...It's gonna be EPIC with EPI-STRONG!!(a NTBM sponsored log)

[Killerkanadia]

Bad **** man, you'll be hitting 3 plates on bench pretty soon.

 

[RickRock13]

Bad **** man, you'll be hitting 3 plates on bench pretty soon.

Thanks a lot brother!! I hope that day comes soon

 

[MidwestBeast]

Kudos on the 295, man! Really awesome

 

[RickRock13]

Kudos on the 295, man! Really awesome

Thanks Pushing that weight up felt great!

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 32

60mg Epi

Weight: 189.5 (+14.5)

4272 Cals
357 Protein
313 Carbs
176 Fat

Back/Biceps

Wide Grip Pullups
BWx11x10x9

T-Bar Rows
180x12
205x9
225x7
205x8

Lat Pulldowns
200x10
210x9x9
220x8 PR!

Cable Rows
200x11 PR!
210x10 PR!
220x9x8 PR!

Bent Over DB Rows
90x12 PR!
100x10x9 PR!

Preacher Curls (at 90 degree angle)
65x11
75x9x8

Alt. DB Curls
50x8x7
45x9

Straight BB Curls
95x10
105x8
95x9

Not much different on strength from last Back/Bis workout. Felt good but Biceps just felt spent by the time I was done with Back.

I can tell the gains are really slowing down now that the cycle is a month in now. Weight has been pretty much the same this week, and the strength gains are slowing even though I am still seeing some.

Well even if the cycle ended right now and I went into PCT tomorrow, this cycle would have been a huge success I've gained about 15 lbs. and about 30 lbs. on all my major lifts. And I've gained even more on some other lifts like squats and Leg Press

I'll be a happy man if all I do for the rest of this cycle is maintain this weight and strength. My thinking is that it will be that much easier to keep in PCT the longer I have it on cycle.

Already trying to figure out what to run later this winter for my next cycle...:thinking:


maybe the Beast will call me...:sgrin:...I have 2 bottles already!! :sgrin:

 

[BarbellBeast]

damn bro this cycle has success written all over it.

gratz on the pr's man!

and 15lbs off epi. thats amazing bro, you killed it forsure. my man.

 

[RickRock13]

damn bro this cycle has success written all over it.

gratz on the pr's man!

and 15lbs off epi. thats amazing bro, you killed it forsure. my man.

Thanks man! I'd recommend this cycle for sure. Its been a blast

 

[Killerkanadia]

Diet has been on freakin point the whole time. Every day you tracking it was awesome man.

 

[Kristofer68SS]

So 45-60mg is the sweet spot on this EPI-Strong?

 

[RickRock13]

So 45-60mg is the sweet spot on this EPI-Strong?

Yep 45-60 for sure man! That was the money for me

 

[RickRock13]

Diet has been on freakin point the whole time. Every day you tracking it was awesome man.

Thanks a lot KK. I know my diet had a lot to do with my success

 

[scoooter]

Thanks a lot KK. I know my diet had a lot to do with my success

I would attribute the increased amount in fish oil to your reduced joint pain. I'm skeptical that Glucosamine and MSM would have had any significant contribution in such a short period time. Very impressive log, nice job.

 

[chocolatemilk]

Good job Rock! What's the plan now, when you heading into PCT?

That's a sh*t load of weight you put on with Epi... that's awesome.

If it treats you THAT good I wouldn't even bother going up to stronger compounds just yet. No point if Epi which is mild for sides is treating you this good.

 

[RickRock13]

Good job Rock! What's the plan now, when you heading into PCT?

That's a sh*t load of weight you put on with Epi... that's awesome.

If it treats you THAT good I wouldn't even bother going up to stronger compounds just yet. No point if Epi which is mild for sides is treating you this good.

Thanks Choc! I Have a little more than a week left on cycle, then hitting PCT

For the future, I do want to run Epi again sometime,but I do want to explore other compounds too. I have a big stash and I'm excited to have options for the future

 

[RickRock13]

I would attribute the increased amount in fish oil to your reduced joint pain. I'm skeptical that Glucosamine and MSM would have had any significant contribution in such a short period time. Very impressive log, nice job.

Thanks for the feedback scooter!

The fish oil I'm sure did help the most, but I know the glucosamine and MSM helped out too. I'm definitely pleased with how my joints feel with that nice little trio

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 33

60mg Epi

Weight: 189.5 (14.5)

Shoulders/Legs

Smith Machine Behind Neck Press
140x11
160x10x9x9

BB Upright Rows
115x10x9x9x8

Shrugs
270x13
320x10
340x9
320x10

Lateral Raises
45x11x10x10

Smith Machine Squats
180x12
270x10x10x9x8

Leg Extensions
180x11x10x10x10

Standing Calf Raises
180x15x15x13x12

Went a little bit light today in the gym since this was 2nd shoulders/legs workout of the week. Also felt a little beat up and needed to de-load a little before resting up the weekend. Workout went well without pushing too hard and joints are still feeling pretty good.

Weight still remains unchanged. I'm starting to think I've reached the limit for gains for this cycle Something I never have understood is why do your gains slow or stop after a few weeks on cycle? Is it because your receptors are just not doing what they was in the beginning? or does your body just get used to the compound and stop growing after a while?

I guess that brings me to my next question. My plan was to run this cycle a full 6 weeks, but now that the gains have slowed and the weight gain has stopped, should I maybe stop this cycle at 5 weeks (2 days) and start PCT to minimize further shutdown or continue to run the cycle for the week left I planned and maintain these gains on cycle as long as I can?

I'm just curious what all you guys would do. Right now I plan to run one more week unless I get enough people saying I should stop at 5 weeks.:feedback:

 

[chocolatemilk]

I don't know why gains stop...

Building muscle cannot be as simple as take a steroid and keep gaining. Obviously gains slow down to the point of even stopping later in the cycle. It seems like a natural healthy body has all the right chemistry to build muscle and just needs a strong androgen to start it. However, deeper into the cycle, maybe you've used up the resources that indirectly build muscle by shutting the testicles down.

I mean if you shut down testicular function, this must affect the body in multiple ways directly and indirectly.

I was thinking with non-aromatizing steroids like Epi, your estrogen gets pretty low. And for people who are on a test cycle, they say taking an AI, which reduces estrogen also reduces gains.

So if taking an AI will reduce gains, then taking Epi, which also brings your estrogen levels down should affect your gains over time. Estrogen I hear is useful to building muscle when in a good ratio to testosterone. So shut it off, and maybe this hinders gains?

Could also be receptors.

Could be loss of testicular function.

I don't know.

 

[Killerkanadia]

CM, you think cycles that don't aromatize are better off if you're using something like Dermacrine or M1-D?

 

[RickRock13]

I don't know why gains stop...

Building muscle cannot be as simple as take a steroid and keep gaining. Obviously gains slow down to the point of even stopping later in the cycle. It seems like a natural healthy body has all the right chemistry to build muscle and just needs a strong androgen to start it. However, deeper into the cycle, maybe you've used up the resources that indirectly build muscle by shutting the testicles down.

I mean if you shut down testicular function, this must affect the body in multiple ways directly and indirectly.

I was thinking with non-aromatizing steroids like Epi, your estrogen gets pretty low. And for people who are on a test cycle, they say taking an AI, which reduces estrogen also reduces gains.

So if taking an AI will reduce gains, then taking Epi, which also brings your estrogen levels down should affect your gains over time. Estrogen I hear is useful to building muscle when in a good ratio to testosterone. So shut it off, and maybe this hinders gains?

Could also be receptors.

Could be loss of testicular function.

I don't know.

Thanks for the feedback

A lot of what you are saying makes sense, but still doesn't really answer the question. Of everything I have read, and everything I have researched I never have seen anyone explain this. I've heard many people talk about different compounds and say gains will slow down or stop in week 3 of compound A and that gains will start drop off in week 5 of compound B, but nobody ever says why?:thinking:

I wish I knew where I could find information on this. It still wouldn't change anything, but at least I would know why

 

[RickRock13]

CM, you think cycles that don't aromatize are better off if you're using something like Dermacrine or M1-D?

I've heard a lot of people say cycles with a Test base are ALWAYS better. So I would say yes.

 

[Killerkanadia]

Or on the flip of taking a DHEA to convert to testosterone, taking something like HCGenerate could serve a double purpose.

 

[funkd0c]

Wow looking STRONG in here Rick!! Nice job on all the recent PR's!!!

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 36

60mg Epi

Weight: 190.5 (+15.5)

3584 Cals
329 Protein
348 Carbs
97 Fat

Haven't been able to update in a couple days. It was a busy weekend with Halloween and all the events surrounding it. I'm entering the final week of this cycle and hoping to end this week by setting some more PRs and head into PCT on a high note:sgrin:

I didn't get to go to the gym today because of work, and tomorrow is going to be the same way. So my next gym day will be wednesday, so on a positive note, I should be WELL rested after 4 days off and ready to KILL SOME SH*T!:sgrin:

I decided to cut my calories back around 500 or so to minimize any more fat gain as this cycle winds down. I'm still taking in over maintenance, but trying to stay between 3500-3800 cals down from 4000-4300 that I've been taking in for the last 5 weeks. I'll probably stay at 3500-3800 through PCT.

I did gain a little more weight on the scale and have been a little over 190 last couple days

My last chest workout on cycle is my next workout on wednesday, and I think I may try to get past 300 on Bench since I set that goal at the beginning of the cycle and I did hit 295 last week :sgrin:

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 38

60mg Epi

Weight: 190.5 (+15.5)

3814 Cals
344 Protein
289 Carbs
144 Fat

Chest/Triceps

Flat BB Bench Press
225x10
245x6
275x3 PR!
305x1 PR!:sgrin:
245x5
225x8

Incline Smith Press
180x10x10x9x8

Pec Deck Flye
130x11
140x9x8 PR!
130x10

Flat DB Press
90x9x8x8

Skullcrushers
85x14 PR!
95x11 PR!
105x9 PR!

Cable Pushdowns
130x10
140x9x8

Triceps Machine
280x12
290x10x10

My last chest and Tris workout on cycle and it was a good one! I hit another PR on Bench and got past my goal of hitting 300 with a press of 305 today

My goals for the cycle have all been met and I am very satisfied with how this cycle has went. Only 4 more days of Epi, and then it will be PCT time...

Doing some Back and Bis tomorrow, and I'm going to try and make it count

I took my end of cycle photos today and I'll be posting them up this weekend, so I am excited to see what they look like next to my pre-cycle pics.

 

[Killerkanadia]

Can't wait to see them pictures bud, and make these last 4 days count for sure!

 

[Tomahawk88]

Damn good job on breaking the 300 hundred mark on bench. Anxious to see how Epi-Strong treated u in the mirror.

 

[RickRock13]

Damn good job on breaking the 300 hundred mark on bench. Anxious to see how Epi-Strong treated u in the mirror.

Thanks man. Just a dime away from 3 plates feels good

 

[RickRock13]

Can't wait to see them pictures bud, and make these last 4 days count for sure!

Yeh man killin it 2 the end!!!

 

[MidwestBeast]

Congrats on the 305, man :cheers:. Pushing 3 plates feels good; you'll love it

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 41

Weight: 190 (+15)

Haven't had much time to update last couple days. Workouts have been decent with no notable changes in strength. My cals have been around 3800 and tomorrow is my last day on cycle. I am kinda excited to see what PCT brings and ready to be normal again

I will be posting up my progress pics tomorrow along with a PCT preview of what it will look like


Stay tuned:sgrin:

 

[RickRock13]

Starting weight: 175
Ending weight: 191 (+16)

THE CYCLE: Epi-Strong ran at 30/45/45/60/60/60

DIET: Diet was kept in excess of 4k cals every day except the last week, when it was cut back to around 3800. Protein was at 350-400g daily. Carbs were around 300-350 and fat was between 100-150.

MUSCLE: Epi-Strong was an EXCELLENT compound to pack on the muscle mass for me. I had muscle hardness almost immediately and the weight came on pretty quick as well. I was up 5 lbs after a week, 8.5 after 2 weeks, 12.5 after 3 weeks, and 14 lbs. after 4 weeks. After 4 weeks everything started slowing down and only gained a couple more lbs. over the last 2 weeks. The only measurement I took was arm size. I started right at 16" arms and blew them up to 16.75":sgrin:

STRENGTH: Strength gains were AWESOME on Epi-Strong and way better than I expected. I was repping 225 on flat bench at the beginning of my cycle for 4-5 reps and maxing out at 265. At the end of cycle I was repping 225 10-12 times and hit a new Bench PR of 305:sgrin:

SIDES: Sides were "almost" non-existant for the duration of the cycle. I had zero libido issues, zero BP issues other than I did have a couple spuratic migraines but I don't know if they were BP related. I had zero lethargy issues. The only things that I can think of that were sides were that about 3-4 weeks in you will notice your joints drying out due to lower estrogen and they WILL hurt. When that happened I did increase fishoil up to 9g and added in MSM and Glucosamine for the joints. This did help tremendously and did not hinder any workouts, but I could still tell it was there. I also got some acne at the beginning of the cycle, but it quickly went away and never returned. Positive sides were appetite increase (eating 4k-4500 cals a day was nothing and still hungry), libido increase (random wood daily and monster loads), and sleeping DEEP and awesome every day(as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out even though I wasn't tired during the day).

SUMMARY:Epi-Strong allowed me to reach a level in my physique and strength that would not be possible in that amount of time without this compound. I reached and surpassed all the goals that I set for the cycle with minimal to zero sides.....so what can I say? I would recommend Epi-Strong to anyone with the knowledge of running a proper cycle along with the right training, diet, and experience.

I WILL run Epi again...:sgrin:

I started this thread with the title "IT's GONNA BE EPIC WITH EPI-STRONG".....

....AND IT WAS!!!!!!:sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin:

Progress pics also posted on 1st page

I must say that after posting these pics next to each other, It makes you realize just how much youve grown

Everything added some size, but I think my traps and back added the most:sgrin:

Well...PCT starts tomorrow and I'll be updating later with how that is planned out!!

 

[MidwestBeast]

Great gains there, man :cheers:

 

[RickRock13]

Great gains there, man :cheers:

Thanks

 

[RickRock13]

DAY 42 (Last Day on Cycle)

Weight:191 (+16)

60mg Epi

So today is my last day on and unfortunately all good things must eventually come to an end

I am looking forward to PCT and the challenge of keeping the weight and strength from the cycle. I don't feel shutdown at all, but I know you don't know how shut down you are until you come off cycle. Testes may have shrunk some, but not anything very noticable.

PCT PREVIEW

Nolva: 20/20/10/10
HCGenerate: 3 caps AM, 2 caps PM for 30 days
Post Cycle Support: as directed on label(cant remember dosing off hand)
ASGT: Never tried this PWO. Heard great things! and I'm defintely looking forward to being on stims again
Orange Triad: Recommended Dose
Fish Oil: continuing at 9g and evenytually cutting back to 6g
Creatine: continuing 10g daily
AI cycle support: continued at recommended dose through PCT

Cals will probably be kept between 3500-3800 through PCT as I want to limit any more fat gain. I'll still be above maintenance, but below the 4k I was getting on cycle.:food:

 

[Sklander]

Your back looks f'in great, bro!!! Awesome progress on the back.

I am rounding out damn near the same cycle and I feel like my back has grown leaps and bounds over any other part of my body. Especially the thickness of my back. Its outstanding.

Awesome cycle, bro. Congrats on completing this step with success. Not far behind you.

It has been recommended to me by a few knowledgable people to think about Bridge when PCT ends... I am personally super excited to try this FORMAstanzolol.

Congrats again, bro.

 

[RickRock13]

Your back looks f'in great, bro!!! Awesome progress on the back.

I am rounding out damn near the same cycle and I feel like my back has grown leaps and bounds over any other part of my body. Especially the thickness of my back. Its outstanding.

Awesome cycle, bro. Congrats on completing this step with success. Not far behind you.

It has been recommended to me by a few knowledgable people to think about Bridge when PCT ends... I am personally super excited to try this FORMAstanzolol.

Congrats again, bro.

Thanks a lot man! I'm glad Epi is treating you good too

How much have you gained and how far in the cycle are you?

 

[UnrealMachine]

Great success! Damn good job in here. I know it's sad when a cycle comes to an end... but then you get to plan the next cycle! haha.

 

[RickRock13]

Great success! Damn good job in here. I know it's sad when a cycle comes to an end... but then you get to plan the next cycle! haha.

Thanks a lot Unreal! I cant deny already cotemplating the next compound to tackle already even though it wont be until Feb:sad:

Time to wait....and time to make choices:thinking:

One thing IS for certain however....

:sgrin:I've made my transition to the DARK SIDE:sgrin:

 

[UnrealMachine]

:sgrin:I've made my transition to the DARK SIDE:sgrin:

haha that made me think of the motivational piece i made a while back

 

[funkd0c]

Great job in here Rick! Good gains, good times!

 

[Sklander]

Thanks a lot man! I'm glad Epi is treating you good too

How much have you gained and how far in the cycle are you?

I have about 10 days left. Ran it 30/45/45/60/60/60. Started at 173lbs and am sitting at 184lbs atm. I went to houston this weekend (live in Austin) so was limited on eating/training. Looking to knock the last week out with a bang.

 

[Kristofer68SS]

Real nice gains man.

Real nice.

Great job!!

 

[RickRock13]

haha that made me think of the motivational piece i made a while back

I love that man! Thats a ripped Lord Vader!!

Great job in here Rick! Good gains, good times!

Thanks a lot Funk! Its been a great time on Epi.

I have about 10 days left. Ran it 30/45/45/60/60/60. Started at 173lbs and am sitting at 184lbs atm. I went to houston this weekend (live in Austin) so was limited on eating/training. Looking to knock the last week out with a bang.

You ran it the same as me man. Good sh1t!! Kill that last week and let me know how it ends up for ya. It's nice to be able to compare notes..

Real nice gains man.

Real nice.

Great job!!

Thanks Bro. Can't wait to do it again:sgrin:



PCT DAY 1

Weight:190.5 (+15.5)

20mg Nolva
5 caps HCGenerate
4 Caps Post Cycle Support

First Day of PCT, I didn't notice any difference other than I started taking stims again so after 2 scoops of ASGT I hit the gym and was FULL of energy ready to tear some weights up again....man I missed those PWO!!

I hit Chest and Tris today and had no problem htting my PR I set last week and pushed up 305 again even easier than last week....I'm sure next week will be a different story, so I wanted to push it up at least one more time

I felt really strong this morning and ready to kill it, but I KNOW it was the stims talkin', but it still felt great!

I did get a MASSIVE headache about halfway through my workout. It might of been a combination of the stims and still having some Epi in my system that led to an increase in BP=headache....I don't know just a guess:shrug:
It went away a little while after the workout, so no biggie

All joint pain is virtually gone, so I'm probably going to do a few more days of MSM and Glucosamine and then cut that out...

I'm not going to be posting the details of all my workouts and diet through PCT, I'll just comment on any changes.

 

[BarbellBeast]

Good job on the gains rick..

Glad you like the epi strong buddy!

Keep killin that **** in PCT!

 

[RickRock13]

Good job on the gains rick..

Glad you like the epi strong buddy!

Keep killin that **** in PCT!

Proceed with killing it I will! Thanks for the kind words my brother:sgrin:

 

[Tomahawk88]

Damn 15 pounds is good sh1t man. Keep it up during PCT and beyond!

 

[JayJo]

15lbs are great! I hope you can hold all your gains. And let us know how the HCGenerate is treating you through pct!

 

[MidwestBeast]

15lbs are great! I hope you can hold all your gains. And let us know how the HCGenerate is treating you through pct!

x2

 

[RickRock13]

Damn 15 pounds is good sh1t man. Keep it up during PCT and beyond!

15lbs are great! I hope you can hold all your gains. And let us know how the HCGenerate is treating you through pct!

x2

Thanks guys I'm happy with what I've gained, and I do plan on keeping it. I'm going to continue bulking throughout winter. It will be more of a lean bulk now, as I've cut my cals back some. I'll be doing one more bulk cycle in Feb. and then I will probably start cutting in late April or May.

I think HCGenerate will be great. I've only heard great things about it, and it seems NTBM can't keep that stuff on the shelf!! So...It must work!! I will keep yall updated on PCT for sure which brings me to my update...

PCT DAY 3

Weight: 191 (+16)

20mg Nolva
5 caps HCGenerate
4 caps Post Cycle Support

Well here it is day 3 and so far no weight change and no strength change. The only difference I've noticed so far is HELLO MUSCLE SORENESS!! I guess I didn't even notice how being on kept me from feeling anywhere near as sore as normal. Well, its back now. But, in a weird way I missed it

Did some Back and Bi's today and the workout went excellent. I even did a couple more reps on some T-bar Rows and pulldowns. I'm pretty happy with how I handled the 50lb. DBs on Curls too:sgrin:

Hopefully I can keep this strength up! I don't know how shutdown I am, but I feel great. I know that doesn't mean a lot how you feel, but if this is how shutdown feels, then it isn't that bad...

 

[Tomahawk88]

Some one's ole lady is about to be drowning soon :lmao: