HOW TO PERIODISE PEDs AS A STRENGTH ATHLETE
Smart chemistry that peaks when you do.
If you’re enhanced and still just "running what the boys run," you're leaving performance on the platform. Training, nutrition, recovery — and pharmacology — all need structure. This is your no-fluff guide to periodising PEDs in line with your training blocks, minimising side effects, and maximising your peak.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) carries serious health risks and should only be considered under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. JMSTRENGTH does not encourage or endorse the use of illegal substances. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your supplementation or training protocol.
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🧬 Step 1: Understand Your Compound Families
Steroids fall into four core "families," each descended from a parent hormone. Stacking within a family usually causes redundancy, side effects, or both. The real move? Stack across families.
Note: DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a natural byproduct of testosterone, but DHT-derived anabolic steroids behave very differently from testosterone in the body and deserve their own category.
Family (Parent) Common Compounds Strengths Risks Don’t Stack Together Because…
Testosterone Derivatives Testosterone (E, C, P), Sustanon, Equipoise (Boldenone), Dianabol, Turinabol, Methyltestosterone Foundational hormone, RBC boost, strength and size Aromatisation, estrogenic sides, BP issues Estrogen overload, receptor competition
DHT Derivatives Masteron, Primobolan, Halotestin, Winstrol, Anavar, Proviron Dry look, hardness, neural edge Cholesterol damage, joint dryness Similar receptor targeting, harsh on joints and lipids
19-Nor (Nandrolone):
Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca)
NPP
Trenbolone (A/E/Hex) Recovery, joint support, strength Prolactin/progesterone issues, suppression Progesterone overload, mood/libido suppression
Oral Only (Highly toxic) Superdrol, Methyltrenbolone Explosive strength & fullness Liver stress, BP spikes, short windows only Don't stack hepatotoxic orals together
> 🔎 Rule of thumb: One from each family. Never double up unless you're stacking two DHTs smartly, short-term (more on this below).
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📅 Step 2: Periodise Your PEDs to Match Training Blocks
> 🔍 4–5 half-lives = full blood concentration. Plan start dates based on compound half-life.
⛰️ Weeks 12–8 — ACCUMULATION
Goal: Build muscle mass, volume tolerance
PEDs:
Test E or C (moderate base dose)
EQ or Deca for joint support and RBC boost
Optional: low-dose Turinabol for lean tissue support
⚖️ Weeks 8–5 — INTENSIFICATION
Goal: Start lifting heavier, CNS stimulation
PEDs:
Keep Test base, bump slightly
Introduce Tren A ~Day 1 Week 6 (peaks by Week 4)
Optional oral: Anadrol or Superdrol (2-3 weeks max)
🔥 Weeks 4–1 — PEAKING PHASE
Goal: Max strength, low fatigue
PEDs:
Test Prop (short ester)
Tren A fully active
Halotestin or Methyltren 7–10 days out
Remove: Long esters like Deca or EQ
Adjust: If CNS becomes overstimulated, pull orals 48 hours before comp
❌ Post-Comp — RECOVERY / CRUISE
Goal: Normalize hormone function, reduce stress
PEDs:
Drop all orals and CNS-heavy compounds
Cruise on Test or begin PCT
Support with health supplements (liver, sleep, prolactin control)
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🩸 Half-Life Cheat Sheet
Compound Type Half-Life Steady-State (4-5x)
Tren A Short Ester ~2 days 8–10 days
NPP Short Ester ~3 days 12–15 days
Test Prop Short Ester ~2.5 days 10–12 days
Halotestin Oral ~9 hours ~2 days
Anadrol Oral ~8–9 hours ~2 days
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🧬 Step 3: Smart DHT Stacking (If You Must)
If you're going to double up, DHTs are your safest bet due to their lack of aromatisation and shorter half-lives. But they must serve different purposes and be run short-term only.
Best DHT Roles
Compound Primary Role Best Paired With
Halotestin CNS / aggression Anavar, Masteron
Anavar Lean mass / mild strength Halotestin, Winstrol
Masteron Dry hardness, anti-E Anavar, low-dose Halo
Winstrol Cosmetic strength Anavar (short-term)
Proviron Libido / free test Anavar or Masteron
Methyltren CNS, raw aggression Very short bursts only
Superdrol Strength + fullness Only as standalone oral
> ⚠️ Avoid: Halo + Methyltren, Winny + Superdrol, Proviron + Masteron
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🧶 Sample 12-Week PED Protocol (Illustrative Only)
Week Stack Purpose
12–9 300mg Test E + 400mg EQ Volume, joint support, endurance
8–6 Add 50mg NPP EOD Bridge into CNS phase
6–3 Swap NPP for Tren A 50mg EOD CNS and strength focus
3–1 Add Anadrol 50mg/day Weight retention and drive
Comp Week Test Prop 100mg EOD, Tren A, Halo 20mg/day (stop 48h out) Peak output
Post-Comp Drop orals, cruise Test Recovery and normalization
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✅ Key Takeaways
Stack across families, not within them
Use half-lives to time peak effect with peak performance
If doubling up, DHTs are safest but choose roles carefully
Use CNS-heavy compounds short-term, not year-round
PED periodisation = long-term performance with less fallout
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Ready to stop winging your chemistry?
DM JMSTRENGTH for a private, judgment-free consult and let’s engineer a PED plan that peaks when you do — no fluff, just ruthless efficiency.