Testosterone and Conforming to Popular Opinion by Mike Arnold

heavyiron

Community Veteran
Much has changed over the years in the area of steroid cycles, with every generation showcasing its own ideas of what constitutes the “proper” way to cycle. With each passing generation, the tendency is to proclaim its own opinions and ideas as superior to the one before it. While it is true that we are constantly learning, not everything which presents itself as popular opinion is necessarily “better” and in the minds of some, we may even adopt a flawed or inferior approach in exchange for older ways of thinking.

This is particularly evident in the area of steroid cycle design, with dramatic changes having taken place over the last couple of decades. One of the most notable of these changes is testosterone’s rise to prominence in the cycles of today’s AAS using BB’rs. It is now commonplace to see everyone from beginners to advanced athletes using testosterone in abundance, regardless of whether this approach is the most suitable for the individual’s goals. Testosterone has become the cornerstone; the default drug from which the average steroid cycle is constructed. Rarely is this approach questioned and to do so will inevitably bring forth a round of scolding from the die-hard testosterone pundits who proclaim the drug to be the answer for nearly everything. There are numerous legitimate reasons why testosterone has assumed its current role of leadership, but in spite of all the benefits this drug has to offer, a strong argument can be raised as to why the current point of view is partially misguided.

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Prior to testosterone becoming the go-to steroid, many chose to forego it completely when deciding which steroids would become a part of their cycle, instead selecting other anabolics for this purpose. Back in the 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s, many BB’rs simply did not believe testosterone was necessary, or even ideal, when it came to which steroids were the best suited for bodybuilding. Old-school classics, such as the “Deca-D-bol” stack, adequately portrayed the mentality of the day. After all, it was Dan Duchaine himself who stated in the original Underground Steroid Handbook that “If someone can’t grow on Deca and D-bol, they won’t grow on anything”. Other AAS, such as Winstrol, Anavar, Anadrol, Primobolan, and Boldenone were also some of the heavy-hitters of generations past and were regularly utilized in the absence of testosterone.

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While testosterone may have played a lesser role in the cycles of yester-year, this is not to say that the BB’rs from back then were not aware of its muscle-building effects or that it was never included in their cycles. Testosterone was used, with some BB’rs using substantial amounts, but what BB’rs of past generations considered to be important often conflicted with the opinions of today. Because of this difference in opinion, the consensus regarding which steroids were best suited for a cycle varied quite a bit. It is with this in mind that we will explore some of today’s most commonly held AAS myths, such as the belief that testosterone must always be included in every cycle and/or form the base of each cycle. Additionally, we will look at the fallacy which states that testosterone must be administered in certain “ratios” or amounts when used in conjunction with other steroids, but first let us take a look at why testosterone maintains its current status at the top of the pecking order.

When comparing the BB’rs of today against our past greats, the first thing that becomes apparent is the size difference. Size has always ruled the day in BB’ing, although some would say it holds more weight in the eyes of the judges than ever before. This may be true, but regardless, we cannot deny that today’s BB’rs are massively developed and one of the primary factors responsible for this massive increase in size is testosterone…and lots of it.

In gyms across the country, testosterone is proclaimed as king. It is not uncommon to see non-competitive gym rats administering 2 or more grams of testosterone per week, in an attempt emulate their BB’ing idols, and in the upper-competitive ranks, some BB’rs will use even more than that. There is no doubt that testosterone is effective in the acquisition of muscle mass, as it delivers a potent myotropic effect, surpassing that of many other steroids, but this is not the predominant reason why testosterone was chosen as today’s #1 mass-builder. The allure of testosterone comes primarily from its ability to be used in very large dosages without causing the BB’r to incur any significant organ stress, while also exhibiting a relative lack of unbearable or extremely bothersome side effects at these larger dosages, and also because of its compatibility with male physiology.

With many other steroids, once the user surpasses a certain dosing threshold, it is very common to encounter side effects which most users deem unacceptable. Hypothetically speaking, if these side effects were to remain absent when dosing these other AAS equivalently, amazing results in muscle growth could be achieved (example: imagine being able to use 2 grams of SD or M1T per week!!!). This point illustrates the fact that testosterone was chosen as much for its ability to be used at these higher dosages safely and without encountering serious side effects, as it was for its muscle-building benefits.

One argument alive today, which is in opposition to the “testosterone at all costs” mentality and a throwback to the golden days of the sport, is the point of view which proclaims that testosterone should not automatically assume the role of base steroid, but should be implemented in accordance with the individuals goals. In the following paragraph, how many times have we seen a similar scenario play out on the BB’ing forums:

“Hi, I am 24 years old and want to begin using steroids. I have been training hard for 7 years and my diet is excellent. I am looking to gain only lean muscle with minimal water retention. My hair and skin is important to me, as I do fitness modeling on the side, so I don’t want to use anything which causes hair loss. I also want to avoid steroids which are prone to causing acne or oily skin. I have read that testosterone often causes these side effects, so I am looking for an alternative. Can someone please help me construct a cycle based on my goals? Please feel free to ask any further questions for clarification.”

Almost inevitably, we will see a barrage of responses stating something akin to the following:

• “Testosterone alone should be everyone’s 1st cycle”…….

• “Bro, if you’re not ready for testosterone, you’re not ready to cycle”….…

• “Testosterone should be your base steroid. It isn’t good to use steroids without testosterone, unless you want problems”…….

• ”Stop being a pussy bro, if you can’t deal with some hair loss, you’re not ready for AAS”…….

• ”You need to do some research!”…….

• “Testosterone is critical for normal male functioning. It needs to be a significant part of every cycle”…….

• “You can’t make good gains without testosterone”…….

This mentality is more rampant than ever before and while the testosterone pundits often bring several valid points to the table, they are often guilty of overlooking the basic reason behind why we all use steroids in the first place, which is our desire to look or perform in a “certain” way. Instead of catering to this most basic purpose, many individuals with well-meaning intentions often push their own opinions and ideals on others as either fact or necessity, when it reality their beliefs are usually neither of these things. Barring potential health related concerns, proper cycle design is contingent on adherence to the personal wants and desires of the user, not on the preconceived ideas of another, who may have conflicting beliefs regarding what is important.

When constructing a cycle, the BB’r should know exactly what he wants to achieve, as this is the foundation from which the cycle’s compounds will be selected. Additionally, the BB’r should thoroughly educate himself on the compounds which are appropriate for his goals, in order to ensure that he selects the best AAS for the job. Once these objectives are met, he can begin constructing his cycle.

Let’s refer back to the example of the 24 year old BB’r I spoke about above and look at 2 different cycle set-ups which might be suitable for his goals. One cycle will be designed using the conventional guidelines of today…and the other will be designed with complete disregard to the “rules” we are told to follow.

Cycle #1 (modern/testosterone based)
Weeks 1-12: Test prop @ 600 mg/week.
Weeks 1-10: EQ @ 600 mg/week.
Weeks 1-12: T-bol @ 50 mg/day.
Weeks 1-12: Aromasin @ 25 mg/day.

Cycle #2 (goal based)
Weeks 1-12: Primobolan @ 1,000 mg/week.
Weeks 1-12: Test prop @ 100 mg/week (added in at week 3-4).
Weeks 1-12: Anavar @ 50 mg/day.
Weeks 1-12: Aromasin @ 10 mg/day.

As you can see, Cycle #1 looks like something we might find on any BB’ing forum today. It is a good cycle and will yield solid results, but it is far from ideal for the BB’r used in the example. Let’s look at how both a testosterone proponent and a non-conformist might justify these cycles in light of the BB’rs goals.

Testosterone proponent: First of all, testosterone at that dose is very likely to increase oil production and therefore, the possibility of acne. It is also capable of initiating hair-loss in those that are prone and will cause water retention through both aromatization and an alteration in electrolytes. However, the cycle-builder justifies his choice by keeping the dose on the “lower” side and utilizing the prop ester, as it is the least water retentive of all the testosterone esters. When asked why he chose testosterone as the primary drug in the first place, his response is “Well…because it’s testosterone and you have to have some testosterone in every cycle”. EQ was chosen because it supplies a weaker androgenic component than other cutting drugs, such as Trenbolone and therefore, is less likely to cause hair-loss, acne, or oily skin. However, EQ is still about 50% as androgenic as testosterone and also aromatizes at about half the rate of testosterone, so the possibility of these side effects is moderate. T-bol, being a fairly weak androgen, was a good choice, but there are better options. Lastly, Aromasin was added to help reduce the water retention which will most assuredly accompany the testosterone usage.

Non-conformist: In this cycle, the cycle-builder chose some of the most ideal compounds possible in light of the BB’rs goals. Primobolan was selected as the base steroid, as it is an exceptionally weak androgen and unlikely to cause any meaningful degree of hair-loss, acne, or oily skin, even at a dosage of 1 gram weekly. It also lacks the ability to aromatize, so water retention is a non-issue. In fact, with Primobolan’s anti-estrogenic effects, it will help dry the user out, assisting the BB’rs in achieving his goals. Test prop was added in at 100 mg per week, starting in week 3-4, as it takes a few weeks for endogenous Test production to sink to deficient levels. This will help the BB’r maintain normal male functioning without bumping T levels into the supraphysiological range. Anavar was chosen because it is a very weak androgen and directly contributes to the BB’rs goals. This drug will not cause any water retention, but will have the opposite effect, helping the user to harden up and dry out. Hair-loss, oily skin, or acne is almost always a non-issue with this drug. Due to the very low dose of test prop and the anti-estrogenic effect of Primo, Aromasin is dosed a bit lower than cycle #1.

The sad truth is that Cycle #1 would likely be advised over Cycle #2 by many who post on today’s BB’ing forums, even in spite of the BB’rs goals listed above. Now, before anyone labels me as anti-testosterone, I want to definitively state that this is a million miles away from the truth. I LOVE testosterone, but I also don’t care that testosterone has been mostly responsible for me losing 50% of my hair, for making me hold some water (even with an AI), and for causing me to break-out worse than normal every time I use it. However, for those who do care about these side effects, testosterone might not be the best base steroid for them.

In closing, let’s look at one last myth which has invaded our BB’ing forums over the last few years, which is that testosterone should be used in certain “ratios” when combined with other drugs. How many times have we heard that Test should always be dosed higher than Deca or Tren…or even that specific ratios, such as 60:40, should always be used? The problem with these predetermined ratios is that everyone responds differently and our personal response alone will determine what our ideal ratios are. Some guys can get away with using only a maintenance dose of Test while using large amounts of Deca and not experience any problems at all. Other guys will be struck with sexual dysfunction when using only small amount of Deca, regardless of how much testosterone they use along with it. It is the same with Tren.

I mention these 2 steroids only because they are the most likely to cause problems in the sexual functioning department, but the same principle applies to any steroid. There are no set ratios for any combination of AAS. Therefore, we should not blindly accept what is pushed on us, especially when there is no verifiable research to confirm such claims. Personal response will determine what ratios we are able to work within, and this knowledge can only be obtained through experimentation leading to personal experience. In other words, you won’t know until you try.

So, if you have been of those people who have been blindly conforming to popular opinion, I advise you to step back and view your next cycle from a new paradigm, using proven information along with your own goals & desires to construct your next cycle. In doing so, whether you decide that a mega-dosed Test cycle is right for you….or a cycle that utilizes only a maintenance dose of Test is best, you can be assured that your cycle will reflect what is important to you, not that which is important to someone else.

Mike Arnold
 
I used to have many strong opinions on cycling but after MANY years of using all types of combinations and compounds I've discovered a whole new world of steroid use. Traditional stacks are great but many guys never experience some amazing cycles because they are so set in their ways. I'm an old dog but I've come to appreciate new tricks.

Big thanks to Mike Arnold for writing this.
 
makes people think more on what goals they are trying to get,and get out of the same ol same ole and do newer,safer,better cycles,ones who understand how every compund works
 
I used to have many strong opinions on cycling but after MANY years of using all types of combinations and compounds I've discovered a whole new world of steroid use. Traditional stacks are great but many guys never experience some amazing cycles because they are so set in their ways. I'm an old dog but I've come to appreciate new tricks.

Big thanks to Mike Arnold for writing this.

I agree with this heavy. The further into this world the more I realise how different I respond to different compounds then others do. To beginners I always offer advice that comes in the form of blanket statements as the dose of an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) or a ratio of compounds just to get them started in the right direction. What it all comes down to is personal experience and your brains capacity to learn and develop your knowledge along with learning your body and its responses.

Thanks for this post heavy!
 
Not bad but slightly misleading. When saying test needs to be a base of all cycles, it is, doses will depend on goals, but to maintain sexual function a dose will be needed as were in both cycles. Just as we can't measure the appropriate doses for each person in terms of test/deca or test/tren, the same goes for only maintaining sexual function from a single 100mg dose of propionate for that reason.

There are always variables, I completely agree that we all provide blanket statements of this has to be done, or that must be used, but there are a lot of begginners on this board, and maybe more so than ratios on other boards. Providing the basic info is to get them started with the expectation that they read and figure out on their own what works for them. I know the majority of us don't practice what we preach but when in conversation with anyone who has experience, more realistic thoughts will bs shared.

It's also intended to help remove confusion, we could all look at the profile of every drug and try to come up with custom cycles for every person that passes thru but then it becomes more of a reliance on drugs then it does on diet, rest and training. If you want lean mass gains with little water retention, there are many great choices, but how good are they to the average person who really doesn't know how to manipulate their body thru diet and training? Some drugs are better at achieving specific goals but I see every day guys saying my diet is perfect, and are bulking on 2k cals of chicken and rice.

The majority of people function better with simplicity, and I talk to national level bb's who have no clue how or why aas work, and live by every myth ever told. Experimentation is key but having some basic rules or concepts keeps them functioning until they have enough experience to try different things and be able to manage sides and results. There are a lot of guys who refuse to add test to a cycle simply because they don't want a smooth look ever.

The majority of people who pass thru the boards do this as a hobby, want to get bigger because of someone they saw on tv, or feel like it's their opportunity to get women. I'm willing to bet over half the leople here could not name 10 pro's but could tell you the name of every person on jersey shore. They want to be as big as they can get fast for spring break, then never train again until the following spring break or summer vacation.

Mike can write some good articles and has a vast amount of knowledge. There are a lot of great points, and I'm amazed that guys are so set in the doses for ai's etc laid out that they will deal with crashed estro the whole cycle instead of changing dosing. Most reccomendations for adex or aromisin come from studies on post menopausal women but again they are laid out repeatedly for simplicity otherwise it would all be too confusing for a lot of guys
 
Not bad but slightly misleading. When saying test needs to be a base of all cycles, it is, doses will depend on goals, but to maintain sexual function a dose will be needed as were in both cycles. Just as we can't measure the appropriate doses for each person in terms of test/deca or test/tren, the same goes for only maintaining sexual function from a single 100mg dose of propionate for that reason.

There are always variables, I completely agree that we all provide blanket statements of this has to be done, or that must be used, but there are a lot of begginners on this board, and maybe more so than ratios on other boards. Providing the basic info is to get them started with the expectation that they read and figure out on their own what works for them. I know the majority of us don't practice what we preach but when in conversation with anyone who has experience, more realistic thoughts will bs shared.

It's also intended to help remove confusion, we could all look at the profile of every drug and try to come up with custom cycles for every person that passes thru but then it becomes more of a reliance on drugs then it does on diet, rest and training. If you want lean mass gains with little water retention, there are many great choices, but how good are they to the average person who really doesn't know how to manipulate their body thru diet and training? Some drugs are better at achieving specific goals but I see every day guys saying my diet is perfect, and are bulking on 2k cals of chicken and rice.

The majority of people function better with simplicity, and I talk to national level bb's who have no clue how or why aas work, and live by every myth ever told. Experimentation is key but having some basic rules or concepts keeps them functioning until they have enough experience to try different things and be able to manage sides and results. There are a lot of guys who refuse to add test to a cycle simply because they don't want a smooth look ever.

The majority of people who pass thru the boards do this as a hobby, want to get bigger because of someone they saw on tv, or feel like it's their opportunity to get women. I'm willing to bet over half the leople here could not name 10 pro's but could tell you the name of every person on jersey shore. They want to be as big as they can get fast for spring break, then never train again until the following spring break or summer vacation.

Mike can write some good articles and has a vast amount of knowledge. There are a lot of great points, and I'm amazed that guys are so set in the doses for ai's etc laid out that they will deal with crashed estro the whole cycle instead of changing dosing. Most reccomendations for adex or aromisin come from studies on post menopausal women but again they are laid out repeatedly for simplicity otherwise it would all be too confusing for a lot of guys

great post User,explained to a T
 
Heavy and User Both have great points here!

I also see Ology as a majority Begginer sight. Rather than an advanced Users sight. Although there are many advanced users on here. I wouldn't consider my self a conformist by any meens. But I do feel a need for the "blanket statement" as it is being toughted!

The Majority of this sight are guys from age 16 trying to sneek in to almost 40 that are doing there first cycle. I have no problem recomending a Test only cycle to any of the guys Health willing. As was stated in Heavys post Test is SAFE and has few sides at lower doses. This is the whole point of using it. To learn and be safe doing it.

Those of us that have a few years of cycles under our belts have learned what works for us and what doses to experiment with. Then you get to my age you just know what works well for you and you dont have to experiment any more. This is based on what works for us indavidualy of course.

To say one should conform to the blanket statments would be Idiotic in todays age. But to say they should be used for the begginers on most every board? Probably a good as well as rational and responcible Idea.

I've said it before and I will say it again! Unless your willing to advise the same cycle to your own kid you probably shouldn't advise it to a beginner!

The Moral of this people its your body you should be edjucating your selves as to what you putting in them Bottom line!

This is the whole problem with forums! People will come on here ask for advise talk it as gold. With out doing there own research on the tips or ideas they have been given. I have met alot of great guys on this site in a short time. We have passed around many Ideas. The more advance VIA PM. I for one regardless of how good I trust any of you. Just go do some thing we talked about before researching it my self. I would hope that anyone that takes advice from my self or any other do the same!

Everyone reading this post has a library of information at there finger tips!

PS I came From the Deca D-boll era you young whooper snapper! Daniel Duschane was a god back then LOL well at least 1 of the 2 people that had a guide out at that time. LOL Can you imagine if we still thought the same way!
 
It's a good post and the point being to not just accept everything as the only way. It seems that more and more people lately are going against the grain and looking into lower doses of test with everything.

Matt and Heavy have been around a long time, and both have a ton of knowledge and experience.
 
Last year I did a cut cycle with no testosterone at the end. I was on Winstrol (winny), halo and anavar. It was a fun experiment to see how running gear without test would feel. I was in the best shape of my adult life or very close to it.

Anyway, I encourage guys to try new things and see how their bodies respond.
 
Last year I did a cut cycle with no testosterone at the end. I was on Winstrol (winny), halo and anavar. It was a fun experiment to see how running gear without test would feel. I was in the best shape of my adult life or very close to it.

Anyway, I encourage guys to try new things and see how their bodies respond.

like this but only if they understand what each compound can do. If not don't do this. The point of this forum is safety in health, but you bring up valid great points for non begginers bud, good read I hope people dont mis read this the wrong way.
 
this is a great thread. lot of knowledge hope people read it and understand while taking away the message behind it.
 
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