I'm going to do my End of cycle review now. I do have half of next week to just finish the bottle but I think strength numbers are not going to change all that much. So this is my final review.
I want to thank everyone here that has helped answered questions, shared their comments, and pointed me in the right direction. This is my first time trying a PED and the apprehensiveness (for me at least) was definitely a factor. I ask a lot of questions, and make a lot of new threads lol. But I think seeing comments from different people, at different angles add to the ease of apprehensiveness. We all learn differently, and have different comfort zones. I guess being familiar especially with something new is important for me. So thank you to those who were along the way. Shout out to: @ANABOLICWRWLF @elo76 @Humbl3 @KvanH @thebigt @LeanEngineer , @Renew1 and GL to @MFTrainz on his cycle.
Starting Strength (no pun intended lol) pre cycle
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Flat Bench: 215 x 6 , 225 x 4
Incline Bench: 165 x 5
Shoulder Press (smith machine): 105 x 6
Straight Bar Deadlift: 185 x 8
Triceps push downs: 72.5 x 8 (as a gauge for smaller muscles)
Final Strength:
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Flat Bench: 245 x 8, 260 x 4
Incline Bench: 205 x 5
Shoulder Press (smith machine): 145 x 7, 155 x 5
Straight Bar Deadlift: 275 x 6, 300 x 3
Triceps push downs: 90 (the whole stack) x 10
**I have not really deadlifted seriously before. The increase in deadlift can probably be attributed both to andro as well as improvement in technique.
Overview:
I could not be more happy and satisfied with the results with just running 1-Andro. I am fortunate to have experienced minimal sides and an overall gainful run. The common sides of lethargy and loss of libido was definitely present, but for me, very manageable. Everything was seemed to be in halves. My balls size, frequency of need for masturbation (in days) as a gauge for libido. Obviously no way to really tell until I get bloods done ( which I will soon). I did not experience acne although I did notice some oily face when I woke up during the last two weeks. No back pumps (even after heavy deadlift days), I did experience some aggression ( short-fuse) but because I expected it, I was able to manage the emotions in front of friends and family. Nonetheless I did notice that change. I did also notice a calm, alpha feeling ...err sometimes no feeling at all. I remember one night walking back from the gym and it was twilight with the sun catching onto the buildings. It was beautiful to see but I did not stop and enjoy it. Although I did recognize it was something beautiful...but I just moved on. In terms of strength, I noticed there is a "strength curve" where maybe in weeks 3 to 6, you will make incredible gains and adding weight each time you go to the gym, then flatten out and stay there with a little more gains each week. That's also the reason why I have not updated this in the latter part of the cycle as I have during the beginning as everything was pretty much status quo. But overall, during the entirety of the cycle, I have gained strength that would normally take me a year to gain...
The recovery on this stuff is absolutely amazing. I did go hard (or try to) on every workout session as a means to maximize gains during this time. I remember there are days where I was too scared to go harder. I had to take a self directed pause and let the body recover. I think this did eventually lead to some tendon fatigue and bone aches, but cissus helped a ton. Nonetheless the volume and overall load was definitely there so I am thankful I am not more hurt. During the last two to three weeks, volume was just absolutely incredible. You can go in on chest day to do heavy sets, then drop the weight a bit to continue to do hypertrophy sets. Again, I always listened to my body and gave the rest I felt needed.
More related thoughts:
We all know making gains ain't easy. Whether that is the cost of supplements, time to go to the gym, or buy good food and have time to relax and rest, to do this "all in" I feel like with this stuff it definitely helps to be in a time of life where things are stable. This include the fact that I think I handled lethargy well is because I still work at home and have the environment to not compound the negative physiological sides that may come with this stuff.
Final thoughts:
As for me, 1-Andro alone was a major success. Strength has gone up in numbers and you know you're doing well when big dudes in the gym go to you to ask for a spot lol. I do not have aspirations to compete, nor become a pro. I just want to perform better than average in the gym, and build a respectable physique and live a healthy lifestyle. If I were to use PEDs again, it could be for an aggressive cut as a means to maintain strength while on a deficit and cardio. And it would not be a stack. Part of the reason I chose 1-andro alone is the minimal sides and "risk". Otherwise I value hard work and plan on making natural gains.
I also plan on doing a PCT log once I finish the remaining few tablets I have mid this week. I don't expect the strength numbers to change a whole bunch.
I have to respectfully disagree on the 4-Andro tho. When running something suppressive (like 1-Andro) the lack of test and therefore also the lack of estro can become a problem. And even if not creating problems, lack of estro is diminishing muscle hypertrophy. These are the reasons a 'test base' is usually used in conjuntion with not aromatizing anabolics. Best test base is obviously test, but if not going to pin or want to stay legal, then 4-Andro is a good substitute (4-AD would be even better and these are a bit different things btw). Epiandro will bring energy, mood, libido and possibly some strenght, but it wont bring estrogen and is actually antiestrogenic, so low E symptoms may occur. I don't see how the 4-Andro would be a waste if not on a "severe cut or bulking". If no test in system it's not a waste with any goals. But again like we have seen 1-Andro can be run just solo and the Epiandro is a good add on like stated earlier. 4-Andro would just be my first option to add.
