Everyone knows the main benefits of using steroids are that they help make you bigger and stronger. However, cycling on and off of steroids can cause a lot of problems, which opens the door to many questions regarding their use. Do your own research on each topic, and be sure to consult your doctor before you start any legal post-cycle therapy routines.
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Post-Cycle Therapy Benefits:
*Reduces cycling side effects
*Supports muscle development
*Improves cycling benefits
*Maintains muscle gains after training
Importance of Post-Cycle Therapy
Why do we need post-cycle therapy (PCT)? At the end of every cycle the body loses a lot of water, and cortisol and estrogen levels spike. If you don’t adjust your compounds, diet, training, and cardio, muscular weight achieved during the cycle will almost completely disappear. Additional side effects from cycling such as depression, increased acne, and gynecomastia may also arise if there is no intervention.
Post-Cycle Therapy Supplementation
PCT supplements contain one or two Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) and one Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). AIs include Arimidex, Letro, Aromasin, and Proviron. SERMS include Clomiphene and Tamoxifen. The levels and functions of each compound taken should change depending upon personal needs, and they are often taken in varying doses and at varying times. You should do additional research based upon your personal needs and availability in order to determine the right levels of each compound for you.
Post-Cycle Therapy & Diet
PCT is the same every time no matter what compound you are using, or how long you use it for. Adjustments are made for availability, as well as size, but the same two compounds (AIs and SERMs) are used every time. When coming off a cycle, it is very important that you increase your calorie intake by 500 to 1000 calories per day. This might lead to an increase in body fat, but it is needed in order to keep the new muscle that was just added. Diet adjustments are often overlooked in PCT, resulting in the loss of a great deal of muscle.
Cardiovascular & Training
Cardiovascular training needs to be maintain in order to ensure that body fat levels don’t experience a sharp spike. Cardio training following a cycle should be maintained, but it should also not be too intense, with a maximum of 60 to 70 percent intensity and a limit to 3-4 cardio workouts a week. Workout intensity should also be maintained throughout PCT, even in the event of a weight drop off. But if you are going to use less weight, be sure to shorten rest time between sets to make up for any lost intensity. Overtraining is also a major concern, so plan your strategy appropriately, as either under or overtraining can limit the success of your post-cycle training.
Medical/Preventative
You should always get blood work done when you finish a cycle. There is a panel of liver value, testosterone levels, hemoglobin, and other listings that should be followed to ensure that you maintain good health while changing the body’s natural hormonal levels. PCT is very important for bodybuilders who use steroids. Many bodybuilders stop using steroids outright, which causes them to lose all the gains they made during their cycle. They also end up smaller and weaker than they were when they started. In addition, they can end up with a terrible case of gynecomastia, so make sure that you thoroughly research post-cycle therapy and use it to ensure that you keep the muscle that you worked hard to get.