Virgin Cycle Critique (and first post)

[Broscience101]

First post on the forums!

Current Stats:
6'1
175 pounds
8% body fat.

So I decided to join the "darkside" of the bodybuilding world and go the PH route to increase mass. I've been lifting 5+ years. This will be my first cycle, and after some extensive studying I've decides to go with epistane. I'll be taking a multivitamin and fish oil throughout.

Pre cycle:
Milk Thistle

On-Cycle:
Epistane @ 40/40/40/40/40/40
Organ Shield @ recommended dosage
Glucosamine
Milk Thistle if needed.

PCT:
LiquiNolva 20/20/10/10
X-Lean @ recommended dosage
Post-Cycle Support from Anabolic Innovations
Tribulus as needed
-I'll also be supplementing creatine monohydrate for the length of the PCT and about 2 weeks after.

I'm hoping to put on a decent amount of mass to kick start my new bulking program. 5 day split with LISS cardio for 15 minutes after lifting 3x a week. I'll be shooting for hypertrophy with 3-4 sets in the 8-12 rep range (8 for compound movements and 8-12 for isolation.) My diet has been on point for the past few years, I'll be shooting for 200g protein/ 400+g carbs/ 50g fats. The carbs will be the classic complex sources like oats (love oatmeal), sweet potatoes, brown rice, black beans. I plan on keeping my protein sources lean as well. Fats will come from healthful foods like avocado, natty peanut butter, etc. Will increase macro intake as weight is gained.

I'm also planning a second cycle already. I'm probably going to run D-zine at 30/45/45/45/45/45 and have my on-cycle and PCT be the same. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

[jamesdean1]

I haven't even done a cycle yet so you should double check.. but from what I've read, i think you need to preload hawthorn berry. Good luck!

Edit: On second thought Iv'e only been reading about hdrol lol my bad. so definitely double check that

[InRes]

Why not go with something like H-Drol? Just curious that's all.

[Broscience101]

From what I've read, Epistane is good for really lean gains if you use it to bulk. I've also read it's pretty mild as far as side effects go. This being my first cycle, I want to get some experience with a milder PH. My second cycle that I'm planning is still up in the air, I may go the H-drol route.

Also, from what I can tell, the store is out of H-drol currently and Epistane as dat dere sale price. Can't really pass it up.

[junkyarddogg]

Dont waste your time/money with milk thistle. Just go with hawthorne berry or celery seed for blood pressure and NAC for liver. ANd make you eat big on cycle and in pct. Your work in pct will make or break your gains.

[Broscience101]

Ordered a 400 count of hawthorne berry today after some more reading. I should have everything I need by next Friday. Probably going to kick off my bulk in August.

In regards to eating big, how much over caloric maintenance should I be consuming? I planned about 500 calories over, should I go any higher?

[C-smooth]

Ordered a 400 count of hawthorne berry today after some more reading. I should have everything I need by next Friday. Probably going to kick off my bulk in August.

In regards to eating big, how much over caloric maintenance should I be consuming? I planned about 500 calories over, should I go any higher?

If its 100% clean food...and your doing a little cardio...you can go over 500 cal. over.....but if your throwing in anything for cal. you will chub up even on epi...diet WILL make or break a bottle of Epi...and you will be lucky with 10lbs LM after pct...if your not focused..but I wish you luck....Epi is a fun compound...peace

[Broscience101]

My diet is consistently clean, I wash my foods in the bath tub.

But seriously, I may indulge in a cheat meal/day every now and again, but I probably won't risk it during my cycle and PCT. My focus has never been much of a problem either. I'll probably increase protein and carbs, but keep fats at 50g a day if I decide to go over a 500 calorie surplus.

[junkyarddogg]

You should think about installing a garbage diposal in your shower. If you go with the Clarkman, you've got to dismantle the latch hasp from the auxiliary drainage line. Manual says main line but its a misprint.

[ssg10587]

I personally am at 1000 calories over maintenance. If you decide to go that route, I would up your protein to 2x your lbm in lbs and fill in the rest with carbs. That is just me though. I am trying to get as much muscle out of my cycle as I can. Lot easier to lose fat than to gain muscle.

[Broscience101]

You should think about installing a garbage diposal in your shower. If you go with the Clarkman, you've got to dismantle the latch hasp from the auxiliary drainage line. Manual says main line but its a misprint.

I'll keep that in mind... Was never a good plumber or pipe-fitter. However, I can sure lay some.

I personally am at 1000 calories over maintenance. If you decide to go that route, I would up your protein to 2x your lbm in lbs and fill in the rest with carbs. That is just me though. I am trying to get as much muscle out of my cycle as I can. Lot easier to lose fat than to gain muscle.

I'm still in the natty mentality of making gains as lean as physically possible. I'll probably settle at around 750-1000 surplus because I am doing cardio 3x a week during my cycle.

[dml11]

from what I've read, i think you need to preload hawthorn berry.

This is correct.

HB should be started about 2 weeks before starting your PH/DS.

HB causes a temporary blood pressure spike when you first start taking it. Then it levels things out nicely.

Starting HB and a PH/DS at the exact same time would almost definitely cause a gnarly blood pressure spike and a banging headache.

[Broscience101]

I ordered plenty of HB earlier this morning from amazon, 400 tabs for $16. I'll definitely start taking it 2 weeks before my cycle now.

[InRes]

From what I've read, Epistane is good for really lean gains if you use it to bulk. I've also read it's pretty mild as far as side effects go. This being my first cycle, I want to get some experience with a milder PH. My second cycle that I'm planning is still up in the air, I may go the H-drol route.

Also, from what I can tell, the store is out of H-drol currently and Epistane as dat dere sale price. Can't really pass it up.

Ok. Makes sense. Good luck.

[bradray]

Yeah i got some decent headaches first week or so from epi 2a 3a from not pre loading ( i usually do not have blood pressure issues ) so take dml11's advice. I am learning that he is quite the knowledgeable person on this forum. Pay attention

[toshbrah]

lol 5 years of lifting and 6 ft 1 175 lbs? I don't think you're diet is in check or you're lifting properly naturally to start off with..

[CalebRM]

The dark side? Hell test isnt even the dark side. I'd say Tren with ample amounts of test would be the dark side.

[Broscience101]

lol 5 years of lifting and 6 ft 1 175 lbs? I don't think you're diet is in check or you're lifting properly naturally to start off with..

5 years counting my football days when I was lifting for power instead of size. I was also pretty overweight at the time. I ended up going from 260 to 165 in a year from hardcore dieting, cardio, and a steady weight program after high school ended. Then I bulked for a year and a half, 175 is my current weight after my recent cut.

So if you're referring to my current size based off my time lifting, you need to lose nearly 100 pounds and then say something.

[bradray]

Good luck with your run and hope everything turns out well. LBM is usually the thing gained on EPI so stick with it to the end and really push your lifting in pct so you can keep those mass gains you are trying to get.

[Beroo]

Good luck. The only side I got from it was acne, no headache, lethargy, dry joints, etc. but the acne was fucking bad and I still have it, never trying epi anymore, as a matter of fact the only ph I'm willing to try is SD, besides that im with the AAS now. Less sides, more gains.

[Broscience101]

Quick question... During PCT, should I decrease the volume during my sessions but keep weight relatively heavy? Or keep the exact same high volume split I do on-cycle?

[Justeatem]

I think for your first cycle, if you want to put on some decent mass but put on lean muscle still. I would do a Hdrol cycle over epi..
Epi is good for a cutting cycle and hardening, but overall muscle mass is minimal. (also drys your joints out something severe.... ouch)

H-drol would be good for a first cycle in my opinion.

[Broscience101]

I think for your first cycle, if you want to put on some decent mass but put on lean muscle still. I would do a Hdrol cycle over epi..
Epi is good for a cutting cycle and hardening, but overall muscle mass is minimal. (also drys your joints out something severe.... ouch)

H-drol would be good for a first cycle in my opinion.

Too late, already have my Epi sitting in my supplement collection.

[C-smooth]

5 years counting my football days when I was lifting for power instead of size. I was also pretty overweight at the time. I ended up going from 260 to 165 in a year from hardcore dieting, cardio, and a steady weight program after high school ended. Then I bulked for a year and a half, 175 is my current weight after my recent cut.

So if you're referring to my current size based off my time lifting, you need to lose nearly 100 pounds and then say something.

What you just wrote was the last year of my life I was at 260 and went to 230 then to 203....its HARD to lose that much and keep muscle...I even lost some ..I know....I hear ya though, no one knows unless they done it them self......epi would be good for you...it was great for me im running a log right now.....and I was born fat like you...lol

[C-smooth]

Quick question... During PCT, should I decrease the volume during my sessions but keep weight relatively heavy? Or keep the exact same high volume split I do on-cycle?

little less weight but little more volume...