Inside Terrence Ruffin’s Contest Prep PED Cycle

[Kayce]

As the 2025 bodybuilding season heats up, Terrence Ruffin is dominating headlines with back-to-back Classic Physique wins at the Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro. Beyond his aesthetics and posing mastery lies a calculated and transparent performance-enhancing drug (PED) regimen. In this article, we dissect his complete cycle, timing, compounds, and insights, offering the most SEO-rich, evidence-backed analysis available.

Overview: Ruffin’s 2025 PED Cycle Strategy​

Terrence Ruffin initiated his 2025 contest prep in January, following a 20-week protocol that evolves in intensity. His approach focuses on strategic compound rotation, controlled aromatase inhibitor management, and a moderate philosophy on orals and peptides.

Fat Loss Agents Used During Prep​

Ruffin takes a layered approach to cutting fat—escalating from mild stimulants to potent beta-2 agonists:

Early Prep​

• OTC Fat Burners – Non-specified thermogenics
• Yohimbine HCL – Dosage not specified
  • Effect: Targeted fat loss; alpha-2 adrenergic receptor blocker

Advanced Stage​

• Clenbuterol – Up to 100mcg daily
  • Mechanism: Increases basal metabolic rate and lipolysis
  • Risk: Not FDA-approved; serious cardiac risks

Anabolic Base Stack (Weeks 1–20)​

Terrence's base compounds are testosterone, masteron, and primobolan, with trenbolone introduced 6–8 weeks before showtime.

Compound	Dosage (est.)	Timeline	Purpose
Testosterone	N/A	Weeks 1–20	Base anabolic
Masteron	N/A	Weeks 1–20	Hardness, estrogen control
Primobolan	N/A	Weeks 1–20	Lean gains, low water retention
Trenbolone	N/A	Weeks 12–20	Extreme conditioning, aggression

Note: Ruffin didn’t disclose dosages, but competitive cycles often range 300–600mg/week per compound.

---

Estrogen Management​

Estrogen control plays a crucial role in Ruffin’s prep:

• Aromasin (Exemestane) – 25mg every 3 days
• Arimidex (Anastrozole) – 1mg every other day (during final weeks)

Ruffin prefers liquid versions for easier titration—especially critical as physique peaking nears.

Oral Anabolics: Anavar​

Ruffin incorporates Anavar (Oxandrolone) for strength retention and vascularity without excessive bloat:

• Dosage: 50mg/day
• Duration: Weeks 14–19
• Note: Stopped 1 week before show for better look on stage

Anavar supports lean muscle maintenance while cutting and is less hepatotoxic than alternatives like Winstrol.

Peptides and Healing Agents​

Although Ruffin avoids most peptides, he occasionally turns to them for injury recovery.

Compound	Function	Current Usage
BPC-157	Healing, recovery	Limited use
TB-500	Anti-inflammatory, tissue repair	Used occasionally
GHRP-6	Appetite stimulation	Previously used
CJC-1295	GH release, recovery, sleep aid	No current use

He emphasizes mental health and moderation, citing adverse effects among younger bodybuilders misusing peptides.

Ruffin’s Warning to Young Athletes​

"Many kids are ruining relationships because of the side effects of this stuff." — Terrence Ruffin

Ruffin calls for mental stability before chemical enhancement. He warns that PEDs can damage developing brains and lead to long-term consequences socially, cognitively, and emotionally.

Sample 20-Week PED Cycle Timeline (Hypothetical)​

Sample 20-Week PED Cycle Timeline based on the Gantt chart data, broken down by category and week:

Base Gear (Weeks 1–20)​

These compounds form the anabolic foundation of the cycle:

• Testosterone: Full 20-week run (Jan 1 – mid-May)
• Masteron: Full 20-week run, supporting hardness and estrogen control
• Primobolan: Full 20-week run, promoting lean muscle with minimal water retention

Fat Burners & Cutting Agents​

Phased in gradually to maximize fat loss without overwhelming the system:

• OTC Fat Burners: Weeks 1–6 (Jan 1 – mid-Feb)
• Yohimbine HCL: Weeks 7–14 (Feb 12 – early April)
• Clenbuterol: Weeks 10–20 (Mar 10 – contest week)

Hardening Compounds​

Introduced closer to the show for dryness, aggression, and definition:

• Trenbolone: Weeks 12–18 (Mar 24 – early May)
• Anavar (50mg/day): Weeks 12–17 (Mar 24 – late April)

Estrogen Control​

To manage water retention and estrogenic side effects throughout the cycle:

• Aromasin (25mg every 3 days): Weeks 1–16 (Jan 1 – late April)
• Arimidex (1mg EOD): Weeks 17–20 (Apr 28 – contest peak)

Scientific Backing and Research Citations​

• Yohimbine HCL: Demonstrated efficacy in fat loss among athletes (Ostojic, 2006)
• Clenbuterol: Increases fat oxidation, BMR, but poses serious health risks (Jessen et al., 2020)
• Testosterone: Proven to increase muscle protein synthesis (Griggs et al., 1989)
• BPC-157: Enhances GH receptor expression in fibroblasts (Chang et al., 2014)
• CJC-1295: Shown to support sleep, recovery, and body recomposition (Van Hout & Hearne, 2016)

Final Takeaways: Ruffin’s PED Philosophy​

• Moderation over megadoses
• Precision in timing and dosing
• Caution toward orals and peptides
• Mental health > chemical shortcuts
• Education before experimentation

Ruffin’s transparency and disciplined prep strategy reveal not just what it takes to win—but how to survive the long game in bodybuilding without burning out.

 

[Kayce]

Terrence Ruffin, one of the most conditioned and aesthetic Classic Physique competitors on the IFBB Pro circuit, has done what few elite athletes are willing to do—publicly disclose his full contest prep steroid cycle. With back-to-back victories at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro, Ruffin is not just setting the bar on stage, but also off-stage by shedding light on the controversial reality of performance-enhancing drug use in bodybuilding.

Inside Ruffin’s 20-Week Contest Prep: A Strategic Timeline​

Ruffin begins his prep 20 weeks out, methodically adjusting compounds and training variables. His process is rooted in experience, monitoring biological feedback, and working closely with seasoned coach Leo Mayrhofer. The backbone of his prep includes structured PED timing, estrogen management, and intelligent fat loss strategies—all building toward peak week refinement.

Full Breakdown of Terrence Ruffin’s Steroid Cycle​

Long-Ester Compounds to Start the Cycle​

• Testosterone (Undisclosed dosage) Maintained throughout the entire prep. Primary anabolic base for muscle maintenance, strength, and recovery.
• Masteron & Primobolan Dihydrotestosterone-based steroids introduced early for muscle hardness and to stay lean. They minimize estrogenic side effects while enhancing definition.

Short-Ester Compounds Pre-Show (Weeks 6–8 Onward)​

• Trenbolone Acetate High-impact steroid added closer to showtime for grainy muscle look and fullness. Used sparingly due to aggressive side effects.

Estrogen Control: Aromatase Inhibitors and Peak Week Tactics​

Estrogen management is critical to prevent water retention and gynecomastia.

• Aromasin (Exemestane): 25mg every 3 days (initial weeks)
• Arimidex (Anastrozole): 1mg every other day during final prep phase

The preference for liquid formulations enables finer hormonal control, a strategy Ruffin uses to dial in sharpness for the final stage.

Anavar for Dry Gains and Polished Physique​

• Oxandrolone (Anavar): 50mg daily starting six weeks out Anavar is used to maintain lean mass and promote tightness. Interestingly, Ruffin discontinued Anavar one week before the Pittsburgh Pro to optimize liver health and muscle density.

Fat-Burning Stack: Thermogenics, Yohimbine, and Clenbuterol​

Terrence Ruffin takes a controlled approach to fat loss without extreme or reckless decisions.

• Phase 1: OTC thermogenics (early prep)
• Phase 2: Yohimbine HCL for fasted cardio fat mobilization
• Phase 3: Clenbuterol, capped at 100mcg daily (NOT mg)

"Never used DNP. It’s not worth the risk." — Ruffin

Peptides: Reserved Use for Healing​

While Ruffin previously explored:

• GHRP-6
• CJC-1295
• BPC-157
• TB-500

He now only uses BPC-157 and TB-500 for injury recovery, citing mixed effectiveness. Appetite stimulation from GHRP-6 was noted in the past, but no recent usage.

Mental Health Message: Gear Isn’t for Everyone​

Perhaps Ruffin’s most powerful message isn’t chemical—it’s psychological. He warns against the emotional toll of PEDs, especially among young bodybuilders.

"Many kids are ruining relationships because of the side effects of this stuff." — Ruffin

His insight is clear: mental maturity is as essential as physical development. Without emotional stability, PED use can derail both life and career.

Ruffin’s Transparent Approach: A Shift in the Industry​

By openly disclosing his 2025 steroid cycle, Terrence Ruffin disrupts the long-standing silence in bodybuilding. His approach is rooted in structure, safety, and strategic thinking—not recklessness.

For bodybuilders seeking insight into high-level PED use, Ruffin’s cycle is an unfiltered case study in contest prep chemistry done with awareness and accountability.