Do we really need more anabolics the bigger we get? This is something I have been pondering lately. I really don’t think we need to be increasing significantly the amount of anabolics we take as we start getting bigger. What we are shooting for is to put the body in an anabolic state so that it has the opportunity to grow when we eat, train and rest properly. Are we in a more anabolic state with 1000mg of test compared 500mg? Sure your test levels are going to be higher but does this necessarily correlate into “better” gains. The body can only be so anabolic, right? You often hear people saying “I no longer get the same effect from 500mg of test that I used to.” I need to take 1000mg now just to get the same effect” is what you commonly hear. Are they really getting the same effect, though? With those 500mg cycles when you first started I am assuming you were amazed at the 20lbs you were putting on each cycle. Years later now do you now require 1500mg of test to gain 20lb of quality weight? Can you even gain 20lbs/ cycle now or do you need that much just to be happy with a 5-6lb gain? So in essence 500mg of test basically results in no gains at all now?

I guess one of my main points after all this rambling is that we can’t expect that 20lb muscle gain after each cycle and trying to chase that dream by running copious amounts of test is just that, a pipe dream. You are likely to get bigger, but how much bigger compared to running a more basic cycle of test (again water weight doesn’t count here.) Once the body is in an anabolic state, growth should be occurring. Is running double the amount of test, say 1500mg compared to 750mg of test really needed to put the body in an anabolic state and elicit quality growth. What type of growth can one realistically expect after years of cycling? There comes a point when the body will no longer accept more mass no matter how much AAS we run.

I myself haven’ ran any super-duper what I would call high test or really advanced bulking cycles but still seem to be making good progress. Would I get significantly better gains by doubling everything? I am sure I would have to battle more sides but would the gains be that much better?

What I do think is beneficial to keep maximizing gains is to start stacking compounds after a certain point. I believe many compounds are synergistic when ran together so 1+1=3 which is better than just double the amount of a single compound. Adding in some deca or EQ to your normal test base can significantly change things and make a difference but we also have to be careful not to overdo things here also and everything needs a progression. There are also other compounds that may be needed to really progress further but those can be saved for advanced discussion. Are you at a point now where you have to incorporate those compounds or you can’t gain no matter what anabolic you run?

What I am really curious about here is what other guys who have been doing this for a long long time think if it is really necessary to run say double of what you used to (ie 1500mg of test compared to 750mg for example) to elicit growth anymore. How much extra growth do you think you are achieving by running the higher doses compared to what you used to? Are other compounds absolutely necessary after reaching a certain point to make any significant progress no matter what anabolics you run?