DaHurt's 4 Week Epi-Strong Cycle

[DaHurt]

Hi All!

For my first experience with an anabolic/androgenic compound I've decided to run a 4 week cycle of Epi-Strong. Everything I've read indicates that Epi yields lean gains as well as increased strength with low(er) chances of sides, and mild shut-down. So I think it will be a good start for me, before I do my first test cycle, next year.

My stats:

24 y/o
5'10" 190lbs 7.5% body fat

Cycle:
Week 1: 30 mg/day (15mg day 1 & 2 build up, 30 mg day 3 onward)
Week 2: 30 mg/day
Week 3: 45 mg/day
Week 4: 45 mg/day

Taking Thermolife Liver Longer while on cycle.

post cycle therapy (pct):
Week 5: 40 mg/day Nolvadex + 4 capsules Activate Xtreme (2 twice daily) + 3 capsules ZMA
Week 6: 40 mg/day Nolvadex + 4 capsules Activate Xtreme (2 twice daily) + 3 capsules ZMA
Week 7: 20 mg/day Nolvadex + 4 capsules Activate Xtreme (2 twice daily) +3 capsules ZMA
Week 8: 20 mg/day Nolvadex + 4 capsules Activate Xtreme (2 twice daily) +3 capsules ZMA

I already have everything on hand for post cycle therapy (pct).

My training split this cycle will be:

Day 1: Legs
Day 2: Chest AM Back PM
Day 3: Arms AM Shoulders/Traps PM
Day 4: REST
Day 5: Legs
Day 6: Chest AM Back PM
Day 7: Arms AM Shoulders/Traps PM
Day 8: REST

Basically, to prioritize my legs. My (maybe too lofty) goal is to put on 10 lbs.

My diet is very clean and has been around 4500 cal/day but I may increase it to account for twice-daily training.

Attached is a pic taken today.

I plan to be very thorough with this log and will probably post everything about my diet, training, etc. (it will be good practice for my first test cycle).

Any recommendations? Is the post cycle therapy (pct) too much? Should I do 40/40/20 instead?

Cheers.
D

 

[slair]

Have you gotten bloods done at all to see where you stand before cycle? Looking great though man...no homo!

 

[DaHurt]

Actually man I haven't - I probably should but I wouldn't know how to ask. Plus I'm a grad student so I'm required to go through my student health center which is a huge pain in the ass and I've recently had a check-up and didn't ask for my blood results, of course he just said everything looked good (and I don't even know what tests he ran).

I would feel awkward just being like "Uh I want to have blood work done again" since I was checked-up not too long ago.

I will most certainly get everything checked out before my first test cycle, and maybe at the end of this one to see how my lipids look, etc.

Any recommendation on how to ask for a blood test, should I just be honest? Epi IS legal...

 

[joeyh1991]

looking good bro cant wait to see where it gets you!

 

[DaHurt]

And thanks for the compliment bro. You are too, no homo haha!

Can't wait to see how your cycle goes!

 

[DaHurt]

looking good bro cant wait to see where it gets you!

Thanks a lot man I'm going to try and be really detailed on this one.

 

[joeyh1991]

Actually man I haven't - I probably should but I wouldn't know how to ask. Plus I'm a grad student so I'm required to go through my student health center which is a huge pain in the ass and I've recently had a check-up and didn't ask for my blood results, of course he just said everything looked good (and I don't even know what tests he ran).

I would feel awkward just being like "Uh I want to have blood work done again" since I was checked-up not too long ago.

I will most certainly get everything checked out before my first test cycle, and maybe at the end of this one to see how my lipids look, etc.

Any recommendation on how to ask for a blood test, should I just be honest? Epi IS legal...

yeah its legal man just tell him what ur takin and u need to keep everything in check

 

[DaHurt]

yeah its legal man just tell him what ur takin and u need to keep everything in check

Alright I'll call tomorrow and try to get in quick - I started the Epi today though but maybe I can go in to have blood drawn and it won't be too late - just took my first 15 mg dose.

I'll try and get bloods before I take tomorrow's 15 mg dose.

 

[Zeek]

I've been reading up quite a bit on epistane and it seems to be on a very short list of PH's that seem to really work. I'm tossing some in at the end of my cycle just to see what it does with test.

I'll be following your log DH. thanks for taking the time to keep one

 

[DaHurt]

I've been reading up quite a bit on epistane and it seems to be on a very short list of PH's that seem to really work. I'm tossing some in at the end of my cycle just to see what it does with test.

I'll be following your log DH. thanks for taking the time to keep one

No problem man - are you going to run epi your last 4 weeks of test?

 

[Zeek]

No problem man - are you going to run epi your last 4 weeks of test?

Maybe for the last 6 weeks, I like the idea of finishing off "dry". I've finished off with Anavar (var) several times and winstrol back when my joints could take it and ended up very pleased with the final results. Epistane is cheap and if it lives up to claims it will be a nice finisher.

Looking forward to how it does for you as a stand alone.

 

[DaHurt]

Okay so herrrre we go...

Oct 31:
Woke up late so I had to rush to get to class. Made a shake with 2 scoops Platinum Hydroway by Optimum Nutrition w/ 1 TBS honey (induce a little slin) + double espresso

1 hr later: 1 and 1/3 cup egg whites + 3 whole eggs + 1 cup oats + Animal Flex pack, 3 Anavite (multi), 1 CLA cap, 1 fish oil cap, green tea extract, 2 Activate Xtreme & 2 Triazole (last of my cycle).

30 min later 3 scoops Neurocore in 12 oz water + 2g glutamine

30 min later CHEST:

-Flat DB fly: 15x30 w/u, 12x40, 10x45, 8x50
-Flat BB Press: 15x135 w/u, 10x185, 10x205, 5x225, 4x225
-Incline DB Press: 10x70, 8x70, 8x70
-Cable fly: 10x60(each arm), 12x60, 12x70, 8x80
-Wide Grip Hammer Press: 2 plates x12, 2 platesx12, 3platesx6

pwo: 2 Scoops Hydrowhey + 5g creatine + 2g glutamine + 50g dextrose

1 hr later: 8 oz chicken breast + 1.5 cups brown rice + CLA, fish oil

2 hr later: Promax protein bar

2 hr later: 15 mg Epi-Strong

30 min later: 10 oz ground turkey + 2 cups brown rice + CLA cap, fish oil

30 min later: 1 scoop Muscle Pharm Assault + 2g glutamine

30 min later Back:

-Wide-grip chins: 3 sets 10 slow reps
-Deadlift: 15x135 w/u, 10x185 w/u, 10x225, 10x275, 8x295, 4x350
-Reverse-grip bent-over rows: 20x95 w/u, 15x115 w/u, 12x135, 11x135, 10x135, 12x115
-Lat pulldown: 12x150, 9x170, 9x160, 15x130, 5x190
-TBar Row machine: 80x15, 90x12, 90x10, 90x8
-Cable Pull-over: 15x100, 15x100, 15x100

pwo: 2 Scoops Hydrowhey + 5g creatine + 2g glutamine + 50g dextrose

40 min later: 8 oz chicken breast + 1.5 cups brown rice + CLA, fish oil

Then I'll have

2 hrs later: 8 oz steak + whole avocado + 3 tabs Anavite.

...and 48g casein in 12 oz skim milk before bed

I weighed 191 after my back w/o today. Checked body fat with calipers: 7.3%

Felt really good in the gym, but then again I have been. I KNOW volume is high, but it has been working for me so I'll keep doing it until it doesn't, or I feel I need to change things up!

Some dude told me I had the best delts in the gym, so that is good I guess (and a little weird haha).

 

[DaHurt]

Maybe for the last 6 weeks, I like the idea of finishing off "dry". I've finished off with Anavar (var) several times and winstrol back when my joints could take it and ended up very pleased with the final results. Epistane is cheap and if it lives up to claims it will be a nice finisher.

Looking forward to how it does for you as a stand alone.

Definitely inexpensive for all of the claims of strength/mass gain. I look forward to seeing how it works for you at the end of your cycle. I've read logs of people using it in lieu of dbol to kickstart, but haven't seen anyone log it as a finisher.

 

[DaHurt]

Nov 1

So I couldn't get the bloods done - I wouldn't be able to be seen until next week, at which point it won't really be worth it. Sorry guys.

Chest and lats feeling pretty sore this morning so I'm happy. Woke up with lots of energy and feeling good - probably because this cycle has me excited. Here's the day:

Wake shake: 1 scoop Hydrowhey w/ 1 TBS honey and 1 cap green tea extract

Breakfast: 1 and 1/3 cup egg whites + 3 whole eggs + 1 cup oats + Anavite, CLA, fish oil, Animal Flex.

Pre-workout: Last of my neurocore mixed with Assault + 2g glutamine

Arms

I have been really stressing perfect form because I felt my bi's were lagging due to this (over-compensation by deltoids), so my weight is kind of low - but form is perfect.

-Standing BB curl ss w/ DB Tri Ext (BB curl, DB ext):
(15x40 w/u, 15x50 w/u), (12x70, 12x85), (11x80, 12x95), (8x90, 8x100) - this is the heaviest I've gone on DB ext - felt REALLY strong.

-Rope Tri Press-down ss w/ Alt DB Curls (Press-down, Curls):
(12x50, 12x30's), (11x60, 11x30's), (11x60, 10x30's)

-Skull-crushers (w/ EZ bar):
15x70 - didn't expect 70 to be this easy, 15x80 - same here, 11x90, 10x90

-EZ bar 21 curls, very slow and controlled:
21x50, 21x50, 21x50

DB Conc curls ss w/ Tricep Kickbacks (kickbacks, curls):
(12x20, 10x20), (12x20, 10x20), (12x20, 10x20) - Arms were basically shot for these, so I had to use the 20's to maintain perfect form, and my left bi was still struggling.

Finished workout in 1 hr exactly, then pwo shake: 2 scoops hydrowhey, 50g dextrose, 5g creatine, 2g glutamine

10oz turkey breast + 2 cups rice + CLA, fish oil

Protein Bar

8oz chicken breast + 1.5 cup brown rice + CLA, fish oil, 1 tab Liver Longer, 15mg Epi-Strong

Then I took a 1 hr nap! Hell yeah.

Pre-workout #2: 1 scoop Assault + 2g glutamine

Shoulders/Traps

-DB Shoulder Press: 15x40 w/u, 10x55, 10x55, 8x65

-Face-pulls ss w/ DB Shrugs (face pull, shrugs):
(15x100, 15x80's), (12x120, 15x80's), (12x110, 15x80's)

-Side DB Raise: 12x30's, 10x30's, 10x30's

-Rear DB Raise: 12x30's, 11x30's, 20x15's

-Upright BB Rows: 12x70, 12x80, 10x90

-Haney Shrugs on the Smith: 20x135, 15x205, 15x205, 15x205

Took a little over an hr because the gym was busy as fuck, pwo = 2 scoops hydrowhey/50g dextrose/5g creatine/2g glutamine

8oz chicken breast + 4 TBS hummus + 1/2 cup steamed broccoli + CLA, fish oil, Anavite, 1 tab Liver Longer

14oz skim milk + 2 scoops ON 100% Casein

Today was the 2nd 15mg dose of Epi-Strong, so tomorrow I'll be increasing the dose to 30 mg. I'll probably just take 1 cap in the AM and the other in the PM - seems logical.

I felt really strong in the gym today and had lots of energy - of course its unlikely the Epi, but just an observation

Weighed 191 today - really excited to see where things are after the next week.

No work-out tomorrow and I'm looking forward to REST!!!

 

[DaHurt]

Nov 2

Not much to report as today was a rest day. Diet was spot-on. Started the 30mg dose of Epi today - took one 15mg capsule in the morning and the other in the evening, and of course took all of my other maintenance supplements and Liver Longer. Got plenty of rest so I'm looking forward to leg day tomorrow.

 

[DaHurt]

Hey guys sorry I didn't update yesterday's leg workout - I started getting really sick feeling in my stomach yesterday evening and it has lasted through today (still feeling it). Not sure what it's from but it's definitely making it hard to eat, which sucks. Didn't stop me from doing chest this morning and I plan on hitting back this evening. I'll post yesterday's leg workout and today's back and chest workouts tonight.

I hope the sick feeling isn't from the Epi-Strong? I did have (a shitload of) sushi last night, so it could be that. I'll keep you guys posted.

D

 

[DaHurt]

So I definitely had some kind of stomach affliction - it only got worse after my last post. Anyways, I'm finally feeling better and I was able to hit arms and shoulders/traps today. I haven't been able to eat much the last couple days, so my weight has actually gone down (couldn't really keep any chow down - bummer) to around 188 - but I should be able to bounce back now. Felt really good in the gym today (and pretty strong). Here's an update of my last few workouts - diet was spotty so I won't include any of that, but I'll try to keep diet and workouts updated daily from now on.

Nov 3: Legs

Did things a little differently today, since I did back squats earlier in the week and I need to improve my lower quads, I did front squats this time, but the bar kept slipping on my sweaty ass arms!

Leg Ext: 30x90lbs, 21x90, 15x90, 21x90 (7,7,7)
Leg Press: 30 x 2 plates, 20 x 4 plates, 16 x 5 plates (close stance), 12 x 5 plates (wide stance), 50 x 2 plates (normal stance)
Hack Squats: 1 plate x 12, 2 plates x 10, 3 plates x 6, 3 plates + 25 x 4
Front Squats: 135x12, 185x10, 205x6, 135x12, 135x12 (weight kept fucking slipping)
Walking Lunges (w/ BB): 24 steps x 40, 28x40, 26x40
Straight Leg Deadlift: 20x50lbs (w/u), 15x90, 12x135, 12x135
Seated Leg Curls: 15x70 (very slow, squeezing hard), 12x90, 12x90
Lying Leg Curls: 8x90, 12x70, 12x70

Nov 4

Chest AM (only listing working sets):
Incline DB Press: 12x75, 10x85, 9x90
Flat BB Press: 8x205, 4x225, 4x225
Incline DB Fly: 12x30, 8x40, 8x40
Pullovers w/ EZ Bar: 13x45, 12x50, 12x50
Pec Deck: 10x160, 8x170, 10x170

Back PM

No deads today - giving the CNS a lil' break

WG chins 3 sets 10 slow reps
Lat Pulldown: 12x140, 11x150, 10x150 - drop 110x11
Bent Row: 12x135, 12x135, 12x135
Cable Pullovers w/ rope: 13x100, 12x100, 12x100
DB row on incline bench: 10x60, 10x60, 10x60


Nov 6: Arms/Shoulders

BB curl ss w/ rope tri pressdowns (curl, pressdown):
(10x80, 12x60),(10x80, 12x60),(10x80, 12x60)

DB Tri Ext ss w/ DB conc. curls (Ext, curl):
(12x80, 8x25),(10x100, 10x25),(8x100, 8x25)

Incline Hammer curls ss w/ Tri kickbacks (Hammer, kickback):
(10x25, 10x25),(10x25, 12x25),(8x25,12x25)

Curl machine: 8x55, 8x45, 12x35
Tri Ext machine: 20x45, 12x80, 12x90

Shoulders:

Rear delt DB fly lying on incline ss w/ DB side lat raise (rear, lat):
(10x20, 12x20), (15x15, 15x20), (14x15, 13x20)

Arnold DB Press: 15x30, 8x45, 8x45
Front BB Raise: 12x40, 12x40, 13x40
Smith mach shrugs: 15x225, 12x315, 10x365 -> drop back down
Shrug mach: 25 x 1 plate, 20 x 2 plates, 15 x 3 plates, 12 x 4 plates, 8 x 4 plates + 25

Since I was puking/crapping my brains out yesterday, even though I felt decent today, I didn't want to push myself too hard, so I kept the weights pretty light and the reps high.

Legs tomorrow...

 

[leanbody]

dude - id still get the blood work done. have them test for estrodiol as well as testosterone, liver & kidney. Even tho you are mid way thru you'll be able to see how it is working and that will help you figure out your post cycle therapy (pct). IMO you might want some hcgin there in case you get any atrophy.

 

[DaHurt]

dude - id still get the blood work done. have them test for estrodiol as well as testosterone, liver & kidney. Even tho you are mid way thru you'll be able to see how it is working and that will help you figure out your post cycle therapy (pct). IMO you might want some hcgin there in case you get any atrophy.

Thanks for the advice, Lean. I'll see about getting in for the bloods this week. Everything I read indicated that shutdown occurred while on Epistane, but it wasn't too bad relatively speaking, so I didn't even think about having HCG on hand for atrophy - well I guess I'll just see what happens with 'the boys', and learn from it.

I'll text you about hittin' legs later this week - this gastrointestinal thing really screwed up my weekend - didn't even make it to Sacro for the show!

Cheers man.

 

[DaHurt]

Nov 7

Definitely feeling good today. I feel like I'm fully recovered from the stomach thing I had. Diet was good today:

-Hydrowhey w/honey
-1 1/3 cup egg whites + 2 whole eggs + 1 cup oats + CLA, fish oil, Anavite, Glutamine, Animal Flex, Liver Longer, 15mg Epistrong
-PWO: Hydrowhey w/ dextrose, glutamine, creatine
-8oz steak + 1 cup brown rice + 1/2 cup broccoli.
-8oz chicken + 1 cup brown rice + 1/2 cup broccoli

Then in a bit I'll have 8oz tilapia + 4 TBS hummus + Anavite, CLA, fish oil, glutamine, Liver Longer, and 15mg Epistrong

...and a casein shake with skim milk before bed.

LEGS:

Leg Extension
30x90lbs, 16x130, 13x130, 16x90

Squats
15x135 w/u, 15x135 w/u, 12x225 w/u, 5x315, 5x315, 4x315, 5x300, 5x300

Leg Press
5platesx10, 6platesx10, 6platesx8, 3platesx35

Hack Squats
12x1plate
12x2plates
8x3plates
12x2plates ->drop, 12x1plate

Walking BB Lunges
3 x 24 steps x 50lbs

Seated Leg Curl
12x70lbs for 3 sets

Straight Leg DL
12x135 for 4 sets

Lying Leg Curl
12x70, 12x70, 8x90


Legs felt really good today - looking forward to the next week!

Chest and back tomorrow