Before TRT, I Watched My 10 Rep Squat Minimum Tank to 2
- By Mark Eldred
- As told to Austin Letorney
- Medically Reviewed by James Staheli, D.O.
- December 13, 2023
At 40 years old, I had lean muscle mass but lacked bulk and definition. I could squat and deadlift 315 pounds for a minimum of ten reps. I knew something was off when I could only hit seven reps during one workout.
This wasn’t just an off day. I’d noticed my minimum rep count declining over the past few months. My energy levels tanked and it felt like I was working out at 25 percent.
My gym buddies noticed my suffering workouts and told me it could be low testosterone. They convinced me to get checked out.
I took a test at a local clinic and my levels were 220 ng/dL. The doctor talked me out of TRT saying that once we start, we can’t stop (which is a myth) and that I wasn’t old enough. Instead, he gave me HCG injections—or human chorionic gonadotrophin, another treatment for low T—twice a week.
TRT Transformation Stories
No Improvement for 2 Years
While on HCG injections, I stuck to my usual routine of lifting four times a week, yoga one day a week, and active recovery, such as a bike ride or laps in the pool, on the weekends. Not only was there no improvement to my strength gains, but I was also actually losing more reps—and now motivation—in my workouts.
It felt like I was overtraining. What used to take one recovery day now took three and I felt sorer and more prone to injury.
On a good day, my energy would tap out at 30 percent. Four cups of coffee were the norm and I still felt like I needed a nap every day.
The most confusing part? My diet was on point. Eggs and fruit for breakfast, a protein—salmon or chicken—with veggies for lunch, and always a protein shake or some hard-boiled eggs before bed.
I saw no improvement with the HCG injections for two years. I was now 42 and was lucky to get two or three reps on my squats and deadlifts.
I Needed a Change
When I couldn’t get the 315-pound bar off the squat rack, I knew it was time to figure this out. I sat down on the bench, and opened Instagram, where my friend had sent me an ad for Hone.
I had nothing to lose and for the price, it was a low-risk option to figure out what was going on.
I completed my Hone test in the fall of 2021 and my levels came back at 229 ng/dL.
Checking your T levels is easy with Hone’s at-home assessment. You can knock it out before your AM coffee.
If you have low T, our physicians can help you find your “after.”
10 Pounds of Solid Muscle
My Hone physician put me on a regimen of testosterone injections, and after just one month, I felt my strength come back. I started seeing my reps increase again and I didn’t feel as vulnerable while lifting weights. I could actually push myself without worrying about injury.
Two months into TRT, there was an explosion of muscle growth. My muscles got tighter and I could feel it in my clothes. I went from a loose medium shirt to actually filling out a large.
I currently stick to 315 pounds on my squats and deadlifts but I’ve learned to lift smarter. (I won’t increase weight until I can easily hit 10 reps for a month or two.) I’ve also built a stretching program into my workouts to prevent soreness and injury.
My diet is largely the same, but I’m religious about hitting 200 grams of protein every day. I’m now even more motivated to optimize my health. I track my food with the MyFitnessPal app, and use an Apple Watch Series 7 to track my heart rate during workouts and sleep.
After TRT, my energy levels are through the roof and I’m totally caffeine free. I sleep better—and wake up without an alarm—and have muscle definition like I’ve never had before.
Checking your T levels is easy with Hone’s at-home assessment. You can knock it out before your AM coffee.
If you have low T, our physicians can help you find your “after.”
