My First Cycle: Planning and Executing a Successful First Cycle

[axnman]

Thanks 4 the read Aus... This tells me I have a lot of work 2... but now I've read it I know my gains will b alot more than what they would of been if I started what I thought was a good first cycle thanks again n keep up the great work.... Cheers. Aussie axnman

[VzThunder]

This was just what I needed, thanks a bunch!

[Sathane]

This is awesome! Thanks.

[austinite]

Thanks for reading fellas!

[Max1911]

Great post, thanks for the info.
Now I can stop guessing at FB% and take another look at my diet.

[sagittarius]

Thanks austinite, this was a great article.
I'm curious what cycling strategy would you recommend for long term? I have 5"10, ~174 lb, 10-12% body fat. I understand that one cycle based on testosterone will yield about 5 pounds, if done properly. Let's say I want to add 20 pounds of muscle in 2 years and also drop the body fat to 7-8%. The first cycle will be testosterone only and in theory I will need 4 cycles to gain around 20 pounds of muscle (4 cycles x 5 pounds/cycle = 20 pounds). Is it risky to do 4 cycles in 2 years? I know the rule: "Time ON + Wait time for PCT + PCT time = Time off". Also, what would you recommend for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cycle?
Thanks!

[austinite]

Thanks austinite, this was a great article.
I'm curious what cycling strategy would you recommend for long term? I have 5"10, ~174 lb, 10-12% body fat. I understand that one cycle based on testosterone will yield about 5 pounds, if done properly. Let's say I want to add 20 pounds of muscle in 2 years and also drop the body fat to 7-8%. The first cycle will be testosterone only and in theory I will need 4 cycles to gain around 20 pounds of muscle (4 cycles x 5 pounds/cycle = 20 pounds). Is it risky to do 4 cycles in 2 years? I know the rule: "Time ON + Wait time for PCT + PCT time = Time off". Also, what would you recommend for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cycle?
Thanks!

If you follow the Time on/time off rule, you can run as many cycles as you want. You could use short estered cycles to save time.

You'll have to research your 2nd or 3rd cycle. This thread is dedicated to first cycle. But you can introduce a mild compound such as anavar for your second cycle. Then on the 3rd try a heavier one such as dianabol . On the fourth it would be appropriate to include Deca .

[Brazensol]

How quickly does the effectiveness of test drop on subsequent cycles? As of now I plan on running only test cyp for the first several cycles (3-5) and if satisfied with the results and feel I am at or near my genetic potential will probably stop cycling (so say me now). If first cycle is 400mgs/week, how much would the 2nd cycle take? I know we all react differently but a ballpark figue would give me something to contemplate for awhile. Is it even possible to max out (or nealy so) your genetic potential on test alone?

[sagittarius]

If you follow the Time on/time off rule, you can run as many cycles as you want. You could use short estered cycles to save time.

You'll have to research your 2nd or 3rd cycle. This thread is dedicated to first cycle. But you can introduce a mild compound such as anavar for your second cycle. Then on the 3rd try a heavier one such as dianabol. On the fourth it would be appropriate to include Deca.

Thanks again. By the way, who's the girl in your avatar?

[austinite]

How quickly does the effectiveness of test drop on subsequent cycles? As of now I plan on running only test cyp for the first several cycles (3-5) and if satisfied with the results and feel I am at or near my genetic potential will probably stop cycling (so say me now). If first cycle is 400mgs/week, how much would the 2nd cycle take? I know we all react differently but a ballpark figue would give me something to contemplate for awhile. Is it even possible to max out (or nealy so) your genetic potential on test alone?

Hmmm. I have no way of quantifying that. But you should be able to take the same originally effective dose for several cycles. Yes, you can max out on test alone. Very possible.

[Onslaught]

good info I was going to use just test e and nolvadex for pct for my first cycle, but i will add Arimidex to it now.

[besstmode]

Thanks for the great information. i joined and this was first post I read. I will be going with your recommendations.

[base4291ball]

wow, awesome read! crazy helpful for a newbie...

[sagittarius]

This is from "Anabolics, 9th Edition":

"1) How much weight can someone expect to gain during the first cycle steroids ?
Provided dosing is sufficient, a steroid user can expect to make the most significant progress during their first cycle. Although this will vary from person to person, it is not uncommon for someone to gain 20 pounds of weight or more during a 6-8 week period of AAS use. Some of this may be water retention, although a solid gain of more than 10-15 pounds of muscle mass is possible."

However, it is not clear what first cycle the author has in mind.

[austinite]

This is from "Anabolics, 9th Edition":

"1) How much weight can someone expect to gain during the first cycle steroids ?
Provided dosing is sufficient, a steroid user can expect to make the most significant progress during their first cycle. Although this will vary from person to person, it is not uncommon for someone to gain 20 pounds of weight or more during a 6-8 week period of AAS use. Some of this may be water retention, although a solid gain of more than 10-15 pounds of muscle mass is possible."

However, it is not clear what first cycle the author has in mind.

Absolutely impossible to gain 15 lbs of muscle from a basic cycle. Certainly not in 6 to 8 weeks. Like you said, no mention of actual cycle protocol, rendering the excerpt useless.

[FONZY007]

Absolutely impossible to gain 15 lbs of muscle from a basic cycle.

What's a basic cycle?

[austinite]

^ What's mentioned in the article.

[Brazensol]

From what I've been reading, some aas make it hard to keep up on cardio. What can I expect from my first cycle with test? Will cardio be an issue or will it actually enhance it? From what some guys claim about what happens to their libido I may need to ride 50-60 miles a day to keep from, how shall I put this, wearing the wife out. lol.

[austinite]

From what I've been reading, some aas make it hard to keep up on cardio. What can I expect from my first cycle with test? Will cardio be an issue or will it actually enhance it? From what some guys claim about what happens to their libido I may need to ride 50-60 miles a day to keep from, how shall I put this, wearing the wife out. lol.

Cardio should not be affected on your first cycle. It's compounds like Trenbolone , Anavar , Winstrol and Dianabol that can cause extreme pumps in the shins and calves, rendering cardio efforts quite uncomfortable.

[sagittarius]

Absolutely impossible to gain 15 lbs of muscle from a basic cycle. Certainly not in 6 to 8 weeks. Like you said, no mention of actual cycle protocol, rendering the excerpt useless.

In the book he is also talking about a Dianabol cycle as a possible first cycle. So it seems that for the author the first cycle is not something based on testosterone only.

[austinite]

In the book he is also talking about a Dianabol cycle as a possible first cycle. So it seems that for the author the first cycle is not something based on testosterone only.

not possible, even with dianabol . Steroids are amplifiers, but certainly not aren't magic. This is incredibly common especially in early days of BBing due to poor LBM measuring techniques.

It's not humanly possible. Not even a gram of test and 100mg of dbol daily would yield 15 lbs. Not even 1500mg of test.

[sagittarius]

not possible, even with dianabol . Steroids are amplifiers, but certainly not aren't magic. This is incredibly common especially in early days of BBing due to poor LBM measuring techniques.

It's not humanly possible. Not even a gram of test and 100mg of dbol daily would yield 15 lbs. Not even 1500mg of test.

The most extreme cycle in his book seems to be a 11 weeks Testosterone /Anadrol /Trenbolone cycle:

Testosterone: Week 1-11, 600 mg (300mg in the first and the last week)
Anadrol: Week 3-10, 100 mg (50 mg in the first two weeks)
Trenbolone: Week 1-11, 150 mg

Maybe this one? I'm just curios, not trying to say that William Llewellyn, the author of the book, is right and you are wrong Just because he wrote a book it does not mean that he knows the absolute truth.
He said about this cycle that it is rarely recommended to beginners, but maybe he consider it an option for the first cycle.

[austinite]

sagitarius, if you want to start a new thread that's fine, I'll be happy to respond. I don't want to entertain this in this very thread. I want to keep this thread about first and basic cycles.

[Brazensol]

I'm starting to put my diet together for cycle #1 and had a question concerning your bulking topic. There appears to by a typo concerning the macros and they are adding up to 110%! Could you take a look at it again and see which one is the typo. Thanks.

While I'm here would you recommend starting with an addition 500 calories first or should I start even higher? Thanks again!

[austinite]

I'm starting to put my diet together for cycle #1 and had a question concerning your bulking topic. There appears to by a typo concerning the macros and they are adding up to 110%! Could you take a look at it again and see which one is the typo. Thanks.

While I'm here would you recommend starting with an addition 500 calories first or should I start even higher? Thanks again!

I'd start at 500 calories over. As you develop and progress, recalculate your TDEE around week 8 and adjust your intake for the last 4 weeks.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check for errors.

[austinite]

I'm starting to put my diet together for cycle #1 and had a question concerning your bulking topic. There appears to by a typo concerning the macros and they are adding up to 110%! Could you take a look at it again and see which one is the typo. Thanks.

While I'm here would you recommend starting with an addition 500 calories first or should I start even higher? Thanks again!

Thanks again man, looks like I had miscalculated calories from carbs, fixed. everything else is the same and macros don't change.

[CHUDmac]

Bod Pod and DEXA? Check this out:

Body fat testing is not an exact science: Stretching Out | cleveland.com

[austinite]

Bod Pod and DEXA? Check this out:

Body fat testing is not an exact science: Stretching Out | cleveland.com

That's just a mere opinion. When you go to a bod pod assessment location, just ask them to calibrate it in front of you. It's automated and takes 2 minutes. He probably went to some place with rinky dink employees. Ive tested bodpods the same day at 2 locations for the very same purpose he did, both were calibrated, both returned a result within .02.

I have not done dexa and bodpod the same day. Dexa scan however, was more detailed and although it was 2 months after a bodpod, didnt vary much.

Guy just needs to do his homework a little better. Article is fruitless.

[Brazensol]

They have calibrated the pod twice each time I go. Right in front of me. Then they run it twice (or more) with me in it and average the results. Most important thing to me is for it to be consistent. That lets you know what kind of progress (or lack thereof) you are making.

[austinite]

^ yep. I have them run it 3 times every time.

[CHUDmac]

Various places online say that DEXA runs between $200-$300. I'm just an average guy making a below-average salary. Are those tests covered by most medical insurance plans, or are they paid out-of-pocket?

[austinite]

Various places online say that DEXA runs between $200-$300. I'm just an average guy making a below-average salary. Are those tests covered by most medical insurance plans, or are they paid out-of-pocket?

Bod Pod assessments are as little as 20 dollars. Dexa scan is $89.

I don't know what the big deal is, but if you don't like bod pods and dexa scans, you don't have to use them. Use whatever you want. Since I've been talking about these, hundreds of members have used them (mostly bod pods) and not one single person ever complained about cost, convenience, or anything else for that matter.

Easy peasy.... dont like it, don't use it - Maybe you can start a thread and offer us something different instead of just objecting

If you can afford gear, food, gym, etc..., you can afford a bod pod. Money objections are ridiculous, especially when someone is assumingly taking this seriously.

[HulkSmash1]

Powerful!!!

[reloaded]

Best post for beginners I've seen.. awesome.

[Java Man]

That's an article that can replace at least 5 or 6 stickies. You are a gifted author IMO. Mix of straight talk, humor, and explain complex subjects in plain language that anyone can understand.

Hers my favorite part:

- 200 kittens die (you heartless bastard!!)

That killed me. Yes, I was paying attention!

[austinite]

lmao. Thanks, J-man!

[Java Man]

Thanks again man, looks like I had miscalculated calories from carbs, fixed. everything else is the same and macros don't change.

Oh. And I thought it was just your way of saying 'give it your all'.

[hardgainerx]

This is a great resource for the community. Thank you for taking the time.

[jimmyinkedup]

How the heck did I miss this. Awesome post austinite! Sticky!

[Powerlifter87]

Hello, I'm new to all of this.

I'm 96kg 26 years old 6ft tall.

I just started anavar cycle at 80mg ED been on that for a week now and been the retard I pinned 1ml of test prop on Friday and then started my test eth cycle Sunday. I now I'm now starting to get sensitive nipples. I noticed it after the prop injection. My room mate gave me 2 AIs yesterday and half of one today to take every day until my next injection.. My test cycle was only going to be 8 weeks of 0.6 ml injected 2x per week.

Should I come off?
Am I getting bitch tits?
Should I start Nolva until the end of the cycle?

Help