Thinking about a first cycle.

[ezericw]

Hello Everybody,
Been lurking around for a while, decided to join the forum and ask some questions. I would appreciate any honest advice.
In High School and a few years after school I was in great shape and weight training. I was never big, but always ripped and in good shape, well years of marriage and work and kids (you know the story) I will be 54 this month, quit smoking 3 years ago and got back into fitness and health, two rounds of P90X (don't laugh), and a few round Body Beast, now I have put together my own workout using parts from both of those and Muscle and Fitness.com.
Anyway as I said I will be 54, I'm 5' 10" 196lbs about 12 percent Body Fat%, and have made some nice gains on my own 16.5" (flexed) biceps, 42" Chest, 23" Thighs, 34" waist.
Thinking about wanting to get bigger, but after the 3 yrs, it seems this is as big as I can get,
Recent blood work shows everything is good, with a Testosterone Level of 529 using a (129-767) Standard Range, (Units = ng/dl) whatever that means.

I'm looking to do one very simple first cycle to see if I can handle it or will have any bad sides, so I was thinking just test with a pct, but since I don't know my A** from a Hole in the Ground when It comes to this, I turn to you guys for advice.

Thanks in advance.
Eric

[Times Roman]

Hi Eric,

More to consider than just wanting to get bigger and taking steroids. Ultimately, in your case, I think I could support your decision, but right now, I'm guessing you are probably not ready yet. As we age, tendons and ligiments become brittle and weak. strengthening these connective tissues is a slow process, and can take years. Unless you've dedicated the last two to three years in the gym weightlifting, I'd like to see you hold off.

Taking steroids now is like putting a super charger on a stock 61 TBird. Sure, horsepower will go up significantly, but when you go and put a heavy load on the engine, and really go for it....

....I remember in HighSchool a guy put a very large engine in a ford pinto. he was stop light racing, and next thing he knew, tranny and differential parts all over the street.

You can beef up horsepower, but you also have to make sure the drive train can handle it.

There will be a fairly high risk of injury, and no gains while rehabbing. I was injured 3x in as many years a few years back, and now injury avoidance is my #1 concern.

I'd suggest taking some time and doing this right. Spend the time in the gym and toughen up your tendons. This will take time. And during that time, get your lifting routines right (perfect form, slow and full contractions, focusing on negatives...) and fine tuning your knowledge of nutrition and getting your diet right.

Unless you learn to eat correctly, any gains derived from steroids will not be supported post cycle, and will diminish over time.

With the little bit of info you've given me, this is what I'd suggest.

Let me know if you have any questions?

---Roman

[ezericw]

Thanks Roman,
I guess I really didn't put a lot into that. Just saying bigger is not really all I'm looking for, and I'm not looking at getting Mutant size, I would just like to gain a little more mass, muscle overall. I'm not looking to bench 500lbs or even squat that much either, just looking for that extra Ummph!
Also I'm looking for gradual gaining I don't want to explode overnight, I'm very flexible and my diet is dialed in, like I said earlier I have done the programs like P90X and Body Beast, but I have outgrown my BowFlex 52.5lb dumbbells, using those for Chest Flies and Curls etc. I started 3 yrs ago at 205lbs, 24.7% Body Fat, went to 180lbs 11.5% Body Fat, and now I'm at 196lbs 12% Body Fat.
I was thinking that due to my age, my testosterone levels would naturally be low, and if I increased that, I would see some really nice gains in lean muscle.

[Times Roman]

test levels of 529 is great for your age! Lucky you!

I TAKE 70mg/week of test. I'm about 730, so do a rethink when you say you think your test levels are low

forget about looking like a mutant. this would take many years, and at your (our) age, the clock is ticking, and large doses of steroids really takes a toll on the body.

I think you should consider the pros and the cons of taking steroids.

There is, in my opinion, a higher risk of taking steroids and your natty tests not returning to normal (at our age). So if you do decide steroids is the direction you want to go, just be aware that your natty test levels may never go back to your presently high levels, and may even trigger a need to begin testosterone replacement therapy.

Just something to think about...

[rollingthunder]

TR-

you've given some excellent advice for this new member! very wise.

[pappybay]

Hello Everybody,
Been lurking around for a while, decided to join the forum and ask some questions. I would appreciate any honest advice.
In High School and a few years after school I was in great shape and weight training. I was never big, but always ripped and in good shape, well years of marriage and work and kids (you know the story) I will be 54 this month, quit smoking 3 years ago and got back into fitness and health, two rounds of P90X (don't laugh), and a few round Body Beast, now I have put together my own workout using parts from both of those and Muscle and Fitness.com.
Anyway as I said I will be 54, I'm 5' 10" 196lbs about 12 percent Body Fat%, and have made some nice gains on my own 16.5" (flexed) biceps, 42" Chest, 23" Thighs, 34" waist.
Thinking about wanting to get bigger, but after the 3 yrs, it seems this is as big as I can get,
Recent blood work shows everything is good, with a Testosterone Level of 529 using a (129-767) Standard Range, (Units = ng/dl) whatever that means.

I'm looking to do one very simple first cycle to see if I can handle it or will have any bad sides, so I was thinking just test with a pct, but since I don't know my A** from a Hole in the Ground when It comes to this, I turn to you guys for advice.

Thanks in advance.
Eric

Eric, I assume you meant free test versus total or biovailable? I was at 408 (free) when I started TRT. Since then I have consistently average between 950-1,200 total and 350-375 free with all other labs in range. The difference has been nothing short of incredible. I have put on a solid 20 lbs of muscle and still have a low BF %. In stead of cycling, have you considered TRT as a starting point?

I have been on TRT for a year and I am just now considering a mini-cycle....possibly in August. I can also personally attest to teh validity of Times Roman's comments about connective tissue and general conditioning. I started fast and had some connective tissue issues, my body was sending a message...slow down.....

[laser]

Roman, thats good advice. I can use advice like that myself....I figured it is best to start out slow...I been out of the scene for a long time. I went shopping yesterday, now working on my diet. Also very lightly for now just doing enough to get my heart rate up.