Does my body look like its in a good place to start my first cycle?

[blazencruise]

I've been training 4 years naturally. am I still too fat? I know I'm not 12% but I don't want to get super lean I want to keep my strength, 15%-20% is where I'd like to be.

 

[traininsane11]

I've been training 4 years naturally. am I still too fat? I know I'm not 12% but I don't want to get super lean I want to keep my strength, 15%-20% is where I'd like to be.

Bro if you train in them shoes then you’re already a baller and don’t need confirmation of any of us!

In all seriousness starting gear as long as you’re sensible is only going to improve things so I don’t see an issue myself

Usual jargon about maximising diet and training first but we all know this and it’s 2025 we want results instantly god damnnit!

 

[sourpower]

Realistically you could probably have some room to grow before “needing” steroids. That being said, it’s up to you - as long as you’re safe and not overdoing it… have a “blast”

 

[302]

Bro if you train in them shoes then you’re already a baller and don’t need confirmation of any of us!

In all seriousness starting gear as long as you’re sensible is only going to improve things so I don’t see an issue myself

Usual jargon about maximising diet and training first but we all know this and it’s 2025 we want results instantly god damnnit!

“Hey dudes” are elite lifting shoes

 

[Pheedno]

Yes, you're in a good spot. Take half the money for the cycle, hire a coach for 3 months. Do half the amount of anabolics while you're working with them. Go from there.
Keep the shoes

 

[buck]

People have started from worse spots.
Hopefully your diet has been on track all those years.
Seems you could still grow more naturally to me.
Shooting for up to 20% bodyfat doesn't seem like a good plan to me.

 

[Brocksamson2.0]

I've been training 4 years naturally. am I still too fat? I know I'm not 12% but I don't want to get super lean I want to keep my strength, 15%-20% is where I'd like to be.

get bloodwork first and see where your levels are. Hire a coach.

 

[Hatchet]

Why would he hire a coach? I didn't see 'wanting to compete" in his post?
Everything he needs to know is out there, and free... I dont see why the avg. gym-rats and gen-pop need a coach.
Makes zero sense...

 

[Eddie.]

I had the same thoughts 2 years ago before I jumped into gear. I wasn’t lean (fatter than you) and made my first cycle with a deficit.

It wasn’t the optimal, best thing is to start lean into a push phase. I won’t say I regret it but that’s the truth about what’s the best approach.

Do an extensive bloodwork panel and if you can afford some basic scans too because these will be your baseline. Whatever you do from the moment you start you won’t know how your bloodwork and your organs were before gear.

Be responsible and always try to learn stuff, educate yourself as much as you can. This board has plenty of info, it will help you understand and interpret many things you’ll face in the near future.

Have fun and keep us posted!

 

[Pheedno]

Why would he hire a coach? I didn't see 'wanting to compete" in his post?
Everything he needs to know is out there, and free... I dont see why the avg. gym-rats and gen-pop need a coach.
Makes zero sense...

Fair enough. We're speaking from our own past experience. Competing or not, it's a step I would have done for both lifting and nutrition, if I was doing it again. Gear not so much.

 

[Flocci]

No, too fat in my opinion.

I would run a hard cut and add AAS on the back end of it at TRT levels and then stabilize that after the diet and potentially up the dose to 300-600mg over 16-24 weeks after the cut.


What are your long term goals and vision for yourself and your physique?

 

[WeakFNG]

Be honest with yourself as far as your goals and health. As @Brocksamson2.0 said, get bloodworkd done now and 6-8 weeks in, unless you start to notice side effects. A fairly comprehensive panel will cost you $200 and is well worth it.

All that said, its your choice. Be informed and careful.

 

[neutrino]

Good place for first cycle? Hard to tell. Let's see the progress you have made over past 4 years of natural training. Have shots from before you started?

But...

The responsible answer: probably not. Met plenty of people that dont even lift carrying around same muscle mass that you have. That being said, you probably have a lot more stuff you can optimize before you flip the drug switch.

The meh answer: sure man, you can start a cycle any time you want.

 

[Trippy.]

Why would you want to be 20% BF? Kind or a weird goal IMO. I get the strength thing but natty 10 months ago a could barely push 225 for 2 maybe 3... 10 months later I'm down 25lbs and right at 10% BF and hit 315 so I think you're worrying about the wrong things bro. My strength isn't even comparable to when I was natty and 25lbs heavier.

 

[Trippy.]

I definitely started in a way worse spot than you are man. I don't think your goal should be to get fat because it opens the door to sides on gear but we all have different goals.

 

[tenny]

Why would he hire a coach? I didn't see 'wanting to compete" in his post?
Everything he needs to know is out there, and free... I dont see why the avg. gym-rats and gen-pop need a coach.
Makes zero sense...

i would rather say......go to the biggest guys in the gym and ask to train a day or two a week with them.
leg days would be ideal.

listen and learn. might even get a "deal" out of it.

 

[neutrino]

i would rather say......go to the biggest guys in the gym and ask to train a day or two a week with them.
leg days would be ideal.

listen and learn. might even get a "deal" out of it.

This is always a solid approach. Never hurts to have a mentor in any aspect of life

 

[Brocksamson2.0]

Why would he hire a coach? I didn't see 'wanting to compete" in his post?
Everything he needs to know is out there, and free... I dont see why the avg. gym-rats and gen-pop need a coach.
Makes zero sense...

i dont NEED a guide to climb Mount Everest, i can absolutely do it myself, eventually... But wouldnt a guide that has reached the summit get me to the top faster?

 

[tenny]

i dont NEED a guide to climb Mount Everest, i can absolutely do it myself, eventually... But wouldnt a guide that has reached the summit get me to the top faster?

muscleChatGPT is your guru.

wanna be a thermophysics....thermochatGPT.....poof.

 

[Brocksamson2.0]

muscleChatGPT is your guru.

wanna be a thermophysics....thermochatGPT.....poof.

“I can get a good look at a T-Bone by sticking my head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it”.