The Goal : to lift naturally what i did in the peak of my cycle

[Drummer]

Like the title says, im going to try to get to the point i got to on my last cycle, naturally. I took all my peak weights on cycle, dropped them 20% and doubled the reps in order to rest a bit and let the shoulders/elbows heal from the large increases they had to lift. I am now going back up and find i have great strength (about 3.5 months out of PCT) and all the joints feel good. With a good diet and steady increases, I think I might get to what i was doing in sets while in peak cycle. Perhaps 6 months or so total might do it! Anyone ever try this?

~D~

[kloan]

Yup, I did. At least, some of my lifts were close if not the same. The only ones really I couldn't get caught up were my triceps and bench.

Now with my ****in neck tweaking every time I do shoulder exercises, things have take a hit.

For me, I think it was easier to reach the level I was lifting while on because the gains I made during my cycle were minimal. Even though I ate like mad and improved my workouts, slept more, noticeable strength gains were quite average at best.

I sincerely hope the next cycle I do will yield better results.

[C-money]

its definately possible! For me i could do it no prob, BUT naturally i would have to gain more weight/bf and wouldnt be as lean as when im on cycle

[GYMBRAT]

I do 99% of the time I come off with great success, keeps me motivated when off and my strength "close to" par as well!...of course diet ect., plays a major role also.

[Iwant2Grow]

Working on this right now , I use a 5x5 training program and just scaled my on cycle peak to my new goal for 6 weeks out . i have great spread sheet for this if you want

[tex]

im squatting more now than i did on cycle.....bench i down and dl is down but dl is due to lower back injury......bench is due to me not going to the gym for 3 weeks while my back was ****ed.....weird thing is my standing overhead bb press is up higher than while on cycle?!

[CanadianIron]

I always seem to be able to surpass my cycle bests about 1-2 months after im finished. Once you know you can do something, it becomes easier.

[Drummer]

I agree there is a phycological element to it all... the initial dip in hormones is a rough ride, but you know when your back - and can go for those lifts. For example, im already real close on deads, about 40 pounds away on squats, and 40 pounds away on bench. Im there on dips, 10 pounds off on curls, there on side laterals, 20 pounds off on military. All with NO pain! Thats the biggest thing i believe - development of connective tissue and nervous system catching up to those big muscle gains.

~D~

[ironwill]

I thought i was weird that i could get to almost equal strength while off for a good spell.......Then when on, my size increases way more than my strength ever does...glad to see im not alone...I remember my first few cycles i was astounded that my strength didnt go through the roof....,.
the one i cannot get up as much off of cycle is bench, no matter how hard i try, natural i cannot get what i do enhanced...

[Drummer]

It seems that way for everybody - maybe it because most of us push chest harder than the rest? Dunno really, but i would agree that chest dramatically dropped once the hormones cleared, and is the slowest to come back. Back is fast and so is legs. Biceps are SLOOOOOW but ive always had crappy biceps. Dammit.

~D~

[Danger]

I found I had a massive dip in strength while doing PCT (Nolva), 2 weeks after I was done with the PCT my strength bounced back and im pretty close to where I was on cycle right now 9 weeks after my last shot. Totally agree about bench, I think its probably a confidence issue.

[Drummer]

I would have to agree 100% on the PCT - the more you cut estro watch things take a dive for a bit. Just goes to show that estro plays an important role in strangth and muscle building (i know i know, that for for the new guys ;))

~D~