Escrito por Alexander · Entrenador Personal Certificado ISSA
A good first cycle is simple: testosterone only, at a moderate dose, for 10–12 weeks. Nothing else. This guide gets straight to the practical part — the protocol, how to inject, how to store the vial, and what to expect — with no filler.
Testosterone is the hormone your body already produces, so it knows how to process it and recover from it. Starting with a harsher compound (Dianabol, Trenbolone, Winstrol) before you know how you react is a classic mistake. And with testosterone alone, it’s easy to pinpoint the cause if a side effect shows up.
| Variable | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compound | Testosterone Enanthate | Or Cypionate — they’re equivalent |
| Dose | 300–400 mg / week | No more on a first cycle |
| Frequency | 2 times per week | Keeps levels stable |
| Duration | 10–12 weeks | Not less, not more |
| PCT | Nolvadex 40/40/20/20 | Start 2 weeks after the cycle |
PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) is mandatory: during the cycle your natural production shuts down, and PCT restarts it. Have your Nolvadex on hand before you start.
Have everything ready before you open the vial. Hunting for supplies mid-process causes mistakes.
Everything is single-use. A used needle is duller, hurts more and raises the infection risk. Never inject with the same needle you drew with.
3ml syringe. Draw with an 18G–21G needle and switch to a 23G to inject.
The weekly dose is split into 2 equal injections. How much to draw depends on the vial’s concentration (the mg/ml on the label).
ml per injection = (weekly dose ÷ 2) ÷ vial concentrationExamples:
| Concentration | Weekly dose | Injections | ml per injection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 mg/ml | 300 mg | 2 | 0.5 ml |
| 300 mg/ml | 400 mg | 2 | 0.67 ml |
| 250 mg/ml | 400 mg | 2 | 0.8 ml |
3ml syringes are marked every 0.1ml, so measuring precisely is easy.
The safest and easiest site for beginners is the glute (dorsogluteal).
Mentally divide the glute into four parts. Always inject in the upper-outer quadrant — the top, toward the outside. This keeps you away from the sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower-inner area.
Inject in the upper-outer quadrant (green). Avoid the lower-inner quadrant (red), near the sciatic nerve.
Alternate between the right glute and the left glute on each injection (and optionally the thigh, in the vastus lateralis). Rotating prevents scar-tissue buildup and soreness in a single spot.
Storing the vial
Injectable testosterone is not refrigerated. Keep it at room temperature (15–30 °C / 59–86 °F), away from direct sunlight and heat — a dark drawer or cabinet is fine. Don’t freeze it: the oil can crystallize. Once opened, the vial stays sterile as long as the stopper is intact and you use a clean needle each time.
Your basic kit
If you miss an injection
Realistic numbers for a well-executed first cycle:
| Metric | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Total weight gained during the cycle | 6–10 kg |
| Of that, actual muscle | 3–6 kg |
| Of that, water and glycogen | 2–4 kg |
| Strength gain on the main lifts | 15–25 % |
| Muscle retained 3 months after PCT | 4–7 kg net |
The scale rises fast in the first weeks — partly water and glycogen, not all muscle. When you finish the cycle it’ll drop a bit; don’t panic. What remains 3 months after PCT is your real result. Weigh yourself weekly, same day, same time, fasted, to track progress.
This guide covers the practical side of a first cycle. Browse our injectable testosterone or the full anabolic steroids shop.