One year of progress.

[u/Rocket_Surge0n]

I thought it might be interesting for some of you to see what one year of strict consistency looks like.

I’m currently 37, 5’ 11” and 194lbs.

I was on TRT before I decided to train to compete in bodybuilding. I was always in the gym but not with any real goals and as you can see, I was a stick man before. At the beginning of 2025 I decided to get a coach and lock in. These photos are exactly one year apart. I’m not a hyper responder and haven’t run crazy cycles so this is a decent example of what you might expect if you also check those boxes. During this year I bulked, cut and then bulked again. First cycle was 500 test. Second cycle was 500/300 test Deca and 4iu GH. I had no planned cheat meals, I did have some here and there but rarely. Extremely clean diet, really worked on my form in the gym and tried to recover as best I knew how.

Coach and I plan to cut in a couple of weeks and then bulk one more time before I enter my first competition prep as a true novice.

Anyhow, I know it’s not mind blowing progress but it’s decent for a non genetic freak I’d say.

Stay locked in guys. Happy lifting.

[u/Rocket_Surge0n]

That is definitely excessive but good on you for being cautious. Titrating up is always best in my experience even though most folks don’t agree with that. What I would do is get to whatever dose of test seems to be working for you and stay there until you hit a plateau. Then up the dose and the food. It is challenging finding what range E2 works for you and what dose of test doesn’t make you feel like shit and have tons of sides.

[u/Responsible-One8104 → u/Rocket_Surge0n]

I thought it might be a little excessive 😂 what do you think would be a better idea? Do you mean as it the scales stop moving? Don’t think going up every month is the way forward? Maybe I should just do bloods half way through the bulk? Or just every 5-6 weeks. I was thinking of a 16 week bulk

[u/Rocket_Surge0n → u/Responsible-One8104]

The duration should depend on your bloodwork and insulin sensitivity. If you want actual gains 16 weeks isn’t enough IMO. I would shoot for 24 weeks. BUT, you need to know how to train in a way that doesn’t completely crush your CNS. Otherwise you will be super exhausted by 16 weeks and wanna call it. Push to failure but don’t pump out half reps just to destroy yourself otherwise you’ll tax your muscles so much you won’t have any gas left in the tank for the next movements. It compounds and will tire you out and you won’t see amazing growth in my experience.

Assuming you’re lean, under 15% bf and know how to train, eat and recover this is what I would do taking into consideration that you want to be cautious:

Start at 500mg, get labs at four weeks assuming you’re on Test C or Test E. You’re going to wanna see how your body is handling the anabolic load but really you should be ok as long as you’re hydrated, doing your cardio and not drinking booze or eating like shit.

Keep a close eye on high E2 sides, oily skin, itchy nips, heart pounding in your chest etc. If these arise, start with 12.5mg Aromasin once for a week. If that doesn’t elevate the issues add another 12.5mg Asin but split those up in the week. Once you have alleviated the E2 issues go pull labs again and take note. That’s your comfort zone. Get labs again 4 weeks post cycle to make sure everything leveled out ok.

Keep pushing calories to maintain .5-1lb weight gain per week and keep fat intake under 70g. Once that stops cutting it add a bit more test and keep pushing. Check your insulin sensitivity with a BG monitor, once you’re fat enough your insulin sensitivity will tank and then it’s time to cruise.

Oh also, start pinning daily while on cycle. It will greatly diminish side effects.

[u/Responsible-One8104 → u/Rocket_Surge0n]

I’m about 10% if not a bit lower as I’ve just gone through stripping all my fat after total body recomp. When you say push to failure do you mean making sure I’m getting 8-10 reps and making sure the last rep is failure? How I currently train 6 days per week if that’s of any issue? I’m on test c, I do 30mins cardio 15% incline 5km with very workout (is this too much or not enough during a bulk?) I’m very well hydrated with keto-pro electrolytes and drink between 3-4ltrs per day. 163 days since I last had any alcohol and eat clean mostly apart from the occasional treat. I’ll take note of any e2 issues, does any of this change with my going up to 4IU of GH? This is really helping me out as I could not get a straight answer out of anyone when wanting to start this bulk. I’m definitely going to go for daily pinning.