First Testosterone Cycle – From Average to Jacked (Using Steroids Safely)
Starting your first testosterone cycle can be confusing. There’s a lot of information online, and much of it is wrong or unsafe. Many guys jump in without thinking about health, side effects, or long-term impact. This guide breaks down the real steps you need to follow to do your first cycle the smart way.
Understand the Goal of Your First Cycle
The goal of your first cycle isn’t just to grow big fast. It’s to find your sweet spot dosage of testosterone and maybe one or two more compounds — without damaging your health. You want to stay in control, avoid side effects, and build a strong base for future cycles.
Forget the loud guys online yelling about huge stacks. Start with health first. Then focus on growth.
Step 1: Get Blood Work Done First
Before injecting anything, go to your doctor or a hormone clinic and get your blood hormone panel. This tells you your natural testosterone levels.
If your natural test is high (900–1500), starting with 150–200mg of testosterone per week won’t do much. You’ll just shut down your own production with no big benefits.
If your test levels are low (under 400), 150–200mg of test will work great. You’ll get amazing results and feel the boost quickly. This is why bloodwork is important — it helps you pick the right dosage from the start.
Step 2: Get Everything Ready
Before you inject your first dose, prepare fully. Ask yourself:
- Do I have a legit source of testosterone?
- Is the product real and clean?
- Do I know how to inject safely?
- Do I have the right needles and syringes?
- Have I studied injection protocols?
Also, have your supplements ready. These will support your recovery, training, and sleep. Start with basic ones like:
- Creatine
- Fish oils
- Multivitamins
- Magnesium
Your nutrition must change too. On gear, your body processes food differently. You won’t get fat easily if you eat more — so use that to grow. Don’t hold onto your natty mindset. Gear helps you use food for size and strength.
Same goes for training. Use a program made for enhanced lifters. You recover faster and can train harder. A natty plan won’t work the same way now.
Step 3: Start Injecting – Low and Controlled
Now it’s time to start the cycle.
Start low, not high. This helps you see how your body reacts. You want to learn how you aromatize testosterone — this means how much of it turns into estrogen. High estrogen can lead to:
- Water retention
- High blood pressure
- Gyno (man boobs)
- Acne
- Mood swings
To manage estrogen, keep an AI (Aromatase Inhibitor) on hand, but don’t use it right away. Only use it if you start getting high estrogen symptoms. If you must, go with Aromasin over Letrozole. Letro can crush your good cholesterol and hurt your brain long term. As the cycle continues, increase the dosage slowly. A good plan is to bump it by 100–150mg every 4–6 weeks. Don’t double it fast. More doesn’t always mean better. Some guys do great at 300mg/week, others need 600mg/week. But doubling the dose won’t double your gains, it can double your side effects instead. Find the lowest dose that gives you the best results. That’s your sweet spot.
Step 4: Add a Second Compound (Optional)
Once your body is stable on test, and you’ve done it for a while (usually 6+ weeks), you can add a second compound. But first — get bloodwork done again.
This second round of bloodwork tells you:
- How testosterone has affected your health
- If you can handle a second compound
- What type of compound to pick
For example:
- If your liver markers are high – skip oral steroids
- If your RBC count is high – do more cardio or donate blood
- If your lipids are bad – fix your diet, use fish oils and citrus bergamot
If you ignore this and pick the wrong steroid (like Tren, Winstrol, or Masteron), you’ll wreck your health. Always match the steroid’s effects with your blood results. Also, each steroid gives you a different look. Pick the one that fits your goals. Some guys like how Deca makes them look full and big. Others prefer leaner drugs like Anavar. Add only one new compound at a time, and use the same “start low, go slow” strategy as testosterone.
Example Beginner Cycle
Here’s a beginner cycle that worked well for a client:
- Weeks 1–12: 300mg testosterone per week
- Week 6 onward: Add T-Bol (oral) in a light dose
He gained 16 pounds of muscle safely. Others might extend it to a cutting phase, using Primobolan, HGH, and continuing the test base. This could go up to 28 weeks, and still be safe with regular blood work.
After the Cycle – What Next?
Once your cycle ends, you have 3 options:
- PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) – come off completely
- Muscle Retention Dose – drop to 200–300mg/week to keep size
- TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) – go even lower to 70–100mg/week
Which path you take depends on your goals. You don’t have to become a bodybuilder. Most guys just want to feel young, look great, and stay healthy.
Final Thoughts
The most important part of your first cycle is control. Start slow. Adjust only when needed. Always monitor your health with blood tests before, during, and after. Don’t listen to the crowd that says steroids will destroy you. Steroids can be used safely and effectively if you’re smart and careful. Your first cycle is about learning what works for your body and setting yourself up for success in the long run. Avoid panic, avoid side effects, and don’t chase big gains with reckless choices. Do it right and you’ll grow faster, look better, and stay healthy for years. Let this cycle set the tone for your future.
