First Lean Bulk - 3rd Cycle Advice

[tattoobrando]

Looking for some experienced opinions on planning my first true lean bulk.

I've spent a lot of time reading threads here, but I'd like to hear what some of you would actually do if you were in my position.

Background

• 39 years old
• 6'0"
• Finished cut at 193 lbs ~3 weeks ago
• Currently ~195 lbs
• Goal is eventually 215-220 before doing another cut
• Training consistently for last year and a half with a structured hypertrophy program and progressive overload
• Blood pressure averages around 120/70 on telmisartan
• I get routine bloodwork every 3 months through clinic and actually care about my health markers

TRT

I've been on physician-managed TRT for about 18 months.

Current protocol:

• Test C 240 mg/week split twice weekly

My total testosterone typically comes back around 900-1,000 ng/dL.

One limitation is my clinic. If my total testosterone exceeds 1,100 ng/dL on more than two lab draws, they'll discontinue my TRT care. Because of that, simply increasing my testosterone isn't really an option. I'd prefer to leave my TRT dose where it is and build around it if needed but open to suggestions.

Previous Cycle

The only additional anabolic I've used was:

• Test C 240 mg/week
• Primo 200 mg/week
• 12 weeks

Honestly, I loved the results.

Strength went up consistently, I stayed lean, recovery improved, and I put on quality muscle without looking watery.

The downside was significant cystic acne and I tanked my E2 down to 6 pg/mL which other than some sore joints (wrist/elbows) I was fine. Blood pressure, hematocrit, hemoglobin, HDL/LDL, and the rest of my labs stayed in a good place, but the acne was bad enough that I'm hesitant to use Primo again. Again, open to feedback.

Diet & Training

This is probably where I separate myself from the average guy asking these questions.

I don't dirty bulk.

I weigh my food.

I meal prep.

I consistently hit my calories and macros.

Protein is high every day, carbs are centered around training, hydration is high, and I very rarely miss meals or workouts.

Right now I'm transitioning out of my cut and slowly increasing calories based on my weekly average body weight rather than jumping straight into a large surplus.

I'm currently averaging 195 lbs for last 2 weeks and am titrating calories up incrementally each week while monitoring my rate of gain. The plan is to increase food only as needed to keep progress moving, with a target of roughly 0.5-1.0 lb/week so I can maximize muscle growth while keeping fat gain under control.

Goals

• Build as much quality, retainable muscle as possible.
• Stay reasonably lean
• Minimize acne if possible.
• Keep blood pressure and bloodwork in a good place.
• Run a productive 16-20 week lean bulk.

I'm not looking for the biggest cycle possible. I'd rather make slightly slower progress if the muscle is more retainable and the side effects are easier to manage.

I've looked into compounds like:

• NPP
• EQ
• Masteron
• DHB
• DBOL
• Deca

I'm not asking which one is "the strongest."

I'm asking which one you'd actually choose and why.

Specifically:

1. If you were in my position, what would your first real bulk cycle look like?
2. Since increasing testosterone isn't really an option, what would you pair with my TRT dose?
3. Does the acne I experienced on Primo make you think I'd likely have similar issues with other DHT-derived compounds?
4. If your priority was adding quality muscle that you'd actually keep after the bulk, what direction would you go?
5. Looking back on your own experience, what compound surprised you the most—for better or worse?

I'd really appreciate hearing the reasoning behind recommendations rather than just "run X mg of Y." There are a lot of guys on here with years of experience, and that's the perspective I'm hoping to learn from.

Appreciate your input!

 

[chadmack]

Eq would probably tank your e2 also.
Me personally i would go npp, it shouldn't effect e2 & in my opinion is a great lean muscle bullder with little to 0 bloat in my experience.
Also it is a shorter ester so if sides do arise u drop & the sides are gone in a few days rather than weeks
My $0.02

 

[chadmack]

Looking for some experienced opinions on planning my first true lean bulk.

I've spent a lot of time reading threads here, but I'd like to hear what some of you would actually do if you were in my position.

Background

• 39 years old
• 6'0"
• Finished cut at 193 lbs ~3 weeks ago
• Currently ~195 lbs
• Goal is eventually 215-220 before doing another cut
• Training consistently for last year and a half with a structured hypertrophy program and progressive overload
• Blood pressure averages around 120/70 on telmisartan
• I get routine bloodwork every 3 months through clinic and actually care about my health markers

TRT

I've been on physician-managed TRT for about 18 months.

Current protocol:

• Test C 240 mg/week split twice weekly

My total testosterone typically comes back around 900-1,000 ng/dL.

One limitation is my clinic. If my total testosterone exceeds 1,100 ng/dL on more than two lab draws, they'll discontinue my TRT care. Because of that, simply increasing my testosterone isn't really an option. I'd prefer to leave my TRT dose where it is and build around it if needed but open to suggestions.

Previous Cycle

The only additional anabolic I've used was:

• Test C 240 mg/week
• Primo 200 mg/week
• 12 weeks

Honestly, I loved the results.

Strength went up consistently, I stayed lean, recovery improved, and I put on quality muscle without looking watery.

The downside was significant cystic acne and I tanked my E2 down to 6 pg/mL which other than some sore joints (wrist/elbows) I was fine. Blood pressure, hematocrit, hemoglobin, HDL/LDL, and the rest of my labs stayed in a good place, but the acne was bad enough that I'm hesitant to use Primo again. Again, open to feedback.

Diet & Training

This is probably where I separate myself from the average guy asking these questions.

I don't dirty bulk.

I weigh my food.

I meal prep.

I consistently hit my calories and macros.

Protein is high every day, carbs are centered around training, hydration is high, and I very rarely miss meals or workouts.

Right now I'm transitioning out of my cut and slowly increasing calories based on my weekly average body weight rather than jumping straight into a large surplus.

I'm currently averaging 195 lbs for last 2 weeks and am titrating calories up incrementally each week while monitoring my rate of gain. The plan is to increase food only as needed to keep progress moving, with a target of roughly 0.5-1.0 lb/week so I can maximize muscle growth while keeping fat gain under control.

Goals

• Build as much quality, retainable muscle as possible.
• Stay reasonably lean
• Minimize acne if possible.
• Keep blood pressure and bloodwork in a good place.
• Run a productive 16-20 week lean bulk.

I'm not looking for the biggest cycle possible. I'd rather make slightly slower progress if the muscle is more retainable and the side effects are easier to manage.

I've looked into compounds like:

• NPP
• EQ
• Masteron
• DHB
• DBOL
• Deca

I'm not asking which one is "the strongest."

I'm asking which one you'd actually choose and why.

Specifically:

1. If you were in my position, what would your first real bulk cycle look like?
2. Since increasing testosterone isn't really an option, what would you pair with my TRT dose?
3. Does the acne I experienced on Primo make you think I'd likely have similar issues with other DHT-derived compounds?
4. If your priority was adding quality muscle that you'd actually keep after the bulk, what direction would you go?
5. Looking back on your own experience, what compound surprised you the most—for better or worse?

I'd really appreciate hearing the reasoning behind recommendations rather than just "run X mg of Y." There are a lot of guys on here with years of experience, and that's the perspective I'm hoping to learn from.

Appreciate your input!

150/week, 200 max, pinned MWF or ed of u dont mind pinning

 

[Conmike41]

Have you tried masteron , NPP or Anavar

Masteron doesn’t decrease my E2

I’d consider

Test 240
Mast 240
NPP 100-200
Amavar 40 mg split 20 AM/PM last 6 weeks

Or you could just say F! It and manage you’re own TRT and blast away

 

[tattoobrando]

150/week, 200 max, pinned MWF or ed of u dont mind pinning

@chadmack Appreciate it! Sounds like you're thinking in terms of keeping the NPP lower relative to the test rather than trying to match or exceed it.

Any particular reason you like the 150-200 mg/week range with 240 mg test? Not challenging your recommendation at all, just trying to understand the reasoning behind it and learn.

 

[tattoobrando]

Have you tried masteron , NPP or Anavar

Masteron doesn’t decrease my E2

I’d consider

Test 240
Mast 240
NPP 100-200
Amavar 40 mg split 20 AM/PM last 6 weeks

Or you could just say F! It and manage you’re own TRT and blast away

@Conmike41 Appreciate the input! I haven't tried Masteron, NPP, or Anavar yet. Primo is the only compound I've added to my TRT so far.

I'm definitely not opposed to Anavar or NPP. My only hesitation with Masteron is that it's another DHT-derived compound. I ended up with some annoying cystic acne on Primo despite having a solid skincare routine. Knowing that now, I'd probably consider a low dose of Accutane if I ever decided to run Primo again, but it still makes me a little hesitant about Mast.

Have you found Masteron to be easier on your skin than Primo, or would you expect a similar acne risk?