Alright enough about what works for ON cycle. lets get thinking about OFF time periods. Periods of recovery and baseline boring-ness for lack of a better term. My mindset towards the whole thing is that I look at being ON is an investment requiring certain sacrifice. This investment will then benefit me in the future if I maintain it and monitor it. I do believe that any gains beyond a certain genetic limit will slowly be lost when not using substances or practices to maintain that. It's just what the body wants. However I think many people rely too heavily on being "ON" and think that OFF time is wasteful. Well i find this attitude conducive to nothing but risk and eventual dependence (be it psychological or medical). My personal standards are to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve my goal without sacrificing health. My body is my temple. Its the only one I was given and I will treat it accordingly. This should be the attitude around here....
anyway, we shouldn't be on a constant roller coaster of gaining and loosing. it makes for less net benefit and more use of gear and drugs. I think that we should invest more time in maximizing the OFF time to at least hold onto the muscle that we were assisted in gaining.
what I can think of is:
-clean diet: probably most important. the more consistent and quality this is the easier it is to manipulate the physique.
-PREVENTING OVERTRAINING: I'd say when OFF cycle the best workout program (at least for me and IMO) would be undertraining intentionally. Keeping intensity high and weight high, but minimizing volume compared to ON cycle. I will probably be adapting a modified powerlifting routine off cycle. I will use a lot of Compound movements like squatting and Deadlifting. The natural hormonal responses to such exercises are very beneficial. Slacking on smart training will probably lead to catabolism.
-Preventing catabolism:
Cortisol SUCKS. I think when OFF I will employ a cortisol suppression / control regime. I use about 2g vitamin C a day with about 1g of it being after a workout for cortisol control. Additionally I will add Relora and maybe cycle it with something like Retain 2. Proper sleep and nutrition (food and supplements) will lead to less stress and thereby less cortisol.
IGF-1 and other peptides would be a good way to maintain and even possibly gain some LBM while not on steroids.
Creatine can help keep muscles full and strong
BCAA's are going to be a staple for their anti-catabolic properties
bulk nettle root is something I will use year round for its various benefits (not limited to test boosting and SHBG manipulation).
the above can just act as a starting point. It is My opinion and current strategy. I am sure other's have opinions and comments. Possibly changes to suggest to the information.
anyway, we shouldn't be on a constant roller coaster of gaining and loosing. it makes for less net benefit and more use of gear and drugs. I think that we should invest more time in maximizing the OFF time to at least hold onto the muscle that we were assisted in gaining.
what I can think of is:
-clean diet: probably most important. the more consistent and quality this is the easier it is to manipulate the physique.
-PREVENTING OVERTRAINING: I'd say when OFF cycle the best workout program (at least for me and IMO) would be undertraining intentionally. Keeping intensity high and weight high, but minimizing volume compared to ON cycle. I will probably be adapting a modified powerlifting routine off cycle. I will use a lot of Compound movements like squatting and Deadlifting. The natural hormonal responses to such exercises are very beneficial. Slacking on smart training will probably lead to catabolism.
-Preventing catabolism:
Cortisol SUCKS. I think when OFF I will employ a cortisol suppression / control regime. I use about 2g vitamin C a day with about 1g of it being after a workout for cortisol control. Additionally I will add Relora and maybe cycle it with something like Retain 2. Proper sleep and nutrition (food and supplements) will lead to less stress and thereby less cortisol.
IGF-1 and other peptides would be a good way to maintain and even possibly gain some LBM while not on steroids.
Creatine can help keep muscles full and strong
BCAA's are going to be a staple for their anti-catabolic properties
bulk nettle root is something I will use year round for its various benefits (not limited to test boosting and SHBG manipulation).
the above can just act as a starting point. It is My opinion and current strategy. I am sure other's have opinions and comments. Possibly changes to suggest to the information.