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Below is an excerpt from an article by Brian Batcheldor on advanced cycle construction. It seems to depart from what many of us consider “state of the art.” Take a read and see how your knowledge measures up:
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My average cycle for an athlete incorporates a reoccurring pattern of use that is geared towards longer-lasting quality gains and minimal losses. To promote continuous gains at sensible dosages the choice of steroids is regularly changed.
Over the years, I have had blood work preformed on many of my athletes (mainly lifters.) This blood work has been preformed, not because I enjoy sticking needles in people, but to deal with testing criteria that many athletes are subject to. The issue of restoring hormone levels and maintaining peak performance are my main objectives with such athletes. Access to this information has allowed me to build up quite a database of what works and what doesn’t…
Essentially the basic pattern of use for an athlete wishing to make quality muscle gains would be as follows:
1.) Three weeks on mainly androgenic products commencing with long acting esters and changing to short acting ones nearer the end. Orals are also used in a descending dose pattern. The necessary calculations are made to make sure that the products have virtually cleared the system at the end of three weeks.
Initiating the cycle with long esters (usually day 1 and 7) of the first three weeks, maintaining similar levels in the body with shorter acting esters through the rest of that period. Contrary to belief, short acting esters appear to suppress endogenous production faster and for longer than longer acting esters. Generally serious suppression starts after around two to three weeks, the point at which we take a break.
2.) One week after beginning the cycle a depot gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is administered in a low dose. In Europe, I opt for buserelin (Suprecur Depot), in the U.S.; leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is the drug of choice. These agonists have the remarkable ability to blunt the effects of anabolics on natural production. However the timing of administration is important, as given too soon it will have the reverse effect!
3.) On days 2 and 15, a 250mg injection of formestane (Lentaron), an anabolic anti-aromatase, is taken. Because this is hard to obtain in the U.S., Arimidex (1mg/day) will suffice here. Proviron is used for the first three weeks to help combat the dramatic increases in SHBG that occur during this stage. Our objective is unbound levels as high as possible on a dose as low as practical.
4.) After the first three weeks, HCG (2000-2500iu) is taken every fourth day i.e. Monday, Thursday and Sunday. The reason for the short pattern is as follows:
• Prolonged use of HCG has been demonstrated to induce testicular steroidogenic desensitization – not good. Although this situation may possibly be avoided by the use of anti-estrogens, receptor down regulation in the testis has also been indicated.
• At this point in the cycle, the efficacy of the GnRHa is starting to diminish and endogenous LH and FSH will start to decrease.
• This dose is sufficient, with higher doses producing only a slightly higher response. In fact dosages in excess of 5000iu have, on several occasions, demonstrated a lower response.
• The frequency of injections is fine, as more regular shots, e.g. every other day or small multiple daily shots (as advocated by some) have not yielded superior results. I will admit that some individuals seem to get the same response from 1500iu, whilst others appeared to need 5000iu to evoke the same response.
• A refractory state of your testis own Leydig cells can be induced by HCG, this can account for the multiple peaks witnessed in tests and can result in delayed response. Ideally the lower the effective dose the better.
5.) After the week of HCG use, two weeks of non-aromatizing anabolic products (e.g. Primobolan, Winstrol etc.) are commenced along with low doses of non-aromatizing androgens (e.g. Trenbolone) or testosterone undecanoate caps (Androxon, Restandol, Andriol, Undestor etc.) This keeps estrogen to a minimum thus facilitating the maintenance of return to normal endogenous production. Dosages of non-aromatizing androgens need to be watched, as even without estrogen, they will readily suppress production due to other feedback mechanisms. Low doses of testosterone undecanoate are not too anti-gonadotropic.
6.) Nolvadex is employed throughout the cycle (note: in conjunction with formestane or arimidex, see above.) Low estrogen levels at the end of thecycle make our goal far more achievable.
7.) Three weeks are then taken off, then the cycle is repeated adjusted doses and products where needed. During the three weeks of steroid abstention the following drugs are use:
• Injectable Clenbuterol (2/3ml a day): I have found this to be a powerful anti-catabolic that, for some reason, appears to be, more effective in this department than its oral counterpart. Planipart from Australia, turing up regularly in South Africa, more recently in Mexico. Other versions are available from Europe.
• Injectable ATP (2ml three times a week): The cessation of anabolic steroids initiates several catabolic processes with the body. One of these is the ATP- ubiquitinproteasome pathway. Increased extra cellular ATP has demonstrated the ability to put the breaks on this process by decreasing metabolic acidosis and increasing protein synthesis. The favorite version of this product is called Tridenosen, from Australia. A phenomenal product that really makes a difference, its intended use is for racehorses and greyhounds. It contains 2mg of ATP per ml, as well as nicotinic acid, magnesium aspastate, potassium aspartate, di-isopropymamine dichloroacetate, selenium, arginine and lysine. All users of this product report less muscle soreness, improved recovery and dramatically increased energy demonstrated by increased weights/repetitions. If you ever get the chance to use this, don’t hesitate.
• Insulin (Humalog, 2 x 4-6 iu daily): Insulin’s ability to suppress cortisol is well documented and this should be a major consideration during this period. The cessation of anabolic steroids will mean more free gluccocorticoid receptors and a resultant shoft in the anabolic:catabolic balance. Be sure to consume 10 grams of simple cars per iu, taken around half an hour after administration.
• 5-methyl-7methoxy-isoflavone (600-1000mgs/day): This synthetic isoflavone is a potent anti-catabolic and non-steroidal anabolic. It was developed in Hungary for use with people suffering from pathological wasting conditions. I would suggest also suggest taking 1-1.5 grams of ipriflavone per day, as both of these isoflavones have powerful calcium loss prevention properties. Calcium loss can occur from elevated cortisol; this loss becomes the signal for catabolic enzymes (proteases) called calpains to do their job.
• Growth Hormone: My preferred method for use during this period involves cutting training back to every other day for a total of three days per week. Two i.u. of GH is taken post-workout and the following morning and afternoon (an average of 6 i.u. per day.) This is a low dose regimen, but when combined with the above products, it is common to see subjects GAIN weight during the “off” period.”
Remember that the most important reason for taking a break form steroids is your health. Even this, the most simplistic of considerations, is open to interpretation. For most the idea of considering their health will mean letting everything return to normal; “everything” refers to their endogenous hormone production. Don’t get me wrong endocrine stabilization is a pretty important consideration, although quite an unrealistic one for many. The real priority during this period should be the correction of any alterations in normal liver function. In case you didn’t know it, your liver has some pretty important functions too, the impairment of which will rapidly put you gains on hold or MUCH WORSE! Consider those all important endogenous hormone that your concerned about. The liver metabolizes many of these, conjugating them with sulphate or glucuronide to become water-soluble. In this state they can be secreted into bile and reabsorbed via entero-hepatic circulation. The liver also converst some inactive prohormones to biologically active hormones. Formation of IGF-1 in another function of the liver you may want to preserve. This is just the hormonal prespective, the liver is also involved in other vital processes that regulate your gains i.e. metabolism of fuel and amino acids etc…
Thus it is a strong suggestion that one have liver function and lipid profile tests done on a regular basis. One should take liver protectants such as silymarin and evening primrose oil as well as avoid the prolonged or high dose use of the 17-apha alkylated orals. Further there are several drugs that one should avoid during recovery in order to aid the body in returning their liver function to a pre-cycle state:
Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren, Orimiten)
Clomid
Pentoxifylline
Prostaglandins
Can all place the liver under significant stress whilst subjecting you to a few new risks at the same time.
************************************************** **********************
My average cycle for an athlete incorporates a reoccurring pattern of use that is geared towards longer-lasting quality gains and minimal losses. To promote continuous gains at sensible dosages the choice of steroids is regularly changed.
Over the years, I have had blood work preformed on many of my athletes (mainly lifters.) This blood work has been preformed, not because I enjoy sticking needles in people, but to deal with testing criteria that many athletes are subject to. The issue of restoring hormone levels and maintaining peak performance are my main objectives with such athletes. Access to this information has allowed me to build up quite a database of what works and what doesn’t…
Essentially the basic pattern of use for an athlete wishing to make quality muscle gains would be as follows:
1.) Three weeks on mainly androgenic products commencing with long acting esters and changing to short acting ones nearer the end. Orals are also used in a descending dose pattern. The necessary calculations are made to make sure that the products have virtually cleared the system at the end of three weeks.
Initiating the cycle with long esters (usually day 1 and 7) of the first three weeks, maintaining similar levels in the body with shorter acting esters through the rest of that period. Contrary to belief, short acting esters appear to suppress endogenous production faster and for longer than longer acting esters. Generally serious suppression starts after around two to three weeks, the point at which we take a break.
2.) One week after beginning the cycle a depot gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is administered in a low dose. In Europe, I opt for buserelin (Suprecur Depot), in the U.S.; leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is the drug of choice. These agonists have the remarkable ability to blunt the effects of anabolics on natural production. However the timing of administration is important, as given too soon it will have the reverse effect!
3.) On days 2 and 15, a 250mg injection of formestane (Lentaron), an anabolic anti-aromatase, is taken. Because this is hard to obtain in the U.S., Arimidex (1mg/day) will suffice here. Proviron is used for the first three weeks to help combat the dramatic increases in SHBG that occur during this stage. Our objective is unbound levels as high as possible on a dose as low as practical.
4.) After the first three weeks, HCG (2000-2500iu) is taken every fourth day i.e. Monday, Thursday and Sunday. The reason for the short pattern is as follows:
• Prolonged use of HCG has been demonstrated to induce testicular steroidogenic desensitization – not good. Although this situation may possibly be avoided by the use of anti-estrogens, receptor down regulation in the testis has also been indicated.
• At this point in the cycle, the efficacy of the GnRHa is starting to diminish and endogenous LH and FSH will start to decrease.
• This dose is sufficient, with higher doses producing only a slightly higher response. In fact dosages in excess of 5000iu have, on several occasions, demonstrated a lower response.
• The frequency of injections is fine, as more regular shots, e.g. every other day or small multiple daily shots (as advocated by some) have not yielded superior results. I will admit that some individuals seem to get the same response from 1500iu, whilst others appeared to need 5000iu to evoke the same response.
• A refractory state of your testis own Leydig cells can be induced by HCG, this can account for the multiple peaks witnessed in tests and can result in delayed response. Ideally the lower the effective dose the better.
5.) After the week of HCG use, two weeks of non-aromatizing anabolic products (e.g. Primobolan, Winstrol etc.) are commenced along with low doses of non-aromatizing androgens (e.g. Trenbolone) or testosterone undecanoate caps (Androxon, Restandol, Andriol, Undestor etc.) This keeps estrogen to a minimum thus facilitating the maintenance of return to normal endogenous production. Dosages of non-aromatizing androgens need to be watched, as even without estrogen, they will readily suppress production due to other feedback mechanisms. Low doses of testosterone undecanoate are not too anti-gonadotropic.
6.) Nolvadex is employed throughout the cycle (note: in conjunction with formestane or arimidex, see above.) Low estrogen levels at the end of thecycle make our goal far more achievable.
7.) Three weeks are then taken off, then the cycle is repeated adjusted doses and products where needed. During the three weeks of steroid abstention the following drugs are use:
• Injectable Clenbuterol (2/3ml a day): I have found this to be a powerful anti-catabolic that, for some reason, appears to be, more effective in this department than its oral counterpart. Planipart from Australia, turing up regularly in South Africa, more recently in Mexico. Other versions are available from Europe.
• Injectable ATP (2ml three times a week): The cessation of anabolic steroids initiates several catabolic processes with the body. One of these is the ATP- ubiquitinproteasome pathway. Increased extra cellular ATP has demonstrated the ability to put the breaks on this process by decreasing metabolic acidosis and increasing protein synthesis. The favorite version of this product is called Tridenosen, from Australia. A phenomenal product that really makes a difference, its intended use is for racehorses and greyhounds. It contains 2mg of ATP per ml, as well as nicotinic acid, magnesium aspastate, potassium aspartate, di-isopropymamine dichloroacetate, selenium, arginine and lysine. All users of this product report less muscle soreness, improved recovery and dramatically increased energy demonstrated by increased weights/repetitions. If you ever get the chance to use this, don’t hesitate.
• Insulin (Humalog, 2 x 4-6 iu daily): Insulin’s ability to suppress cortisol is well documented and this should be a major consideration during this period. The cessation of anabolic steroids will mean more free gluccocorticoid receptors and a resultant shoft in the anabolic:catabolic balance. Be sure to consume 10 grams of simple cars per iu, taken around half an hour after administration.
• 5-methyl-7methoxy-isoflavone (600-1000mgs/day): This synthetic isoflavone is a potent anti-catabolic and non-steroidal anabolic. It was developed in Hungary for use with people suffering from pathological wasting conditions. I would suggest also suggest taking 1-1.5 grams of ipriflavone per day, as both of these isoflavones have powerful calcium loss prevention properties. Calcium loss can occur from elevated cortisol; this loss becomes the signal for catabolic enzymes (proteases) called calpains to do their job.
• Growth Hormone: My preferred method for use during this period involves cutting training back to every other day for a total of three days per week. Two i.u. of GH is taken post-workout and the following morning and afternoon (an average of 6 i.u. per day.) This is a low dose regimen, but when combined with the above products, it is common to see subjects GAIN weight during the “off” period.”
Remember that the most important reason for taking a break form steroids is your health. Even this, the most simplistic of considerations, is open to interpretation. For most the idea of considering their health will mean letting everything return to normal; “everything” refers to their endogenous hormone production. Don’t get me wrong endocrine stabilization is a pretty important consideration, although quite an unrealistic one for many. The real priority during this period should be the correction of any alterations in normal liver function. In case you didn’t know it, your liver has some pretty important functions too, the impairment of which will rapidly put you gains on hold or MUCH WORSE! Consider those all important endogenous hormone that your concerned about. The liver metabolizes many of these, conjugating them with sulphate or glucuronide to become water-soluble. In this state they can be secreted into bile and reabsorbed via entero-hepatic circulation. The liver also converst some inactive prohormones to biologically active hormones. Formation of IGF-1 in another function of the liver you may want to preserve. This is just the hormonal prespective, the liver is also involved in other vital processes that regulate your gains i.e. metabolism of fuel and amino acids etc…
Thus it is a strong suggestion that one have liver function and lipid profile tests done on a regular basis. One should take liver protectants such as silymarin and evening primrose oil as well as avoid the prolonged or high dose use of the 17-apha alkylated orals. Further there are several drugs that one should avoid during recovery in order to aid the body in returning their liver function to a pre-cycle state:
Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren, Orimiten)
Clomid
Pentoxifylline
Prostaglandins
Can all place the liver under significant stress whilst subjecting you to a few new risks at the same time.
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