What do you think of my 1st AA cycle and which AA's work best for cardio?

[Phoenix2015]

Hey,


In answering my questions, please be as critical as you can but helpful too.


In summary my first question requests your opinions on and suggestions towards my first cycle, and my second deals with advice on AA regimens that work best with high intensity cardio workouts.


Basically, this is the first time I'm going to go on AAs. I am now in my late 20s and have been training natural since I was 16. I've also been on different college sports teams and post college, I kept active, so I do know my body well and how to train. However, I also realized that I've reached my genetic potential as I'm currently 6ft 3 and no matter what I've tried, cannot seem to go past 195-210 lbs. More training only makes me more lean and much stronger. In fact, I can generally out lift many folks bigger than me but my strength does not translate to obvious mass. My great gramps, my gramps and my pops all have that slim tall physique so I know it's genetic.

I realize that my slim but strong frame gives me a huge advantage but I'd like to add a few pounds to reach 220lbs lean and I'll be satisfied. Chances are 1 cycle will suffice for me but who knows...Anyway after sifting through the forum, the beginner plan by Austinite appealed to me. For those who haven't read it, it entails:

- Week 1 to 12: Testosterone enanthate @ 250 mg every 3.5 days (500mg/week total)
- Week 1 to 12: hCG @ 250 iu every 3.5 days (500 iu/week total)
- Week 1 to 14: Arimidex @ 0.25mg every other day (From day 2 up until PCT starts)


Then for PCT:
Clomid @ 75/50/50/50 & Nolvadex @ 40/20/20/20 for 4 weeks, each listed dose for each successive weeks, 2 weeks after the last shot of enanthate.


So question 1: Any opinions on the above plan?


Another question that came up while I was doing my research is the possibility of decreased cardio tolerance while on AAs. Some AAs seem to have many well defined cardiopulmonary side effects and others are rather vague. My workouts tend to be very high intensity: most of my sets are supersets or drop sets and I'd like to continue my regimen on AAs that won't get me all bent out of shape and wheezing.


So question 2: Do you have any experiences to share about cardio performance when on your cycle (Especially your first cycle if you can remember), and if so, what AA regimen would you recommend for someone who intends to go heavy on cardio during the first cycle?


Thank you

[chris_columbia]

If I was you, I'm on that exact cycle right now and it would be in your best interest to lay off the cardio, maybe do some light jogging or eliptical work and hit the weights HARD! You cant bulk up and stay lean at the same time without knowing what your doing to a science, my best advice, if you want to be 220 when your on cycle, eat like someone who weighs 220. Lay off the cardio, hit the weights hard, than a month after pct you can start back that cardio again and cut down, but remember running too much can have an adverse effect on building muscle depending on intensity, and frequency of these hard cardio sessions.

[Buster Brown]

Welcome......you can't go wrong with the cycle Austinite outlined .....it is the basic cycle everyone should start with. As far as cardio goes you are going to have to make a decision and that is....what is your ultimate goal? If you want to gain size then you will need to get your calories 300 to 500 a day over surplus. There is nothing wrong with HIT training but you may want to take a little longer rest between sets on your compound movements and then step up the pace on your accessory work. Cardio twice a week is fine but remember if you burn up all of your calories you will just break even on cycle and although you may feel great....gain nothing. Compounds like tren do hinder your cardio at a higher dose but your not taking it. The success of your cycle will depend on your diet and what you keep will depend on your genetics ....and a proper pct.

[Phoenix2015]

Thank you. Yes I heard of Tren but I'm not trying to mess with that S#*t lol. I'll go back to my plan and adjust the cardio element. I do have another question if you don't mind. I know that post cycle, most are likely to lose their gains but given my extensive training history and diet knowledge, I won't lose much and if I play my cards right, I might gain a little more during recovery. However, it's very hard to get a definitive answer on strength retention. What is your experience with strength gains post cycle: are they lost as well and if so, does one lose more strength than mass or is it the other way around?
Thanks

[Haydenz]

Thank you. Yes I heard of Tren but I'm not trying to mess with that S#*t lol. I'll go back to my plan and adjust the cardio element. I do have another question if you don't mind. I know that post cycle, most are likely to lose their gains but given my extensive training history and diet knowledge, I won't lose much and if I play my cards right, I might gain a little more during recovery. However, it's very hard to get a definitive answer on strength retention. What is your experience with strength gains post cycle: are they lost as well and if so, does one lose more strength than mass or is it the other way around?
Thanks

I don't know where you are getting your information but keeping strength and your muscle after a cycle is pretty much 90% if you eat for your NEW body, one thing people don't understand is if you do put on 5/10 kilos you need to adjust your whole diet to keeping that and you must STICK to it, you aren't the old you any more, you are a bigger stronger version, I lost simply 1 kilo on my last cycle and no strength at all.

feed the machine !

[Phoenix2015]

Oh I eat, believe me but it sucks being an ectomorph... But thanks!

[qscgugcsq]

If you want to improve cardio and add mass.
and if it is easy to stay lean.

you are one of the few that can higly benefit from EQ.

equipoise will increase hematocrite(better oxygen circulation therefor better cardio)
plus it increase appetite for most people.
and without food you cant grow.
so it might help you eating more.

obviously you may need to.cut a bit on the cardio if you want to bulk or youll need to eat in a way that support the energy burned.

good luck

my cycle sample for you would be 500mg test/week + 500-800mg EQ/week

[Phoenix2015]

I am not actually trying to improve cardio or cut at all. It's just that over the years, only programs that involve high intensity workouts have been able to stimulate muscle growth, since i am a hard gainer. The cardio is just a consequent bonus. Because it's hard for me to gain mass, I try not to burn calories unnecessarily. I'll consider EQ but as this is my first cycle, I'll most likely stick with basic TE for now. Plus the sudden rise in hematocrit can lead to blood clots. But thank you!

[qscgugcsq]

I am not actually trying to improve cardio or cut at all. It's just that over the years, only programs that involve high intensity workouts have been able to stimulate muscle growth, since i am a hard gainer. The cardio is just a consequent bonus. Because it's hard for me to gain mass, I try not to burn calories unnecessarily. I'll consider EQ but as this is my first cycle, I'll most likely stick with basic TE for now. Plus the sudden rise in hematocrit can lead to blood clots. But thank you!

hematocrite raise is very individual...

in a year of nonestop use of steroids my hematocrite hasnt even raised of 1 point...

I know you arent trying to cut thats why I advice EQ.
cause it increase appetite.

or you could try GHRP-6.

[Phoenix2015]

In that case, I'll give it a try then :-)

[Mr.BB]

Q1: Looks good. Congratz on the research. The only thing missing is bloodwork. Do a pre cycle BW, and at least another BW 8 weeks after pct.

Q2: You will be fine with your cardio. Maybe a bit better cardio while on but nothing compared to strength and muscle increase. You are over thinking this. IMO moderate cardio is important to allow you better workouts and keep the bodyfat controlled while on surplus