As a physique athlete or lifestyle bodybuilder, HGH implementation differs significantly depending on your current phase. HGH requires strategic adjustments to optimize results during different training and competition cycles.

This guide provides evidence-based protocols for the three primary phases of a physique athlete's year: offseason growth, contest prep, and post-competition recovery. Each phase presents unique physiological demands requires specific adjustments to dosing, timing, duration, and complementary compounds.

By tailoring your HGH protocol to your current phase, you can maximize the benefits while minimizing potential side effects. These recommendations are based on clinical research, practical application experience, and feedback from athletes across various levels of competition.

Understanding the phase-specific requirements for HGH use is critical not only for maximizing performance outcomes but also for maintaining health markers throughout your competitive journey. Each protocol includes monitoring guidelines and adjustment strategies to help you navigate the complexities of HGH implementation at every stage.

The following sections detail specific protocols for each phase, providing clear guidelines for dosing, timing, synergistic compounds, monitoring parameters, and progression strategies to help you achieve your physique goals safely and effectively.

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Offseason/Growth Phase

Primary Goals: Maximize muscle tissue accrual, enhance recovery, support joint/tendon health during heavy training

Protocol:

• Dosage: 4-8+ IU daily for males, 2-4 IU for females

• Timing: Single bolus administration before bed to maximize natural GH pulse synergy

• Duration: 12-24 weeks before considering a maintenance phase

• Stack Synergy:

  • Maintain estradiol in 50-80 pg/mL range for optimal GH→IGF-1 conversion
  • Test:EQ or Test:Primo ratios should favor testosterone to maintain estradiol
  • Consider avoiding excessive DHT derivatives (can crash estradiol)

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Monitoring Focus:

• Blood glucose and insulin sensitivity (maintain fasting glucose <100mg/dL)
• IGF-1 levels (target 300-450 ng/mL range)
• Water retention (adjust sodium and consider taurine 3-5g daily if excessive)
• Joint comfort (higher doses can cause joint discomfort despite improved healing)

Progression Strategy: Titrate up by 1 IU every 2-3 weeks from starting dose to target. Hold at maximum effective dose determined by side effects and IGF-1 response.

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Contest Prep/Fat Loss Phase

Primary Goals: Preserve lean tissue during caloric deficit, enhance fat mobilization, improve skin quality

Protocol:

• Dosage: Consider slightly lower than offseason (3-6 IU) to minimize water retention

• Timing: Split dosing may be beneficial (2/3 before bed, 1/3 IM pre-fasted cardio)

• Duration: Maintain throughout prep, with possible reduction 1-2 weeks before show

• Stack Considerations:

  • Monitor estradiol closely as body fat decreases (may drop significantly)
  • May need to adjust testosterone upward to maintain optimal E2 for conversion
  • Avoid introducing GH too late in prep (water retention transition period)

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Specific Considerations:

• Water retention is more problematic during this phase; consider lower dose with consistent administration
• Morning fasted cardio with small AM dose can enhance fat oxidation
• Cortisol management becomes critical (higher cortisol from caloric deficit can inhibit GH→IGF-1 conversion)
• Monitor thyroid function as T4→T3 conversion can be affected by high GH doses

Adjustment Strategy: If water retention becomes excessive 2-4 weeks pre-contest, reduce dose by 25-30% rather than eliminating completely. This maintains benefits while reducing subcutaneous water.

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Post-Show/Recovery Phase

Primary Goals: Recovery of metabolic function, hormone restoration, tissue repair, prevention of extreme rebound

Protocol:

• Dosage: Lower maintenance dose (2-3 IU)

• Timing: Return to single nighttime bolus

• Duration: 8-12 weeks before considering next push phase

• Stack Synergy:

  • Maintain at least TRT-level testosterone (essential for recovery)
  • Consider lower anabolic load while focusing on metabolic recovery
  • Peptides like BPC-157 or TB-500 may enhance recovery synergistically

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Key Benefits in This Phase:

• Supports metabolic recovery from prolonged caloric restriction
• Helps prevent excessive fat rebound via insulin sensitization
• Enhances healing of accumulated micro-injuries from prep
• Supports sleep quality during post-competition phase

Monitoring Focus:

• Fasting glucose and insulin (particularly important as caloric intake increases)
• Cortisol normalization (key for metabolic recovery)
• Thyroid function (T3, T4, TSH) to ensure proper recovery
• Psychological markers (mood, sleep quality, recovery perception)

Transition Strategy: Implement maintenance dose for at least 8 weeks before considering another growth phase. This "cruise" phase is essential for health marker normalization.

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Example Annual Timeline

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