Bodybuilding.com - Steroid Q & A Part 15!

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Did you know?
On July 25th 1997, Craig Titus was arrested for steroids. Dan Solomon took some time to hang out recently with Kelly Ryan & Craig Titus, click here to read the full story.

Find out how long you need to take off before starting a new cycle, if in pre-contest you can take GH without the use of Slin, if HM Gear is worth trying and more...

Part 15

By: Author Rea

Note: This is part fifteen of Author's steroid Q & A, Click here for part one!

Notice: Bodybuilding.com and the author(s) do not condone or encourage the use of these compounds, this information is for entertainment purposes only. The advice given in these articles should never replace the advice of a licensed medical professional. Refrain from using these substances if they are outlawed by local, state or federal law in your area. We are not responsible for the misinterpretation of the following texts. You agree by clicking on the following links that you are over 18 years old and will not hold us responsible for your use or misuse of the compounds detailed.

Hi Mr. Rea!,

I have a few Questions for you, I purchased your books 1 and 2 , and I just read BTPB in 2 days......

Congratulations on putting such an informative book for advance guys like us who cannot afford Chad Nichols, Tom Prince... or even you for that matter he he!

Question 1

Question 2
Do you train the same way when ON and when OFF, or do you cut on volume. When I'm off I usually do 3/4 of the sets I used to do when ON. Is this good?

Question 3
In my pre-contest Phase, can I take GH without the use of Slin?

Question 4
When on GH for 16 weeks Pre Contest, do I have to use T3 all the way ?

Thanks in advance man!
- Danny

As to the questions you ask, they are all answered in BTPB in several different formats. You just need to please read more closely. I wrote the book as a study text that requires several readings to get all that it contains. I would not think you would want any book of info that could be read once and easily absorb all it contains.

Answer 1:
The length of time taken off post-cycle depends upon the length of the protocol and what drugs and supplements were used during it.

You ask in regard to a 42-day cycle and no doubt you have heard the off period is equal to the period on. Well, I am sure that somewhere somehow someone meant well when coining that idea, but there certainly is no science behind it.

Off periods are based upon the effects the protocol had upon the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes-Axis (HPTA). When drugs that aromatize heavily like testosterone or methandrostenolone, and/or progestin-like drugs such as nandrolone or trenbolone are used there is a negative feed-back loop that signals testes shut-down for natural androgen production. But?

If effective dosages of anti-aromatase and anti-progestin drugs are employed during a protocol, the shut-down of testicular function is less severe.

So the answer is that (assuming a correctly structured AAS protocol) one has used proper estrogen/progestin control, and done post-cycle therapy, most will maintain 35-50% normal HPTA function with a 2-4 week off period from AAS.

Answer 2:
Attempting to do superhuman work-outs when not superhumanly enhanced in itself means lean tissue loss simply because an athlete will destroy more tissue than can be naturally rebuilt. This is why I have expanded upon the Estrogen/Cortisol Control Phases in Building The Perfect Beast.

While employing AAS an athlete experiences a decrease in activity from cortisol release.

As most are aware, cortisol is an adrenal hormone that is quite catabolic to muscle tissue (it eats it up as an energy source). All AAS have some level of anti-cortisol value in that they merge with and block cortisol receptors. Some like trenbolone and nandrolone just do a better job is this area.

During off periods cutting 20-30% of volume is a must for the first few weeks post protocol while HPTA function begins to recover and natural androgen production improves.

Those using HIT programs need to try a few weeks of volume training or reduce the work-loads employed.

Answer 3:
Using insulin with GH is very synergistic for muscular growth. However, during the pre-contest period when hardcore calorie restriction in used, there is a very concerning increase in danger that arises. Since insulin use inhibits fat loss, well you get the point.

Answer 4:
16 weeks of GH/T-3 without a break is not long-term effective. This is due to the somatostatin negative feedback loop that shuts down natural GH release by the pituitary gland. A better option has been:

Week:

1-3 - GH/T-3
4 Kynoselen (2ml)/Aromabolan 200mg EOD/Guggulsterones

5-7 - GH/T-3
8 Kynoselen (2ml)/Aromabolan 200mg EOD/Guggulsterones

9-11 - GH/T-3
12 Kynoselen (2ml)/Aromabolan 200mg EOD/Guggulsterones

Good Day Coach!

I cannot thank you enough for your insight into bodybuilding science and the doors you open to everyone who you share your knowledge with. I have read your book CME and BTPB several times and have just two questions to ask...

If the body adapts to any attempts to alter homeostasis within a protracted time frame (i.e. two weeks) and we the bodybuilder try to avoid this by utilizing short layered protocols then why is it that a company like HM Gear states that you can use some of their products for up to twelve weeks and then take an equal amount of time off?

It sounds like what they're saying is that in their case; it takes the body twelve weeks to catch on. Also when will I be able to buy your products? I can't wait.

You are correct in that shorter more homeostasis friendly AAS (or any androgen for that matter) protocols are progressively beneficial far beyond that of the standard 8-16 week cycles some favor? if proper Phase Cycling is followed.

For those readers whom have not read Building The Perfect Beast, Phase Cycling and Layered Protocols are techniques for maintaining an anabolic or growth environ year round without non-stop AAS administration. The method is healthier and simply more effective than old school chemistry. (Yup!)

You have to realize that some androgens effect HPTA and other systems in the body less negatively than others. Of course this is why I have outlined several different dosing and administration protocols in my books dependant upon the products used.

In the case of HM Gear products, they primarily focus upon Hydroxy- androgens such as Testosterone-OH, Nandrolone-OH and Aromabolan. The first two do not aromatize to estrogens or possess progestin-like effects, and the last one is an anti-aromatase/anti-progestin that decreases the body's natural levels of both of these HPTA inhibiting hormones. The result of proper use is a far greater limitation in negative feed-back loops of any sort and a high degree of lean mass tissue retained post cycle.

Of Course, HM Gear also offers Oxanavar, Testriol 2, and Burn Free 1 Test, but none are highly inhibitive by design. But all are quite anabolic!

I have used them a great deal and feel the lad's over at HM Gear have done a very good job at providing great quality and even better products.

So how would I structure a protocol utilizing these products? I would run two 6-week periods. Each would consist of a 2-week high-androgen period for strength and lean mass gains and a 2-week high anabolic/low androgenic period for tissue solidification. Then a 2-week period for HPTA regeneration.

The first 6 weeks I would follow a diet providing 18-20 calories per pound of bodyweight daily and a macronutrient breakdown of 40% protein, 40% carbohydrates and 20% fats.

The second 6-week period I would drop the calories to 12-15 calories per pound of bodyweight daily and alter my macronutrient break-down to 60% protein, 15% carbohydrates (vegetables only) and 25% fats (focused upon EFFA's).

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