Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below I'm looking for some tips to maintain the strength that I've gained on an 8 week test/fina/winny cycle. I've been working up to a 3 rep max on the bench every week (I've gained about 35lbs on my 3 rep bench max). I'm going to come off in about a week. Should I lower the weights and go with the 5x5 or should I just continue my current routine and just accept that I'll loose some strength? Any hints or tips are greatly appreciated.
Maintaining Strength Post Cycle
- Thread starter gretak911
- Start date
PolishHammer1977
New member
eat a sicilian pizza for lunch like I did today
louden_swain
New member
Stay on the juice. . . .
Be sure to ingest plenty of apple, cranapple, grape, and V-8 juice.
Be sure to ingest plenty of apple, cranapple, grape, and V-8 juice.
PolishHammer1977
New member
do not forget tomato, pineapple, and orange.
Your best bet is probably going to be eating. Keep your calorie intake as though you were still "on". Don't attempt to cut until you have recovered sufficiently.
I know some who drop the weight a bit, and up the reps immediately after coming off, during their post-cycle recovery. This will help save your joints, reduce the possibility of injury due to trying to lift with the same intensity and weight as you did while on, and help to preserve some of the strength. But it is normal to lose some strength post-cycle.
Just my thoughts,
Joker
I know some who drop the weight a bit, and up the reps immediately after coming off, during their post-cycle recovery. This will help save your joints, reduce the possibility of injury due to trying to lift with the same intensity and weight as you did while on, and help to preserve some of the strength. But it is normal to lose some strength post-cycle.
Just my thoughts,
Joker
casualbb said:
The only problem I would see with that, is the possibility of injuring yourself.
After coming off, your body will not be able to handle the weight and intensity that it could while on.
Being aware of that is probably the best way to protect yourself, IMO.
Joker
Joker gave some good advice about eating a lot...
I'd also suggest trying to add some prot powder to your daily intake, cutting your sets down a little...and MOST important...CHANGE YOUR WORKOUTS!!!!
Change exercises, rep ranges, training plans, etc... Don't get focused on the fact that you might be losing strength on some exercises...so change them.
Here is an example... Lets say that you are using 300 x 3 on your bench press max set. You will slowly loose some strength over the next 4 weeks then level out as your test levels return back to normal. The first week off will not be such a big problem...so I wouldn't change much the first week off.
2nd week:
Bench Press: 225 x 8 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
3rd week:
Bench Press: 250 x 6 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
4th week:
Bench Press 275 x 3-4 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
5th week:
Bench Press 225 x 5 x 5
6th week:
Bench Press 245-250 x 5 x 5
7th week:
Bench Press 275 x 3 x 3
8th week:
Bench Press 285-295 x 3 x 3
Of course...this is all just pretty generic and the numbers are VERY loosely used. The principle is to change the workout up a lot, use less weight (become less weight focused) and slowly work back to what you are doing now.
Of course...this is just my opinion...
B True
I'd also suggest trying to add some prot powder to your daily intake, cutting your sets down a little...and MOST important...CHANGE YOUR WORKOUTS!!!!
Change exercises, rep ranges, training plans, etc... Don't get focused on the fact that you might be losing strength on some exercises...so change them.
Here is an example... Lets say that you are using 300 x 3 on your bench press max set. You will slowly loose some strength over the next 4 weeks then level out as your test levels return back to normal. The first week off will not be such a big problem...so I wouldn't change much the first week off.
2nd week:
Bench Press: 225 x 8 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
3rd week:
Bench Press: 250 x 6 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
4th week:
Bench Press 275 x 3-4 superset with Inc Dbell Flyes x 8 reps x 3 sets total
5th week:
Bench Press 225 x 5 x 5
6th week:
Bench Press 245-250 x 5 x 5
7th week:
Bench Press 275 x 3 x 3
8th week:
Bench Press 285-295 x 3 x 3
Of course...this is all just pretty generic and the numbers are VERY loosely used. The principle is to change the workout up a lot, use less weight (become less weight focused) and slowly work back to what you are doing now.
Of course...this is just my opinion...
B True
if you aren't doing post cycle therapy, anything you lose is your own fault
with that and eating more, up your daily creatine intake, and rest more
you shouldn't adjust your workout too much. drop a bit of volume. try to maintain your max's and always try for pr's - AS LONG AS YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOUR BODY - ie don't overtrain
with that and eating more, up your daily creatine intake, and rest more
you shouldn't adjust your workout too much. drop a bit of volume. try to maintain your max's and always try for pr's - AS LONG AS YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOUR BODY - ie don't overtrain
Joker -- the issue is that strength gained while on cycle can damage connective tissue (tendons, ligs) because those don't adapt nearly as quickly as muscle tissue.
Steroids confer strength gains not associated with muscle growth. In other words, you'll be arbitrarily stronger while on. The danger is pushing your strength limits while on, that can lead to soft tissue injury.
Now, my recommendation to increase weight when you come off isn't as big of an issue, because any leftover strength gains you'd make should be much smaller and less likely to cause injury than while on.
Basically how you'd do this is by deliberately staying below max weights while on, and then ramping up the weight when you come off, staying within your pre-cycle weight ranges for safety.
Steroids confer strength gains not associated with muscle growth. In other words, you'll be arbitrarily stronger while on. The danger is pushing your strength limits while on, that can lead to soft tissue injury.
Now, my recommendation to increase weight when you come off isn't as big of an issue, because any leftover strength gains you'd make should be much smaller and less likely to cause injury than while on.
Basically how you'd do this is by deliberately staying below max weights while on, and then ramping up the weight when you come off, staying within your pre-cycle weight ranges for safety.
casualbb said:
That seems pretty backwards to me. Why would you intentionally stay at submaximal weights during your cycle, then up the weights afterwards? You wouldn't be maximizing your time while on. Waste of a cycle just to pretend you didn't lose strength afterwards.
Joker
Because when you're on cycle you don't need to push your strength. You'll grow pretty well anyway. The whole problem is that any time you lift less weight than you just did, there's no reaon to grow. No stimulus. Coupled with a situation of low testosterone, that's bad.
I don't appreciate the condescending tone, but whatever. Not only are you wrong, but what you prescribe is dangerous.
Read this.
Notably,
As to pushing strength while on, worst idea ever. Remember Mark McGuire and Kem Caminiti? Both injured themselves on steroid/PH cycles because they pushed the weight as heavy as it would go and their soft tissue wasn't ready for it.
Read this.
Notably,
As to pushing strength while on, worst idea ever. Remember Mark McGuire and Kem Caminiti? Both injured themselves on steroid/PH cycles because they pushed the weight as heavy as it would go and their soft tissue wasn't ready for it.
Thanks for the replies. I made a conscious effort not to go below 3 reps during the cycle to reduce the risk of muscle injury. Before the cycle I was stuck at 305lbs for 3 on the flat bench but now I'm up to 340x3. I would like to maintain 315lbs for 5 reps when all is said and done (I'm guessing that If I can keep my strength for 4 weeks after my last shot of fina I should have reached my goal. I haven't upped my protein intake while on but kept it at about 250 grams per day (I try to maintain that all year). Maybe I'll try some creatine. I haven't used that is over 4 years so maybe it'll help a little. My post cycle is in check with HCG at 500iu eod for the next 10 days then Clomid 300/100/50 for three weeks with nolva at 20mg/day.
Thanks to all for the tips.
Thanks to all for the tips.
casualbb said:
I could give a rats ass what you appreciate. You keep with your book training, and articles from the web. That appears to be where you spend most of your "training" time.
The rest of us will get information from actually doing it, or from people that actually have. Not some fuckin' little book worm that spends more tme looking up articles on the web that contradict what ever conversation he's in.
Take your scrawny ass back to the library computers, little man.
Wow, I guess fighting is easier than learning. Have it your way. Normally I wouldn't give a shit, but in this case our buddy gretak stands to sustain injury while lifting heavy on cycle.
So I'll say it again: avoid making astronomical strength gains while on cycle. Connective tissue doesn't adapt as quickly as muscle tissue; it may not be able to handle the weight. This is a basic fact of exercise science.
So I'll say it again: avoid making astronomical strength gains while on cycle. Connective tissue doesn't adapt as quickly as muscle tissue; it may not be able to handle the weight. This is a basic fact of exercise science.
BigWh1tey
New member
the only problem with going off is that you will still be capable of performances that you will not be able to recover from.
The winny and tren will be out of your system in days and i imagine your T levels will drop steadily over the next 2-4 weeks (unless you were taking susp, or prop in which case it will be out of your system much faster). Start your HCG or Clom at the 2-4 week mark, ease back to say 80% or yout training volume and extend your training split to allow for natural recovery.
Make sure to continue to consume adequate protien and complex carbs, cut down on any cardio. Don't be afraid to miss a workout. In about 6-8 weeks you can push it again, but make sure you are taking enough time to recover, keep a log ( mental or written ) of your training weights and if your numbers drop or stagnate, cut down on the volume or increase the recovery time.
The winny and tren will be out of your system in days and i imagine your T levels will drop steadily over the next 2-4 weeks (unless you were taking susp, or prop in which case it will be out of your system much faster). Start your HCG or Clom at the 2-4 week mark, ease back to say 80% or yout training volume and extend your training split to allow for natural recovery.
Make sure to continue to consume adequate protien and complex carbs, cut down on any cardio. Don't be afraid to miss a workout. In about 6-8 weeks you can push it again, but make sure you are taking enough time to recover, keep a log ( mental or written ) of your training weights and if your numbers drop or stagnate, cut down on the volume or increase the recovery time.
Singleton
New member
My first and last cycle (I'm not a quitter, I'm just broke!)
I trained on with more sets and reps (around 10 per set). Off, I lowered sets and reps. I included squats.
I did the type of training that stimulates natural hormone production (test & GH). Heavy compound exercises: snatches, push presses, squats, deadlifts, benches. Sets and reps were low. Training was ED for about 20 minutes, including time for warmup sets. The workouts were very intense with lots of noise and occasional bleeding.
While on, I kept my rep ranges higher, around 9-12. While off, I pretty closesly stuck to 5X5.
I would reach failure occasionally, but not every time.
It worked out really well. My strenght went up very much after coming off and I acheived a new PR in squat -- 405 x 5, though I could've done more reps or weight.
Next cycle will be similar, but much longer if I can afford it
. Only problem is: my $85/mo gym only has dumbells up to 120lbs. LAME! I need up to 160's!!!!
As far as the statement of connective tissue healing slower, well, I think that that may depend on the steroid used (at least to some extent). If you used deca, eq, or primo, I think the connective tissue would heal faster than with test or winny (correct me if I'm wrong).
I trained on with more sets and reps (around 10 per set). Off, I lowered sets and reps. I included squats.
I did the type of training that stimulates natural hormone production (test & GH). Heavy compound exercises: snatches, push presses, squats, deadlifts, benches. Sets and reps were low. Training was ED for about 20 minutes, including time for warmup sets. The workouts were very intense with lots of noise and occasional bleeding.
While on, I kept my rep ranges higher, around 9-12. While off, I pretty closesly stuck to 5X5.
I would reach failure occasionally, but not every time.
It worked out really well. My strenght went up very much after coming off and I acheived a new PR in squat -- 405 x 5, though I could've done more reps or weight.
Next cycle will be similar, but much longer if I can afford it
. Only problem is: my $85/mo gym only has dumbells up to 120lbs. LAME! I need up to 160's!!!!As far as the statement of connective tissue healing slower, well, I think that that may depend on the steroid used (at least to some extent). If you used deca, eq, or primo, I think the connective tissue would heal faster than with test or winny (correct me if I'm wrong).
