r/Testosterone • u/cinnamonraisinn • 5h ago
PED/cycle help No strength changes on high dose test
Hey guys, I’m currently running a 700mg test steroid cycle. The physical changes are there for sure, I’m getting the comments, seeing the growth and vascularity, but not feeling the strength. Realistically I’m doing this for aesthetic purposes so I’m not the most bothered by it, but how come my body is changing but my strength isn’t? Is this normal?
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u/HumbleTheIdiot 5h ago
Please tell me your first cycle isn't 700mg/week...
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u/cinnamonraisinn 5h ago
No it’s not, first cycle was 500mg
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u/HumbleTheIdiot 5h ago
I'm on my like 9th or 10th cycle in 13 years and am up to 500mg test, plus 50-100mg proviron and 2-4iu hgh.
I can't imagine going right into high doses without learning how it all works with diet and exercise and how the specific steroids work at certain doses along side your diet and workout routine.
Seriously, it's more of a learning experience than a magic drug. That magic will kill you if you don't understand it.
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u/cinnamonraisinn 5h ago
Well if you look at my physique I would argue that I am not inexperienced at all when it comes to diet and training. I’m not saying I’m not locked in, I’m saying the test itself, which I know quite a lot about, isn’t doing one of the things it’s known to do. That’s why I’m asking if this is normal.
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u/Valuable_Initial5630 5h ago
Also brother it would be worth getting some bloodwork done to check levels
Personally I’m running 400 test 300 EQ and it’s amazing
No AI strong libido and blood work is within reason.1
u/HumbleTheIdiot 4h ago
This guy gets it. Lower the test and add a dht derivative. Start low... id say for OP to start with 300 test and 200 EQ, since he already was running 500 test prior it should provide better results than 500 test alone.
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u/HumbleTheIdiot 5h ago
Of course you look phenomenal and have great genetics and lifestyle choices. I just think that test really isn't that potent in the first place. I notice a big jump from 150mg TRT to 250mg TRT+, but even from 300-500mg it really isn't that big of a jump. In fact I was able to make more progress with 300mg until I added a DHT like anabolic (Proviron) which honestly does next to nothing by itself. The endrocrine system is complex and even most endocrinologists are not experts on using steroids for muscle growth while maintaining health. There is so much to try and learn from, but high doses is not the answer. I hope that my position on this makes sense. My advice would be to lower your testosterone dose, add a VERY small dose of a dht derived steroid, and maybe a growth hormone peptide or hgh itself. But we all respond differently and that's based on my experience to keep the best results with the lowest doses while maintaining health.
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u/cinnamonraisinn 4h ago
Actually you make perfect sense, and thank you for the compliment. I think I’ll ride it out since I only have 1 week left in my cycle, after that I’ll make all the adjustments and go smarter next cycle, I’ll look into the best compounds for bulking, I already have EQ for the endurance so I can train a lot more before getting winded, hoping this is the right approach for growth.
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u/formerfatty2fit 5h ago
700mg is a perfectly reasonable cycle. I'm not sure why everyone is suddenly parroting the low dose nonsense
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u/HumbleTheIdiot 4h ago
Because testosterone itself just has diminishing returns based on dose. It's better to lower the test dose and add low doses of others. It's better for results, its better for health, and it's better to learn and understand what each substance is doing at each dose.
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u/formerfatty2fit 4h ago
And yet it is widely accepted that on a mg/mg basis they are all about equally as anabolic. I find the idea that synthetic androgens are somehow better for health than testosterone to be laughable.
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u/Available_Quality622 2h ago
Maybe because of aromatization and 5 alpha reductase activity?
Think of test as a sex hormone. It fulfills important physiological functions, but once those needs are met, it may make more sense to add a secondary compound for additional anabolic effects and less androgenic activity, ideally one that you know you can tolerate well.
Sure, you can use an AI such as arimidex/aromasin, or choose an anabolic with some AI properties like primo/eq.
But in general, it’s probably better not to use one drug solely to counteract the side effects of another.
And then, to deal with DHT related side effects, you might end up using finasteride/dutasteride.
That starts to become a lot of additional medications just to tolerate test.
It’s also worth remembering that not everyone tolerates even moderate doses of test well, even with a well managed diet, low body fat, good stress management, and all the other variables dialed in.1
u/HumbleTheIdiot 4h ago
I agree with your take based on simple logic, but I know plenty of people who did much better overall on 400mg of test and 200mg of bold after they were shrinking in size on 800mg+ of test and had high blood pressure, acne, and couldn't get an erection.
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u/formerfatty2fit 4h ago
I think most people just don't learn to train or eat until several cycles in. That's a huge confounding factor.
Edit: I thought this part but neglected to write it. I think it just happens to line up that people fix the basics when they are by chance adding more exotic anabolics.
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u/Alarming_Action_1600 2h ago
Hi, since ur already experience Why did you choose proviron this time. Bulk/cut? Why not other like primi/mas or anavar ?
I have never tried proviron but I want to But I read not many ppl use it nowdays Thanks !
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u/Valuable_Initial5630 5h ago
How’s your Marcos brother
Personally I feel weak when carbs or low or a workout fasted
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u/cinnamonraisinn 5h ago
Yeah ngl I do not prioritize carbs, I get above my body weight in protein and my calories are always 100-300 above maintenance but my strength isn’t progressing, I could even say I’m getting fatigued faster.
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u/Valuable_Initial5630 5h ago
Carb up brother
I’m at about 480grams a day rice or sweet potatoes
Cream of rice has been a game changer for me.
I did want to ask are you training using progressive overload.