There are quite a few bulking (mass gains) cycles out there, but if you are looking for a steroid stack for mass gains, then you cannot ignore a Testosterone and Deca stack.
The two compounds (Testosterone Enanthate and Nandrolone Decanoate) thay make up this bodybuilding steroid stack complement each other for optimal athletic performance, skeletal muscle strength, and growth.
This guide highlights the impact and bodybuilding benefits of this stack in addition to recommending the best possible practices for running this bulking (mass gains) cycle.
But first, we begin by providing you with a general overview of both Testosterone Enanthate and Deca-Durabolin.
Testosterone Enanthate: A Long-Acting Exogenous Testosterone Ester
Testosterone Enanthate is a synthetically generated version of endogenous or natural testosterone hormone. Testosterone Enanthate is a long-acting exogenous testosterone ester that will maintain the release of exogenous testosterone in your body over a sustained period of time and with an elimination half-life of between 14 to 28 days (2 to 4 weeks).
Testosterone Enanthate is not just a popular anabolic steroid for mass gains, but it is also available prescribed by physicians in a Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) protocol.
The Main Benefits of Exogenous Testosterone for Bodybuilding
The main benefits of testosterone for bodybuilding include:
#1. Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
Exogenous testosterone helps to promote the increase in nitrogen retention in your skeletal muscles.
The rise in nitrogen retention leads to increased protein synthesis in your muscle tissues to speed up both muscle repair and growth.
#2. Increased Muscle Strength
Testosterone is known to increase the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for conveying oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body and when your red blood cell count increases, your skeletal muscles will be provided with a rich supply of oxygenated blood which increases your muscle strength and endurance levels.
#3. Quick Muscle Recovery
Testosterone Enanthate is one of the best muscle recovery steroids available. This exogenous testosterone ester will quicken the healing of microtears to your muscle tissues.
In addition to this, Testosterone Enanthate helps to minimize the breakdown of your skeletal muscles during your strength training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions.
#4. Promotes Fat Loss
Testosterone Enanthate helps in promoting both visceral and subcutaneous fat loss by increasing your basal metabolic rate which makes it a whole lot easier for you to burn excess body fat.
What You should Know About Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)
Deca-Durabolin or simply “Deca” as it is popularly called by bodybuilders is another effective muscle and strength-building steroid with mild androgenic effects and potent anabolic properties.
If a bodybuilder wants to build both strength and muscle mass fast, then running the Deca-Durabolin cycle along with a proper dietary plan and consistent training would be a great idea.
Benefits of Running a Deca-Durabolin Cycle
Similar to Testosterone Enanthate, Deca-Durabolin also offers muscle mass, strength, and recovery gains. Deca stimulates increased protein synthesis in muscle tissues to speed up muscle repair, recovery and hypertrophy.
Deca is also known to promote good joint health by boosting collagen synthesis in your joints. This increases the lubrication in your joints and in effect reduces joint pain during and after weight training.
As a bodybuilder looking to run a Deca cycle, it may interest you to know that the androgenic rating of Deca is low compared to many other anabolic steroids like Trenbolone. The significance of a low androgenic rating to your health is that you are less likely to experience androgenic side effects like acne and hair loss.
Benefits of Running a Testosterone and Nandrolone Stack
Running a Testosterone and Nandrolone stack rewards you with the full complement of the combined anabolic effects of these two potent bulking (mass gains) anabolic steroids while at the same time minimizing some harsh androgenic side effects.
Essentially, stacking Test E and Deca will result in even greater skeletal muscle mass and bulking gains compared to running a Test E or Deca standalone cycle.
Test E will raise nitrogen retention in your muscle tissues and further increase protein synthesis while together with Deca you can expect quicker skeletal muscle repair, regeneration, recovery and hypertrophy.
Stacking Testosterone Enanthate and Deca-Durabolin will increase your red blood cell count and as a consequence, improve the supply of oxygenated blood to all parts of your body including your skeletal muscles.
The increased supply of oxygen-rich blood in your muscles will help to reduce the build-up of lactic acid in your skeletal muscle tissues. The rapid build-up of lactic acid in muscle tissues during resistance or weight training is what leads to quick muscle fatigue that could be detrimental to your bulking goals.
However, the Test E and Deca stack will significantly slow down lactic acid build-up during your strength training sessions – which then enables you to lift heavy with more sets and repetitions.
In addition to this, the Test E and Deca stack will promote quicker recovery from microtears and damage to your muscle tissues. This stack will help to reduce inflammation and soreness while promoting rapid healing through increased protein synthesis.
As your damaged muscles are repaired, hypertrophy occurs to make your skeletal muscles tougher and stronger than before. You will therefore be able to exert greater pressure on your muscles to promote muscle growth by periodically engaging in progressive overload.
Deca is known to boost collagen synthesis which results in stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments. This is just what you need to avoid major injuries during your high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or weight training sessions.
Also, using this bulking (mass gains) stack will help provide a balance to your hormonal levels with Testosterone Enanthate keeping your testosterone levels up and preventing those side effects associated with hormonal imbalance, such as; low libido, and erectile dysfunction.
You are more susceptible to these side effects if you run a standalone Deca-Durabolin cycle, but in a Test E stack, these side effects are often kept in check.
Testosterone and Deca Stack: Possible Side Effects
Even Though you should expect to experience impressive bulking (mass gains) and performance-related benefits from a Test E and Deca stack, you should also be mindful of possible side effects, such as:
The Suppression of Endogenous Testosterone
You should know that the exogenous testosterone provided by this stack will shut down the production of endogenous or natural testosterone in your body.
This is where having a post cycle therapy (PCT) plan beforehand will come-in-handy to restore balance to your hormone levels at the end of your Test E and Deca cycle.
Using popular PCT drugs like HCG, Clomid and Nolvadex after your Test E and Deca cycle will help to restore balance to your hormonal levels.
Increased Fluid Retention
Running this stack will lead to increased fluid retention which will give you a bloated appearance. Fluid retention can also cause you to experience high blood pressure, but you can manage this side effect if you make use of an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex during your Testosterone and Nandrolone cycle in addition to maintaining healthy eating habits and managing your sodium consumption.
Male Boobs Problem
When you run a test E and Deca stack, you run the risk of developing male boobs (gynecomastia) as both Test E and Deca aromatize into estrogen. You can mitigate this side effect by using an aromatase inhibitor during your cycle.
Cardiovascular Concerns
You risk having cardiovascular problems if you run high doses of this Test E and Deca stack as high doses can adversely affect your cholesterol levels which can be detrimental to your cardiovascular health.
However, by running on a recommended Test E and Deca cycle dosage and regularly engaging in cardio exercises, you will be able to combat these health risks.
Testosterone and Deca Stack Best Practices
Running a Testosterone and Deca stack for bulking (mass gains) requires a commitment to maintaining best practices at all times. What this means, is that you need to maintain a reasonable cycle length, dosage, and PCT protocol along with your weight training and dietary plan.
For your Test E and Deca cycle length, we recommend between 8 to 12 weeks for this stack. You should also take between 250 and 500mg of Testosterone Enanthate once or twice per week while 200 to 400mg of Deca-Durabolin is recommended for administration once weekly.
When it comes to PCT, you should use Nolvadex or Clomid to help restart your body’s testosterone production and restore normalcy to your natural hormonal levels.
To maintain your muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, you should engage in a weight training program with adequate rest and recovery to encourage quick muscle repair.
Your training program should involve progressive overloads while your diet should be rich in protein sources to support your use of muscle building steroids.
Conclusion
This Testosterone and Deca stack for bulking (mass gains) will not only promote hypertrophy, but also boost your athletic performance including your strength, endurance and recovery time.
However, you should be cautious of the risks involved in running this stack. In fact, this Test E and Deca stack is ideally suited for experienced, advanced level bodybuilders who appreciate the benefits, but also understand and recognize the risks involved.
