Cycle advice for a (nearly) 40 year old AAS virgin

[fourarms]

I could really use a little advice in selecting a first cycle. I've read lots, but there's so much contradictary info out there, my head is spinning. I'm close to 40yrs old, been eating right and training recreationally for 3 yrs consistently. I'm in the low 170 lb range at 8-9% BF. I'd like to add 10-15 lbs this winter, but building tendon strenght is a priority. I came to lifting late, so I don't think my joints and tendons have developed as well as if I'd started younger. I intend to keep lifting for the long term, so I'd really like to build up my base before adding too much muscle. I was thinking test enth and Eq, maybe Anavar? Anyway, I'd like some guidance from the older guys on the direction they would take if they were just starting out now that they have experience. Thanks guys.

[Van Zan]

I think u need to start working on your diet before even thinking to use AS. With the right diet you will easily add 10-15 lbs of muscle . As for your tendon, AS will only worsen your situation. You are better off focusing on a training regime that will work for you.

1) work on your diet
2) work on your training

[big_luse]

If your concerned about tendon integrity incorporate AAS that increase procollagen 3 synthesis; deca, Eq, primo, and var.

Also, as youve mentioned keep dosages reasonable and avoid the big aromatizers to avoid throwing 30lbs on a frame that isnt ready for it.

Test + var, eq, or primo all are good options for the goals you have in mind. Im sure some expereinced vets can chime in and advise you on dosages.

[AlbertaBeef]

Agree, low dose test and EQ/deca however the key will be training and diet. I started at your age and the strength gains will make it hard for you not want to pull some heavy ass weights, I did and by the end of my cycle I had every joint wrapped and tensored and I looked like the friggin mummy. High reps low weights to build tendon strength and proper diet to make it happen.

[fourarms]

Thanks for the input, but I don't think my diet is holding me back. I can add weight over the winter, but my gains are slow and its not a calorie deficit. The last time I tried to add weight I put on 11 lbs in 9 wks, but only 3.5 was LBM and rest was fat. That was running tribulus and training heavy. I'm pretty sure my test is on the low side, in the past with similar lifting/diet and no trib I had minimal gains.

On the tendon side, I thought Eq and anavar were good for promoting collagen synthesis. I was only thinking of a low dose of test around 200mg/wk and 300mg/wk Eq as suggested by Ultrasafe's post about AAS and Joints.

[fourarms]

That was in reply to van zan, sorry I type slow.

[fourarms]

Agree, low dose test and EQ/deca however the key will be training and diet. I started at your age and the strength gains will make it hard for you not want to pull some heavy ass weights, I did and by the end of my cycle I had every joint wrapped and tensored and I looked like the friggin mummy. High reps low weights to build tendon strength and proper diet to make it happen.

What do you mean by high reps? When I'm trying to add weight I usually go 4wks in the 8-12 rep range, 1 week rest, then 3 weeks 3-4 reps on compound lifts like deadlifts, squats, and presses. Even with the week off, by the end my elbows and knees are really sore. What rep range are you suggesting, 10-12 or higher yet?

[Drifter]

I was only thinking of a low dose of test around 200mg/wk and 300mg/wk Eq as suggested by Ultrasafe's post about AAS and Joints.

I always suggest a higher dose of test with your other hormone . this will keep your libido up .

good to see you just want a reasonable cycle I suggest 300 mg test E and 200 mg EQ ( if you want to run EQ over deca ) for 16 weeks but run the test one week longer than the eq or deca ( they have longer esters )
dont really need the var IMHO and have some Nolvadex or Clomid ( or both ) with you BEFORE you start your cycle . I have known people to start their cycles before having all their pct in hand

good luck bro and keep us unformed on your choice and results

[Blitz-Test]

I would not use Deca in your situation because you might not recover

[Van Zan]

I would not use Deca in your situation because you might not recover

@40 I would just stay on TRT lol

[fourarms]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help.

I've got some concerns with the clomid and nolvadex after reading Eric Potratz's articles on their links to liver cancer, etc.

I was thinking hCG during cycle as many on the site have suggested, and have letro or aromasin on hand if needed. Any viable options for PCT that don't involve clomid or nolva that are domestically available?

[L3]

Any viable options for PCT that don't involve clomid or nolva

no bro, risk vs benefit here

[Drifter]

thats always a prefference , your gonna get a lot of different opinions on that .
I prefer using Nolvadex , then second is clomid . I dont like using hcg but thats my preference I have had decent comeback from using nolvadex so why fix somting that isnt broke for me .

[fourarms]

Not the answer I'd hoped for, but not unexpected. Thanks.

[big_luse]

^the clomid - nolvadex article is a joke. Its a propaganda peice constructed by a supplement company called Primordial Performance. They sell spray on OTC "nutient" pcts that give some people such bad allergic reactions that they need to seek medical help.

Read the article carefully, outside of the anecdotal evidence suggesting breast cancer survivors treated with Nolva had a higher incidence of liver cancer (which could simply have been due to metastasis) they have nothing. Lets also not forget the typical novla treatment after breast cancer surgery is 5 years ED @ 20-40mgs!.

Doing a 40,40,20,20 shouldnt hurt a healthy male.

[fourarms]

Thanks big luse, that's reassuring. I gotta run and pick up the kids, thanks to everyone for the input. Later.

[AlbertaBeef]

What do you mean by high reps? When I'm trying to add weight I usually go 4wks in the 8-12 rep range, 1 week rest, then 3 weeks 3-4 reps on compound lifts like deadlifts, squats, and presses. Even with the week off, by the end my elbows and knees are really sore. What rep range are you suggesting, 10-12 or higher yet?

Exactly, you're in a catch 22 and damned if you do and damned if you don't. Priorites - strengthen your joints now and add meat on later safely and less painfully and be able to continue for many years. You have to think ahead and high reps is 12-20 for me.

[ironwill]

Well, i would start with a low dose of test only to see how you react to it...Like 250 mgs per week of enanthate or something similar, if all is good, take a bit of eq as an add...Personally i would just stick to test unless you are competing etc...and play with doses that work without adding in anti-es etc...way overated IMO..Plus you need a certain amnt of estrogen to produce igf-1 which is a nice side effect of test...
As far as pct, myself, i taper off test slowly over several weeks, maybe a couple of weeks worth of winnie at 25 mgs per day at the end...I dont use chlomid, or nolva anymore ...I use a bit of hcg for my last 4 weeks at 250 ius eod until 5000 ius is done...
I know some will jump all over this, but it is how MY body works, ive been doing this awhile now, and i had a good relation with my sports doc all backed up with several blood tests...He was more interested than i was at my results and took all kinds of tests for me....So i know how i recover and how long it takes etc to get free test natural back in tune...
Good luck, keep it low and journal how you feel and effects you see etc...
no-one can give you a positive reply....only you will know when you try..
i am almost the big 40 myself......
look into dc training to reach your goals ...also remember stimulate, dont annihiliate...very important, once i figured this aspect out, i started making incredible (for me) gains in a short time period..

[giannos]

remember stimulate, dont annihiliate...very important, once i figured this aspect out, i started making incredible (for me) gains in a short time period..

Awesome quote bro !!! But only for weights right ? Can we still annihilate our women, especially on high doses of test :D

[Blitz-Test]

Do something like

Testosterone Enanthate 400mg/week 1-12
Dianabol 40mg/ed 1-6
hCG 500IU 1-14

Nolva 40/20/20/20/20/20
Week 15/16/17/18/19/20