same gym as me wants us to both go for 500 lb deadlifts together tomorrow (Sunday). I've never pulled over 455 before (I've gotten 455 for a double a few times when still natty) but I'm not worried about getting 500. I'm excited to get it for the first time though. I think I could even get 550. Still trying to reach 600 by the end of the cycle!

 

[Seven]

I lifted semi-normally again on Thursday (today is Saturday), the only reason I say semi is because I did everything heavy like I normally have been, except for squats. I hated going light on them again, but this issue in my lower left leg is pretty concerning so I'm hoping that an extra 3 days of going light on it to let it heal will make a difference.

I used to get shin splits (I think they called them "growing pains") playing basketball in jr high. Fuckers would hurt all night, couldn't get any sleep. I would go to this sports medicine place and get treatment. They put clear gel (it was gel) on my shins and with (I'm gonna say) ultrasound type equipment, that had a shower head looking thing (we're talkin' the 90's here). It was all mental with a cord attached to the ultrasound deal. They would work the gel into my shins, like 20mins each leg. When I got to high school all they had was a frozen paper cup peeled half way down and you iced yourself....worked just as well. Moral of the story....ice your shin. Lol

Directions

1. Get paper cups
2. Fill paper cups with water
3. Freeze water and paper cups together
4. Peel cup half way down
5. Towel under leg
6. Using the ice part, use on bad shin until melted

So my good friend who goes to the same gym as me wants us to both go for 500 lb deadlifts together tomorrow (Sunday). I've never pulled over 455 before (I've gotten 455 for a double a few times when still natty) but I'm not worried about getting 500. I'm excited to get it for the first time though. I think I could even get 550. Still trying to reach 600 by the end of the cycle!

Sounds like you're in the right mind set. You'll get it...plus you have to do more than him!! Kill It!!

 

[Docd187123]

Have a happy trip to PR city!

 

[ruckin]

I got the 500 pounder, so that was cool went up relatively easily but not quite as fast as I was expecting. I also got almost no sleep last night so that probably didn't help. I got maybe 4 hours, waking up at least 5 times. I felt like shit so I just did my biggest movements and went home. No accessory stuff at all except curls since nothing else I did worked my biceps.

Power cleans: 185x1x5
Paused Press: 160x8,8,8,9
Front Squat: 245x8x4
Deadlift: 500x1, then 455x1x9 in 8 min
Curls: 40sx11x3

Maybe I'll go for 545 next time I deadlift if I'm feeling good.

 

[ruckin]

I used to get shin splits (I think they called them "growing pains") playing basketball in jr high. Fuckers would hurt all night, couldn't get any sleep. I would go to this sports medicine place and get treatment. They put clear gel (it was gel) on my shins and with (I'm gonna say) ultrasound type equipment, that had a shower head looking thing (we're talkin' the 90's here). It was all mental with a cord attached to the ultrasound deal. They would work the gel into my shins, like 20mins each leg. When I got to high school all they had was a frozen paper cup peeled half way down and you iced yourself....worked just as well. Moral of the story....ice your shin. Lol

Directions

1. Get paper cups
2. Fill paper cups with water
3. Freeze water and paper cups together
4. Peel cup half way down
5. Towel under leg
6. Using the ice part, use on bad shin until melted




Sounds like you're in the right mind set. You'll get it...plus you have to do more than him!! Kill It!!

Thanks, I'm gonna start doing that. I really can't afford to be getting shin splints right now.

 

[Docd187123]

I know the cleans will help with power development for Rugby but you ever thought of speed days for more power work?

 

[Seven]

I got the 500 pounder, so that was cool went up relatively easily but not quite as fast as I was expecting. I also got almost no sleep last night so that probably didn't help. I got maybe 4 hours, waking up at least 5 times. I felt like shit so I just did my biggest movements and went home. No accessory stuff at all except curls since nothing else I did worked my biceps.

Nice pull ruck!!

Maybe I'll go for 545 next time I deadlift if I'm feeling good.

You got this, you did 500 on a bad day, this will go up. You're gonna be knocking dudes out come this fall.

 

[ruckin]

I know the cleans will help with power development for Rugby but you ever thought of speed days for more power work?

I hadn't though about it yet. I feel like that's more of an intermediate/advanced technique, no? I feel like I'm already developing a ton of power just by getting stronger every workout without having to focus specifically on it. What do you think?

Nice pull ruck!!




You got this, you did 500 on a bad day, this will go up. You're gonna be knocking dudes out come this fall.

Thank you! I can't tell you guys how excited I am for rugby season to start. I literally just day dream about it constanty.


Oh and by the way, weight update everyone: I was 262 this morning

 

[Seven]

Oh and by the way, weight update everyone: I was 262 this morning

Ok, so what's the new weight goal? And how's the leg?

 

[ruckin]

Ok, so what's the new weight goal? And how's the leg?

Not sure, I wasn't expecting to hit 260 this soon. I will admit though, I think I'm holding more water than usual so I wouldn't be surprised if I drop a couple pounds in water the next few days. No specific goal above 260 though, I'll just keep eating and training and see where I end up.

My leg seems to be getting better, thanks for asking. I'm worried that starting to squat heavy again will just cause the same problem again though. Still not sure how it got hurt in the first place. I'm icing it as I type this so I really hope this helps.

 

[Docd187123]

I hadn't though about it yet. I feel like that's more of an intermediate/advanced technique, no? I feel like I'm already developing a ton of power just by getting stronger every workout without having to focus specifically on it. What do you think?


Thank you! I can't tell you guys how excited I am for rugby season to start. I literally just day dream about it constanty.


Oh and by the way, weight update everyone: I was 262 this morning

For the weights you're moving and for your sport I'd at least give them thought.

 

[ruckin]

For the weights you're moving and for your sport I'd at least give them thought.

I'll definitely think about it, and I'm not just saying that lol

 

[ruckin]

I just finished up some conditioning work at my gym. I did bike sprints again. 20 total sprints again this time, but to make them harder I reduced my rest time by 1 second and increased each sprint time by 1 second. So the sprint/slow ratio was 16 sec/44 sec for all 20 sprints. Doesn't sound like a lot but if I keep improving by 1 second it'll add up pretty quick within a few workouts.

Everything else seems to be going pretty well too, my small minor injuries seem to be getting better (I'm icing my leg again as I type this), strength is still exploding, and I also met a cool girl the other night at a party that I might give a chance, so we'll see how that ends up.

 

[ruckin]

power clean: 240x1x8
Bench: 270x8,8,8,10
Squat: 335x8,8,8,10
Barbell rows: 220x8x4
incline spoto presses: 205x8x2
Shrugs: 415x12x3 (straps)
Barbell holds: 405x22,20 seconds
GHRs: bwx5x2
Side raises: 45sx10,10,10,12

Another great workout tonight. Cleans felt great, 240 is the most I've ever done, even for just 1 single, let alone 8. Bench and squat felt great too. I did my first ever glute ham raises tonight and boy do they destroy the hamstrings. I only did 2 sets of 5 because I've never done them before so I want to ease into the exercise. Also I'm running tomorrow and don't want my hamstrings to be killing me during that since it's already gonna be miserable lol. I decided to incorporate them to help injury prevention by further strengthening/stabilizing my knees, and they're also a great deadlift accessory.

Now for the not so positive comments. I hate barbell rows. I don't why, but I just don't like them at all. I LOVE doing dumbbell rows, but I switched a few weeks back because my new gym only has up to 100 lb dumbbells. I really can't stand bb rows anymore. Does anyone have a suggestion for a replacement movement? It has to be some sort of horizontal rowing movement to be used as my deadlift accessory to build back thickness. I don't like pendlay rows either, or anything using a machine.

 

[Docd187123]

Some of the wisest words ever told me to me by an elite level powerlifter:

Suck it up buttercup and do the lifts you hate. You hate them for a reason. That reason is you suck at them and you suck at them bc they're a weakness. You're only as strong as your weaknesses allow so train the lifts you hate HARDER than the lifts you love.


Having said that: add more pull-ups, chin-ups, Pendlay rows even though you hate them, cable rows with both narrow and wide grips, the V bar rows with the barbell where you out one end in the corner and lift uo the opposite end, front squats believe it or not will work the upper back, RDLs will also

 

[ruckin]

Some of the wisest words ever told me to me by an elite level powerlifter:

Suck it up buttercup and do the lifts you hate. You hate them for a reason. That reason is you suck at them and you suck at them bc they're a weakness. You're only as strong as your weaknesses allow so train the lifts you hate HARDER than the lifts you love.


Having said that: add more pull-ups, chin-ups, Pendlay rows even though you hate them, cable rows with both narrow and wide grips, the V bar rows with the barbell where you out one end in the corner and lift uo the opposite end, front squats believe it or not will work the upper back, RDLs will also

Very true thanks for sharing that. It's not that I feel like I suck at them though, it's that they're just uncomfortable and feel weird for me. And I don't feel like they're an irreplaceable movement like the deadlift or squat so that's why I'm looking for an alternative. Thanks for the suggestions too.

 

[Docd187123]

Very true thanks for sharing that. It's not that I feel like I suck at them though, it's that they're just uncomfortable and feel weird for me. And I don't feel like they're an irreplaceable movement like the deadlift or squat so that's why I'm looking for an alternative. Thanks for the suggestions too.

To Americans they seem to be irreplaceable but from what I've seen in regards to the Russians and eastern bloc lifters they rarely if ever do rows. According to them they're one cause of bad shoulders. So depending on which philosophy you subscribe to they are either great or horrible lol.

Let me ask you this, what makes them feel weird and uncomfortable to you? Does it happen at a specific point in the ROM? Throughout the whole movement? Have you tried varying grip widths?

More exercises: face pulls, seated DB cleans, rear laterals, band pull a parts, chest supported rows

 

[insertnamehere]

Nice lift numbers, Ruckin. I have to start paying attention in here.

 

[Seven]

power clean: 240x1x8
Bench: 270x8,8,8,10
Squat: 335x8,8,8,10
Barbell rows: 220x8x4
incline spoto presses: 205x8x2
Shrugs: 415x12x3 (straps)
Barbell holds: 405x22,20 seconds
GHRs: bwx5x2
Side raises: 45sx10,10,10,12

Power Cleans w/ 240 sweet!! Looks like you added over 40lbs to your bench awesome!!

Now for the not so positive comments. I hate barbell rows. I don't why, but I just don't like them at all. I LOVE doing dumbbell rows, but I switched a few weeks back because my new gym only has up to 100 lb dumbbells. I really can't stand bb rows anymore. Does anyone have a suggestion for a replacement movement? It has to be some sort of horizontal rowing movement to be used as my deadlift accessory to build back thickness. I don't like pendlay rows either, or anything using a machine.

You could try one arm BB rows with the BB anchored in a corner.