Looking for some guidance for my second cycle.

[NoRep]

Afternoon Gym Whores,

Just looking for some help and guidance with my second cycle.

Towards the end of last year I completed my first cycle which consisted of 0.5ml of Test E twice a week for 10 weeks. I am now about 6 weeks post cycle and my bloods are back to where they were pre-cycle so now wanting to step it up a notch and commence a second cycle.

Primarily I am chasing strength gains but would also like to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat (typically hover around 12%).

I have been doing a bit of research and below is what I was thinking for my second cycle but any thoughts and opinions would be both welcomed and appreciated.

Second Cycle Idea:
0.5ml Test E twice per week for 10 weeks
30mg DBol daily for 6 weeks
PCT - Nolvadex 40mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 20mg daily for a further 2 weeks

 

[YAT35Y]

I’m not very experienced to be handing out much advice, however you could probably safely increase test to 400mg/week (be like 0.75ml twice a week) and go for 12 weeks instead of 10. Sounds like you’re being safe and smart which is good.

 

[YAT35Y]

Afternoon Gym Whores,

Just looking for some help and guidance with my second cycle.

Towards the end of last year I completed my first cycle which consisted of 0.5ml of Test E twice a week for 10 weeks. I am now about 6 weeks post cycle and my bloods are back to where they were pre-cycle so now wanting to step it up a notch and commence a second cycle.

Primarily I am chasing strength gains but would also like to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat (typically hover around 12%).

I have been doing a bit of research and below is what I was thinking for my second cycle but any thoughts and opinions would be both welcomed and appreciated.

Second Cycle Idea:
0.5ml Test E twice per week for 10 weeks
30mg DBol daily for 6 weeks
PCT - Nolvadex 40mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 20mg daily for a further 2 weeks

Also make sure you’re using a decent cycle support if planning on using orals

 

[Sus]

Agree with the above.

Not experienced enough to hand out advice, but based on my reading, you can up your test.

Your first cycle was 250mg per week, you are probably in a position to up that, given the nice recovery to norm from initial cycle.

My first cycle, I plan to ramp to 375mg per week (1.5mls), which is 3x 0.5mls per week. From my reading, test doses can still be considered low/starter levels at 500mg per week or 2mls.

 

[NoRep]

Cheers for the feedback, really appreciate. That's interesting to find out with regard to 500mg still being considered low/starter.

I think I might drop the DBol and just increase the Test E for the second cycle and see how that goes.

Other than Nolvadex for the PCT should i be taking anything else post cycle?

Again thanks everyone for the guidance.

 

[Sus]

From reading rather than experience -
I have aromidex on hand for gyno symptoms during cycle.
PCT I plan 2 weeks of HCG every second day and then clomid

 

[flexymcflexface]

Hey mate,

Good on you for reaching out and seeking advice always a smart move.

A few questions to help give you better guidance:

• What was your body fat percentage when you started your first cycle, and where are you now?
• How consistent were your diet and training throughout your cycle?
• Are there any specific areas you struggled with in your first cycle (e.g., recovery, diet adherence, or side effects)?

Now, onto your plan:

250mg a week is what we’d classify as "sports TRT." It’s just above therapeutic levels and slightly under a typical cycle dosage. Based on what you’ve shared, I wouldn’t introduce anything new just yet. Instead, I’d suggest bumping your Test E dose to 300–400mg per week and running it for 10–12 weeks.

Here’s why:

• Increasing dosages or adding compounds too quickly means your tolerance will build, and future cycles will need to escalate—fast. This approach keeps things sustainable and minimizes risks of side effects (no one wants those).

On Dbol:
While it can boost strength quickly, it’s also known for causing water retention and bloating, which isn’t ideal if you’re aiming to stay around 12% body fat. If your goal is a lean, defined look, Dbol isn’t the right tool for the job.

Instead, consider compounds like Anavar, Winstrol, or Tbol—but save them for a future cycle, maybe your third. For now, focus on getting the most out of a well-structured Test E-only cycle with proper diet and training.

 

[Sturt]

Afternoon Gym Whores,

Just looking for some help and guidance with my second cycle.

Towards the end of last year I completed my first cycle which consisted of 0.5ml of Test E twice a week for 10 weeks. I am now about 6 weeks post cycle and my bloods are back to where they were pre-cycle so now wanting to step it up a notch and commence a second cycle.

Primarily I am chasing strength gains but would also like to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat (typically hover around 12%).

I have been doing a bit of research and below is what I was thinking for my second cycle but any thoughts and opinions would be both welcomed and appreciated.

Second Cycle Idea:
0.5ml Test E twice per week for 10 weeks
30mg DBol daily for 6 weeks
PCT - Nolvadex 40mg daily for 2 weeks followed by 20mg daily for a further 2 weeks

Hey mate, just out of curiosity what PCT did you run and for how long when you finished your first cycle of test e 250/week?

 

[musclemaniac]

Hey Sturt, jumping in a bit late but here are my thoughts.

I agree with the advice from the guys earlier. For your second cycle, keeping it simple is wise to see how your body reacts. Sticking with Test E at 500mg per week (1ml twice a week) for 12 weeks is a sound approach and lets you gauge the effects before adding further compounds.

But if you’re set on introducing something else... some options: for orals, Anavar or Turinabol (Tbol) are milder than Dbol, with fewer side effects like water retention. For injectables, Deca-Durabolin at 200-300mg per week is another popular choice and can work well alongside Test.

Your PCT with Nolvadex at 40mg daily for the first 2 weeks followed by 20mg for the next 2 weeks, is spot on. Just keep up with regular blood work to monitor your body’s response.

 

[NoRep]

Hey mate,

Good on you for reaching out and seeking advice always a smart move.

A few questions to help give you better guidance:

• What was your body fat percentage when you started your first cycle, and where are you now?
• How consistent were your diet and training throughout your cycle?
• Are there any specific areas you struggled with in your first cycle (e.g., recovery, diet adherence, or side effects)?

Now, onto your plan:

250mg a week is what we’d classify as "sports TRT." It’s just above therapeutic levels and slightly under a typical cycle dosage. Based on what you’ve shared, I wouldn’t introduce anything new just yet. Instead, I’d suggest bumping your Test E dose to 300–400mg per week and running it for 10–12 weeks.

Here’s why:

• Increasing dosages or adding compounds too quickly means your tolerance will build, and future cycles will need to escalate—fast. This approach keeps things sustainable and minimizes risks of side effects (no one wants those).

On Dbol:
While it can boost strength quickly, it’s also known for causing water retention and bloating, which isn’t ideal if you’re aiming to stay around 12% body fat. If your goal is a lean, defined look, Dbol isn’t the right tool for the job.

Instead, consider compounds like Anavar, Winstrol, or Tbol—but save them for a future cycle, maybe your third. For now, focus on getting the most out of a well-structured Test E-only cycle with proper diet and training.

Cheers for the feedback, this is extremely helpful.

In terms of the questions;

1. Body fat was 12% pre-cycle, it jumped to 13% during the cycle and then dropped back down to 12% post-cycle.
2. Training was very consistent, minimum 6 sessions a week but sometime as many as 10 if time allowed. Diet was also consistent, I started seeing a sports nutritionist a few weeks before starting and have continued to have monthly check in's with them since.
3. No struggles at all and to be honest I didn't notice much. I did have strength gains noticed through hitting new PB's but nothing super crazy.

Based on all of the feedback I have been getting, I will definitely stick to Test E for this cycle just at an increased amount as has been suggested and for a 12 week cycle instead of 10.

Again, really appreciate the advice.

 

[NoRep]

Hey mate, just out of curiosity what PCT did you run and for how long when you finished your first cycle of test e 250/week?

None, I was told because of how low the dosage was I wouldn't need one, which I now know probably wasn't the greatest advice just from what I have subsequently read but in saying that, I didn't have any side effects either.

Regardless, going forward I will have some sort of PCT because I don't want to be stupid with this stuff.

 

[NoRep]

Hey Sturt, jumping in a bit late but here are my thoughts.

I agree with the advice from the guys earlier. For your second cycle, keeping it simple is wise to see how your body reacts. Sticking with Test E at 500mg per week (1ml twice a week) for 12 weeks is a sound approach and lets you gauge the effects before adding further compounds.

But if you’re set on introducing something else... some options: for orals, Anavar or Turinabol (Tbol) are milder than Dbol, with fewer side effects like water retention. For injectables, Deca-Durabolin at 200-300mg per week is another popular choice and can work well alongside Test.

Your PCT with Nolvadex at 40mg daily for the first 2 weeks followed by 20mg for the next 2 weeks, is spot on. Just keep up with regular blood work to monitor your body’s response.

Thanks for the feedback, definitely just going to go for Test E for this cycle with a Nolvadex PCT.

For the first cycle I did, I only did three rounds of bloods, one pre, one mid and one post but recently I have seen some people saying monthly, is that what you would go with?

 

[flexymcflexface]

None, I was told because of how low the dosage was I wouldn't need one, which I now know probably wasn't the greatest advice just from what I have subsequently read but in saying that, I didn't have any side effects either.

Regardless, going forward I will have some sort of PCT because I don't want to be stupid with this stuff.

nah you 100% do need it.

You would have pretty much shut your natural test down BUT sounds like your young so may have bounced back ok.

100% next time make sure you do as the higher level test will shut it down further you don't want to go 2 rounds of it and not bring it back.

Or you will end up like me who now has to do TRT because in my early 20s I listed to gym bros and did a few cycles and never got told about PCTs

Battled for 10 years with issues that shit doctors said was depression. Went to a new young doc who did bloods and said I had levels of an 80 year old how do I have any energy.

Lucky I have ADHD so it comes

 

[NoRep]

nah you 100% do need it.

You would have pretty much shut your natural test down BUT sounds like your young so may have bounced back ok.

100% next time make sure you do as the higher level test will shut it down further you don't want to go 2 rounds of it and not bring it back.

Or you will end up like me who now has to do TRT because in my early 20s I listed to gym bros and did a few cycles and never got told about PCTs

Battled for 10 years with issues that shit doctors said was depression. Went to a new young doc who did bloods and said I had levels of an 80 year old how do I have any energy.

Lucky I have ADHD so it comes

Makes total sense, I'm just glad I found this forum before I went into my second cycle, it has really opened my eyes.

 

[Dragon_slayer]

Drop the d bol if you wanting to increase size . It kills your appetite

 

[musclemaniac]

Thanks for the feedback, definitely just going to go for Test E for this cycle with a Nolvadex PCT.

For the first cycle I did, I only did three rounds of bloods, one pre, one mid and one post but recently I have seen some people saying monthly, is that what you would go with?

Doing monthly blood work is a great approach to keep a close eye on how your body’s handling the cycle. It helps you spot any potential issues early on ike changes in liver enzymes, cholesterol, or hormone levels. Since you're sticking with Test E, regular monitoring will give you peace of mind and let you adjust if anything's off.