Alright, so I remember when I first considered taking that leap—you know, hopping on a cycle. I'd been lifting naturally for a solid three years, hitting plateaus that felt like brick walls. You pour in the work week after week, and the gains just… trickle. It’s frustrating, right?
I was hitting the weights hard, focusing on the big compound movements: squats, bench presses, deadlifts—the stuff that's supposed to move the needle. I was stuck at a squat of 195kg, bench at 115kg, and deadlift at 232.5kg. That’s when the thought crept in: “What if…?”
My first cycle was a low dose of test enanthate—2ml a week for ten weeks. I’ll admit, the first injection was nerve-wracking, and I could barely walk the next day or two. But after that initial hurdle, something shifted. A few weeks in, it felt like the weights were moving themselves. I was running 5/3/1 for squats and bench, and an Ed Coan program for deadlifts. The numbers just kept climbing, and the reps… they just wouldn't quit. It was unreal.
My lifts went up—squat to 220kg, bench to 130kg, and deadlift to 245kg. More than that, the motivation came back. Going to the gym wasn't a drag; it was exciting again.
Now, before you jump in headfirst, a word of caution. One thing that was pointed out to me—and it’s stuck with me—is the potential to keep chasing higher dosages when you're never satisfied. It's easy to get caught up in the "more is better" mentality, but that road can lead to some serious health consequences. Also, make sure you do your research—listing your dosage in ml isn't accurate; you need to know the mg/ml. I’m not here to tell you what to do, but if you're seriously considering it, be smart. Know the risks, understand the compounds, and have a plan for post-cycle therapy. And most importantly, be honest with yourself about why you're doing it.
Wow, Larry, that's one heck of a story! Three years natty and then hopping on test e, huh? I can totally relate to those brick wall plateaus. Been there, smashing my head against 'em for what feels like forever. Those numbers you were stuck at are my goals right now, haha! 195kg squat? One day!
That initial injection pain sounds brutal though, like something out of a movie! But damn, those gains... 25kg on your squat and 15kg on bench? That's insane! Makes you wanna jump in headfirst, doesn't it? But yeah, gotta keep it real and not get greedy chasing those numbers. Appreciate the honesty about the risks, PCT, and all that. It's easy to get blinded by the gains, but health is wealth, right? Definitely food for thought. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This feels very real. That moment when progress slows down messes with your head more than people admit. I’ve seen a lot of guys hit that wall and think the answer has to be something extra, when most of the time it’s patience or fixing the boring stuff. What you said about chasing more really hits though, because once the numbers start moving again it’s easy to forget the cost. I respect the honesty in saying it brought the fire back, but also owning the risks. At the end of the day the strongest people I know are the ones who know when to push and when to pull back. Health lasts longer than any PR.
ngl those are some killer numbers for being natty. a 220kg squat after one cycle is huge. i totally agree on the "more is better" trap though, it's so easy to get greedy when the weights start flying up lol. if you're looking for a solid source for your next run or pct check out steroidsgrabber.me- i’ve had great luck with their test quality.
2ml a week is a classic first run but yeah u gotta check the mg/ml haha! i remember that first pin too, the quad pip had me limping for a week straight. steroidsgrabber.me has some really smooth oils if you want to avoid that "crippled" feeling next time. congrats on the gains brother.
love the honesty here. the mental shift is almost bigger than the physical one sometimes... suddenly the gym is fun again. just make sure you dont neglect the pct side of things so u can keep those lifts. i usually get my pct gear from steroidsgrabber.me just to be safe.
Totally feel this—hitting those plateaus is the worst. Love how you balanced the story with actual numbers and the caution, makes it super real.
That “what if…” moment hits hard. I’ve been there too, and it’s easy to let curiosity run wild without thinking of the consequences.
Mad respect for how you stuck to the programs and actually tracked progress. Seeing your lifts jump like that must’ve felt amazing.
Couldn’t agree more on chasing more = better. That mentality gets so many people in trouble, so glad you called it out.
Honestly, this post is gold for anyone thinking about a first cycle—shows the ups, the motivation, and the real talk about safety.
man i remember that first pin anxiety too lol. i probably stared at the needle for ten minutes before finally just doing it. that feeling when the gear finally kicks in and you feel like superman is actually addictive though. glad you got those numbers up - a 220kg squat is no joke!
solid advice on the dosage thing. i used to say "i'm doing 2ml" too until someone chewed me out and told me i was actually pinning 600mg lol. it makes a huge difference knowing the actual numbers so you don't accidentally blast way more than you meant to. stay safe bro.
that jump in your bench is awesome. i hit that same 115kg wall for like a year straight before i finally hopped on. it is crazy how much of a mental boost it gives you when the weights start feeling light again. just gotta watch that "more is better" trap for sure because it never ends.
haha the post-injection pain is the worst!! i remember my first time i thought i had a massive infection but it was just virgin muscle reacting to the oil. great to see you are preaching patience and research though - too many guys just wing it and end up with gyno or worse.
