Winter Mass Gain

Wunderpus

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10+ Year Member
What's up guys? So, I wanted to make a log documenting my off-season mass gain phase. I don't really want to just put on crazy weight, so you'll likely see a different-than-expected layout of anabolics... At this stage, I prefer quality lean mass gains and minimal water retention, as well as maximizing insulin sensitivity.

Training will be standard Push/Pull/Legs layout, hitting each muscle group 2x a week. However, intensity will vary for every other session. As an example, Push 1 will be chest focused with shoulder and tricep "pump" work. Push 2 will be shoulder and triceps focused, with chest "pump" work. The "pump" routines are normally 3-4 sets of 12-15 reps, not hitting failure... Mostly focusing on SLOW eccentrics, 1 second squeezes and maximum bloodflow. The "base" workouts will be strength focused followed by a "challenge" exercise, something like a drop set or muscle rounds, etc. The "base" days will train the bigger lifts to failure, TRUE failure... Volume on the heavier base lifts will be lower, and volume on pump/ancillary lifts will be higher.

This process works well for ME, not everyone. I've seen some of our clients BLOW UP using this process, and some do much better on more "old school" body building styles (sets of 8-10, focusing almost entirely on pump). I feel like a lot of folks don't know how to/desire to train to TRUE failure, so higher volume works better for them.

Starting around 240lbs, last measured at 9-10% BF (Dexa Scan). I feel comfortable adding a pound or two of fat during this process, as I can easily shed that post mass gaining period (very rarely can you avoid ANY fat loss during a mass phase).

Now, I know you guys probably mostly care about the drug layout, so here it is:

Weekly:
700mg's Primo Enan.
500mg's Test Enan.
300mg's NPP -> ~700mg's NPP (I will raise slowly, or until I get side effects/bloat etc.).

Daily:
50mg's Anadrol pre workout (first 3 or so weeks)
75mcg's T4
8iu hGH (2iu AM fasted, 4iu pre workout, 2iu pre bed).
10iu Humalog pre workout (I'm a pre workout insulin guy, personally).

Diet will be centered around carb timing... Carbs will be low throughout the day until my pre, intra and post workout meals (to maximize insulin sensitivity and stay within my "macros"). For now, I'm just going to run 10% caloric surplus, slowly increasing as recovery demands, intensity increases and drugs reach saturation points.

Lemme know your thoughts and/or questions... :)
 
I didn’t see the total duration listed in there, how long are you planning on running this? I was wanting to do something similar so you have my full attention. I have always wondered about the slin as a pre item, I’m assuming you just offset it with your carbs?
 
I didn’t see the total duration listed in there, how long are you planning on running this? I was wanting to do something similar so you have my full attention. I have always wondered about the slin as a pre item, I’m assuming you just offset it with your carbs?
The length will likely be 12 weeks... The slin is offset by intra carbs, yes. A shake of carbs, aminos, electrolytes and creatine.
 
Your thoughts on primo vs EQ? I've read a lot of your threads and cant remember if you've ever run EQ.
Anyway, you are well proportioned so I dont see any lagging body parts but are you going to focus on what 'you' consider a lagging body part at all this cycle? I remember calves were lagging a year ago but you brought those up a lot.
 
Your thoughts on primo vs EQ? I've read a lot of your threads and cant remember if you've ever run EQ.
Anyway, you are well proportioned so I dont see any lagging body parts but are you going to focus on what 'you' consider a lagging body part at all this cycle? I remember calves were lagging a year ago but you brought those up a lot.
Primo vs. EQ:

Hmm, apples to oranges, really. I think EQ is a fine drug, but, I don't get a ton of "bang for my buck" as far as MG's-> results are concerned. It's worked well for me in the past, but it doesn't really add much hard mass from what I've experienced. It gives a nice conditioned and vascular look, as well as appetite and performance increases. It has it's place. Primo is just, IMO, the kind of injectable anabolics from a sides effects vs. rewards standpoint.

Lagging parts:

Man, I always feel my arms are "lagging". But, I am focusing more on systemic growth rather than isolated growth right now. I'm hoping the overall punishment of moving heavier weights will stimulate more growth in my arms, especially with the addition of targeted pumping exercises. I.e. heavy bench, heavy dips followed by a high volvume tricep movement... Best of both worlds, maybe?
 
I run similar programming. Works great. I implement a vertical pull day and a horizontal pull day(deadlifts or rack pulls included).
 
Why not using 500mg test alone? I grow easily on this dosage then taking shit to extreme pre contest.
 
Looks like a nice, clean plan here. Not sure what about this is considered “extreme” from the comment above but ~1800mg for 6’+ 240 is pretty laid back. Should be a drama free 8-10 dry lbs by cycle’s end.

The split you mentioned is one of my favorites; inspired me to switch back to it since it’s been a while.

I am the same in the arm department; feel they’re always behind. One comment I have there is if yours are actually behind I doubt simply training hard elsewhere spurs significant growth. Phil Heath and Roelly got lucky like that; I know I didn’t. Also something I’ve contemplated: if you’re GOOD at targeting a muscle, say your lats in a row or chest in a press, then I have a theory that your arms just don’t get suitable stimulation there. Just a thought. For that reason I’m adding a dedicated arm day, mostly higher volume pump work aside from maybe one movement per side, at the end (pull/push/legs/arms).

The volume vs TRUE failure is a huge piece of the puzzle missing today. Everyone’s on this low volume, progressive overload kick but I don’t see anyone training to their absolute limit. I don’t have a training partner so I don’t fool myself into thinking I’m reaching absolute failure on a lot of movements.

Given your experience with diets, will be interested to see how your macros change as you add cals. This is the piece everyone fucking misses and asks why the drugs aren’t working...

Goodluck on the blast, sub’d.
 
Looks like a nice, clean plan here. Not sure what about this is considered “extreme” from the comment above but ~1800mg for 6’+ 240 is pretty laid back. Should be a drama free 8-10 dry lbs by cycle’s end.

The split you mentioned is one of my favorites; inspired me to switch back to it since it’s been a while.

I am the same in the arm department; feel they’re always behind. One comment I have there is if yours are actually behind I doubt simply training hard elsewhere spurs significant growth. Phil Heath and Roelly got lucky like that; I know I didn’t. Also something I’ve contemplated: if you’re GOOD at targeting a muscle, say your lats in a row or chest in a press, then I have a theory that your arms just don’t get suitable stimulation there. Just a thought. For that reason I’m adding a dedicated arm day, mostly higher volume pump work aside from maybe one movement per side, at the end (pull/push/legs/arms).

The volume vs TRUE failure is a huge piece of the puzzle missing today. Everyone’s on this low volume, progressive overload kick but I don’t see anyone training to their absolute limit. I don’t have a training partner so I don’t fool myself into thinking I’m reaching absolute failure on a lot of movements.

Given your experience with diets, will be interested to see how your macros change as you add cals. This is the piece everyone fucking misses and asks why the drugs aren’t working...

Goodluck on the blast, sub’d.

Lot's to talk about in your post....

"Not sure what about this is considered “extreme” from the comment above but ~1800mg for 6’+ 240 is pretty laid back. Should be a drama free 8-10 dry lbs by cycle’s end"

- I feel this way, as well, especially considering the compounds used. Primo is arguably the mildest injectable AAS and requires a fair bit more mg's/cycle to reap the benefits. You'd be wasting your time, and oil, if you went too low (same with EQ IME).

"I am the same in the arm department; feel they’re always behind. One comment I have there is if yours are actually behind I doubt simply training hard elsewhere spurs significant growth. Phil Heath and Roelly got lucky like that; I know I didn’t. Also something I’ve contemplated: if you’re GOOD at targeting a muscle, say your lats in a row or chest in a press, then I have a theory that your arms just don’t get suitable stimulation there. Just a thought. For that reason I’m adding a dedicated arm day, mostly higher volume pump work aside from maybe one movement per side, at the end (pull/push/legs/arms)."

I would suggest and "arm" blast period. We do this with some of our clients, with great success. Do 4 or so weeks of arm training 3x a week. Not 3 arm days, but something like a dedicated arm day, then triceps after shoulders + chest, and biceps after back. So, you're hitting both groups 2x a week, once pre-exhausted.


"The volume vs TRUE failure is a huge piece of the puzzle missing today. Everyone’s on this low volume, progressive overload kick but I don’t see anyone training to their absolute limit. I don’t have a training partner so I don’t fool myself into thinking I’m reaching absolute failure on a lot of movements."

I've trained with a lot of people, a ton... And watched thousands others train. Rarely do I see someone train to absolute muscular failure. It took me a long time to know how that feels, and what it takes to push thru that. I would encourage everyone learns this feeling. Start with machines, then go to dumbbells, and maybe bars far down the road. Be safe and smart.

Given your experience with diets, will be interested to see how your macros change as you add cals. This is the piece everyone fucking misses and asks why the drugs aren’t working...

Macros will likely change as I grow, and cardio will probably go up, as well. I find I grow best with some decent cardio (20-30 minutes LISS) a few times a week. It's bullshit that "cardio burns muscle". Maybe if you were going crazy, but not when done in a reasonable way. It keeps metabolism up, allows you to train harder and longer, plus it's just healthy.
 
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