Need feedback on low dose cycle

[trainharder]

I am planning my 3rd cycle, and my goals have changed when compared to the first 2. In the past, I've done the usual 500mg/wk of Test-E combined with 600mg/wk of EQ and 40mg/day of D-bol. (was only into bodybuilding, getting bigger)

This time around, I'm thinking of running lower doses - While I would still like to put on some lean mass, my goal is to get my bf into the single digits (I'm around 12% at the moment, would like to get to 9%), increase strength, and also really improve my cardio (train in MMA)...I plan on doing a lot of High Intensity Cardio sessions.

I was thinking of the following cycle:

wk 1-14 250mg of Test-E
wk 1-12 300mg of EQ
wks 1-4 and 10-14: 40mg/day of Anavar

I want to see what I can accomplish on these low doses. I'm hoping that the lower doses will prevent the pumps that stop me from really pushing myself cardio-wise when on higher doses...

:hit ...oops, I mean :fback

[TryGear]

how long has it been since your last cycle?

[trainharder]

how long has it been since your last cycle?

It's been a year - Afraid my body won't respond to the low doses seeing as I ran twice as much not too long ago?

[theboss]

i've considered trying a low dose cycle..but wonder how i will respond as well...
i think anything over natural levels will be better.

[TryGear]

I'll admit I"m not as experianced as others here, but I would think that with only 3 cycles in total and a year since your last one, that a low dose cycle should give you reasonable gains.
since you aren't looking for major mass anyway, if you diet well then everything should be fine.

[nitrous]

i'd run the var longer.. 4 weeks for var really isnt much especially at that dosage..

[ironwill]

i'd run the var longer.. 4 weeks for var really isnt much especially at that dosage..

Agreed, i run cycles like the one by the author all the time and do well....BUT run the var longer bro, like 8 weeks minimum..

[PdH]

550 mgs week plus Var will provide you with decent gains on your third cycle, particularly after a one year break. People start to stall at low/moderate dosages when they are continually cycling with short recovery periods. Dosages also usually go way up when gains aren't the same as the earliest cycles and impatience sets in. Slow and steady is what creates gains that are maintainable.

[trainharder]

Agreed, i run cycles like the one by the author all the time and do well....BUT run the var longer bro, like 8 weeks minimum..

How is your cholesterol affected?

I'll be supplementing with a shitload of fishoil but still concerned about that..

[ironwill]

I am very lucky in that department.....i have no issues at all.....I use fish oil at about 4-6 grams per day, high dha epa ratios, and eat lots of oatmeal, at least 2 times per day, usually 3...i dont know if this has helped, but its all good...

[trainharder]

If i run var for 8 weeks, would you recommend running it for the first 8 weeks or the last 8 weeks?

[ironwill]

definitely the last 8 weeks would be my preference....Get the test going first etc...then add the var, its very synergistic when added later with other compounds...dont forget a bit of creatine with your var, also extra synergy there...

[trainharder]

definitely the last 8 weeks would be my preference....Get the test going first etc...then add the var, its very synergistic when added later with other compounds...dont forget a bit of creatine with your var, also extra synergy there...

Thanks bro! Helpful as always :)

[Praetorian]

I am planning my 3rd cycle, and my goals have changed when compared to the first 2. In the past, I've done the usual 500mg/wk of Test-E combined with 600mg/wk of EQ and 40mg/day of D-bol. (was only into bodybuilding, getting bigger)

This time around, I'm thinking of running lower doses - While I would still like to put on some lean mass, my goal is to get my bf into the single digits (I'm around 12% at the moment, would like to get to 9%), increase strength, and also really improve my cardio (train in MMA)...I plan on doing a lot of High Intensity Cardio sessions.

I was thinking of the following cycle:

wk 1-14 250mg of Test-E
wk 1-12 300mg of EQ
wks 1-4 and 10-14: 40mg/day of Anavar

I want to see what I can accomplish on these low doses. I'm hoping that the lower doses will prevent the pumps that stop me from really pushing myself cardio-wise when on higher doses...

:hit ...oops, I mean :fback

Your test dose is very low on this cycle...with the EQ and var you may run into major libido issues not to mention feeling like crap...I would bump the test so it is at least higher than the EQ...ie 500mg weekly....you will make significantly better gains with no added sides whatsoever! As well I would start the var week4 to get a nice synergistic effect as the test and EQ start to work...4 weeks is fine no need to run it longer than that.
P

[trainharder]

Your test dose is very low on this cycle...with the EQ and var you may run into major libido issues not to mention feeling like crap...I would bump the test so it is at least higher than the EQ...ie 500mg weekly....you will make significantly better gains with no added sides whatsoever! As well I would start the var week4 to get a nice synergistic effect as the test and EQ start to work...4 weeks is fine no need to run it longer than that.
P

The only reason i was keeping the test at 250mg was to prevent the pumps/bloating that might get in the way of the HIIT sessions I plan on doing. Perhaps I can add an AI to help out with that?

[Praetorian]

The only reason i was keeping the test at 250mg was to prevent the pumps/bloating that might get in the way of the HIIT sessions I plan on doing. Perhaps I can add an AI to help out with that?

You are not going to bloaton 500mg test weekly...you will get very little aromatization off of that dose...if you are for some reason extremely sensitive to estrogen you can use an AI at a low dose ie 12.5mg aromasin EOD to prevent any estro sides. What is wrong with pumps during training??
P

[trainharder]

You are not going to bloaton 500mg test weekly...you will get very little aromatization off of that dose...if you are for some reason extremely sensitive to estrogen you can use an AI at a low dose ie 12.5mg aromasin EOD to prevent any estro sides. What is wrong with pumps during training??
P

I love getting pumps when lifting but for my MMA training (BJJ and MT), I find that the pumps get in the way of the training.

If I up the Testosterone to 500mg/wk, should I also increase the EQ?

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it!

[Memo]

500 test a week left me very short of breath during BJJ for some reason. with hart rate going a tad high as well.

[Praetorian]

I love getting pumps when lifting but for my MMA training (BJJ and MT), I find that the pumps get in the way of the training.

If I up the Testosterone to 500mg/wk, should I also increase the EQ?

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it!

No need to increase the EQ...if you are concerned about pumps while training mma then you may want to drop the EQ and Var altogether. EQ increases your red blood cell count tremendously and var will give you a very good pump as well...those two combined will no doubt make things more difficult to train mma. 400-500mg test per week is more than enough to enable great recovery and add some decent strength.
P

[ironwill]

Try what works for you trainharder.......Honestly, IMO your original cycle is pretty good, and you WILL see good gains, and i have personally never had an issue with libido.......
4-8 weeks into cycle is good time to start orals, i said 8 because you asked beginning or end 8 weeks..... definitely run it for minimum 6 weeks in my experience, and add creatine...
I have several buddies i hooked up low dose cycles, and they look fantastic, and have done great.....Then you have lots of room to bump up later....especially if you are newer to aas..
ALWAYS start off at what gives you the best gains that keep coming, then m ove up when stagnant....
As you get larger you will need more....
Keep us posted bro....

[MMASTAR]

No need to increase the EQ...if you are concerned about pumps while training mma then you may want to drop the EQ and Var altogether. EQ increases your red blood cell count tremendously and var will give you a very good pump as well...those two combined will no doubt make things more difficult to train mma. 400-500mg test per week is more than enough to enable great recovery and add some decent strength.
P

doesnt increasing RBC's have a positive effect on V02 max? therefore helpfull in high intensity and endurance athletes??

[MMASTAR]

and what (if any) effect does test have on v02 max/ endurance?