By the point an individual will have reached intermediate level cycle experience, they should already understand and know all of the simple basic knowledge and preliminary checks and considerations prior to engaging in use. Therefore, these considerations should not have to be mentioned again. If any reader is unsure of such considerations checks, be sure to refer back to the beginner steroid cycles portion of the article in order to better understand and/or refresh the mind with these very important concepts.
The Definition of An Intermediate and Advanced Anabolic Steroid User
The question of prime concern then becomes: What defines an intermediate anabolic steroid user? What defines an advanced user? These questions will be brought up and reminded to the reader again when advanced anabolic steroid stacks are covered as well. But for now, the answer to both of these questions is rather what an intermediate and advanced user is not:
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An intermediate or advanced anabolic steroid user is not defined by increasingly higher and higher doses of anabolic steroids. The definition of an intermediate or advanced anabolic steroid user is that of a combination of the following learned and developed traits:
– Experience
– Knowledge
– Understanding
– Mastery of one’s own body, its responses and reactions to different compounds, substances, and stimuli
These are the traits that define what an intermediate and advanced anabolic steroid user is. No individual should ever make the mistake of falling into the belief that, for example, advanced users are simply individuals that use very high or excessive doses of anabolic steroids. This is absolutely not the case, and if an individual falls into this line of thinking, it will often result in the same individual falling down the slippery slope of anabolic steroid abuse in the form of excessive doses. However, with this being said, intermediate and/or advanced users may still perhaps be found running anabolic steroids at what would be considered high doses – but this is not what constitutes an intermediate or advanced user. Instead, the use of high doses that may be found among intermediate, and more commonly advanced users, is rather a result of the aforementioned traits listed above in the sense that the intermediate and advanced users understand their physiological responses well enough to understand high dose anabolic steroid stack. Please note that this is not a regular or necessary practice.
Stacking Anabolic Steroids
Intermediate users are far more likely to stack compounds during cycles than to continually utilize cycles in which a single solitary anabolic steroid is the primary compound used. Beginners should more frequently opt for Testosterone-only cycles until enough experience has been acquired so as to expand and explore other options. By the time an individual has achieved intermediate status, more leeway can be provided in regards to the use of stacking compounds in cycles. However with this being said, there is no problem what so ever with intermediate and even advanced users making the decision to run Testosterone-only cycles and in fact many still do. In a sense of ‘back-to-the-basics’, many intermediate and advanced users find comfort, convenience, and simplicity in running Testosterone-only cycles. Furthermore, cycles in which only one compound is used (Testosterone) are not limited strictly to beginner steroid cycles. Instead, such cycles are in fact an integral part of any athletic/bodybuilding program involving the use of performance enhancing drugs.
Anabolic Steroid Stacks
Stacking in particular can be performed by beginner anabolic steroid users towards the later cycles (3 or 4 cycles into use, or perhaps earlier depending on the user’s understanding and experience). This tends to extend into the intermediate level of anabolic steroid use, but the difference is that some of the more complex anabolic steroids are now capable for use by an intermediate user, provided they hold the proper understanding and knowledge of these particular compounds.
Specific types of stacks that are intended for intermediate users instead of beginners involve compounds that require a higher understanding and slightly higher complexity. These are compounds such as Nandrolone (Deca Durabolin), Anadrol (Oxymetholone), and Trenbolone. Trenbolone in particular should be saved for advanced users, although if an intermediate user holds the appropriate understanding of such a powerful and unique (and high risk) anabolic steroid, there should be no issues at all in running steroid stack with such a compound. The common factor among the compounds mentioned (Nandrolone, Anadrol, and Trenbolone) is that they are compounds that possess traits, properties, and characteristics that are unique to themselves that no other anabolic steroids exhibit. These are not basic compounds, and are associated with functions that are complex in understanding, especially when utilized with other compounds.
Anadrol, for example, is a derivative of Dihydrotestosterone. This means that it is unable to aromatize into Estrogen due to the fact that it does not interact what so ever with the aromatase enzyme. This is characteristic of all anabolic steroids derived from Dihydrotestosterone. However, Anadrol is one such anabolic steroid that holds a great amount of mystery surrounding its properties. Despite its inability to exert interaction with the aromatase enzyme to convert into Estrogen, it still exhibits a very high level of Estrogenic activity in the body. This results in an immense amount of potential undesirable Estrogenic side effects (such as bloating and gynecomastia) that are invulnerable to the typical responses and treatments (such as an aromatase inhibitor) that would typically be used to treat/prevent such side effects. Gynecomastia can be effectively prevented, blocked, and combated with the use of a SERM, such as Nolvadex. Note, however, that SERMs will only block the activity of Estrogen at breast tissue receptor sites and do not serve to reduce total Estrogen levels in the body, which is why this treatment will not solve water retention/bloating issues. Some have hypothesized that the Estrogenic action of Anadrol is actually due to possible progestogenic activity associated with Anadrol (much like protestogenic activity associated with Nandrolone). However, this cannot possibly be the case, as one study conducted on Anadrol which examined potential progestational activity had determined that Anadrol in fact possesses no progestogenic attributes or activity[i].
The example used of Anadrol is a very typical example of an anabolic steroid which beginner users are unprepared for, and would more than likely end up with problems and side effects resultant of such premature use.
ANABOLIC STEROIDS TYPICALLY UTILIZED BY INTERMEDIATE USERS (RANKED MOST SUITABLE DOWN TO LEAST SUITABLE):
– Testosterone Propionate
– Dianabol
– Deca-Durabolin (AKA Nandrolone Decanoate)
– Nandrolone Phenylpropionate
– Masteron (Drostanolone)
– Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
– Trenbolone
The Introduction of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Doses
Although this has been touched upon and explained in the introduction component of this article, it is important to mention the concept and practice of running Testosterone in cycles at Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) doses. This is considered to be an acceptable practice to introduce during the intermediate stage, and it is in fact a very important component especially in cycles whereby anabolic steroids are stacked together.
The simple concept is as follows: It is not always necessary for Testosterone to be utilized in high bodybuilding doses as a primary anabolic in a cycle. Testosterone will frequently be stacked alongside other anabolic steroids in a given cycle. Because the individual is engaging in the use of other compounds, it is not always necessary to run Testosterone at doses of 300mg, 500mg, 700mg, or more. In such a cycle, Testosterone can be relegated to a supportive role of providing TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) while other compounds are utilized as the primary muscle-building anabolics. This is what is known as running Testosterone at TRT doses. The concept is therefore to utilize Testosterone at a normal physiological dose, which is designed to mimic the same levels of Testosterone that is endogenously naturally produced by the body (approximately 50 – 70mg per week, and where a given person lands within that range depends on individual genetics, age, lifestyle habits, etc.). The purpose here is that of the maintenance of proper normal physiological functions that Testosterone governs in the body, and this is done during a period in which the user’s natural endogenous Testosterone production is shut down or suppressed as a result of the anabolic steroids utilized in a cycle. Testosterone doses for the purpose of TRT are approximately 100mg weekly and no higher. This will also serve to eliminate or lower the rate of aromatization of Testosterone into Estrogen, negating the requirement for aromatase inhibitors in all but the most sensitive individuals.
Some experienced anabolic steroid users prefer to utilize TRT doses of Testosterone in cycles, while others do not. It ultimately lands on personal individual preference. Ideally, individuals should attempt both protocols (supraphysiological doses of Testosterone in a stack, and later on TRT doses of Testosterone in a stack) in order to discover what best suits them, and what they personally prefer.
The reader should notice that in the following intermediate anabolic steroid cycle examples, Testosterone is utilized at TRT doses. TRT dosing of Testosterone is for the most part considered an intermediate practice and above, although beginner may utilize this as well – however, it is not very common for beginners to engage in this protocol.
Intermediate Steroid Cycle Examples
Intermediate Cycle Example #1 (12 weeks total cycle time)
Weeks 1-12:
– Testosterone Enanthate at 100mg/week
– Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca Durabolin) at 400mg/week
Weeks 1-6:
– Anadrol at 50mg/day
Intermediate Cycle Example #2 (12 weeks total cycle time)
Weeks 1 – 12:
– Sustanon 250 at 500mg/week
– Nandrolone Decanoate (AKA Deca Durabolin) at 400mg/week
Weeks 1 – 4:
– Dianabol at 25mg/day
Intermediate Cycle Example #3 (10 weeks total cycle time)
Weeks 1-10:
– Testosterone (any ester) at 100mg/week
Weeks 1-8:
– Winstrol (injectable) at 100mg every other day (total 400mg/week) OR Winstrol (oral) at 60mg/day
