Winter Cycle

[Lowpro]

I'm currently trying to size up my next cycle. I'm really interested in going with EQ (test is a given), but my main concern is any AS affecting my cardiovascular endurance. I need to be able to sustain my long distance running.

Age: 31
Training: 8 years, 5 days a week, 20-30 minutes of cardio ed
Height: 6ft
Weight: 213
BF: 15% (as suggested via BIA)

My 1st cycle was:

wk 01-06: winny (80mg/day)
wk 01-12: test prop (100mg/eod)
wk 06-12: var (80mg/ed)

My strength was up, but my cardio endurance dropped. I ended up dropping around 4% BF and I added around 8lbs of lean muscle. My diet was not as clean as it could have been - but, I ate fairly clean. I also ran ameridex though out and had nolva on hand. Thankfully, I didn't show any signs of any serious sides; my hormones were jacked when I didn't take the orals on a regular schedule.

I really liked how the winny gave me a "dry" look and I was pretty damn veiny. The joint pain sucked in my shoulder. I chose to end with var to help me sustain my gains. I stuck with prop because I was...well....impatient

My goals: to drop a few more % in BF (via a good, clean diet) and I'd like to harden up a lot. I'm also looking to help me increase my muscular endurance with progressive training.

I do eat better when I cycle simply because I hate to waste money. I do know I can lose the BF without cycling, It's just a bit easier to think about it when my training and money are on the line. Simply put, I enjoyed my first cycle and I'm ready to try a second one.

I'm ready for the replies and I'm hoping for some insight.

[Mr.X]

talk more about your cardio routine bro
I want to hear it

[djsf]

It sounds like your goals are to build lean, hard mass without compromising your endurance.

I agree with Mr.X's subtle message that you can do that without using steroids. Your first and best option would be to pursue this goal naturally.

However, if you do insist on using steroids as part of accomplishing this goal, here is what I would do: keep it simple, and use the minimum that works. This is only your second cycle, you should not need to use multiple compounds or complex stacks. Testosterone is very potent, especially for those new to AAS, and it also should not adversely affect your endurance (it might actually improve it).

I would run a test-only cycle. I would not use EQ, as it doesn't seem to match your goals. EQ makes you hungry, which will make it harder for you to stay lean. EQ is better suited to mass-oriented cycles and can be stacked with other compounds to boost your appetite. Not quite what you are looking for.

Here's what I would do:
1) Run a test-only cycle (test is very versatile and it WORKS)
2) Make good use of anti-estrogens (keeping estrogen at bay makes your body stay lean and hard)
3) Do bodybuilding to build muscle, in combination with a solid cardio plan.

If you are going to run a cycle, I would do something liks this:
Weeks 1-10: 500-600mg test enant (250mg 2x a week or e3d)
Weeks 1-10: Arimidex 1mg ed. You can substitute an even stronger AI if desired, but not a weaker one.
Weeks 5-10: Proviron, 50-75mg ed

A simple test cycle along with a strong AI and proviron will make you very lean and hard. Proviron is another estrogen blocker. Controlling estrogen is a key, since estrogen adversely affects your body deposits fat. I have found arimidex and proviron together to be a potent weapon against body fat. With the right cardio, you'll be amazed how lean and hard you will get, and all your bodybuilding efforts will be plainly visible.

Note that proviron has sides you should be aware of. It is a strong androgen and it will boost your libido (on top of the test doing the same). You might have an unpleasantly high level of sex drive (some might call that a plus). Also, proviron can cause androgenic sides such as hair loss. If you are prone to male pattern baldness, you would want to use arimidex for the shortest time possible, at the end of your cycle only.

Are you training for a particular event? You should look amazing at the end of this cycle and through the early parts of PCT, but shortly after stopping arimidex and proviron, your body composition will revert back to normal. If so you would want to time your cycle to end about a week before your event.

[Spook]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm. It is winter almost. Test E and EQ.

[Lowpro]

talk more about your cardio routine bro
I want to hear it

5 days/wk

3 days: 3 mile outdoor runs + 20 minutes of eliptical/stair stepper
2 days: 20-30 minutes of eliptical/stair stepper/jump rope

[Lowpro]

DJSF,

Thanks a lot for the great info!

[SELENE]

You are very lucky to have good advise from Mr. DJ he is very knowledgable

[Rat]

Spook, I just finished a test-e and EQ cycle during the summer. I loved the results.

For my winter cycle it's Test-e and Deca...

[djsf]

Thanks for the kind words, Selene... I may not always be right but I like to put out some ideas for people to think about. I am speaking from what *should* happen given how the compounds work, but it's possible Lowpro could make a test + EQ cycle work toward his goals, with the right diet and workout.

Rat, tell us more about your test + EQ cycle. What kind of results did you get? I want to see how well your results meet Lowpro's particular goals.

[body_by_donuts]

Spook, I would like to know as well......