Ask any steroid user about his/her first cycle, and you can expect the same reaction. A big smile, following by the athlete beaming with pride, telling you about the magnificent gains made during that period. It is during that first cycle that the body reacts to steroids like it never will again, in the future. The receptors are fresh, the enthusiasm is high, and the endorphins are flowing. Later cycles never yield the same level of result, likely due to receptor burnout.

If you are a lifetime natural, your steroid receptor sites in the body are highly refreshed right now. You will respond well to creatine, ephedrine, and other supplements should you choose to use them. You have both a gift and a responsibility. If you choose to enter the "dark side" and use steroids, you will only have one initial chance to enjoy the magic of the first cycle. If you choose to "dabble" in steroid use, you can waste this precious window early, and never fully capitalize upon the opportunity at hand. Many first-time steroid users will take a handful of orals for a few weeks as their first cycle. It'll be left over from a friend's cycle, or maybe they'll split a bottle with someone. They will see some very good gains from a very small cycle of just one compound. But then, their receptors will be reduced for the rest of their lives.

It's advisable for the first-time steroid user to take his time when preparing for that first cycle. When an opportunity presents itself one day in the gym to use steroids, a young ambitious trainer might jump on the opportunity. However, he may regret it later. It's far better to write out a detailed plan of what stack components are required, along with a list of post-cycle therapy (PCT) compounds to ensure he is able to retain as much of the muscle as possible, and avoid as many of the negative side effects (from spiking estrogen levels) as possible.

Also noteworthy is drug selection. If a bodybuilder chooses to avoid compounds like Anadrol or testosterone (high amortization drugs), the function of the endocrine system to produce testosterone will not be reduced. This allows the bodybuilder to keep most of his muscle.

Your first cycle is a gift. You can embrace it and maximize its potential for muscle mass gain, or you can squander it. The choice is yours!