How to train after finishing a cycle?

[Mags]

I haven't started using gear yet as I'm still in the research stages (this thing tkaes months to try and work it all out). I read that when you finish a cycle, even though using clomid, nolva, HCG etc, you should greatly reduce the intensity of your training as the reduction of steroids in the system, allows the blocked cortisol to run wild causing more atrophy than usual. The article said to reduce weight etc, go lighter for higher reps keeping sessions more brief and try and just keep strength up. I found areas of the article slightly contradictory but was left alittle confused. What you guys think? Cheers

 

[LAM]

lifting light vs heavy has no effect on cortisol levels. to keep strength and test levels high you would want to continue to train as heavy as possible. what you may want to do is lower the volume and up the cals, cortisol can't fuck with insulin.

 

[Mags]

Decrease the volume concerning what? Do you lower the rep range, number of sets, duration of training? Loading Creatine is beneficial too isn't it?

 

[Tha Don]

decrease the volume as in drop the sets, hence drop the duration

eg instead of lifting 4-5 sets to failiure per exercise, lift 1-2 sets beyond failiure (forced reps or rest-pause would be a good idea)

you want to do everything you can to keep your strength up and hold on to the muscle gained from your cycle

 

[Pirate!]

lifting light vs heavy has no effect on cortisol levels. to keep strength and test levels high you would want to continue to train as heavy as possible. what you may want to do is lower the volume and up the cals, cortisol can't fuck with insulin.

This has always made sense to me. I was surprised to hear the opposite from bobo today: http://www.anabolicminds.com/forum/showthread.php?p=236356#post236356
Not that I respect him.

 

[LAM]

I have no clue who bobo is but I would like to know what he thinks the correlation is between intensity and cortisol, because there is none. intensity has to do with mental focus.

decreased test levels does have an effect on the CNS but that of course will vary from person to person. testosterone does act as a neuromodulator.

this is one of the many places where trial and error come into play with this sport.

 

[PreMier]

Bobo is a clown.

 

[Flex]

you should greatly reduce the intensity of your training as the reduction of steroids in the system. The article said to reduce weight etc, go lighter for higher reps keeping sessions more brief and try and just keep strength up.

Uhh, you should NOT reduce the intensity, weight, or sessions,. ONlY decrease your volume if you increased your volume while "on"

 

[Mags]

You've quoted me from my original thread and you've made out it to be my opinion, but I was infact relaying information from the article I had read and what it advised. I was simply asking how to tackle the issue of post cycle training, not looking for anyone trying to pick holes in what i've said. So basically, decrease in volume which I guess means reduction of sets and/or reducing the weight to what was heaviest before taking the gear?

 

[Tha Don]

You've quoted me from my original thread and you've made out it to be my opinion, but I was infact relaying information from the article I had read and what it advised. I was simply asking how to tackle the issue of post cycle training, not looking for anyone trying to pick holes in what i've said. So basically, decrease in volume which I guess means reduction of sets and/or reducing the weight to what was heaviest before taking the gear?

no

volume = no. of sets

nothing to do with how heavy or light the weight is, you should continue to lift heavy just cut the sets back and really go for it on the few sets that you do

 

[Mags]

Nice one d, cheers for the clear answer.

 

[Tha Don]

Nice one d, cheers for the clear answer.

no problem bro