Halfway through Epi... Bump up dose?

[wes_mantooth]

Ran Hdrol for first cycle. Running Epi now as second cycle. Everything is legit as far as support and PCT.

Tomorrow will be the start of the fourth week. Was planning on running it at 40mg all the way through. However, I'm not really having any sides (blood pressure is fine, which was a little elevated on Hdrol) except for mild back pumps which aren't too worrisome and the taurine can't help with. I'm kinda having a hard time determining whether it's effective for me at this dose or not.

I'm eating around maintenance to try a sortof recomp type deal. Dirty bulked on Hdrol so I'm not expecting the same type gains. My goals are primarily appearance based and I can't really tell much of a difference so far. Strength hasn't really gone up any in the gym, although I am training more in the 8-15 range instead of the 3-6 range I was training at.

I've got two bottles left. Was planning on running the cycle til the end of the second bottle, but am thinking maybe I should bump up the dose and crack into the third one. What do you guys think? Ride out 40 or bump it up?

[CurlsRock]

Only you can really determine its effectivness, I'm in the middle of an epi cycle myself and just bumped up to 40 last week...I saw great gains at 30-40mg. My strength gains really kicked in around week 3, however I started gaining weight my first week. Up 12 lbs now. If your questioning its effectiveness, it might be time to up the dose. If this stuff is working like it should you would be able to tell, and you shouldn't have any doubts

[wes_mantooth]

I'm probably up about five pounds from when I started, but I don't feel "on" like I did with HDrol. I hate to go through the whole cycle at 40 and regret not bumping it up, but I also want to get as much out of as little as possible for as long as I can. I can always run another Epi cycle again, although I was planning on trying out some SD I have sometime this winter. Once I go there, I doubt Epi's gonna do it for me!

[CurlsRock]

I've never used H drol, so i can't speak on its behalf... I deff have the on feeling with epi tho..My bench, squat and shoulder press are dramatically increasing. I was originally going to run 1 bottle but decided after week 2 that i would buy a second bottle and run it for an additional 2 weeks. You might just respond to h drol better, but id deff think of extending your cycle so you at least feel like your getting something out of this...Some people run epi a lot higher, 50 - 70 range...try bumping it up 10 mg...good luck...let me know how it turns out

[wes_mantooth]

Just realized I forgot to put that in my original post. I'm running a six week cycle here.

[shiva4]

listen to your body, if everything is fine and you arent getting any sides give it a shot. i just started my fourth week and I have increased to 50mg. Im noticing a huge difference, not sure if its the higher dose or the fact that im dosing 3 times throughout the day; 20mg, 20mg and 10mg

[nightlife138]

up it a little

[shiva4]

i would also like to state that dorthy man tooth is a saint! A SAINT!!

[wes_mantooth]

Yes, she is, but you better not take her out for a nice seafood dinner and then never call her again!

[agito]

dont go higher than 14 reps ideally if i had to choose 1 rep range 6-8 would be the one

[wes_mantooth]

Sorry, buddy, but there is no "ideal" range. Jim Wendler was just talking today about doing T-bar upright rows for sets of 20 in between pressing movements. Platz used to do sets of 20, 50, even 100 reps of squats. I know where you're coming from and I agree that most people need to focus on getting stronger and the mass will come, but you can't just throw out one rep range and say it's the best for everyone without knowing a person's physiology, history, goals, etc. I normally pyramid up in weight and top out around 4-8 on the final set. I'm not doing strictly pump work by any means.

[jcrsix]

If u you wanna get those rancid, awful, smelly, juicy, squishy, leaky, epi shits... GO 4 IT! =)

[agito]

Sorry, buddy, but there is no "ideal" range. Jim Wendler was just talking today about doing T-bar upright rows for sets of 20 in between pressing movements. Platz used to do sets of 20, 50, even 100 reps of squats. I know where you're coming from and I agree that most people need to focus on getting stronger and the mass will come, but you can't just throw out one rep range and say it's the best for everyone without knowing a person's physiology, history, goals, etc. I normally pyramid up in weight and top out around 4-8 on the final set. I'm not doing strictly pump work by any means.

hes only doing 1 rep range i would actually would prefer periodisation but he seems only to work 1 rep range please read this article behind the reason i mentioned it also there is evidence below 65% 1 rm or over 14 reps causes less optimal growth granted aas users can do anything (i believe most people at westside use which i dont care but this must be factored in) within reason but this may not be optimal

Reps Per Set for Optimal Growth | BodyRecomposition - The Home of Lyle McDonald

[wes_mantooth]

I've read McDonald's stuff. I'm not saying I disagree, but there is a time and place for everything and definitely more than one way to skin a cat. As you can see, I'm going through a wide range of rep ranges during each workout, and I also have periods of time where I focus more on hypertrophy (like now), more on strength, etc., and adjust my training accordingly. Thanks for the input though.

[agito]

I've read McDonald's stuff. I'm not saying I disagree, but there is a time and place for everything and definitely more than one way to skin a cat. As you can see, I'm going through a wide range of rep ranges during each workout, and I also have periods of time where I focus more on hypertrophy (like now), more on strength, etc., and adjust my training accordingly. Thanks for the input though.

Its all cool what your describing is periodisation which i mentioned i also employ the same pricniple.
good luck

[corrections101]

what would rob say