Critique my first aas cycle ( test e+anavar)

[kryzz]

stats:- 5'8", 27yo, 170lbs,15%bf, training for on and off over 3.5 years
goal:- gain around 5-7lbs muscles while decreasing bf%
cycle philosophy:- anavar to cut and shred while getting lean gains and test just enough so as to have synthetic test running in the body while the natural test would be gone during the cycle. ( might be prone to mpb so playing it safe) Many would say just run test@higher dose, but I wanna be safe with regards to various sides of test at higher doses. ( might as well have done the cycle without test, but I figure that's not advised)

planning on the following cycle in near future.

weeks 1-8 anavar@50mg ed, test-e@250mg ew
weeks 1-13 tribulus@1-2g ed + Liv52 ed
weeks 9-11 clomid 50/50/25
weeks 9-12 nolva 20/20/10/10

how does it look? is the post cycle therapy (pct) too much? suggestions based on my goals?

 

[Docd187]

stats:- 5'8", 27yo, 170lbs,15%bf, training for on and off over 3.5 years
goal:- gain around 5-7lbs muscles while decreasing bf%
cycle philosophy:- anavar to cut and shred while getting lean gains and test just enough so as to have synthetic test running in the body while the natural test would be gone during the cycle. ( might be prone to mpb so playing it safe) Many would say just run test@higher dose, but I wanna be safe with regards to various sides of test at higher doses. ( might as well have done the cycle without test, but I figure that's not advised)

planning on the following cycle in near future.

weeks 1-8 anavar@50mg ed, test-e@250mg ew
weeks 1-13 tribulus@1-2g ed + Liv52 ed
weeks 9-11 clomid 50/50/25
weeks 9-12 nolva 20/20/10/10

how does it look? is the post cycle therapy (pct) too much? suggestions based on my goals?

At 250mg/wk test dose you are just replacing your natural production which will get shut down. You are wasting money in other words bc your body naturally produces around that amount so the shutdown is unnecessary. Anavar will also shut you down since you're not taking enough test to overcompensate for that fact. Test E should be run a minimum of 12wks. The enanthate ester will take 4-6wks to fully kick in so by the time it kicks in you're stopping it 2wks later. Tribulus is a waste of money. You really should read the stickies at the top of the forum to put together a more proper first cycle. Also in case you didn't know, Anavar won't shred you, it can take water out of the muscles possibly but being shredded is a function of diet

 

[hardtarget]

Whats the point of tribulus? Testosterone is strong enough!

 

[kryzz]

At 250mg/wk test dose you are just replacing your natural production which will get shut down. You are wasting money in other words bc your body naturally produces around that amount so the shutdown is unnecessary. Anavar will also shut you down since you're not taking enough test to overcompensate for that fact. Test E should be run a minimum of 12wks. The enanthate ester will take 4-6wks to fully kick in so by the time it kicks in you're stopping it 2wks later. Tribulus is a waste of money. You really should read the stickies at the top of the forum to put together a more proper first cycle. Also in case you didn't know, Anavar won't shred you, it can take water out of the muscles possibly but being shredded is a function of diet

So how much test-e per week do you suggest?

Pls understand my concern here, I want to have anavar like results over the course of time but taking test just because people suggest having physiological amount of test while taking orals to take care of libido issues.
can I run just anavar alone? No, cuz everyone would bash me for that saying test should be included. So I came up with that cycle. I want to keep test related sides to the minimum( specially hair loss).

I have read that tribulus is not effective as natty test booster but can be beneficial when the natural test production is zero or low. Even if that is not true I don't mind, just taking it for the heck of it since I have enough cheap supply.

 

[kryzz]

Whats the point of tribulus? Testosterone is strong enough!

see above^^

 

[ERock123]

Up the dose on the test e, thats too little and run the Anavar (var) at week 4 onwards not at the beginning, trib is a waste that only works off cycle, add d-aspartic acid to slow down shutdown it wont stop it just reduce the time you are shutdown.. Whatever you wanna do man work away gotta learn from mistakes with steroids just dont abuse um!!!.

 

[ERock123]

So how much test-e per week do you suggest?

Pls understand my concern here, I want to have anavar like results over the course of time but taking test just because people suggest having physiological amount of test while taking orals to take care of libido issues.
can I run just anavar alone? No, cuz everyone would bash me for that saying test should be included. So I came up with that cycle. I want to keep test related sides to the minimum( specially hair loss).
I have read that tribulus is not effective as natty test booster but can be beneficial when the natural test production is zero or low. Even if that is not true I don't mind, just taking it for the heck of it since I have enough cheap supply.

If your fathers bald or going bald get some hairloss support.. yes you can take anavar by itself, its a nice steroid to take but you could multiply your gains with adding another 250mg test e (500mg test e total wk) what ever you wanna do its your life just dont abuse they are powerful compounds take it easy..!!!

 

[ERock123]

goal:- gain around 5-7lbs muscles while decreasing bf%

Definitely up the dose of test if your looking for 7lbs .. with what you got there you'll probably only add 2lbs and improve your body composition.

 

[riprockwell]

Looks like you got solid advice. For your first cycle, you need to stick to testosterone only at 500mg per week (250mg twice per week) for 12 weeks such as Test E. See how your body reacts to it and then on your second cycle, throw in the Anavar (var) if you want. You didn't mention running an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) while on cycle and you should run Arimidex at .25mg EOD. Can the Tribulus and get some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and run that at 250ius twice per week to help maintain testicular function. Do a solid PCT with Clomid and Nolva and get a great diet. Remember, cutting is based on diet. There are a few natural bodybuilders out there that get on stage with just diet and training alone. You need to research this a little bit more before taking the plunge. Good luck.

 

[Docd187]

So how much test-e per week do you suggest?

Pls understand my concern here, I want to have ana Anavar (var) like results over the course of time but taking test just because people suggest having physiological amount of test while taking orals to take care of libido issues.
can I run just ana Anavar (var) alone? No, cuz everyone would bash me for that saying test should be included. So I came up with that cycle. I want to keep test related sides to the minimum( specially hair loss).

I have read that tribulus is not effective as natty test booster but can be beneficial when the natural test production is zero or low. Even if that is not true I don't mind, just taking it for the heck of it since I have enough cheap supply.

Your concerns are all valid ones and I don't wish to dismiss them but this is the central issue when it comes to doing AAS PROPERLY. Are the side effects worth it towards accomplishing your goals? The answer for you may be no if you're very worried about hair loss and other sides. You have to weigh out the pros and cons and make an educated decision bc the rest of us won't be sitting in your shoes should the side effects manifest themselves 6+ months from now.

I mentioned why its recommended it to take test with any orals (some may argue to differ) but orals will shut you down (test production wise) and IMO the results aren't as easily maintained without a testosterone base. Another thing you must realize is that Anavar (var) is not a magic pill! Taking it for 8wks will not get you shredded or ripped any more than any other compound WITHOUT your diet being in place. Test E, bc of ester length will take 4-6wks to start seeing real strength and mass gains. If it takes you 6wks to kick in and you're doing an 8wk cycle, do the math: you'll have only 2wks of true "on time". That's why you've seen the recommendations here for a minimum of 12wks. If you're very worried about sides, I'd start off with maybe 400mg/wk - 500mg/wk. hair loss is never going to be an issue with my genes (everyone's got hair well into their 80s) so I haven't done the research on MPB. Do some investigating as there are many threads in here about it and I know there are some topical/steroidal creams and whatnot to help reduce or stop it. An Aromatase inhibitor (AI) (which you didn't mention in your first post) will help with aromatization of testosterone to estrogen along with a handful of other sides such as acne, oily skin, high BP, bloating and water weight/retention. Ana Anavar (var) will shut down your HPTA so doing it alone will more than likely kill your libido the same. Limp dick and no desire for sex are two of my personal concerns so I'm always doing anything to minimize those effects. Yes you would've caught some flack for a oral only cycle but again there's a reason this board (for the most part) recommends against it.

The thing with tribulus (I've taken it before and read some of its "clinical studies") is its marketed as a test booster but its test boosting "capabilities" are extremely limited, read almost non-existant unless you suffer from hypogonadism. The marketing ploy behind it is that it does help achieve and maintain erections and can increase libido (desire for sex) so ppl automatically assume their test levels are increased. To my knowledge I've yet to see any blood tests to confirm test levels are truly elevated.

There was no significant difference between Tribulus terrestris supplemented groups and controls in the serum testosterone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 15.75+/-1.75 nmol/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 16.32+/-1.57 nmol/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 17.74+/-1.09 nmol/l) (p>0.05)), androstenedione (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 1.927+/-0.126 ng/ml); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 2.026+/-0.256 ng/ml); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 1.952+/-0.236 ng/ml) (p>0.05)) or luteinizing hormone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.662+/-0.274U/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.103+/-0.869U/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 4.170+/-0.406U/l) (p>0.05)) levels. All results were within the normal range. The findings in the current study anticipate that Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins possess neither direct nor indirect androgen-increasing properties. The study will be extended in the clarifying the probable mode of action of Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins.

The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris do... [J Ethnopharmacol. 2005] - PubMed - NCBI

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the herbal preparation Tribulus terrestris (tribulus) on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. Fifteen subjects were randomly assigned to a placebo or tribulus (3.21 mg per kg body weight daily) group. Body weight, body composition, maximal strength, dietary intake, and mood states were determined before and after an 8-week exercise (periodized resistance training) and supplementation period. There were no changes in body weight, percentage fat, total body water, dietary intake, or mood states in either group. Muscle endurance (determined by the maximal number of repetitions at 100-200% of body weight) increased for the bench and leg press exercises in the placebo group (p <.05; bench press +/-28.4%, leg press +/-28.6%), while the tribulus group experienced an increase in leg press strength only (bench press +/-3.1%, not significant; leg press +/-28.6%, p <.05). Supplementation with tribulus does not enhance body composition or exercise performance in resistance-trained males.

The effects of Tribulus terrest... [Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000] - PubMed - NCBI

If you feel like spending your money on it that's your choice. I have better things for my money no matter how cheap it is.

You seem to want to do a recomp which is extremely difficult EVEN with AAS use. Your diet plays a key role in your results regardless of AAS or not. My FIRST recommendation to you would be to have your diet checked out by ppl on the forum and/or pm'ing 3J (or go to his site) and get one of his meal plans. The guy gives you complete meal plans, works based off of foods you like, great customer service and support, and the results he achieves are nothing short of SPECTACULAR. He can get you your results without any AAS use so if you're seriously worried about hair loss and other sides, see him FIRST. You have modest goals (not mocking you but 5-7lbs lbm and decrease in BF % are not earth shattering) so once your diet is fine tuned towards your goals and you see results maybe you won't want to consider test or Anavar (var) anymore (just a thought). If you still want to try a cycle out try test only first to be able to see how it effects you without any other compounding factors (if you're really insistent add the Anavar (var) but stay at a minimum test dose of 400mg/wk). Grab an Aromatase inhibitor (AI), get your post cycle therapy (pct) set and research what products there are for MPB.

 

[ERock123]

Totally agree with Docd187, I dont think that trib increases testosterone but while taken pre-workout I definitely feel stimulated in some way, kinda like one percent of what is felt on steroids but as I said one percent, very tiny effects!!, the only way I can describe it is the squeeze you get from steroids trib gives me that effect slightly but nowhere near steroids, its still nice to get that from something between cycles with no worries of sides even if it is very slight effects.

 

[abusedyam]

if you are worried about MPB look into propecia and maybe some nizoral

 

[ForeverAesthetic]

I was thinking of testosterone enanthate as my first cycle, but my supplier only had prop. He apparently also has Anavar on hand so I'm tempted to add some of that to the prop. Would be a nice cycle.

 

[bignewf]

hey man just my opinion but to put on 7lbs off muscle should be obtainable without aas. up the calories slowly and train hard.

 

[ForeverAesthetic]

hey man just my opinion but to put on 7lbs off muscle should be obtainable without aas. up the calories slowly and train hard.

Whilst I agree, he stated he wanted to gain that and also lose bodyfat. This is done best through AAS use so you can see where he is coming from. Although you are right, his best route would be to do it naturally and through hard work in the gym. You'll feel much better about yourself and proud as well.

 

[bignewf]

this is true, but even the bf cut, although it would need to be separate it could still be done. but justmy opinion.. itll obviously take a shorter amount of time on aas for me the risk outways the result, but if you've already considered this a 7lb gain while lowering bf shouldn't be to hard to obtain