time on = time off myth

[cranny]

This has been a staple saying as long as I can remember. How long are your typical breaks b/n cycles and why. I know there are some guys stay on just about all year. I think most of us do our fair share throughout the year as well. But surely you can push the window b/n cycles closer w/o having some big crash sooner or later you always hear about. Opinions?

 

[nydj66]

I think some people can get away with very,very long cycles or cycles run closely together. But, in my personal experience I ran 3 moderate length cycles waiting only a month in between and then had an absolute awful time of recovery. I was 3 months with no sex drive.

 

[Prizz]

I have to admit that I usually spend more time on, then I do off.... Most of my cycles are 8 weeks average, and I usually only take 4 weeks off for my PCT..... This isn't a golden rule, just an average.... Anyway, when it finally comes down to taking an extended period of time off, I have never crashed from it.... I keep about 85% of my gains when I stop juice, without alot of effort..... I take Tribulus for a few months, Creatine, and keep the calories in the moderate range.... This is absolutely a genetic gift, as I carry muscle naturally with ease.... I guess when I see someone say Time on= Time off, I try to think of what does that mean? What is the goal if you do that? Keep gains? Keep your natural Hormonal balance? I guess it's a bit of both..... Does make sense, but I have to admit that isn't what I normally do....

rizz

 

[bigtravis]

OH SHIT! we're supposed to take breaks? man, somebody should have told me this a long time ago. nah. i still wouldn't have done it anyway.

 

[TheAssholeFomerlyKnownAsDBBT]

This has been a staple saying as long as I can remember. How long are your typical breaks b/n cycles and why. I know there are some guys stay on just about all year. I think most of us do our fair share throughout the year as well. But surely you can push the window b/n cycles closer w/o having some big crash sooner or later you always hear about. Opinions?

try to get off for as long as you possibly can unless you're competing.

 

[Ozz2001]

try to get off for as long as you possibly can unless you're competing.

lol words of wisdom from the X juicer.....

 

[bluehen]

OH SHIT! we're supposed to take breaks? man, somebody should have told me this a long time ago. nah. i still wouldn't have done it anyway.

Breaks might only be for those of us that need to do PCT on our wallets so we can get our next cycle.

 

[bigtravis]

is that what PCT standsfor? post cash treatment?

 

[bluehen]

is that what PCT standsfor? post cash treatment?

Yes I believe so, although I am new to the gear thing.

 

[Steve The Bluesman]

For the non pro, my opinion is better safe than sorry. Time on = time off not only helps the body recover (which is more than enough all by itself), but it can also help the mind recover, and you can prepare yourself better for the upcoming cycle.

Personally, my last 11 week cycle ended on 9/12, my next 8 weeker is starting 12/19. After that, another cycle starting 5/13.

It really is not that much time to wait, and I beleive it allows you to maximize your diet and training during time on.


Bluesman

 

[slat1]

I am off more than I am on. All esters have been out of my system since the first week of August.

 

[todoveritas]

Ok, I'll go out on a limb but there really is no scientific reason for time on = time off; without monitoring of Test levels, it's just a safety guideline that's been practiced for years. Time off really depends on the reason for the PCT, in the first place. Most guys, particularly those who start young (18-21), need to stay on it longer so as not to upset the hypothalamic-adenhohypophysial axis (I'll skip the hardcore science) Let's just say by utilizing a two steps forward, one step back AAS philosophy, you will allow maximal recovery and have greater opportunity for maximal genetic potential. (12-16 weeks is plenty). Older (late 20's-35) and more experienced BB's are doing it to maximize effectiveness of later cycles (6-8 weeks is fine for most, but some BB's on high tren/test dosages will require double) their reason is wrongfully referred to as "cleaning receptors" but the idea is the same. And us really old guys (40+), whose natural test is in the dumps only need to do it when we need to minimize cholesterol/HDL and other sides, (we're just on replacement therapy, most of us doing < 1 gm/week anyway)

 

[Outtlaw]

I think it's a good idea to come off every so often to let your body get back to normal. The time on/time off thing doesnt mean anything to me. If it helps people with their cycling, then great. Just monitor your body and make sure you have a good bill of health. Come off every now and then, let your body normalize, get bloodwork done and you should be just fine.

 

[theoak01]

bloodwork is key here in my opinion,get it done before during and after every cycle,lets you know where things stand and its not just a crapshoot to if your recovered or not.

 

[nishnish]

as long as proper PCT is used i think 24 on/8 off is perfectly fine.

 

[cranny]

Interesting philosophies. I'm prob. off more than I'm on mainly b/c I haven't done all that many cycles. I was 34 when I did my first. Anyway, I can see where I'm starting to plan for the next 3 cycles. And I keep flirting w/ shortening the break. I definately keep bloodwork up to date. Thanks for the replies.

 

[hardrock]

Off? What the hell is that?

 

[Anybody]

i think time on = time off is popular mainly because it's a simple, one-size-fits-all rule. The packaging isn't quite as clean when you say

Ok, I'll go out on a limb but there really is no scientific reason for time on = time off; without monitoring of Test levels, it's just a safety guideline that's been practiced for years. Time off really depends on the reason for the PCT, in the first place. Most guys, particularly those who start young (18-21), need to stay on it longer so as not to upset the hypothalamic-adenhohypophysial axis (I'll skip the hardcore science) Let's just say by utilizing a two steps forward, one step back AAS philosophy, you will allow maximal recovery and have greater opportunity for maximal genetic potential. (12-16 weeks is plenty). Older (late 20's-35) and more experienced BB's are doing it to maximize effectiveness of later cycles (6-8 weeks is fine for most, but some BB's on high tren/test dosages will require double) their reason is wrongfully referred to as "cleaning receptors" but the idea is the same. And us really old guys (40+), whose natural test is in the dumps only need to do it when we need to minimize cholesterol/HDL and other sides, (we're just on replacement therapy, most of us doing < 1 gm/week anyway)

even though recognizing complexity and individual & situational difference is more realistic. But it just doesn't have the same ring to it.

 

[paridhm]

I don't agree with calling it "time on = time off." It should be listed as when your body has returned to it's normal hormonal balance. For different people this is a different amount of time. That is why you get bloodwork before and after your cycles.

 

[Dial_tone]

I am off more than I am on. All esters have been out of my system since the first week of August.

me too. I used to take 5-6 months off after an 8 week cycle. Then once I was off for 16 years. Now i've been on for 11 months but next year i'll go back to 10 on/10 off or something close.

 

[Triple-G]

OH SHIT! we're supposed to take breaks? man, somebody should have told me this a long time ago. nah. i still wouldn't have done it anyway.

i was told to do so but i never understood why. I dont want any kids, so why bother with the minuscule natural production anyway? for me, "off" means one 250mg injection of TE every 2 weeks, this is as low i would ever go.

 

[njmuscleguy]

well, so far, I've been looking at my cycles as either "bulking" or "cutting", so for me, it's logical to do the bulking in the fall/winter and cutting in the spring..... so I'm "on" for whatever duration of a cycle I choose, usually anywhere from 8-10 weeks on average, and I'm "off" the rest of the time.... I know this will change as I get more and more experienced with AAS (i.e. get more addicted! *grin*).... and when it does change, I'll use bloodwork to guide me through the "on/off" cycle