Routine suggestions for gaining max muscle on TRT (45 year old)

First of all a little about myself. I am 45 years old 5’6 168lbs. I have been on HRT with Test Cyp for about 6 months now. My protocal is below.

I am still not gaining muscle like I thought I would/would like to. I have always been a hard gainer and one of the reason I decided to investigate/start on HRT was to hopefully gain some more muscle along with other benefits.

I have tried all sorts of routines over the years with different rest patterns and with and without cardio and none have seemed to make any difference.
Now that I am on TRT was wondering what others had found to be effective. Splits, exercises per body part, sets, reps. Also, what to do about cardio.

When I do gain weight, it all tends to be in my face and gut.

You will also notice I have just started on Armour for Hypothyroidism. I never thought I was, but that’s what the labs have been saying and the doc decided to put me on something after my last blood work. Since I haven’t been able to gain much my whole life I would have thought if I had any thyroid issues I would be hyper, but looks like I have been board line hypo for years.

Some on the forum have said the hypo might have been my issue with gaining muscle all along.
Current Protocal:
Cypionate 200mg a week (I have been splitting into 2 shots a week for the last 6 weeks or so)
Anastrozole 1mg (We have played around with this to get my E2 levels correct and I am now talking .25 a tablet twice a week)
HCG (250iu 2 times a week for a month then 2 months off) I don’t plan on having anymore kids so this is just to take care of my “boys” when I need it… Doc agrees with this
Armour Thyroid 60mg daily(just started on this no blood work yet)

Just wanted to check one more time and see if anyone had any input on this. Would like to know what you guys think.

Mate,

To be honest, the ONLY way for you to gain weight is to eat. Sounds simple enough, yet is easily the most overlooked aspect of a program. Let me give you an example.

Two months ago, I weighed 225. I decided i wanted to get to 250 by the end of the year. I've already been hitting the gym, but i switched my lifting protocol to a 3 on 1 off schedule, where i'd be hitting every body part twice a week. Pretty intense, and for blokes our (my) age, I'm pretty pooped by the time I'm leaving the gym. Additionally, and more importantly, I upped my caloric intake to about 4,500 cals/day. I touched on my diet here if you want to take a look:

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...294-Bulking-up............

so now after two months, I'm up 15 pounds, and now at 240. I have 2 1/2 months to hit my last 10 pounds, which i feel i can do.

The bottom line is you really have to pack the food in. At times it feels like force feeding. And then at night, before I go to bed, I down a shake (protein/peanutbutter/oats) that has about a thousand calories in it. My macros are something like 43/33/23. The weight I've gained is some fat, some is just food in the stomach, and the rest is muscle.

I plan on cutting after the new year, and lean out by the time it warms up.

All this is possible without anabolics. Food is the key. If you don't eat, you won't grow.

Hope this helps?

---Roman

Exactly what TR said. Couple that with a good workout routine and your in! Maybe post your entire workout and have the guys help design a program for you?

Only other thing I want to add it that there is NO credible reason to cycle HCG. It mimics LH production and is a valuable peptide. When your body was functioning normally it was consistent with LH production. It did not just shut down for routine breaks! You wouldn't stop your Testosterone every few months would you? Read the sticky on HCG in the TRT forum for more info. Keep in mind it also increases T production. So when you stop it will go down. Give your boys a break and stay consistent with it.

kel.

This is the workout I am currently doing for your review.. I ususally do cardio for 20 mins after my weights. With this current workout it is one day one... one day off:

Day 1: Chest, biceps


Bench presses --- 3 sets --- 6- 8 reps
Incline bench presses --- 2 sets --- 6- 8 reps
Dips with added weights --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps
Barbell curls --- 3 sets --- 6-10 reps
Dumbbell curls --- 2 sets --- 6-10 reps

Day 3: Thighs

Squats --- 3 sets --- 6-10 reps
Leg presses --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps
Leg curls --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps

Day 5: Shoulder, triceps


Presses behind neck --- 3 sets --- 6- 8 reps
Upright row --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps
Side laterals --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps
Lying triceps presses --- 3 sets --- 6-10 reps
Triceps pulley pushdown --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps

Day 7: Back and calves


Chins with added weight --- 3 sets --- 8-10 reps
Lat pull to neck --- 2 sets --- 8-10 reps
Barbell bent-over row --- 2 sets --- 6-10 reps
Seated cable row --- 2 sets --- 6-10 reps
Standing calf raise --- 3 sets --- 8-12 reps
Seated calf raise --- 2 sets --- 8-12 reps