First Cycle (250mg vs 500mg)

J

JayJay24

New member
Trusted Member
Here goes nothin’ folks - take it easy I’m here to learn and make gains with the least amount of long term negative side effects.

Back story: I have been a fat ass dad for 5 years and finally made the choice to start Reta and it’s changed my life. I’ve been ripping the gym 4-5 times a week since January (everything til failure) and losing a fair amount of weight ….. thinking ahead I may want to do a 12-14 week cycle next winter (provided I am able to stay committed to the gym for 12 months in a row and get my BF under 15%).

38 years old
Male
5’6”
185lbs - planning to be closer to 170lbs before starting.

Planning my first cycle (I did one in high school):
I have been doing some research about a Test E cycle only (with HCG) and a proper PCT protocol for 4 weeks after.

The two schools of thought I gave run into are:

1. 500mg Test E first cycle - if you are already going to shut down your natural production, you may as well reap the reward of a 12-14 week cycle…..


2. 250mg a week is plenty and I should maintain decent gains while minimizing my side effects…….

I tested my levels about a year ago and was at 400 total test (low end of the spectrum but not awful).

I guess the question is: what do people suggest here (My gut tells me that most will guide me to 500 per week) - has anybody had luck with 250mg on their first cycle?

Second question - I really want to gain “lean muscle” - should I take Reta to help with food cravings - or will that potentially take away from my gains via calorie deficit?

Help me design a winter cycle where I have enough time to lean out by summer


Thanks Gents!
 
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Id say start with 250-300 and see what it does for you. If you get some good gains from that just stick with that. If want to bump up Id go to 400. Lots of guys smarter than I tend to suggest that 300-400 range and it makes sense.
 
JayJay24 said:
Here goes nothin’ folks - take it easy I’m here to learn and make gains with the least amount of long term negative side effects.

Back story: I have been a fat ass dad for 5 years and finally made the choice to start Reta and it’s changed my life. I’ve been ripping the gym 4-5 times a week since January (everything til failure) and losing a fair amount of weight ….. thinking ahead I may want to do a 12-14 week cycle next winter (provided I am able to stay committed to the gym for 12 months in a row and get my BF under 15%).

38 years old
Male
5’6”
185lbs - planning to be closer to 170lbs before starting.

Planning my first cycle (I did one in high school):
I have been doing some research about a Test E cycle only (with HCG) and a proper PCT protocol for 4 weeks after.

The two schools of thought I gave run into are:

1. 500mg Test E first cycle - if you are already going to shut down your natural production, you may as well reap the reward of a 12-14 week cycle…..


2. 250mg a week is plenty and I should maintain decent gains while minimizing my side effects…….

I tested my levels about a year ago and was at 400 total test (low end of the spectrum but not awful).

I guess the question is: what do people suggest here (My gut tells me that most will guide me to 500 per week) - has anybody had luck with 250mg on their first cycle?

Second question - I really want to gain “lean muscle” - should I take Reta to help with food cravings - or will that potentially take away from my gains via calorie deficit?

Help me design a winter cycle where I have enough time to lean out by summer


Thanks Gents!
Click to expand...
First I will go against the grain and tell you the least amount of compound you can use to gain is the best. Many will say you only have one first cycle which is true so take advantage of it. I disagree - if your normal test (get it tested before starting-blood test) doesn't go through the rood with 250 mg a week for 12-16 weeks and you get good muscle gains, I would be extremely surprised.
My theory on PED usage has always been if the standard is 500 mg for your first cycle, most people think you need more the second (you don't) if you are on TRT or did a proper PCT and recovered and took a break at least as long as you were on. You could do it again, but most people will take another compound or increase their test. This type of process - I have to ask where does it end? It ends with higher dosages down the road and most likely the need for ancillaries/will have side effects you don't like.

Again - repeat I am conservative and a 5 lb or 10 lb increase in weight (muscle) and progressive overload keeps going up - no need to increase your test. It will take 3-5 weeks before you even see the major benefits of testosterone depending on the ester. 250 mg and you probably will not need anything for estrogen and will make nice gains. PCT or if on TRT - if PCT get bloods done and train as hard as you can when off as you did when on.
Keep in mind the output will increase with a boost in hormones - more weight being moved, potentially longer workouts, etc. so don't forget the most important factor - food. Eat 5-6 balanced meals a day and eat over your maintenance caloric needs so you can feed your growth. If any question on a good diet, lots of guys can help you out but @Funnyman is a great resource and worth the expense to help with putting a diet together for you. I think the diet is as important as any PED on your first cycle.
500 mg of test is not nuts by the way - so if this is your choice so be it. I am just thinking of longevity and health.
 
The longer the cycle the harder the shut down. I have done micro cycles and got fantastic results but long esters are an enemy of this technique.
 
Heya @JayJay24
Good call waiting till the winter, gives you plenty of time to learn the fundamentals ( sleep, nutrition and training). Starting a cycle without the understanding fundamentals is like taking your very first driving lesson in a 1000hp manual car.

Getting your diet under control is critical, especially since you're on reta. Spend the time now developing proper habits that you can lean into when it comes time to pull the reta. Otherwise you'll end up just as before.

You'll want to be in a surplus to facilitate your growth phase. It doesn't mean a see food diet though. You don't need a massive surplus.

In terms of testosterone, I recommend 300. It will be more than enough to illicit great gains provided the basics are all covered.
Plan on getting the appropriate blood work prior, during and after the cycle and I wouldn't necessarily put a strick time line on it if it's not required for other reasons. You could be at 14 weeks with perfect blood work and zero negatives. No point in ending such a sweet ride when everything is going perfectly. Having said that, be prepared to end it if something bad does warrant it.
 
Goldenrod said:
First I will go against the grain and tell you the least amount of compound you can use to gain is the best. Many will say you only have one first cycle which is true so take advantage of it. I disagree - if your normal test (get it tested before starting-blood test) doesn't go through the rood with 250 mg a week for 12-16 weeks and you get good muscle gains, I would be extremely surprised.
My theory on PED usage has always been if the standard is 500 mg for your first cycle, most people think you need more the second (you don't) if you are on TRT or did a proper PCT and recovered and took a break at least as long as you were on. You could do it again, but most people will take another compound or increase their test. This type of process - I have to ask where does it end? It ends with higher dosages down the road and most likely the need for ancillaries/will have side effects you don't like.

Again - repeat I am conservative and a 5 lb or 10 lb increase in weight (muscle) and progressive overload keeps going up - no need to increase your test. It will take 3-5 weeks before you even see the major benefits of testosterone depending on the ester. 250 mg and you probably will not need anything for estrogen and will make nice gains. PCT or if on TRT - if PCT get bloods done and train as hard as you can when off as you did when on.
Keep in mind the output will increase with a boost in hormones - more weight being moved, potentially longer workouts, etc. so don't forget the most important factor - food. Eat 5-6 balanced meals a day and eat over your maintenance caloric needs so you can feed your growth. If any question on a good diet, lots of guys can help you out but @Funnyman is a great resource and worth the expense to help with putting a diet together for you. I think the diet is as important as any PED on your first cycle.
500 mg of test is not nuts by the way - so if this is your choice so be it. I am just thinking of longevity and health.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this detailed feedback, I am exactly on the same page as you.

Longevity and health all the way. Really appreciate you taking the time this post really clicked for me.
 
Rhyno said:
Heya @JayJay24
Good call waiting till the winter, gives you plenty of time to learn the fundamentals ( sleep, nutrition and training). Starting a cycle without the understanding fundamentals is like taking your very first driving lesson in a 1000hp manual car.

Getting your diet under control is critical, especially since you're on reta. Spend the time now developing proper habits that you can lean into when it comes time to pull the reta. Otherwise you'll end up just as before.

You'll want to be in a surplus to facilitate your growth phase. It doesn't mean a see food diet though. You don't need a massive surplus.

In terms of testosterone, I recommend 300. It will be more than enough to illicit great gains provided the basics are all covered.
Plan on getting the appropriate blood work prior, during and after the cycle and I wouldn't necessarily put a strick time line on it if it's not required for other reasons. You could be at 14 weeks with perfect blood work and zero negatives. No point in ending such a sweet ride when everything is going perfectly. Having said that, be prepared to end it if something bad does warrant it.
Click to expand...
Totally agree on this advice, and I will need to train my discipline once the Reta comes out.

I like to plan everything in advance, as you can tell (my OCD lol) but I do hear you about giving myself to flexibility to extend it to 14 weeks.

Is there a maximum duration I should account for here? I understand the longer I am on, potentially the harder the bounce back.

12 to 14 weeks seems relatively safe from my research though.
 
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