Iron Kobras cycle log

well done bro. solid job. +1

Wow Kobra.

Glad I popped back in here.

Them gains! NICE!!

I'll be happy if I get the same results later this year with my cycle.

Wow my bro!
Your gains are epic!
Well done mate and keep it up!
Your size and vascularity is stunning dude.
Nate

Hi guys.

Thanks for the comments. Really appreciate the feedback. I'm not anywhere near where I want to be but it's good to hear your critique.

Gents, I feel like my body is responding well to the gear and given my lack of negative sides (noticeable at least), I'm considering upping the test cyp dose.

I'm currently in week 5 at 250mg test cyp every 4 days and just opened my second bottle tonight. (I don't keep to a mon/Thurs pin schedule. Prefer to pin with equal days between. Must be my minor OCD tendencies.. ) I'm considering upping the dose to 350mg every 4 days.

What are your thoughts? Am I being unnecessarily risky on my first cycle? Is it even recommended to change the dose half way through? Perhaps it's better to enjoy the first cycle as planned and for my second cycle next year just repeat the same compounds at a higher dose of test.

Iron K.

It is going well bro. I would say stick to the winning formula for the rest of this cycle.
Your results are epic and I am seriously using your results so far to motivate myself.
Have some karma bro. Legend. +1

Hey Kobra

Mind sharing your workout routine?

Seriously amazed by your gains and would just like to get an idea of what your workout consists of. Want to see if I'm pushing myself as hard and in the end hope to get as good results as you did so far.

I currently workout 6 days a week. Everything is done at home. Family commitments make it impossible for me to go to a proper gym. Although I do think I have a pretty decent setup at home including dip bars, pull up bars, complete power rack, calf raise attachment for power rack, orbital trainer and spinning bike. Sold the rowing machine because it was not kind to my knees.

All exercises consist of 5 sets of 6 reps. Bodyweight exercises are all to failure on each set.

Monday - Chest & Triceps
Flat Bench
Chest Dips
Flat flyes
Incline dumbbell bench press
Skullcrushers

Tuesday - Back & Biceps
Pull ups
Bent over rows
Deadlifts
Barbell curls
Concentration Curls

Wednesday - Cardio only

Thursday - Shoulders
Standing overhead press
Lateral raises
Bent over lateral raises
Upright rows
Shrugs

Friday - Legs
Squats
Lunges
Stiff leg deadlifts
Hack Squats
Calf raises

Saturday - Cardio only

Sunday - Family time.

Nate40 wrote: It is going well bro. I would say stick to the winning formula for the rest of this cycle.
Your results are epic and I am seriously using your results so far to motivate myself.
Have some karma bro. Legend. +1

Thanks Nate. Although I'm still stifling the temptation to change the dose I realise that I had a plan and the plan is working.... so don't fix what ain't broke. I suppose it would only be worthwhile considering changes to my cycle at this late stage if I was experiencing something negative / inhibiting.

Thanks for the kind words also mate.

@Dexter, it all depends on your body and goals bud.

The basis of my routine is to try and bring the best elements of powerlifting and bodybuilding together. I'm a big fan of the philosophies of Stan 'The rhino' Efferden and Ben Pakulski.

I always start my routine with half an hour spent dedicated to the relevant basic compound movement for that muscle group (i.e shoulder press, bench, squat, deadlift). Low reps, heavy weight, longer rest periods.

For the next half an hour to 45 mins I'll switch over to auxiliary movements at higher reps (between 10 and 20) with shorter rest periods (no more than a minute). During this phase, range of motion, mind muscle connection, contraction, negative reps, drop sets, "intention techniques", keeping tension on the muscle, etc all come in to play. During this part of the workout, I've learned that you have to leave ego outside... its not about moving weight it's about using weight to increase resistance against my efforts to contract the correct muscle for the full range of motion applicable to my body shape.

At the end of the day my personal goal is to firstly be strong.... and then to look strong. The two require slightly different training styles and require you to target all the muscle fibres in different ways.

In terms of your routine.... I'd just suggest mixing things up a bit. Your body is amazingly adaptive and when your workout starts becoming a "routine" I believe you inhibit growth. My goal is always to walk out the gym with my body going "What the f$ck was THAT.... I'd better get bigger and stronger in case that ever happens again" Play with your rep ranges a bit more and incorporate some shock techniques (dropssets, supersets, negative reps, whatever you still have gas in the tank for).

Cheers.

Iron K

Well said bro!

Makes sense. Thanks.

Will spice things up a bit on my side.

You gave me some nice ideas to work from.

Some nice gains there!!! Do you have a picture of yourself just before you started to cycle or did you look like you did back in June 2014?


@Furk, thanks for the info on Nicotine. So if you are cutting it could possibly be beneficial. If you are doing intermittent fasting then it could perhaps even help you out during your fast?

It's really cool to see someone on their first cycle who has done a lot of research, put in time training hard without gear first, and is reaping the rewards due to doing things the right way. Well done bud. Epic first cycle log so far.

Looking good home slice. Well done

PsyCLown wrote: @Furk, thanks for the info on Nicotine. So if you are cutting it could possibly be beneficial. If you are doing intermittent fasting then it could perhaps even help you out during your fast?

Hey Psy, sounds like it'll help, but I can't say how much, and if cost vs. rewards will be better than ephedrine.

Nicorette (the nicotine chewing gum) is expensive. I don't even know about the patches.

Sorry to derail your thread Kobra.

looking Good and +1 on the legs

Furk wrote:
Sorry to derail your thread Kobra.

Not all all mate. I asked about the nicotene too. All input is valuable.

Quick update my side.... The last week has been frustrating.

Between moving house and having an insane work schedule I haven't managed to keep my diet strict enough to get in my usual calories, my training took a knock and sleep has been minimal. I didn't even bother checking the scale on Sunday as I had to write off the week to "life happens". Sometimes it can't be avoided I guess.

Looking forward to getting back into routine this week now that I'm settled in the new place and can control my environment again.

Another 3 weeks of Tbol left and I plan to make the most out of it.

Quick question for the vets. I've stopped aspirating as I've found that when I do, I can't help but move the needle around like crazy as I'm not the most flexible guy on the planet (I only pin glutes). This lands up being pretty painful as you can imagine and I'm worried about scar tissue.

I've read such conflicting opinions from various sources regarding whether its necessary to aspirate when pinning glutes because the chances of pinning a blood vessel in that area is so small. What's your take? Yay or no?

Cheers.
Iron Kobra.

Hey guys, quick apology from my side for the question on aspirating. It was late in the day and I committed the cardinal sin. .... i didn't use the search function. Have done some digging now and it's perfectly clear that I'm being a complete idiot by not aspirating. Certainly don't intend on experiencing any of the horrendous consequences I've read about from you okes on the off chance I hit a vessel. O_o

Will just need to hit the yoga class at my gym so I can start reaching my glutes better.

Iron K

Wow Ik . Just been reading up on your awesome progress. I must say it's quite impressive . Considering starting my first cycle soon with pretty much the same template as you.

Just wanted to know how your injections are going, read that the first was painless but you had a few painful pin ups? Have you managed to get a solid painless technique going?

Eager to read up on your progress in a few days time as well

Hello guys

Time for an update and some reflection.

Gains have been continuing slowly but surely. I started at 78kg, and am weighing in as of this morning at 87.5kg. I'm now just over 6 weeks in.

Admittedly, my body fat % has increased around my midsection. I've been eating clean as a whistle but have seriously upped my calories so will play around with the timing of my carbs over the coming weeks. I'm still maintaining great vascularity though and can see my abs. Just a slight love handle on either side of my six pack, which to be honest I feel adds to the fullness of my physique at this point. So I'm happy.

I really feel great. There is a definite and considerable increase in muscle mass and I'm feeling more solid than I ever have. Deadlifted 180kg this morning, triple sets, and continued through to the array of bodybuilding movements feeling strong. This is a PB for me, so really feeling proud of my efforts.

Tbol ends this week and then I'll be continuing with the test cyp until I hit my bridge of Winnie and proviron. I'm a bit nervous of how to manage the decrease in strength when I come off Tbol, so any tips are welcome.

Emotionally, the last two weeks presented some challenges as I started becoming overly analytical of everything. My diet, my training, my rest.... i felt like I had stopped growing and everytime I looked in the mirror I was convinced nothing had changed. It becomes a mental game, and I realised that I just need to have faith in the knowledge I've accumulated over the years as well as on this forum. Consistency is key, and if I'm eating well, training hard keeping to the correct gear schedule and resting, my body will respond. I stopped looking at the scale and in the mirror and just did what needed to be done. I encourage that when hitting a mental wall... especially those trying their first cycle. I expected an Incredible Hulk type transformation and it just doesn't work that way... you get out what you put in and building muscle is lifestyle commitment regardless of using gear or not.

To end.... i need some advice please: I'd like to go for bloods next week once the tbol is out my system. I'll be doing this through my GP. I've never had bloods done before so would appreciate your input as to what I should ask to have done. Obviously I'd like to check everything related to the use of gear, but I'm also really stuggling with lethargy (I actually have my entire life) and so would like to know of there's something else I should specifically test values on.

Thanks again for all the input in making this a great cycle and experience. Knowledge is power.... well... applied knowledge at least.

Keep lifting.

Iron K.

manoeJ wrote: Wow Ik . Just been reading up on your awesome progress. I must say it's quite impressive . Considering starting my first cycle soon with pretty much the same template as you.

Just wanted to know how your injections are going, read that the first was painless but you had a few painful pin ups? Have you managed to get a solid painless technique going?

Eager to read up on your progress in a few days time as well

I haven't had any bad pins yet. I make sure the glute I'm pinning is completely relaxed by standing at an angle with my hip against a table. I always take my time and go through the motions slowly. My left hand can be tricky because it's less steady but I've had no PIP at all and hardly any bleeding. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Well done so far my bro!
180 on the deadlift is an amazing PB bro.
It all becomes mental as you come off something. But don't get down when you look in the mirror. It can play tricks. Rather stay positive and enjoy the positive compliments you must no doubt be getting at this point.
Even if those are just from your chick or the guys at the gym.

Remember who you are doing this for bro. Always think about why you started.
You have made outstanding progress bro and you can be really proud.
Stay motivated champ!

+1 for the effort so far.

Nate

Hi all. Been reading up more on bloods and I'm not convinced it's worthwhile / beneficial to do them now while on cycle. From what I can see I'd be interested in Total T, free T, LH and FSH. However I'd also like to investigate liver function and possible causes of lethargy (no idea what to look for here). Finally, I think it would be important to check estrogen. But does it make sense to test these values on cycle?

Don't test those on cycle. If your result comes back out of range, what will that tell you? That gear decreases LH and FSH out of range and increases serum testosterone levels? What will you think if they are normal? What you can test for lethargy is your thyroid (TSH and T4) and insulin response (fasting glucose, Hba1c) even while on cycle. Check your vitamin D levels and Cortisol levels too. For Cortisol I learnt that blood tests are useless. Much better to get the midnight saliva test and 24h urine test together. Those using a 19-nor like Tren or Deca should check Prolactin as well. Pleasure.

Pyroclasm wrote: Don't test those on cycle. If your result comes back out of range, what will that tell you? That gear decreases LH and FSH out of range and increases serum testosterone levels? What will you think if they are normal? What you can test for lethargy is your thyroid (TSH and T4) and insulin response (fasting glucose, Hba1c) even while on cycle. Check your vitamin D levels and Cortisol levels too. For Cortisol I learnt that blood tests are useless. Much better to get the midnight saliva test and 24h urine test together. Those using a 19-nor like Tren or Deca should check Prolactin as well. Pleasure.

Thank you so much Pyro. I really appreciate your input. Im trying to learn about optimal body functioning but it can really get confusing sometimes at a micro level. Will take your advice and post my results when I get them. Thanks again! +1

Pyroclasm wrote: Much better to get the midnight saliva test and 24h urine test together

apologies for the hijack Ironkobra, regarding the saliva test: are these readily available in SA? Google doesn't bring up much; it looks like you order a kit, take the sample and courier it to a lab?

Hello gents. Need some advice please as I've finished my test cyp and am going into the bridge:

I'm not sure how I managed this but according to my schedule log, I should have another 3 shots of Test Cyp left, but last night when I prepped the syringe, there was 1.3ML left in the bottle so I just drew it all. I'm quite pedantic about measuring exactly 1ml each time I draw so I don't know how my calculations left me finishing the test earlier than expected. Be that as it may, I now just want to make sure I have the bridge covered correctly. Please correct me if I have anything wrong here.

My bridge is planned for 29 days after my last Test shot. (I.e. I pinned last night so I will start Clomid on the 27th October - exactly 30 days)

I will start Oral Winstrol @ 40mg ED starting today for 25 days. (I.e. last day of Winnie will be 23rd October)

I'll also start proviron today @ 40mg ED for 25 days. (I.e. ending the same day Winnie ends - 23rd Oct)

I will continue HCG every 4 days until the day before I start Clomid and then cease HCG entirely.

I will continue Letrozole @ 2 drops EOD until the day before I start Clomid and then cease entirely (I.e. no tapering).

Clomid will be run for 7 days ED on its own immediately followed by Nolvadex for 28 days ED on its own.

Is this all correct gents?

Specifically I notice that because I'm running Winnie / proviron for 25 days and the gap between last test shot and Clomid is 29 days, there's a four day period after my last Winnie where I'm taking nothing except hcg and letro. Should I start Winnie a few days later so it ends the day before Clomid starts?

Thank you for the guidance, as always.

In terms of an update for those following, things have been smooth sailing during the period that I was running test only. Been feeling healthy, and am stronger than ever before. Major improvements in my squat, dead and bench, and I can really see and feel that I've added dense skeletal muscle to my frame. Looking forward to squeezing out the last benefits from a correct bridge and PCT protocol and then my focus is solely in diet and trying to maintain the intensity and weight that I'm currently moving. What a fantastic experience it has been so far!!!!!!

Iron K.