GEORGE SPELLWIN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enlightening Men about Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding for over Two Decades
|
 Elite Fitness Bodybuilding, Anabolics, Diet, Life Extension, Wellness, Supplements, and Training Boards
 Anabolic Discussion Board
 What are your gains like between cycles?
|
| Author | Topic: What are your gains like between cycles? | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 81 |
I've read numerous times that once you cross over to "the dark side" that there is no turning back...so, what I would like to know is if any of you lads have experienced any significant gains in your lifts or muscle mass after introducing your body to AS but after or between cycles. Is it a necessity to begin another cycle to produce any more increases in your lifts and muscle mass after you "cross over"? My reasoning behind this is that after one or more cycles, the anabolic receptor develops a higher threshold of stimulus due to the unatural levels of androgens previously used. Therefore, it is necessary to elevate the levels of anabolic hormones once again in order to overcome the new threshold and to obtain any of the effects produced by activation of the anabolic receptor (ie. more muscle mass) Is my reasoning in this sound? The intent of this post is to know if I will see any more significant natural gains after I complete my first cycle...Your input is appreciated lads.     | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
there must be some educated respones on this... | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 537 |
I don't know about your threshold theory, but I'm sure moderate steroid usage doesn't greatly affect off cycle gains. I've been off my cycle for nearing 3 months now, and my off cycle gains are much greater than they were previous to the cycle. | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 998 |
I know for a fact that you can make good gains after a cycle. After my first cycle I went off gear for about 2 years. When you first come off you lose gains. Clomid or not you will some LBM. After about 2-3 months you start gaining back again. Then after about 6 months you can be about what you where at the peak of your cycle and start going into uncharted terrotories. But realistically if you are only off 2-3 months you wont gain more than what you had on cycle. You will at best maintain your gains until you start another cycle. This is my opinion and doesn't necesseraly reflect those of the elite fitness crew ------------------ | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 598 |
I do three 2-month cycles a year, in November, March, and July. I always lose weight, strength between cycles, but then I'm right back on. D. | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 998 |
I just want to make it clear that the lack of progress isn't because your body is used to having supraphysiological levels of test. The natural test does still get the job done. It's just that you will have a crash and your body will only hold on to so much muscle. It takes time to build muscle naturally. Once you are advanced you can probably only gain about 6-7 lbs of LBM a year naturally ------------------ | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 486 |
Drexx , i agree with you. U were right on about coming off your first cycle. I came off my first cycle and eventually lost everything , even with clomid and hard work. It took me exactly 6 months to gain it back naturally by working my ass off. It took about 2 months to get out of my hole after my cycle. -note: when i was building naturally though, i had a decreased motivation to do heavy compound movements. | ||
|
Cool Novice 
Posts: 46 |
I've seen posts claiming up to 30lbs of LBM in six months naturally. BWAHAHAHA Someone should tell them roids are holding them back if they can gain that much without them... B-) | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
Thanks for the responses lads, keep them coming... | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 83 |
I made a promise to myself not to start my next cycle until I match the max LBM of my last cycle after coming off. You can keep gaining, just not nearly as fast. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
Does anyone have any opinions regarding my theory on the "higher threshold of stimulus"? | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 998 |
I for one don't agree on your higher threshold theory. The reason it's harder to make gains after a cycle because you are further along your path to greatness. Follow me on this. The closer you get to your genetic limit the slower the gains come. This is regardless of drug use or being a natural. Say you where meant to be have a max of 190lbs of LBM. You start training and have 135lbs of LBM. You can take 8 years to gain the 55 lbs. You will notice the closer you get to your limit the slower the gains will come. Steroids just speed up the process. Say after your first cycle you bring your lean body mass to 75% of its potential it will be much harder to keep gaining since your are closer to your potential. It has nothing to due with receptor sensitivity. It has everything to do with your potential or setpoint. ------------------ | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
Good point Drexx, I didn't have those ideas in mind when thinking about this. But now that I do, don't you think that your natural genetic limit is imposed by such factors such as the threshold of stimulus required to stimulate anabolic receptors, (alongside other natural limiting factors such as your ability to synthesize and incorporate ingested protein?) | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 83 |
Exactly DREXX, thats why I like to obtain that max LBM after coming off one cycle before starting the next. That way I know I can hold that level of muscularity naturally, if not I know I would be dependant on juice to retain that level of size. It takes longer after each cycle but thats the way it works, your genetics will only allow for a certain level of mass without drugs. | ||
|
Moderator 
Posts: 1764 |
After multipe cycles, the receptors becomeless "receptive" to test. So you need to increase your dosages. This is why the first cycle can give you the best gains. Some say that HGH can "clean" receptors but I can't endorse that claim. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 81 |
...so skywalker, your point seems to lend support to my stance, is this correct? | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 998 |
Sorry Matt! I disagree the reasons the gains slow down is because you are getting closer or beyond your genetic limit. It has nothing to due with receptor downgrading. There is no data to support this. THE PROOF: Stop training and juicing for 3 months you will lose a ton of muscle. Then start juicing again you will gain alot as much or more than your first cycle. The receptors never down-graded it's just the bigger you get the harder it is to get bigger. The first cycle is better since your are at your smallest. You will make the most gains. Look at guys that waited 8-10 years after they started training to start juicing. They will make good gains but not as much as a newbie who just started training. It's all about genetic limits IMHO ------------------ |
All times are ET (US) | |
 |
|
|
posted October 28, 2000 02:25 AM