First Bulk Cycle Log - Test E + Primo E Cycle (12 Weeks)

BigMuscle22

BigMuscle22

New member
Introduction:
Hey everyone,
I’m starting my first AAS cycle after doing a lot of research and seeing how others have approached their cycles. I’ve been around the gym for years, training naturally, and have a solid foundation. I resisted the peer pressure to jump into heavy cycles too soon, but after a long recovery from surgery and hitting a plateau, I feel like it’s the right time to test the waters. I’ll be documenting the progress here, and I’d love to hear your experiences or advice along the way!
My Training History:

- Early 20s: Built a decent base naturally, hovering around 90kg (~200lbs).
- 2017-2018: Bulked to 100kg (~220lbs), focusing on powerlifting. BF% probably around 18-20%. Felt strong but not great overall.
- Post-2018: Maintained around 92kg (~202lbs) with casual lifting, energy levels good, BF% around 15%.
- 2020-2021: Focused on MMA/kickboxing. Cut down to 83kg (~183lbs) for a competition, water cut to 76kg (~167lbs). It was tough on my health, so I shifted priorities afterward.
- Post-2021: Maintained around 86kg (~190lbs) with casual lifting.
- 2023: After surgery, took a 6-month break from lifting, focusing on cardio and low-weight high-volume training. Gradually returned to lifting and did a natural recomp to 91kg (~200lbs).

Pre-Cycle:

- Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
- Weight: 91.7 kg (~202 lbs)
- Body Fat: 13.9% (estimate)
- Age: 32
- Pre-cycle Bloods: Test 12 nmol/L (Low Normal)
- Alcohol: Occasional (once every two weeks)



Cycle Details:

- Cycle Duration: 12 weeks (may extend to 16 weeks depending on progress).
- AAS: Test E 375mg/week, Primo E 140mg/week.
- Frequency: Every 3.5 days (E3.5D) split dosing.
- AI: None at the moment (testing how my body responds first).
- PCT: Clomid on hand, will start after cycle ends.
- Bloodwork: Taken at week 7, waiting for results.

Diet:

- Total Calories: 3600 kcal (aiming for a clean bulk).
- Meals: Eggs, meat, rice, oats, Greek yogurt, muesli, tuna, full cream milk, whey and casein protein (AM and PM).
- Supplements:
- Vitamin D, Glucose, Glutamine.
- Pre-workout: Creatine HCL (Mono doesn’t sit well with me), Citrulline.
- Alcohol: Zero alcohol during the cycle.

Training:

- Frequency: Full body workout twice a week with Push/Pull/Legs split, plus an optional rest day.
- Rep Range: Progressive overload with 8-12 reps and 3-4 sets per exercise.
- Training Philosophy: Focus on compound movements (for main muscle groups), followed by isolation and stretching exercises. Tempo: 2020 for controlled motion.
- Injury Adjustments: Tweaked exercises for injuries and imbalances.
- Cardio: 2-3 low-intensity sessions per week (walking or sauna).

Sleep & Recovery:

- Sleep: A weak point, averaging 5-8 hours per night with broken sleep.
- Injury History: Minor shoulder, knee, and lower back issues from past training, though nothing that affects my cycle too much.



Cycle Sides & Adjustments:

- Sides:
- Minor water retention in legs and stomach.
- Itchy nipples on and off (likely elevated estrogen).
- Minor acne on shoulders starting from week 3.
- Libido: 75% normal (suspecting elevated E2, bloodwork will confirm).

- Adjustments Planned:
- Increase calories to 3800 kcal.
- Adjust Primo ratio to 1:1 or 0.75:1 (Test E: Primo E).
- Ancillaries:
- Nolva for 1-2 weeks to manage nipple sensitivity.
- Low-dose Aromasin until PCT.
- Cialis for better overall experience.

- PCT Plan: Clomid after cycle completion. Considering a cruise dose of Test E, slow cut, and a potential bulk once I hit 10% body fat. Will monitor E2 sides and adjust as necessary.
So far, the cycle has been going well with steady progress in muscle mass. The side effects are manageable, and I’m adjusting things as needed. I’m also thinking about the next steps after the cycle, including possible PCT, cruise dose, and adjusting my diet accordingly.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s had similar experiences with Test + Primo cycles or anyone who has insights on managing sides like water retention and estrogen issues. Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions!
 
Log Update – May 20


Week 9 – Current Cycle Update


Hey everyone! It's been almost 9 weeks since I started this cycle, and I wanted to share my current progress and next steps. Thanks again to everyone who's been following along and offering advice – it's been super helpful.


Progress:​


  • Weight: 95.3 kg (+3.6 kg since the start)
  • Body Composition: Strength and endurance are way up, muscles are visibly growing, but I’m still keeping an eye on fat gain. From the mirror and measurements, I’d estimate body fat is around 13-14%.
  • Strength: Big improvements across the board:
    • Bench press: +10 kg (now hitting 130 kg for 5-6 reps)
    • Squat: +15 kg (180 kg x 5)
    • Deadlift: Not much of a jump in the weight, but the volume has increased due to more sets and reps.
  • Look: Muscles are denser, shoulders and traps are more defined, veins popping in arms and forearms. Not much change in legs yet, but they’re still responding. Getting more overall thickness, which is great.

Side Effects & Adjustments:​


  • Estrogen Sides:
    • Nipple sensitivity got much better after running Nolvadex (10mg/day) for a week. Major improvement. I’m still running Aromasin (6.25 mg every other day) to keep estrogen in check.
    • Water retention is minimal now, but I still have a bit around the stomach area, especially after training.
  • Acne: Still dealing with some pimples on my back and shoulders, but it’s manageable. I’m using benzoyl peroxide 5% and it’s helping.
  • Libido: Back to about 90-95% of normal, with only slight fluctuations depending on the day.
  • Other Effects: Occasionally feel a bit fatigued 2-3 days after injections, but nothing too crazy. Appetite is solid, although I occasionally feel overly full after meals.

Training:​


  • I’m sticking with the Push/Pull/Legs split with one or two active recovery days.
  • I’ve increased workout volume by 20% compared to the start of the cycle. I’ve added one more set to most compound lifts and am doing more accessory work for arms, core, and legs.
  • Leg day now includes extra calf raises and Romanian deadlifts, which has been a good change for overall growth.

Diet:​


  • Calories: Upped it to 4000 kcal/day, feeling like the muscle gain is optimal.
  • Macronutrient Breakdown:
    • 40% carbs (low to moderate GI foods like oats, rice, potatoes)
    • 30% protein (meat, fish, eggs, whey)
    • 30% fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts)
  • I’ve also started adding intra-workout carbs (20g of dextrose + EAA) on big training days for an extra boost.

Sleep & Recovery:​


  • Average sleep: 7-8 hours, but quality is still inconsistent. I’ve started using 2mg melatonin + magnesium glycinate to help, and it’s making a small difference.
  • I’ve also been adding short 20-minute naps when possible for extra recovery.

Bloodwork (Week 8):​


I got my blood results back, and here’s what stood out:


  • Testosterone: Up to 30.5 nmol/L (normal range is 10-28 nmol/L).
  • Estradiol: A little elevated, but within the acceptable range. Aromasin seems to be keeping things in check.
  • Lipids: HDL dropped a little, but nothing too alarming. I’ll keep monitoring.
  • Hematocrit: Slightly elevated, but still within normal levels.
  • Liver enzymes: All normal, which is good news!

Plans for the Remainder of the Cycle:​


  • Increase Primo Dose: I’m bumping the Primo up to 200 mg/week to match the Test and keep the ratio balanced.
  • I’ll stick to the current PCT plan, but if my bloodwork is solid, I may consider a cruise dose of 125 mg Test E/week post-cycle, followed by a slow recomp.
  • As the cycle nears its end, I’ll start prepping for a cut and adjust my diet accordingly to minimize fat gain while maintaining muscle.

Questions for the Community:​


  • How do you manage rising hematocrit levels during a cycle? Any strategies to keep it in check?
  • Has anyone run Primo at doses higher than 200 mg/week? What was your experience with side effects and results?
  • How are you managing lipids and cholesterol while on Test + Primo? Any supplements or diet changes that worked for you?

Thanks again for following along! I look forward to hearing your experiences and advice. If anyone has done similar cycles or faced similar challenges, feel free to share your thoughts!
 
Great log! You’re really pushing hard, I can see the results already. One thing though, have you thought about adding more cardio to help manage water retention? Sometimes just 15-20 min of low-intensity cardio a few times a week can really help keep the bloating down.
 
I’ve run Primo at 200mg/week, and personally, I didn’t feel much difference from 140mg, but I did notice a slight increase in vascularity and fullness. However, my lipids took a hit, especially HDL. Just something to watch out for. Have you checked your HDL/LDL ratios?
 
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