Your 1st Cycle

When using steroids for athletic or performance enhancing purposes, they are almost exclusively administered in specific doses over set periods of time. This process is called a “cycle.” By employing a system of timed doses, a user can maximize their gains while at the same time maintaining a high degree of control over hormone levels within their body. Because the most efficacious manner of steroid use is via injection, a common secondary goal is to reduce the number and volume of injections in order to reduce the associated discomfort or irritation.

When starting a cycle for the first time it is important to remember to keep it simple. If you have never used steroids before it is important to find out exactly how your body will react to them. Every user is going to be slightly different in this regard, so while guidelines are good, personal experience is best. It is best to start with only one or two substances at maximum in order to maintain a clear understanding of the effects each substances is having within the body. It is also extremely important not to forgot post cycle therapy.

Which Steroid To Use

The best steroid to start with is always going to be testosterone. It’s the first, it’s the best, it’s the easiest. There are a variety of esters of Testosterone available on the open and underground markets but one of the most common is Testosterone Enanthate. It’s a medium chain ester and hence has a much longer active life than free testosterone. This means a good balance between the frequency of injections and the irritation experienced during administration.

By injecting a steroid such as Testosterone Enanthate, the goal is to produce an anabolic environment with in the body in order to foster accelerated muscle growth and strength gains. A simple cycle involving Testosterone Enanthate will usually require an injection every four to five days. This is sufficient to develop strong, noticeable gains in lean muscle mass and overall strength. A practical example of a cycle including this steroid would include 250 mg of Testosterone Enanthate injected once on a Sunday morning and again on a Wednesday evening.

Support Drugs

During steroid cycles your body will lower or even stop it’s own natural Biosynthesis' Testosterone production in response to the influx of externally provided steroids. Post cycle therapy is designed to restore the body’s natural, or endogenous, Testosterone production but in order to achieve the best results, it is recommended to administer or “stack” a substance such as HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, to prevent production from ceasing in the first place. Like the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention id worth a pound of cure.” Whatever substances you choose to use, remember to consider not just the weeks you’re on cycle, but the weeks months and even years after.

Testosterone is easily aromatized into estrogen so an anti-estrogen such as a SERM or aromatase inhibitor (AI) is recommended to prevent side effects such as gynecomastia or water retention. Especially in the bodybuilding arena, a high value is placed on appearances and an effective anti estrogen could be the difference between muscles that are large and smooth vs sharp and defined. An AI such as Anastrozole (buy Arimidex), administered every other day, should prevent that bloated, smooth look.

Sample Cycle

It’s important not only to choose a steroid that works for you, but also to make sure the side effects are dealt with before they occur, not just after. The following is a practical example of a 12 week cycle of Testosterone Enanthate, Anastrozole and HCG. As a beginner cycle, it should work for most users but may require tweaking to fine tune the results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re not satisfied. Fellow gym members, forum members, and even online pharmacies can usually provided you with helpful advice, but always remember, there are people who are just out to get your money. Take everything with a grain of salt and don’t cut corners on the research, especially when it comes to your first cycle.

Legend

◼ 250mg Testosterone enanthate (in the A.M.)
◼ 250mg Testosterone enanthate (in the P.M.)
◼ 0.5mg Anastrozole
◼ 250iu HCG