Cool, so what is the story behind him sending you the pics?Didn't want to clutter @Hyde s thread as his wife gets ready to compete but seeing biolayne is there today wanted me to share the signed pic he has sent me years ago. He actually sent two, I keep one in my office one is at home Invalid Link Removed
Cool, so what is the story behind him sending you the pics?
Any thoughts on iconics epi+ ando TDs? Too strong for a newb like me or worth playing with? The reviews on all their products are fantastic but I only half trust reviews these days.I’ve only ran a couple DHEA products so far. Gear cream by IronMagLabs Labs is a supercharged version that I definitely felt in action.
https://www.apex-alchemy.com/products/hyperion-1
Dermacrine I’ve been using low dose in conjunction with TRT and feeling good about.
Hyperion by Apex is one of my next curiosities after Dermacrine runs out. I am sold on every apex product I’ve tried to date.
https://www.apex-alchemy.com/products/hyperion-1

Buy with confidence. Anything Rob makes is legit.Any thoughts on iconics epi+ ando TDs? Too strong for a newb like me or worth playing with? The reviews on all their products are fantastic but I only half trust reviews these days.
I'd like to get something on order this week and probably hammer out a 4+6 week cycle before I get snipped end of April and have a few days of forced rest

Hell yeah man I told him getting a full plate on each side was monumental and next two major benchmarks are bodyweight and two platesCongrats on the kiddo! We all remember every plate PR we set on bench. Very cool feeling every time too!


Dude I'm so dry now I'm lotioning my nipples daily and my slingshot was rubbing then raw today. I ran out of fish oil and you can see it in my forearms and back of my hands. Every single year I run out around January and get dry skin and somehow never learnBuy with confidence. Anything Rob makes is legit.
But I will warn you that you may get pretty dry skin about halfway through, so be prepared for that.
Buy with confidence. Anything Rob makes is legit.
But I will warn you that you may get pretty dry skin about halfway through, so be prepared for that.
I’ve only used Dermacrine from iconic but looks like @Segansational nailed it![]()

Invalid Link RemovedShoot, even 185 with the 25s on is a major benchmark coming from 135. I was stoked to get the quarter on there. Funny how after 225 there is nothing until 315 but by that time you should be pretty happy with smaller gains.Hell yeah man I told him getting a full plate on each side was monumental and next two major benchmarks are bodyweight and two plates![]()
Out of the 2 mentioned if only going with one I would have to ask are you trying for strength or size? Also are you willing to increase the doses over the recommended doses? If strength and keeping leaner looking then probably the UltraHard. It is basically androhard by another name. If size then maybe the 4-Andro product.The two that have me the most interested right now are Ultra Hard with Epiandro and Androsterone
https://www.strongsupplementshop.com/ultra-hard-by-iconic-formulations
and Alpha Four wtih 4 HDEA and also Androsterone.
https://www.strongsupplementshop.com/alpha-four-by-iconic-formulations
I still have a lot to learn though and I'd like to better understand the risks (?) and rewards of both before I go balls deep on it.
Is it true that a benefit to TDs that that my liver is more protected compared to orals and pinning since it's removed from the process?
Seems like with something like Epi I should be learning more about on cycle support and pct as well
Shoot, even 185 with the 25s on is a major benchmark coming from 135. I was stoked to get the quarter on there. Funny how after 225 there is nothing until 315 but by that time you should be pretty happy with smaller gains.
Out of the 2 mentioned if only going with one I would have to ask are you trying for strength or size? Also are you willing to increase the doses over the recommended doses? If strength and keeping leaner looking then probably the UltraHard. It is basically androhard by another name. If size then maybe the 4-Andro product.
Most of those will give a boost at recommended doses but to really see a lot of effect 1.5-2 x the recommended dose is where it is at. Of course at that level you are actually risking a bit of shut down, or suppression, and would probably want / need a SERM.
Something like Gear Cream or another product with 1-Andro would be nice and effective too. I had really good results with 1-Andro and 4-Andro stacked together so I would have some estrogen alongside the 1-Andro.
Also there are plenty of good oral products out there that will not have a negative effect on your liver. All of the andro products are pretty much easy on the system, or at least the liver. Only the methylated Orals are the problem when it comes to the liver and all of the complaints you hear us talking about with orals. So you could say run the TD you want and supplement an oral like a 1-Andro product or something on top of that without issue.
All of that being said if strength is your main focus then UltraHard is probably going to get you there with the least amount of new muscle mass added.
One thing you might try adding if you are having a bit of an issue exploding out of the hole is to do a set of 2-3 reps on a jump squat then hit your squats. The jumping right before will wake up the type 2 fibers and have them ready to be explosive out of the bottom.
Also if not getting the bar very far down on your back it might be harder to push the ass out and back when coming up out of the hole. Low bar almost forces you to fold in half pushing the butt out. High Bar almost cements the movement into a more upright position like an Olympic Squat. Working on the ability to get the bar down lower will probably help in forcing that movement but it isn't easy if you don't already have the shoulder mobility. Right now my left shoulder keeps me from getting low bar, so I have to squat oly style. Heck even squatting with a regular barbell is a lot for me right now. Shoulder is still to tight to get comfortable with enough weight to work my legs.
Transdermals still have to get processed by the liver during second pass from the blood stream, same as injectables once they’re absorbed into the blood. Orals have an extra first pass, and the issue there is they’re often methylated so they can better survive that pass, but that’s where the extra liver stress comes in and why duration of exposure should be limited.
Try some frontsquats if you need more quad drive for squats. You don’t need a dedicated quad day - no amount of leg extensions will raise a squat 1RM.
thanks man I appreciate that. just based on that post from you sent me down a rabbit hole reading up on 1dhea vs dhea. and, I do like the sustain alpha so it's nice to hear I can use it indefinitely lol
I think you're right on front squats. mine have never reached 80% of my back squat and while I know that's only a reference number it's something for me to think about and work on.
I’m not really following the hips out of the hole thing (I’m not visualizing what’s going on well), but as far as explosiveness that’s just going to come down to lots of practice. Working to find the right bounce out of the hole and always trying to drive explosively regardless of the weight, variation, etc. should be done imho (unless specifically working some tempo variation). Theres a whole lot you can get lost in with velocity measures and tracking, but I don’t want to get too off track. I’m not sure Jump squats would address that issue as you are probably looking for speed out of the hole and jump squats (while useful for increasing lifting velocity in general in certain situations) aren’t typically done on a full range of motion. You could always still warm up with them I guess to prime yourself if it gets your mind and body right I suppose.
Haha they worked me, I went light since I have no idea what I'm doing and didn't have my spotter today. I honestly had to figure out what was getting worked cause the whole thing is so newWhat did you think about those reverse grips? They really hammer pec/lats once you find perfect hand position and figure it out a bit.


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Here is Anthony's World Record Bench back then 750 reverse grip. The yahoo with the porn mustache and red and white striped bodybuilder pants was my father in law. He had over a 600lb bench in the 242 class. It was crazy when Anthony died, we were all sad. He would visit the schools all the time deadlifting cars and motivating kids to do positive things instead of all the negative things that are so easy to slide into as a teenager.
Then again the guy was a bit of a nut, steroid and gun dealer on top of owning a butt nekkid club. Just a winner all over. LMAO.
I keep going back and forth on getting back on some type of cycle. It's been 5 years since I used anything. I never used to feel this way, but at some level I feel like I'd be dishonest with the lessons I'm trying to teach my kids. Just my thoughts for myself.Thank you! Hyde was just telling me I think basically the same thing. Sounds like Ultra Hard is a very safe way to go so I think I want to run with that for a month. I'll plan on a full dose say 2 hours pre-workout since I feel the dermacrine hits me best about 2hours after it's applied. I'll not worry about any kind of additional support beyond my normal vitamins, creatine, maybe the otc libido stuff like maca, horny goat weed etc since those all seem to give me a boost at the gym (placebo or not).
After that i'll get my procedure done, see where I am and maybe give Gear Cream a try since you and @SkRaw85 have both recommended that one now...
And yeah I think strength is my biggest priority. I don't feel huge in my clothes but in the mirror I'm pretty happy with my size and the rate of growth I have right now even at 40, it actually shocks me some to see how big my boobies are. I told my wife if I outgrow her I'll buy her bigger ones too.
I feel like with sustain alpha I noticed nothing at 2 pumps. something at 3 pumps, and I was hooked at 4 pumps.
With Dermacrine it's been basically the same. I'm now at 190-191lbs so I'm right at their 4 pump recommended dosage level. I haven't tried 5.
I'm done feeling bad about having to be completely natural for small garage comps but not ready to pin so I'm looking for that happy medium to dabble.
you married Tony Soprano's daughter?
I stayed natty because of the events I was competing in and the dreams I had. At my peak I was earning top 100 positions out of 7000+ competitors and I was gearing up to join a regionals team. Even with the torn ligament in my back, had I not moved and got remarried I have no doubt I would have been competing in Iceland a few years ago and I would have been tested.I keep going back and forth on getting back on some type of cycle. It's been 5 years since I used anything. I never used to feel this way, but at some level I feel like I'd be dishonest with the lessons I'm trying to teach my kids. Just my thoughts for myself.
Which transdermals have you used? Just like sustain alpha and dermacrine?I stayed natty because of the events I was competing in and the dreams I had. At my peak I was earning top 100 positions out of 7000+ competitors and I was gearing up to join a regionals team. Even with the torn ligament in my back, had I not moved and got remarried I have no doubt I would have been competing in Iceland a few years ago and I would have been tested.
That's gone now and since the MLB hasn't yet called me up to come play third base for anyone my need to be natural is fading. But my drive is through the roof and as long as I can outlift my little brothers, earn the admiration of the elderly, and carry my wife to the bedroom like a caveman it's all good in the hood.
for what it's worth, I've seen really interesting positivity from those around me even in the last couple months since playing around with even these minor transdermals. maybe it's coincidence, or maybe I'm carrying myself different or maybe my pheromones are putting everyone in heat idk.
Which transdermals have you used? Just like sustain alpha and dermacrine?
Yeah he was, I remember him bleeding out of his eyes, or getting bloody noses on some of those attempts. Just unreal.Clark was a real one!
Basically but the Greek version. He even put out a contract to have my legs broken at one point. I rolled up on him at his butt nekkid club when I found out and called him out to do it himself. So quite the contentious relationship. Looking back now I am amazed i didn't get myself shot. To be fair I didn't know he was dealing weapons at that point or I would have probably just avoided him. LOLyou married Tony Soprano's daughter?
I keep going back and forth on getting back on some type of cycle. It's been 5 years since I used anything. I never used to feel this way, but at some level I feel like I'd be dishonest with the lessons I'm trying to teach my kids. Just my thoughts for myself.
Well, I wasn't even talking about the illegal ones necessarily. But in our home, we discuss optimal health often and the ways to pursue it. We also talk about health risk often and ways to minimize it. So, if I say "we eat the way we do 80-90% of the time because we want to live long and strong as long as possible", then using PEDs would be counter to that. Also, it's not about what anyone else does; it's about how we're raising our kids...no judgment regarding what anyone else does (unless it's actually cheating like a football player using PEDs).Yeah he was, I remember him bleeding out of his eyes, or getting bloody noses on some of those attempts. Just unreal.
Basically but the Greek version. He even put out a contract to have my legs broken at one point. I rolled up on him at his butt nekkid club when I found out and called him out to do it himself. So quite the contentious relationship. Looking back now I am amazed i didn't get myself shot. To be fair I didn't know he was dealing weapons at that point or I would have probably just avoided him. LOL
Just curious, outside of it being illegal what are the other things that make you feel like it would be dishonest? You aren't cheating anything or anyone. You are doing what it takes to go after your goals, and as long as you aren't being an asshat you aren't taking anything away from their life experience.
I kind of feel like to be a parent you are required to be hypocritical to a degree in order to protect your children's innocence while they are young. We teach them hard and fast rules that we expect them to follow to a T, knowing as they mature they will have to use their own decision making skills to discern the appropriate course of action in the context of the situation. I find it funny we are required to teach them never to lie, while lying to them about Santa Claus, or the Easter bunny. It just doesn't make sense. I remember having a heartbraking conversation with Sage when they found out we lied to them about Santa. They were like but you taught me never to lie. Why did you lie to me. UHM... I got nothing...
As an adult I think we all know there are times where it is appropriate to be honest and times to be dishonest.
Example
Wife - Does this dress make my ass look big?
Husband - Lie = No baby your ass doesn't look fat in that dress. Honesty = No, it is your big ass that makes your ass look big.
Which one would you go with?
No, that makes total sense to me. With that being a major topic in your household you are correct it would go directly against what you are teaching them. In that case I think you should avoid using them again outside of actual prescribed TRT if needed. I was just curious on what parts of it conflicted with how you were raising them just to hear your thoughts on the topic.Well, I wasn't even talking about the illegal ones necessarily. But in our home, we discuss optimal health often and the ways to pursue it. We also talk about health risk often and ways to minimize it. So, if I say "we eat the way we do 80-90% of the time because we want to live long and strong as long as possible", then using PEDs would be counter to that. Also, it's not about what anyone else does; it's about how we're raising our kids...no judgment regarding what anyone else does (unless it's actually cheating like a football player using PEDs).
Oh Snap, you are using big ol bumper plates, much bigger deficit than I initially pictured.Deads
10 x 135
5 x 185, 225
Deficit one plate
5 x 225
Deficit two plates
3 x 5 x 225
3 x 275, 315
Cybex t bar rows
Narrow grip
3 x 10
Wide grip
3 x 10
Back ext
3 sets with 45lb plate on chest
Notes
189lbs (?)
My buddy talked me into lifting vs rest day. Left my belt and flats at home so I was forced to go light. Kept all deads double overhand no belt. The cybex machine is legit. Never used it before. Invalid Link RemovedInvalid Link RemovedInvalid Link Removed
Basically but the Greek version. He even put out a contract to have my legs broken at one point. I rolled up on him at his butt nekkid club when I found out and called him out to do it himself. So quite the contentious relationship. Looking back now I am amazed i didn't get myself shot. To be fair I didn't know he was dealing weapons at that point or I would have probably just avoided him. LOL
Example
Wife - Does this dress make my ass look big?
Husband - Lie = No baby your ass doesn't look fat in that dress. Honesty = No, it is your big ass that makes your ass look big.
Which one would you go with?
Well, I wasn't even talking about the illegal ones necessarily. But in our home, we discuss optimal health often and the ways to pursue it. We also talk about health risk often and ways to minimize it. So, if I say "we eat the way we do 80-90% of the time because we want to live long and strong as long as possible", then using PEDs would be counter to that. Also, it's not about what anyone else does; it's about how we're raising our kids...no judgment regarding what anyone else does (unless it's actually cheating like a football player using PEDs).
Oh Snap, you are using big ol bumper plates, much bigger deficit than I initially pictured.
Well, I wasn't even talking about the illegal ones necessarily. But in our home, we discuss optimal health often and the ways to pursue it. We also talk about health risk often and ways to minimize it. So, if I say "we eat the way we do 80-90% of the time because we want to live long and strong as long as possible", then using PEDs would be counter to that. Also, it's not about what anyone else does; it's about how we're raising our kids...no judgment regarding what anyone else does (unless it's actually cheating like a football player using PEDs).