I am looking to do my first cycle. I have two options at hand:
Option 1:
Start at 300mg/week for 16-20 weeks, and then drop down to TRT (150mg/week) for an equal amount of time, and then increase test for the second cycle and/or add another compound.
Option 2:
Start at 150mg/week, slowly ramp up my weekly dose until the side effects become intolerable, up to 400mg/week, and then be at that dose for a year until I introduce another compound.
I saw option 1 from a lot of different sources for the first cycle as opposed to the usual 500mg/week you see online, whereas option 2 makes more sense to me from a pharmacological. Which one would you recommend?
I have been lifting for 4.5 years with a 1 year break in the middle.
I am not considering PCT’ing between the cycles, as almost everyone nowadays argue against it unless you are going to stop using AAS for life or for a long amount of time. If you have an argument against it, I would be happy to read it.
Maybe start with info about you.
There are variable here that need to be known to give you an informed answer.
It’s somewhat clear by your 2 options you haven’t done much research.
22 Male 6’2 190 lbs %13.3 BF from a Dexa scan, trying to keep my anonymity here hence why I didn’t give full details. I do bodybuilding as a hobby, thought I am passionate about it, I don’t plan on competing.
I am not an expert but I have done enough research to narrow down my options to these two and was undecisive in between. Let me know if you need more variables. Also instead of looking down on me, please let me know of your ideal first cycle and why. I appreciate hearing different opinions. I came here to get information from people with vast experience and appreciate all of you taking time to respond to strangers online.
You should not be messing with your hormones. Your body/brain are not done developing until late 20’s. You have a lot of natural progression left. 4 years of training is not long in this game.
I am by no means looking down on you but this is a very serious decision that will (possibly negatively) effect you the rest of your life. Almost everyone that starts that early regrets it. If you were a genetic freak with pro aspirations it would be a different conversation. If you need help with training/diet we are here for you. Start a log. Nobody is going to tell you it’s a good idea to use gear at your age.
Most hobbies are fun things to do with our leisure time that does not adversely affect your life. Once you start “blasting and cruising” you are well on your way to a lifetime of TRT (at least).
You mention competing. That is the sole reason that I believe there is for using AAS.
My recommendation: Enter a Bodybuilding contest and see if you like it. If when you do, you believe it is something you would like to do, then, and only then, you should start taking AAS. Now Bodybuilding moves from hobby to a lifelong quest. IMO, this is a long game, not a sprint.
I started taking AAS after my first Bodybuilding contest and I had turned 23 years old.
What’s the best first cycle? I don’t know, but I know what I did. For the first two years I took 10mg/day of Dianabol (only) in cycles of 8 weeks “on” and 8 weeks “off”. For the next four years I upped the Dianabol to 15mg/day. After that I started stacking, having already competed in about 15 Bodybuilding contests and about 5 Powerlifting meets.
This might seem a little rigid, but, IMO, if you don’t have the genetics and the muscular foundation to look like you belong on stage at a Bodybuilding contest being natural, whether you place or not, you are foolish to be using AAS, especially in the form of “blasting and cruising.”
Taking long ester Test in the 300-500mg range is what you see everywhere. It’s up to you how much your risk profile is. Usually this is done no more than 12 weeks. That’s where you go awry with this plan.
No, pharmacology it makes zero sense which is why it’s clear you don’t understand pharma. It’s makes sense from a lay brain I get that… baby step in. From a pharma effectiveness / saturation time etc vs cycle time it makes poor sense.