I’ve been thinking seriously about a proper bulking phase and I’m looking at running testosterone alongside deca. From everything I’ve seen and heard, that combo can really drive appetite, which is exactly what I’m aiming for. The plan is to push food hard, hit the buffet at least every other day, and keep calories high and consistent.
Right now I’m sitting around 175 pounds at 6 foot 1, so I know there’s plenty of room to add quality size. The goal is simple: eat more, train harder, and give my body the tools it needs to grow.
I’m considering deca at around 400 mg and pairing it with 500 mg of testosterone for a 12 week run. On paper it sounds like a solid setup for adding mass, but I’m interested in hearing real world experiences. How have others responded to similar approaches, especially in terms of appetite, recovery, and overall gains?
At 6'1" and 175, you are basically a blank canvas, man. You’re going to blow up on that stack if you actually commit to the kitchen. Test and Deca is the old-school "bread and butter" for a reason—the lubrication for the joints is a godsend when the weights start getting stupid heavy, and the appetite boost is legendary. You'll probably feel like a bottomless pit, which is exactly what you need at that height.
Just a heads up though, Deca stays in your system forever, so 12 weeks is almost cutting it short. Most guys don't even see the magic start until week 6 or 8. If you’re going for it, make sure your managed your prolactin and keep some Caber on hand just in case. Don't just "hit the buffet" and eat junk though—shoveling quality calories is the difference between looking like a powerhouse and just looking bloated. Enjoy the gains, you're about to be a different person in 3 months.
Man, at your height and weight, you’re about to have a hell of a time. 175 lbs at 6'1" means you have a massive amount of "real estate" to fill, and 500 Test / 400 Deca is basically the classic heavyweight blueprint. You’re going to feel like a tank, and those old nagging joint pains usually just vanish once the Deca saturation hits.
One thing to watch out for with that specific "buffet" strategy is the Deca bloat. It’ll definitely make you hungry enough to eat the whole building, but if you go too crazy on the sodium and junk, your blood pressure is going to scream and your face will look like a basketball. Try to keep the food somewhat clean so you’re actually putting on tissue and not just 20 pounds of water. Also, since Deca is a slow burner, 12 weeks is right when things get fun—don't be surprised if you want to stretch it to 16 to really see the scale move. Keep an eye on the mental side too; Deca can sometimes give you those "Deca dicks" or weird moods if you don't keep your prolactin in check. Send it, brother!
That’s a serious old-school bulking stack you've got lined up. At 6'1", you've got the frame to carry a massive amount of weight, and Test/Deca is the undisputed king for putting on sheer size. You’re going to love the way your strength sky-rockets, and those heavy sets that used to grind your joints down will suddenly feel like they’re moving on grease.
Just a heads-up on the timing: Deca is notorious for being a slow starter. Don’t get discouraged if you’re a month in and don't feel like the Incredible Hulk yet. Usually, week 5 or 6 is when the "magic" happens and you suddenly wake up looking 5kg heavier. Because it lingers so long, make sure your PCT plan is ironclad, or better yet, be prepared to cruise on a TRT dose afterward to hold onto those gains.
The biggest trap with Deca is letting the appetite get away from you. You’ll be hungry enough to eat a horse, but if you just use it as an excuse to smash dirty calories, you’ll end up with a moon face and a gut before you know it. Keep the protein high, stay on top of your P5P or Caber for the prolactin, and you’ll crush it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint—let those long esters do their thing and you’ll be a different person by the time you’re done. Enjoy the ride!
That’s a classic mass-building combo—Test and Deca really do make hitting calories easier, and recovery feels noticeably smoother. Most guys notice a serious appetite boost and joint comfort compared to Test alone. Just keep an eye on estrogen and prolactin; Deca can sneak up if you’re not monitoring. If your diet and training are on point, that 12-week run should add solid size, but patience and consistency are still what make it work, not just the compounds.
i’ve seen a lot of people run that combo and yeah the appetite and recovery can definitely go through the roof, which is awesome if you actually eat for it. just keep in mind it can come with a lot of water and fatigue if you’re not on top of food quality and sleep. everyone reacts different too, so what blows one guy up might feel kinda meh for another. honestly the biggest thing is staying consistent and keeping an eye on health markers so you don’t outgrow your recovery. slow and steady usually wins with this stuff.
yeah that combo is a classic for bulking, deca really does make you hungry lol. i always found i could eat way more without feeling stuffed
500 test + 400 deca is solid, just make sure recovery is dialed. joints and sleep can get weird on deca sometimes
appetite spike is real, but don’t forget the food quality too—lean calories still matter if you don’t want to just pack on fat
12 weeks is enough to see serious size gains if you’re consistent with training and meals. patience pays off here
i’ve run something similar before, gains were noticeable, pumps insane, and recovery felt smoother, but deca back pumps hit me a couple times lol
also heads up—deca can mess with libido for some people, even on test, so just be ready and don’t panic if it dips a bit initially
appetite boost on that combo is no joke, food almost becomes the easy part
6’1 at 175 you def got room to grow, bulk should be fun
buffet every other day is wild lol but I respect the commitment
