Wanting to use.

[haggendaz]

I have been stuck at 495 on bench for the last couple of years. I ran Wendlers 5\3\1 for a year. I have tried Tates 6week cure a couple of times but nothing seems to help break this platue. I was thinking of running a cycle for the first time. Didn't really know how to begin. Also once you start using, do you have to always use? Can you make gains again with out it? I am 31 years old about 320lbs and about 25% body fat. Didn't really know if i met my genetic potential and will no longer make progress. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I dont want to start using if i dont need to.

[TheTaxMan]

Hello there

Im not too sure what wenders or tates is, this a supplement or diet?

Have you tried a proper diet for strength and weight increase? Or do you just eat like a normal person (by this i mean breakfast lunch and dinner)? Have you tried creatine and protein shakes?
Your bodyfat probably suggests you havent tried a diet it before or could just be lack of cardio and eating too much crap (no offence)

You can do a cycle with no need for further cycles so no you arent stuck once you start using

For example you could use testosterone for 12 weeks and recover and finish off with your pct (post cycle therapy) then never look back

I would salute you if you never cycled again though as it is an incredible feeling on cycle and the results are great if cycle and diet is done correctly.

My advice would be to tell us your current diet and a bit better explanation on what you have tried before, try and be detailed.

If you have done everything you may be at your natural best and that means yes a cycle will probably be the answer to progression

[william981125]

http://forums.steroid.com/anabolic-s...rst-cycle.html

[Mr. Small]

Body fat is too high at 25%.....needs to be down at 15%

[haggendaz]

I try and keep my diet simple, topically 5 solid meals. First meal will be eggs (scrambled with spinach) and oatmeal and some peanut butter, second meal is some chicken, rice, beans, and some veggies, third meal will be steak potatoes and veggies, fourth meal usually a sandwich (turkey, ham or chicken ) with tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, musturd, pickels. Dinner will be fish or chicken or whatever i have left over. Some meals do get switched around depending on what i make before hand. For example if im sick of eggs i will do protien pancakes with blueberries or strawberries. I will also get idea's from Fit Men Cook. As long as im getting decent protien\carbs\fats ratio for recovery and energy I feel great.
About a year ago i was at my overall strongest but my heaviest (~360lbs) but hurt my back and cant squat as much. But i was eating more than. I dropped about 60lbs after the herniated disc. Since than i wanted to work on my bench and finally break the 500lb barrier. After that I'll focus on dropping more weight to be healthier. Since gerting under the 300 mark i have put 20 back on (purposely) .
The supps i take are animal pak, creatine mono, i have tried creatine HCL and others but found monohydrate works fine for me. Bcaa powder, optimum whey protein. I've also used tribulus with d aspartic acid.
Wendler 5\3\1 and Dave Tates 6week Bench Cure are workouts that I've had good results in the past.
I was told from coaches and friend since my main focus isn't really looks but strength than a stict diet wasnt really necessary, just as long as i get protien for muscle building and recovery, carbs and fats for energy. Sorry if this post should be in the nutrition section. I just wanted to squeeze out all strength as i possibly can while im still a little younger i guess. I would love to get upto 550-585 ish.
Thanks for all the input, i really do appreciate everything.

[haggendaz]

Also, getting the bf% down is that for health reasons?

[TheTaxMan]

If your wanting to use gear you need to get your bodyfat down as this can reduce potential negative sides such as gyno.

If i were you id get your bodyfat down asap (try 6-8 weeks of cardio and low weight high reps training) aslong as your working those muscles hard you shouldnt have a huge dip in your strength.

Brush up your diet and try to squeeze the fat intake out more, cook with virgin olive oil and natural herbs and spices, try to refrain from frozen, microwaved, packet and tinned foods - cooking everything yourself or as much as possible is always better.

Then if your fat is down to a decent level, perhaps consider a cycle, bare in mind keeping the cardio going and your diet in check on cycle as to not gain that fat back.

A great first cycle is testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate at 400-500mg a week for 10-12 weeks.

Make sure you run hcg during it and a pct after it.

[haggendaz]

Thanks Steve for the great info, all work on it.

[haggendaz]

Hey thanks again william981125 for the link. I had a chance after work to read through it. Answered many of my questions.