Thinking about your first steroid cycle? This is a serious decision that requires careful consideration of all the pros and cons. In this guide, you will find comprehensive information about the drugs, their effects, side effects, and contraindications.
Our main goal is to help you complete the course safely and effectively, minimizing health risks. Ignoring any point of this guide may lead to undesirable consequences. Therefore, it is important to carefully study all the information provided below. Remember, the sequence of presentation is not random: each point is equally important for achieving the desired result and maintaining health.
It is important to understand that self-medication is dangerous, and the information in this guide does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Before starting any steroid course, it is strongly recommended to consult a specialist to assess your health and select an individual program.
Also, on our official website AnabolShop.org, in the relevant sections on drugs, you will find a detailed description of the drugs, their dosages, methods of use, as well as possible side effects and contraindications. The information will be presented in a sequential manner to ensure a gradual understanding of all aspects of the steroid cycle. Success and safety depend on your careful study of this material.
Nutrition during the first steroid cycle
Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of a successful first steroid cycle, regardless of your goal: gaining muscle mass or cutting. Many beginners neglect this aspect, and this is a serious mistake. Without proper nutrition, no steroids will help you achieve the desired results.
First of all, determine your goal: gaining mass or losing fat. Your basal metabolic rate and caloric intake depend on this. Will you be on a calorie deficit or surplus? But simply counting calories is not enough. It is important to correctly distribute macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). You cannot gain weight due to fat and water - this is ineffective.
Remember: it is impossible to gain muscle mass while taking anabolic steroids on a calorie deficit. And vice versa, simply increasing the amount of food does not guarantee a positive result. You should not eat only fast food - this will lead to undesirable consequences, ruining the results of the course. The diet should be balanced.
Here are approximate starting values of PFC (proteins-fats-carbohydrates) for gaining muscle mass:
- Protein (65% animal, 35% vegetable): 2.5 g per 1 kg of weight.
- Carbohydrates (90% «long», 10% «fast»): 3-3.5 g per 1 kg of weight.
- Fats: 1 g per 1 kg of weight.
Pay attention to the quality of fats: it is necessary to maintain a healthy cholesterol balance (increase HDL, decrease LDL), taking into account the ratio of saturated and unsaturated fats, avoiding trans fats.
Do not forget about the drinking regime: at least 30 ml of water per 1 kg of weight. It is also important to pay attention to vitamins, minerals and other micro- and macronutrients. Remember, healthy eating is the key to a successful and safe course.
Starting Values of Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates for Weight Loss:
You need to create a calorie deficit - spend more energy than you consume. You can increase physical activity or reduce the calorie content of your diet. The correct ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (PFC) will help you with this. Here are approximate percentage ratios to start with:
- Proteins: 40% of total calories.
- Carbohydrates: 30% of total calories.
- Fats: 30% of total calories.
It is important to remember that everyone has an individual metabolism. Therefore, it may be necessary to adjust the percentage ratio of PFC. For example, you can slightly increase the proportion of fats and accordingly reduce the proportion of carbohydrates, or vice versa. Experiment, tracking your results.
Do not neglect the drinking regime. Sufficient water is important for metabolism and overall well-being. And, very importantly, undergo screening tests to exclude endocrine diseases that can cause excess weight. A healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and sufficient physical activity, combined with a medical examination, is the key to successful weight loss.
Training during the first AAS cycle
Training is the key to success during the first steroid cycle, regardless of your goal - gaining mass or burning fat. You can't just start training according to a new program. First, analyze your progress before taking drugs. This will help you understand what works best for you.
The correct technique for performing exercises is incredibly important. Firstly, it minimizes the risk of injury. Secondly, only with ideal technique you load the target muscles effectively. Feeling the work of muscles is the most important skill in bodybuilding. I often work with beginners, correcting the technique even at a distance, online.
To create effective training programs, we recommend studying our previous articles, both on the topic of pharma and on the topic of sports and training, which describe in detail how to create training cycles and correctly select basic and isolating exercises, taking into account your goals and level of training.
The correct approach to training is a prerequisite for maximizing the results of the course and minimizing risks. Don't rush with the loads, focus on technique!
Tests During the First Course
Before starting your first steroid course, you need to take the necessary tests to assess your health and minimize potential risks. Here is a minimum set of tests:
- Complete blood count (CBC) - gives a general idea of the state of the blood.
- Hormonal panel - at least LH, FSH, estradiol, prolactin and total testosterone. This will help assess the hormonal background.
- Liver enzymes - AST, ALT, GGT, total and direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin. Steroids can put stress on the liver, so it is important to monitor its condition.
Please note: this is a minimum set. Depending on your goals, age and gender, additional tests may be required. The doctor will help determine the necessary scope of the study.
To obtain reliable results, follow these rules:
- Avoid physical activity, sexual activity and stressful situations 48 hours before the test.
- Do not eat for 12 hours before taking the tests.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking the day before.
- Drinking water is allowed.
- Be sure to tell the lab technician about all medications you are taking.
Only after receiving the test results and consulting with your doctor can you decide to start a course of steroids. Remember that self-medication is dangerous!
Defining Goals and Choosing the Drug Itself
You have reached an important milestone: you have defined your goals, made a training and nutrition plan, and taken tests. Now it is time to choose drugs. Let's say your goal is fat burning and getting muscular relief. In this case, popular anabolics such as methane, winstrol, or turinabol are not suitable for solo use. They are effective in combination with testosterone, but not for drying.
For a beginner who wants to lose weight, a minimal dose of testosterone is enough. The choice of ester (enanthate or cypionate) is not critical, although long esters are easier to control. In general, gaining weight or drying is a matter of proper nutrition and regular monitoring of tests.
During the course, it is necessary to regularly take tests (their list depends on the chosen drug). This applies to both courses for gaining weight and courses for drying. Testosterone is usually the basis of any course.
Now about the danger. This guide below will help you understand what side effects you may experience when starting a steroid cycle for the first time. Let's start with the most common issues athletes face...
Side Effects - Solution
Let's look at some common problems that occur during the first steroid cycle.
1. Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction
This is often associated with elevated estradiol and prolactin levels. Even with high testosterone, an imbalance of these hormones can negatively affect sexual function. Correcting estradiol and prolactin levels usually leads to improved libido and erectile dysfunction, and also reduces the risk of gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men). High blood pressure associated with fluid retention can also be normalized.
2. Lack of weight gain: A few key reasons:
- Insufficient nutrients intake: Athletes often underestimate the amount of calories and macronutrients needed. "Eating a lot" is a subjective concept. It is necessary to accurately count calories and macronutrients using a kitchen scale.
- Ineffective training: Lack of progression in training (increasing weight, repetitions, changing exercises) can slow down muscle growth.
- Lack of sleep: Less than 5-6 hours of sleep per day hinders muscle recovery and growth.
- Counterfeit pharmacology: Using low-quality drugs can reduce the effectiveness of the course. Blood tests will help determine this. This also applies to weight loss processes, where overeating becomes a common problem.
3. Pain in the right side
Pain in the right hypochondrium can be a signal of liver problems. Some steroids (oxymetholone, stanozolol, turinabol, injectable forms of methane, winstrol and oxymetholone, as well as Ligandrol among SARMs) are more toxic to the liver than others. Regular monitoring of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, bilirubin) is extremely important. If the indicators are elevated, it is necessary to reduce the dosage or stop taking steroids and take measures to restore liver function.
4. Increased Cholesterol
Many steroids increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This can lead to cardiovascular disease. Controlling cholesterol levels is extremely important, and if elevated, action should be taken before starting a course.
5. Increased Hematocrit
Steroids can increase blood viscosity, increasing hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells, and platelets. This increases the risk of thrombosis. It is necessary to reduce the dosage of steroids, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
This guide is based on many years of experience and general information from scientific articles. However, it is not a substitute for professional advice. Consult a doctor before starting any steroid course.
Post-Cycle Recovery
After a steroid course, muscle loss is inevitable. This is due to a sharp decrease in hormone levels, such as testosterone, after stopping taking the drugs (20 times higher than the natural level). The goal of PCT (post-cycle therapy) is to minimize these losses, and not to completely preserve the results.
Factors affecting weight loss:
- Dosage and duration of the course: The longer and longer the course, the greater the rollback.
- PCT: The goal of PCT is to restore hormonal balance (natural testosterone production, reduce estrogen levels), restore libido and spermatogenesis, improve liver and cholesterol, and reduce cortisol levels (by reducing training intensity).
To minimize losses, it is important to focus on restoring natural hormonal balance and proper nutrition (fatty fish, omega-3).
Thanks for reading!
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Good anabolism to all!
Author: Alex Morozov
Alex Morozov is a strength training analyst and fitness culture researcher with over 12 years of experience in powerlifting, bodybuilding methodology, and performance optimization. He has worked with competitive athletes, studied training physiology, and analyzed long-term health outcomes related to strength sports.
Alex focuses on evidence-based training, athlete longevity, and realistic performance expectations. His work explores the psychological and cultural factors shaping modern fitness trends, including social media influence, enhancement debates, and recovery science.
