Why “Test-Only” Cycles Aren’t Always the Best Approach

[BadmanPlayer]

There’s a common trope that beginners should always run a testosterone-only cycle before adding other compounds. While this makes sense for understanding side effects, it’s not always the best choice for maximizing muscle and aesthetics.



1. High Testosterone = More Estrogen & Prolactin = More Side Effects



Running high doses of test sounds great on paper, but in reality, it comes with unwanted side effects:



More Aromatization = More Estrogen

• Leads to water retention, bloating, and potential gyno

• Makes muscles look softer instead of hard and dry



Higher Prolactin

• Can cause low libido, mood swings, and potential gyno risk

• Harder to control than estrogen



Better Strategy: Run test at the highest dose possible WITHOUT needing an AI, then add other compounds to enhance your physique.



2. There Are Better Compounds Than Testosterone for Aesthetics & Muscle Growth



Testosterone is great for foundational muscle growth, but if your goal is an elite, aesthetic physique, there are superior compounds to enhance muscle quality and definition.



✔ Primobolan (Master Muscle Builder, No Bloat)

• Lean, dry muscle gains with minimal side effects

• Doesn’t aromatize, meaning zero estrogenic bloat

• Pairs perfectly with low/moderate test for an aesthetic look



✔ Masteron (Test Refinement & Dryness)

• Enhances free test levels while keeping estrogen in check

• DHT-based, so it hardens muscles & sharpens facial aesthetics

• Doesn’t cause water retention



✔ Anavar (Elite Aesthetic Compound for Lean Muscle & Strength)

• Boosts strength and vascularity without bloat

• Improves muscle hardness and density

• Perfect for refining a physique without crazy androgenic effects



3. Best Approach: Moderate Test + Smart Additions



Instead of slamming test to 750mg+ and dealing with side effects, run a more balanced stack that gives better muscle quality, fewer side effects, and a cleaner look.



Example of a Smarter Cycle:



Testosterone Enanthate 300-400mg/week (Base Hormone)

Primobolan 400-600mg/week (Lean muscle builder, no aromatization)

Proviron 25-50mg/day (Boosts androgens, enhances facial aesthetics, no side effects)

NO AI unless absolutely needed (Estrogen balance is key)



Result: A hard, lean, aesthetic physique without excessive estrogenic bloating, gyno risk, or prolactin issues.



4. Final Thoughts – Test-Only Cycles Are Overrated



Test-only can work but isn’t always the best

Too much test = estrogenic sides, bloating, and prolactin issues

A more balanced stack = better muscle quality, fewer side effects, and an elite aesthetic look



Final Takeaway



If your goal is aesthetics, not just size, a balanced approach (Test + Primo/Masteron/Anavar) is superior to blindly running high-test with an AI.



Keep test at the highest dose possible WITHOUT needing an AI, and use other compounds strategically to build a superior physique.

@Clavicular​

@ConfusedBolivian

 

[The Homelander]

how do i control prolactin on 500mg test
aromasin?
also what abt progesterone

 

[BadmanPlayer]

how do i control prolactin on 500mg test
aromasin?
also what abt progesterone

Lowering your estrogen will lower your prolactin,
Use aromisan as its one of the milder AI’s,

Then take 100-200mg of p5p every day

 

[BadmanPlayer]

how do i control prolactin on 500mg test
aromasin?
also what abt progesterone

200-300mg of test a week may be better
As then u won’t have to worrry about using an AI

And then you can use better compounds

 

[The Homelander]

200-300mg of test a week may be better
As then u won’t have to worrry about using an AI

And then you can use better compounds

I want to do a lower cycle but i need to blast while my plates are still open
the lowest i’ll go to is probably 400 for a while and then i’ll just cruise at 250

 

[R1PPer]

Just spam hgh and tren with pretty low dosage of test

 

[The Homelander]

200-300mg of test a week may be better
As then u won’t have to worrry about using an AI

And then you can use better compounds

btw u didn’t mention how to control progesterone or i’m guessing that goes down when i control estrogen

 

[The Homelander]

Just spam hgh and tren with pretty low dosage of test

hard to get real hgh or high quality hgh
qsc is down rn i think they’re gonna be back soon
tren is fucking retarded to use
especially before the age of 28
-makes u uncontrollably angry and burn
-extremely neurotoxic
-bad for liver without right protocol
-take tren to speedrun to death and make urself permanently mentally disabled

 

[R1PPer]

hard to get real hgh or high quality hgh
qsc is down rn i think they’re gonna be back soon
tren is fucking retarded to use
especially before the age of 28
-makes u uncontrollably angry and burn
-extremely neurotoxic
-bad for liver without right protocol
-take tren to speedrun to death and make urself permanently mentally disabled

Its not gonna do all that if you dont overuse it. Most people just take it in the same dosages as test and its fucking them up, also the side effects doesnt touch everybody, you just gotta experiment with dosages and check how your body reacts

 

[The Homelander]

Its not gonna do all that if you dont overuse it. Most people just take it in the same dosages as test and its fucking them up, also the side effects doesnt touch everybody, you just gotta experiment with dosages and check how your body reacts

steroids aren’t remotely well researched enough yet for me to dabble in that kind of stuff
i’ll just stick to good old testosterone

 

[R1PPer]

steroids aren’t remotely well researched enough yet for me to dabble in that kind of stuff
i’ll just stick to good old testosterone

Probably the best if you arent serious about bodybuilding

 

[The Homelander]

Probably the best if you arent serious about bodybuilding

i’m just chasing athleticism/maybe some height gains

 

[baguette420]

Good post, downside with primo is it lowers estrogen and in turn can cause hair loss since estrogen:androgen ratio is off.

 

[vrilmaxxer]

please don't give more advice boyo

DHT derivatives suck except for var