Just keep in mind that this is not a “how to” or a prescription, just an honest look at what’s really being used by pros. An actual cycle is very individual and should be changed according to individual needs.

16-Week Cycle: General Usage

Cut long esters at 6-8 weeks out and switch to short-acting compounds.
Increase anti-estrogens as the show get closer in order to get harder and dryer. This is where a lot of people fail because of lack of knowledge on the subject.
Testosterone should be cut anywhere between 2-4 weeks out. Some people can get away with going all the way to the show but it really depends on the person. If they’re going for a very hard and dry look, then likely they’ll cut it earlier.
Make sure supplementation is on target during the cycle to protect your health. I use liver support supplements, Flameout, Curcumin, etc.
Simplicity is the key; a cycle doesn’t need to be fancy. If a bodybuilder is not advanced or experienced – and most who think they are actually aren’t! – he should go with a lower dosage.

16-Week Sample Cycle: Moderate to High Dosage
Steroids

This is an example of a common pro-bodybuilder cycle. It’s something I’ve done before and I do not recommend this for anyone!

1-10 Testosterone Enanthate, 750mg a week (1000-1200mg advanced)
1-10 EQ, 800mg a week (1000mg advanced)
1-10 Tren E, 600mg/week (800mg advanced)
1-8  D-Bol, 50mg every day (up to 100mg advanced)
10-16 100mg Testosterone prop EOD (100mg ED advanced)
10-16 100mg Trenbolone Acetate EOD (75-100mg ED advanced)
10-16 100mg Masteron propionate EOD (100mg ED advanced)
10-16 50mg Winstrol or Anavar ED (sometime I do both)
8-16 Start T3 at 25mcg ED and taper up as needed.
12-16 Halotestin, start at 20mg ED and increase by 10mg every week (not a good choice for those who aren’t mentally strong.)

Pharmaceutical GH 6-12 IU ED for the whole cycle (If people can afford more then the sky is the limit. I know guys who’ve gone up to 30 IU but this is rare.)

Insulin For advanced lifters only! 5-10 IU pre-workout followed by drinking Plazma™ right away. This is a moderate dosage, a lot of guys are using much more.

When to cut insulin is very individual and depends on conditioning, water retention and the amount of carbs the bodybuilder is eating. It could be run straight through or cut out in the weeks prior to the show and possibly reintroduced later on.

Clenbuterol is on option starting at 6-8 weeks out. Most start low, 20-40mcg.
Anti-Estrogens

Nolvadex (Tamoxifen): 20mg ED for the whole cycle, taper up if needed starting at 6 weeks out.

Arimidex for the whole cycle starting at 1mg EOD and taper up as needed from 6 weeks out.

Provironstarting at 8 weeks out at 25mg ED and taper up as the show gets closer, up to 100mg ED.

Note: This doesn’t cover the last week. The peak week is very complicated and not easily generalized so I didn’t include it.

Anyone doing a cycle like this is very advanced and knows that the final week will change from show to show. There’s no set plan for it. If someone gives you a set plan for your last week without looking you over and making changes based on how you look, he’s an idiot.

Best Tip for Gaining in the Off Season

Humalog and Plazma combination: 5-10 IU 10 minutes pre-workout followed by 2-3 servings of Plazma. (Not for beginners!)