There are loads of great cycles of steroids aimed at different standards of bodybuilder or looking at different outcome. I've just picked out ten great ones and given a brief description for each. Please bear in mind that sometimes there are different names for drugs depending on where you are in the world or who makes it.
Most importantly - do not even consider using steroids unless your diet is ideal for gaining muscle mass, even if you are looking to increase your definition. You should also be training very hard and regular. Make sure your natural gains have slowed down if this is to be your first time. Read the other articles on MuscleTalk, or post questions on the board if you have any queries.
Gynecomastia (presence of female breast tissue) and other aromatising side effects of some steroids (for example water retention) may be more apparent in certain individuals. If this is a problem take 20mg per day of Nolvadex / Tamoxifen until symptoms disappear, then continue with 10mg per day until the end of the cycle, or Clomid. It is generally thought best not to take Nolvadex unless you have these side effects, though it is good practice to keep some in stock in case it's required.
Clomid or HCG may be taken post cycle if a few weeks break is expected. This is in order to help kick start your own natural testosterone secretion, to minimise post-cycle side effects and, more importantly, to minimise any muscle loss after a course. There are a number of recommended ways to take Clomid, but an effective method is: 100mg per day for 7 days commencing 7-18 days post cycle depending on what is in the cycle. This is followed by a further 50mg per day for a further 2 weeks.
Some folk prefer to use HCG, and after heavy stacks both may be suggested. HCG should commence during the last week, with a jab weekly, for 3 jabs of 2500iu each.
Also I've not mentioned beta-agonists, thyroid hormones or growth hormone in this article. These can be added to any of the stacks as appropriate.
1. Beginner Cycle #1
The most frequently asked question in the steroids forum is for a great effective beginners cycle:
Deca durabolin - 200-400mg per week for 8 weeks
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week for 8 weeks
This is a standard first course recommended by most, even if the individual wishes to lose fat (as diet is the key to fat mobilisation, NOT gear). Whether you opt for Sustanon is personal choice or depends on availability; both are great drugs. 400mg of Deca Durabolin per week is generally assumed to be the minimum amount for gains, however, many first time users do extremely well on less than this.
Continue on this for the full 8 weeks, but if you are still growing well, why stop? Review gains every two weeks, and it may be continued for 10, 12 or more weeks.
Nolvadex should be on hand in case symptoms of aromatisation become apparent. Clomid should be used post cycle commencing at 10-14 days afterwards.
The testosterone and the Deca durabolin can be split down into 2-3 shots per week: 250mg of test (1ml) plus 100mg of Deca durabolin (1ml) mixed into the same syringe, and another of 200mg of Deca durabolin (2ml).
2. Beginners Cycle #2 - The Classic Mass Builder
This is a variation on the above:
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week for 8 weeks
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week for 8 weeks
Dianabol - 30mg per day, six days per week for 6 weeks
This stack should produce good results for the steroid user looking for mass. Here the Deca durabolin should be 400mg for optimum effects, and the Dianabol at the onset helps kick start the cycle while you are waiting for the longer acting Deca durabolin and test to take effect.
Nolvadex should be on hand in case symptoms of aromatisation become apparent. Clomid should be used post cycle commencing at 10-14 days afterwards. You may hold a lot of water from this brought about by the Dianabol and the testosterone but this can be reduced by the use of Nolvadex / Tamoxifen or Arimidex.
The dosage of Dianabol may be divided out through out the day and taken every 3-4 hrs as it has such a short half-life. Though most people take half in the morning and half in the evening. Take them with / after a protein-based meal.
The testosterone and the Deca durabolin can be split down into 3 shots per week: 250mg of test (1ml) plus 100mg of Deca (1ml) mixed into the same syringe, and another of 200mg of Deca durabolin (2ml).
3. Superman's Super Stack
This is another great lean mass builder, from a prominent member:
Trenbolone - 75mg per day
Winstrol - 50mg per day
Testosterone propionate - 100mg every other day
A six-week course and the usual precautions apply.
4. Phantomdh's 'Sus-deca-dbol-end-with-winny' Stack
Phantomdh's favorite cycle is the 'Sus-deca-dbol-end-with-winny' cycle:
Sustanon 250 - 500mg per week, weeks 1-10
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week, weeks 1-10
Dianabol - 35mg per day, weeks 1-4
Winstrol 30mg/ed, weeks 5-10
This is another great mass builder. The usual precautions apply.
5. A Testosterone-Free Lean Mass Builder
This is one if you want to avoid testosterone-based steroids. It's too often assumed that just because 'mild' steroids like Primabolan are not very androgenic, then they're not very good mass builders. Remember, all steroids are anabolic, and Primabolan as part of a stack is an excellent adjunct:
Primobolan depot - 300mg per week for 8 weeks
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week for 8 weeks
Winstrol - 150mg per week, weeks 2-7
This is not a huge stack, but is great for building quality, lean size (coupled with a sensible diet). We have a number of non-bodybuilding members of MuscleTalk, e.g. athletes, footballers, etc, and this may be a great cycle for them to try.
6. Knorkop's Frontloader
This is a great cycle from Knorkop, used as an example of frontloading Equipoise and Deca:
Week 1 - Frontloading
Equipoise - 800mg per week
Deca durabolin - 800mg per week
Testosterone propionate - 100 mg every other day
Week 2
Equipoise- 400mg per week
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week
Testosterone propionate - 100 mg every other day
Week 3 - 4
Equipoise - 400mg per week
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week
Winstrol - 50mg every other day
Week 5 - 8
Equipoise - 400mg per week
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week
Winstrol - 50mg every other day
Week 9 and 10:
Equipoise - 400mg per week
Deca durabolin - 400mg per week
Testosterone propionate 100mg every other day
This is a great lean mass builder again, showing how frontloading is done. The downside is a lot of jabs, due to Equipoise being just 50mg per 1ml. The usual precautions apply, and use HCG and Clomid post cycle at 7 days.
7. Another Fave!
Nice and simple, but very effective:
Anadrol 50 - 100mg per day, 6 days per week
Deca durabolan - 400mg per week
The usual precautions are a must here, with Clomid commencing 7 days post cycle.