Dbol kickstart the first 4-6 weeks or just wait for the test esters to kick in

[Marc NL]

Starting a test e and deca cycle next month. Debating whether to run a Dbol kickstart for the first 4-6 weeks. My last two cycles I just waited for the long esters to build and was fine with it. But a mate says a Dbol kickstart at 40mg keeps you motivated through the slow weeks. Curious what others actually do - does the kickstart add real value or is it just impatience dressed up as strategy?

[Beantown Rick]

Stopped doing Dbol kickstarts 3 years ago. The water makes it impossible to track whether test and deca are actually working underneath. You get a rush of size and strength in weeks 1-4 that feels great then when you drop the Dbol you do not know if what remains is test kicking in or just water leaving. Run your bloods at week 6 and if test and deca are doing their job the numbers will show it without needing a kickstart to paper over the wait.

[NYCgains]

Still do a Dbol kickstart for the motivation factor alone. First cycle I waited for test e to kick in and weeks 2-3 felt like nothing was happening. Now I run 40-50mg Dbol for the first 4 weeks and have AI dialled in from day one because Dbol aromatises fast. AM and PM split, some guys swear by chewing tabs for better absorption. The water goes when Dbol stops and by then test is running proper.

[Marc NL]

Never done a Dbol kickstart but curious about trying one. The AI dialled in from day one comment is the key thing I take from this thread - sounds like guys who get into trouble with Dbol are the ones who wait until they feel symptoms before reaching for the AI. If you are going to run it, have your adex or aromasin dose worked out and start it the same day you start Dbol.

[FLbodybuilder]

The Anadrol alternative kickstart angle is interesting. My training partner ran Anadrol 50mg as a kickstart last year and said the strength was incredible but the water retention was way worse than Dbol, felt bloated the entire 4 weeks. I prefer Dbol for the kickstart personally, more manageable. Though honestly considering skipping it this time and just being patient with the long esters.

[BERLINER]

I ran a Dbol kickstart on my last cycle, 40mg for 4 weeks. Split the dose morning and evening. The strength increase was fast, added 15kg to my squat by week 3. AI from day one is not optional - I started Anastrozole 0.5mg every other day at the same time as the Dbol and had no estrogen issues. The water left when I dropped it and the test was running properly by then. I will probably do it again.

[MunichMarc]

Reading this as I plan my second cycle which will be test and deca. The Dbol kickstart debate is useful. I think I will skip it for now and just wait for the long esters. I want to keep variables simple on only my second cycle and adding an oral that aromatises heavily adds complexity I do not need yet. Maybe cycle 3 or 4 when I have my AI response better dialled in.

[Dutchman]

For a 14-week test and deca blast the Dbol kickstart question depends on your goals. If you are trying to assess exactly how test and deca are affecting your body, skip the kickstart and keep variables clean. If you have run this stack before and know your response, the Dbol weeks 1-4 is a reasonable addition for the strength and size momentum. First time running a compound combination - keep it simple.