+ 1 How do you measure the success of your cycles?
I wonder how you guys measure the success of your cycle, and also if it varies from a cutting cycle to a bulking cycle (since weight gained during a cutting cycle would not be a great measure). I am not sure exactly how to measure the success of my cycle, I dont want to just take before and after pictures as that might not be the best approach (i am bulking). Strenght increase might be a good one but when do i measure it? My lifts at the end of the cycle vs at the start? or should i wait for PCT to be over since some will be lost there? Apolagise for the ignorance but I am really interested to know what data points you guys look at to measure the success of you cycles.
ps: I also assume that heavy cycles would be much easier to quantify, I am thinking more about a cycle like 300 Test and 150 Primo for example
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Muscle gained or fat lost depending on goal. Need to do body composition testing to tell the real story. 1st places and overalls are also a good measure of success of the cycle.
My goals have always been body composition changes (increases of muscle and decreases of fat). So before I start a cut or bulk, I get a dexa scan. Then at the end I get another scan to gauge the success of my run. Dexa scans are what the research community uses to gauge changes in body composition in studies where that's relevant.
I would love to run Dexa scans but nowhere around me does them. Have to stick with the good ol' caliper test.
Calipers are great. Especially in combination with a tape measure. Great way to measure relative fat loss/muscle gain
How do you go about your dexa scan? I've seen how much water you have in your system can actually throw it off by several percentage points.
I schedule mine, similar to weighing myself, I do it at the same time every time. Can't let perfect be the enemy of good in this situation.
True
It's honestly goal dependent. Bulking, depends on the bulk. Because getting fat is not bulking, you're just getting fat. Muscle bulk? The eyes don't lie so pictures. Same goes for a cut, the eyes always tell the truth unless you just don't know what you're looking at. Also the scale. Measurements using calipers. I ask my wife because she's good at telling me if I'm gaining or losing. For pure strength, I rarely ever do a 1 rep max. Say I'll do what my 3 rep max is for the highest amount of weight I can do. I do this on day one of my cycle. By the end of the cycle, if successful, you'll increase what that 3 rep max is for you lifts. It should be significant. Generally for me, I definitely lose strength off of a cycle and do a PCT. It's just how it goes. I'll probably do 80% of what I was doing on cycle. For me it doesn't bother me but for others people don't like losing the strength gains. Same goes for looks, you'll lose some mass on a gain but that's the name of the game.
To many people think bulking is about gaining weight. It is about gaining muscle. Getting fat on a bulk would be considered a fail in my book. Pictures don't lie
That might be the problem, because i started with a fairly high body fat it is hard for me to say how much muscle vs fat I am gaining.
It is a scientific fact. The leaner you are the more muscle you gain vs fat when eating in a calorie surplus. Just sabotaging gains if you don't start out lean.
https://www.eroids.com/forums/general/general-talk/scientific-proof-lowe...
Just make sure your diet is on point and don't eat like shit. You'll definitely be able to see a change.
Exactly! I won’t ever consider bulking again until I feel my body fat is low enough to actually still look good. I miss being bigger, but wtf is it worth if I still have love handles. Been there, done that, felt like shit about it.