andarine s4 benefits dosages blog

Andarine S4: Benefits, Dosages (Complete Guide)

Andarine (also known as S4) is a powerful selective androgen receptor modulator which can support muscle growth, mass, and density. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this increasingly favourable compound.

What Is Andarine S4?

Andarine S4 is a SARM (a selective androgen receptor modulator) sometimes also known as SARM S4. Like many SARMs, it has positive benefits on muscle mass, muscle gain and anabolism (helping you build muscle tissue and minimise muscle loss). But Andarine is stronger and more potent than many other SARMs.

Different SARMs have different levels of potency and this shows up in the results you can expect (and in what timeframe). What you need to know about Andarine is that it is pretty strong as SARMs go – so you can expect measurable results in a short time frame.

But there are some side effects to watch out for and we’ll detail those further in this article. However, Andarine is selective in which receptors it binds too, so side effects should be minimal if you are healthy and stick to recommended dosages.

Andarine works by binding to androgen receptors (in muscle tissue and bone tissue) which encourages your body to grow muscle. As a by-product of this, you’ll get stronger in the gym, you’ll be able to lift more and recover faster which will lead to yet more muscle gain.

Andarine S4 has been through human trials but no studies were published. There is some limited information which suggests that S-4 was described as the ideal SARM due to its single-day dosing, complete oral bioavailability and significant anabolic effects.

Understand The Benefits Of Andarine S4

Andarine can be used for bulking, cutting, body recomposition, strength gains, or competition prep but please remember you can not use Andarine – or any SARM – if you compete in drug-tested sport, including tested bodybuilding competitions because SARMs are banned by WADA.

  1. Dense muscle tissue – Andarine is renowned for giving that hard, dry look to muscles (which is why bodybuilder like it). Ideal if you want a full, pumped look
  2. Fat loss – Andarine seems to help with fat loss, possibly because it increases the metabolism of body fat and suppresses HSL (hormone-sensitive lipase)
  3. Strength gains – Andarine helps you build strength, and you may notice significant strength gains within a few weeks
  4. Dry gains – you shouldn’t experience water retention with SARM S4, meaning your muscle gains will look dry, not watery
  5. High bioavailability – meaning Andarine is absorbed into your system quickly, so it gets to work rapidly, even at low doses

You can see why S-4 is popular with bodybuilders, powerlifters, and other strength and power athletes. Just be careful with tested competition – like we’ve said, Andarine is banned (as are all SARMs) by WADA.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Andarine S4?

You should stay open to the possibility of side effects with any compound or medicine. Andarine is no different. Remember, SARMs were originally developed as potential medical solutions to physical issues, and most drugs have some potential side effects.

So what are the side effects of Andarine, and how can you minimise the chance of them happening? There are two key side effects to be aware of:

  • Night vision disturbance – some people report a kind of yellow tinge to their vision at night (probably because SARM S4 binds to receptors in the eyes). This shouldn’t be a problem – unless you work shifts, or need to drive or operate any kind of machinery at night. Most of these reports come from people taking high doses of Andarine.
  • Testosterone suppression – S4 does impact your natural test levels, and you will need to do a PCT (post cycle therapy) after using Andarine. Another way to keep this risk to a minimum is to run short cycles of 8 weeks maximum.

How To Use Andarine, Best Dosages

The best way to minimise the risks of any side effects is to get informed about how to use Andarine. This includes how much (dosages), how often (should you split the dose), and for how long (cycle length).

Andarine is a strong SARM, which means you can see good results even at low doses, so there is no need to take high doses – in fact, this just opens you up to more risk of side effects, for no need.

  • Start with 20mg-25mg Andarine a day.
  • Split your dose (whatever dose you take) into 2-3 doses per day. Take a dose in the morning, and one with your pre-training meal. If you are taking 1/3 dose, do this 4 hours after your previous dose.
  • After 2 weeks, assess your progress and results
  • If your progress has slowed down or stopped, increase the dose by 5mg per week for the rest of your cycle.
  • Do not keep increasing the dose all the while you are getting results – only increase it if your results stop.
  • Never go higher than 50mg/day (in fact, 35mg/day is a high dose).
  • Never take Andarine S4 for longer than 8 weeks (6-8 weeks is the least risky).

Andarine vs Other Popular SARMs

S4 is sometimes stacked with Ostarine (for cutting). Ostarine can be beneficial for building muscle mass and body recomposition. Andarine can also be stacked with Cardarine (for strength training), or with Ligandrol (for bulking). Remember, Andarine is already a strong SARM so there is no real need to stack.

Andarine S4 is a powerful SARM which is a kind of all-rounder, helping build muscle mass, burn body fat, and boost strength. But remember it is banned by WADA and can not be used for any tested sport or competition.

MK-677 Before and After Photos: Impressive Results

MK-677 Before and After Photos

As you might know, MK-677 is one of the most interesting compounds currently being used by athletes and bodybuilders, so we’ve pulled together a variety of MK-677 before and after photos to see just what’s realistically possible. Ibutamoren is a very potent but slow-acting compound that takes a while to kick in but when it does, results are impressive.

Perhaps you’ve read that MK-677 is a SARM, or seen it referred to as Ibutamoren or Nutrobal and you’re probably wondering exactly what this wonder-compound is (and how it can help you with your strength and physique goals). The first thing you need to know is that Ibutamoren is not a SARM. Let’s find out more about this muscle-building, fat-stripping compound so you can make an informed decision about your cutting stack.

What Exactly Is Ibutamoren MK-677?

Ibutamoren is often marketed as a SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator) but it’s actually not a SARM at all. It’s a chemical compound which can boost your body’s natural hormone levels so you can speed up muscle growth for bigger, denser muscles, more mass, greater strength, and an easier time when you next try to lean down.

MK-677 is a growth hormone secretagogue; a substance that causes growth hormone and IGF-1 to be secreted in your body. It does this by imitating ghrelin, binding to ghrelin receptors in the brain, and encouraging your natural production of GH and IGF-1. Using Ibutamoren boosts your body’s own levels of these anabolic hormones without disturbing other hormones like testosterone or cortisol. This means it is safe for long-term use and doesn’t require any form of PCT.

Ibutamoren & Bodybuilding

As mentioned, Ibutamoren boosts your body’s levels of the anabolic hormones GH (growth hormone) and IGF-1. This means it has impressive anabolic properties but without the side effects associated with actual anabolic steroids.

Ibutamoren is taken orally and can help you increase muscle mass, boost muscle size and improve your strength in training too (which will obviously also lead to better gains). It can also help you lose more body fat during a cutting diet or a body recomposition phase.

This 1998 double-blind, randomised human study shows impressive results in a group of males given Ibutamoren MK-677 – they showed increased lean mass, GH secretion, and even energy expenditure in just two months. That same study showed that serum IGF-I increased by approximately 40% with Ibutamoren MK-677 treatment.

Our MK-677 before and after photos will follow soon, keep reading…

8 Benefits of MK-677

#1 Muscle retention

Ibutamoren has been shown to reverse protein loss and associated muscle wasting – good news for bodybuilders who want to diet to lose fat but hate the idea of sacrificing hard-earned muscle mass. Muscle gain made with HGH is longer-lasting, so any gains you make on Ibutamoren are likely to last longer, too.

#2 Muscle gain

Ibutamoren MK-677 doesn’t just help you hang on to muscle mass in the face of a possibly catabolic environment. It can also boost the growth of new muscle cells. It does this by stimulating secretion of GH and IGF-1 which increase protein synthesis. That means hefty gains if you’re already eating and training right.

#3 Bone density

All that extra growth hormone will mean better bone density in the short term and the long term, which is good news for your gains now, and for your health, once you get older. Look better and stay more active in later life? Yes, please.

#4 Sleep and recovery

Ibutamoren may improve the amount of REM sleep you get (and the quality of your sleep), which means better recovery between training and more time in that muscle-gaining anabolic state. Better sleep also means more energy for training the next day, plus less hunger and fewer cravings.

#5 Nootropics

Ibutamoren is also popular with the nootropic crowd because it is thought to have brain benefits. This means better wellbeing and mood, with more motivation and focus on training and cardio.

#6 Fat loss

Using Ibutamoren may encourage your body to use stored fat for energy, and remember that it protects muscle at the same time. This means true lean gains: fat loss with muscle gain for that full, pumped, shredded look. Our MK-677 before and after photos are specifically showing the fat-loss results that people have experienced.

#7 Anti-ageing and longevity

Ibutamoren may promote longevity by increasing growth hormone and IGF-1. IGF-1 is known to have beneficial effects on ageing and longevity, however, our natural production of growth hormone declines from mid-puberty throughout life. In a study with 65 healthy adults, daily administration of MK-677 increased GH and IGF-1 levels without negative side-effects. In another study with 24 obese males, MK-677 rejuvenated the growth hormone profile.

#8 Skin tightening

Ibutamoren is known for its positive effects on the quality of hair, skin and nails. Not only does it increase fat oxidation but you’ll also notice that it will also tighten the loose skin and improve the skin quality. This is also one of the reasons why it is often used for anti-ageing, as mentioned above. In fact, many women use MK-677 to combat wrinkles and cellulite!

MK-677 Before and After Photos

These MK-677 before and after photos show cycles of different lengths. It is worth noting that this compound shows greater results if used long-term and progress will also depend on different individual factors. Your diet, training, recovery and whether you decide to stack MK-677 will greatly affect your potential. Anecdotally, people are finding very noticeable and significant effects so it’s safe to say that MK-677 is worth its weight in gold.

mk 677 before and after 03
MK-677 Before and After – 12 Week Cycle
mk 677 before and after 01
MK-677 Before and After – 16 Week Cycle

If you looking for more than just MK-677 before and after photos, check out our SARMs Before and After Photos to see what else is available.

MK-677 Dosage & Stacking

Ibutamoren MK-677 can be taken by itself or as part of a stack with other compounds. It has a long half-life of 24 hours which means you can take your daily dose in one go – but it does spike growth hormone, so you might like to split your dose to avoid tiredness after the GH spike.

Most users will tend to use 20-25mg per day although MK-677 is still very effective at doses as low as 10mg, which can be useful for people who feel tired or hungry at higher doses. Start at 10mg for the first week to assess how you feel if it’s your first time using the compound.

The efficacy of MK-677 increases and improves with longer-term use, so the recommended cycle length is 3-6 months for optimum results. Some people like to stay on MK-677 year-round. Our MK-677 before and after photos show different cycle lengths but keep in mind that everyone is different and your training, diet, recovery and stacking will hugely affect results.

Recommended dosages:

  • Building muscle: 25mg per day
  • Fat loss: 20mg per day
  • Heal an injury: 10-20mg per day
  • Anti-ageing: 10-20mg per day

If you are new to Ibutamoren, start with 10mg for one week to assess your response before increasing dosages, if necessary.

Stacking MK-677 with SARMs

Ibutamoren has very minor side-effects, but it should still not be taken lightly. You still have to be careful when choosing your dose, especially if you plan on stacking it with other SARMs. And then you also have to figure out how to stack them.

But if you do choose the right dose and stack your SARMs properly, then you can expect amazing results in a short amount of time. Ibutamoren can actually enhance the effects of the SARMs that you’re currently taking.

MK-677 is often stacked with Cardarine, Ligandrol and Testolone but it is an exceptionally versatile compound and can be stacked with anything else. See our Stacks for recommendations based on your goals.

Our Best-Selling MK-677

You need to be sure the MK-677 you use is good quality, pure and well dosed. Be wary of any product which isn’t clearly labelled or can’t tell you how much of the active ingredient you are getting (we call this “micro-dosing” in the industry, and it’s bad news!).

Pumping Iron MK-677 (Ibutamoren) 10mg x 60 Tablets
Pumping Iron MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

INDEPENDENTLY TESTED LAB REPORT (WITH AUTHENTICATION CODE)

Verify our latest lab test report (see images) at Janoshik.
Task Number: 07563
Unique Key: H3ZCI6QFEHVU

We slightly over-dose our products to ensure you get exactly what you pay for!

SARMs Before and After - Impressive Photos (2019)

SARMs Before and After Photos (Updated 2023)

Looking for real-life SARMs before and after photos? We’ve got them!

We know what it’s like when you’re considering supplements. You can read about the benefits all day long but you kind of want to see it for yourself. This article will show you a ton of before and after photos of real-life guys who have used different SARMs. We’ve scoured the net and noted all the most popular compounds… so you don’t have to.

(And just to be clear, all of these photos are from SARMs users who have posted their progress photos online).

What Are SARMs?

SARMs stands for “selective androgen receptor modulators”. These man-made compounds bind to androgen receptors in our cells to isolate the benefits of our bodies own androgenic and anabolic hormones. This means SARMs have some of the same amazing benefits as steroids, but none of the risks and side effects (when taken properly).

Most SARMs compounds have been developed to slow muscle degradation and reduce the rate of catabolism in medical uses. This means it can help bodybuilders add more muscle – and retain more of it too – when training hard, dieting, or on a mini cut.

SARMs Before and After Photos

You can see from these impressive set of SARMs before and after photos, that SARMs give serious results – and these are just the ones you can see.

There is a very good reason why SARMs are banned by WADA. They are highly effective and not to be underestimated.

What these guys also report is increased strength, muscle endurance, training performance and mood. If you’ve hit a training plateau, if you’re not seeing results (despite getting your diet bang on), or if you want to push further than you’ve gone before, then SARMs might be the answer. They were for these guys!

Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is often called the ‘King of SARMs’ because it is the closest SARM there is to testosterone. It does actually boost the body’s test levels so you can expect increased muscle mass, reduced body fat, and a harder leaner look to the physique.

LGD-4033 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
LGD-4033 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
LGD-4033 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
LGD-4033 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose LGD-4033:

  • Harder muscle: Ligandrol leads to a lean, dry look to muscle mass
  • Fat loss: Ligandrol can make fat loss easier, plus it helps retain more muscle mass
  • Training endurance: Stamina and endurance increase so you can train for longer
  • Bulking: Ligandrol can help you have a lean bulk, adding more mass but less fat
  • Focus and drive: Ligandrol users report feelings of high mood and motivation

This post on Reddit covers an in-depth report on LGD-4033 5mg/day for 8 weeks:

Ligandrol (LGD-4033) SARMs Before and After Photos
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) SARMs Before and After Photos

I started the cycle at 152lbs, peaked at 165lbs, and now with the water retention lost have settled back around 162lbs

Ibutamoren (MK-677) Before & After Photos

MK-677 is another compound that isn’t really a SARM at all – it’s a secretagogue which encourages the body to produce certain hormones – but it makes it onto this list of SARMs because of its effects. I mean – look at this set of before and after photos for Ibutamoren!

MK-677 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
MK-677 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
MK-677 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
MK-677 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
MK-677 Before & After (16-Week Cycle)
MK-677 Before & After (16-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose MK-677:

  • Hormone release: it increases the amount of growth hormone produced by the body
  • Lean mass: Ibutamoren helps you gain muscle mass without too much body fat
  • Burn fat: it can also boost fat oxidation
  • Recovery: MK-677 helps reduce recovery time between training sessions (and for injury)
  • Skin tone: it can even tighten the skin, useful for bodybuilders and physique athletes

Ostarine (MK-2866) SARMs Before and After Photos

Ostarine is a popular SARM because it boosts strength and power in the gym and gives muscles a harder, denser look. It also has beneficial effects on hormones, stimulating androgen receptors and impacting the anabolic IGF-1 gene.

Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (10-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (10-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (11-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (11-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose Ostarine:

  • Muscle gain: Ostarine can stimulate muscle cells so you gain mass and protect existing muscle mass
  • Faster recovery: Ostarine can help you recover faster between sessions you can train more often
  • Fat loss: it can protect valuable muscle mass when you diet, meaning you can push harder in a diet phase
  • Metabolic rate: it is thought to increase BMR so you burn more calories throughout the day
  • Heart health: Ostarine can reduce lips, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and may even lower blood glucose levels

Testolone (RAD-140) SARMs Before and After Photos

RAD-140 (Testolone) is one of the most popular SARMs for building muscle mass, and it works amazingly well as you can see from this set of before and after photos! Testolone activates the body’s androgen receptors and can increase muscle mass and bone density.

RAD-140 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
RAD-140 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
RAD-140 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
RAD-140 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose Testolone:

  • Muscle mass: it can boost your ability to gain new muscle mass
  • Strength gain: it can also help you get stronger, which means better training performance
  • Fat loss: it seems Testolone can help you lose body fat at the same time as you gain muscle
  • Brain function: Testolone works on the MAPK pathway which protects brain cells
  • Focus and drive: it can impact your mood, leaving you feeling motivated and focused

Andarine (S-4) SARMs Before and After Photos

Andarine is one of the more powerful SARMs, and it can boost muscle mass gain, and prevent the muscle wastage which usually happens when you diet to get leaner – the result is that you can diet to lower body fat levels and retain a full look to your muscles. As you can see from these before and afters!

S-4 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
S-4 Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
S-4 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)
S-4 Before & After (12-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose Andarine:

  • High bioavailability: Andarine is one of the strongest and fastest-acting SARMs (you’ll see results in weeks)
  • Harder muscles: it can help your muscles have that hard, dry look every bodybuilder wants
  • Fat loss: Andarine may surpass HSL (hormone-sensitive lipase) production so you use more fat for energy
  • Strength gains: strength and muscular endurance will get a boost so you can lift heavier and harder
  • Mass gain: ideal for use during a bulking cycle when your goal is gaining more muscle mass

Cardarine (GW-501516) Before & After Photos

Cardarine (GW-501516) is a PPAR-delta activator – not strictly speaking a SARM – but it can produce similar results, and people choose to use Cardarine for all the reasons they choose to use SARMs. So let’s just call it a SARM and not get caught up in technicalities.

cardarine before and after
Cardarine Before and After (12-Week Cycle)

Reasons people choose Cardarine:

  • Fat burning: Cardarine can boost your body’s ability to burn fat by activating the ABCA1 and CPT1 fat-burning genes, and by stimulating glucose
  • Train harder: Cardarine encourages your body to use glucose as its main fuel sources, so you can train harder, for longer, and more frequently
  • Protect muscle: Cardaraine can protect muscle tissue from catabolism when you are dieting or training in a calorie deficit
  • Muscle fibre development: by activating PPAR-delta, Cardarine can encourage netter muscle fibre development
  • Increase NO: Cardarine can increase your nitric oxide levels which can mean faster recovery and a better pump in training

ACP-105 Before & After Photos

This ACP-105 before and after is an 8 week cycle with both ACP-105 and MK-677, read this post on Reddit:

ACP-105 Before & After Photos
ACP-105 Before & After Photos
I put on some good muscle. I think about 2-4 pounds of lean body mass in the 2 weeks. Hope you liked the post! ACP-105 is unheard of and is questionable at best, but I loved it.

LGD-3303 Before & After Photos

As yet, we haven’t seen any LGD-3303 before and after photos. When we do, we’ll update this section!

SARMs Stack (RAD-140, MK-677, GW-501516) Before & After Photos

One of the many benefits of SARMs is that they can be stacked to enhance the effects. Stacking is a safe way to tap into more of the powerful benefits of SARMs. This is a popular SARMs stack, combining three of the best SARMs – Testolone RAD-140, Ibutamoren MK-677 & Cardarine GW-501516.

STACK MK677 RAD140 CARDARINE 12wk
SARMs Stack Before & After Photos

Benefits of this triple stack:

  • Muscle gain: this stack combines two of the most popular SARMs (Cardarine and Ibutamoren) with one of the most exciting new SARMs (Testolone) to help build muscle mass fast
  • Fat loss: if you want to lose body fat but retain as much muscle mass as you can, this stack will help, giving you a lean but full and hard look to your physique
  • Rapid results: the combination of these three SARMs – especially with the addition of RAD-140 – means you will see results within weeks

Shop SARMs Stacks

Our SARMs Stacks combine different variations of SARMs alongside other similar compounds, such as growth hormone secretagogue MK-677. SARMs are most commonly stacked for best results, they work synergistically with different ingredients that speed up results and offer a whole new world of performance enhancement.

are sarms safe an unbiased view blog

Are SARMs Safe? An Unbiased View (Updated 2023)

Are SARMs Safe? Why are so many people putting their trust in SARMs and leaving AAS behind? Here is our unbiased view…

For decades, AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroids, or just anabolic steroids) were the most common kind of drug associated with bodybuilding. Always under the radar, of course, because they are illegal and known to carry a number of hefty health risks and side effects.

But then along came a new breed of compounds. These supplements showed real promise for treating muscle wasting diseases and other catabolic health issues, and they had very few side effects – and even those only seemed to occur at super-high doses or silly cycle lengths. Used properly, it seemed like this new set of compounds could deliver the benefits of anabolics, without all the bad associations.

What were these new compounds? SARMs – or selective androgen receptor modulators.

SARMs are now so popular that everyone wants to know how to use them, which one to use, how to stack them and of course.

But are SARMs safe? How come they are banned by WADA? Why aren’t they sold over-the-counter?

Let’s answer all your questions about SARMs and safety.

What are SARMs?

SARMs are synthetic drugs developed by pharma companies for their potential impact on muscle wasting diseases and other issues (including loss of bone density, catabolism, and tissue loss). SARMs work by only binding to specific cellular androgen receptors (this selective quality means they have little to no impact on organs and hormones).

Selective androgen receptor modulators have gained notoriety in the bodybuilding community for their muscle-building and fat-burning properties.

However, there are concerns about the safety of these compounds, especially when used for extended periods of time. Here are the top 6 questions asked about SARMs safety:

Are SARMs Legal?

SARMs are legal but in most countries classed as “investigatory chemicals”. In short, this means that they cannot be sold as supplements; but rather ‘for research purposes’.

Confusing? Not really. Some SARMs are in clinical trials with the hope that they could be used in future to treat human health conditions. But for now, SARMs are not approved by the FDA. This means they can be sold as research chemicals but not as food supplements.

SARMs are all banned by WADA (the World Anti Doping Agency) under the S1 Anabolic Agent category of the Prohibited list, which means you shouldn’t use them if you compete in any drug tested sport. This includes drug tested bodybuilding, powerlifting and strongman. The reason for this is because they really do have the potential to greatly enhance performance, giving the user a very unfair advantage over other athletes. Ultimately, SARMs work. And very effectively.

If you’re wondering about the SARMs legislations in your country, read our blog post here for more information.

Can SARMs Cause Liver Damage?

Clinical studies indicate that, while rare, a high dose or extended use of certain SARMs could put the liver at risk. The organ is responsible for metabolising drugs and toxins from our bodies – when it becomes taxed with too much strain due to excess consumption of these compounds, damage can occur.

Therefore, before utilising any type of SARM regimen one should first consult with their doctor in order to identify potential risks as well as methods for minimising harm through regular monitoring during usage.

Do SARMs Affect Testosterone Levels?

SARMs have the potential to cause changes in your body’s hormone levels. These compounds work by binding on androgen receptors found in muscle and bone tissue, leading to increased muscular strength and density – but other tissues may be affected as well.

Some SARMs can suppress testosterone production which could lead to a decrease of libido or mood fluctuations; more so, they might convert into estrogen causing breast development for men. Though these effects vary across individuals and are very much dose-dependent.

If you keep to the recommended doses of SARMs and keep your cycle duration sensible, you shouldn’t expect any side effects. It is sensible to follow up a SARMs cycle with PCT in any case.

Are SARMs Safe for the Heart?

Though still in early stages, research into SARMs has raised valid suspicions about their potential to cause cardiovascular complications. Animal studies have indicated that these compounds can elevate blood pressure and foster atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries – whereas some also appear to reduce HDL cholesterol levels, which typically play a part in guarding against heart disease. More research is needed on this topic before firm conclusions may be drawn.

Are SARMs Safe for Drug Tests?

While the use of SARMs is not yet widely monitored in most drug testing programs, some athletic organisations and regulatory agencies have started to include SARMs in their testing protocols. SARMs can be detected in urine or blood samples using specialised testing methods that can differentiate between SARMs and other performance-enhancing drugs.

It is important to note that some SARMs may have a longer detection window than others, and the detection time may also depend on factors such as the dose and duration of use. It is also possible for some SARMs to be detected as false positives for other compounds, so it is important to disclose any supplement use to avoid potential issues with drug testing.

Why Do Bodybuilders Use SARMs?

SARMs all work by increasing lean mass and healthy tissue in the body – including muscle mass and connective tissue. They can also help you burn more body fat and – crucially – retain muscle mass whilst you lose fat. On a diet, you would normally expect to lose some muscle as you cut calories to lose fat. SARMs help prevent this, so you end up leaner but also with bigger, harder, denser muscles and more strength.

Many bodybuilders are switching from steroids to SARMs, so if we’re asking “are SARMs safe?”, we should also take into consideration just how much safer they are than AAS.

SARMs vs Steroids

Steroids are known for some pretty scary side effects, including gynecomastia, acne, mood swings and aggression and irreversible effects on sexual organs. Women users can expect changes to face shape, facial hair growth, and serious lowering of the voice.

SARMs don’t have these effects. They can come with side effects but this has mostly been reported when users have way overdone it with dosages or length of the cycle. If you stick to the recommended dose and cycle duration, you can expect all the benefits with none of the risks. This is all because of their selective nature – they don’t work on a scattergun approach in your body like AAS do. They get to work on selected receptors and leave everything else alone!

As research chemicals, SARMs are still being studied and their full effects are still unknown. But studies give some indication to the safety of SARMs. This 2015 study is a comparative safety evaluation of SARMs and AAS, and it found that SARMs have “some advantages” over AAS, concluding that:

…based on the robust tissue selectivity of SARMs over AASs, they are worth considering as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of various muscle-wasting diseases.

  • SARMs are less powerful than AAS, but still have notable effects which you will see and feel
  • SARMs carry far less risk, which lowers to practically nothing if you use a sensible dose and cycle length
  • SARMs won’t have a long-term impact on your hormones, organs, or Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testes axis
  • Any mild suppression can be fixed with a PCT after SARMs use

For a more in-depth comparison between SARMs and AAS, see our SARMs Vs Steroids blog post.

Risks & Side Effects Of SARMs?

As we said, there are some side effects with SARMs (just as there is with any drug, even over the counter and herbal ones). If you keep to the recommended doses of SARMs and keep your cycle duration sensible, you shouldn’t expect any side effects. It is sensible to follow up a SARMs cycle with PCT in any case.

The main side effect to look out for is hormone suppression. YK11, RAD-140, LGD-4033, MK-2866, S-23, and ACP-105 are known to be suppressive. This can be largely managed by taking the proper dose, keeping cycles short and using PCT after the SARMs cycle.

Signs of suppression include low mood and low energy. DW-501516, SR-9099, and MK-677 are non-suppressive and don’t need any PCT.

  • MK-677 may cause some bloating (it increases appetite)
  • Ligandrol may cause testosterone suppression
  • Ostarine may cause testosterone suppression at doses above 25mg per day if used for longer than 4 weeks
  • Andarine may lead to temporary night vision disruption at higher doses – it is strongly recommended to stay within the recommended dosage range
  • Testolone is potent and suppresses natural hormone production (so use a PCT)
  • Some SARMs may cause some headaches, backache, hair loss and acne – using lower dosages and assessing your body’s response is always the best protocol

Read our SARMs Cycle Guide and Dosages blog post to learn the safest and most effective methods.

So Are SARMs Safe?

So are SARMs safe? The biggest risk of using SARMs is finding good quality products. Because SARMs have not yet been approved by the FDA, some of the so-called SARMs you find online are mixed with other ingredients (including banned substances) or are downright fake.

So your first task is finding good quality SARMs from trusted manufacturers and distributors. Always be confident in what you are buying before you take any SARM. You have to be sure that your SARM is what it says it os – your health (both now and in the long term) are paramount.

Our conclusion – are SARMs safe? Yes, when used correctly.

Are SARMs Safe for Women?

SARMs can offer a safer alternative to hardcore compounds with a much lower risk of virilisation side-effects. This is the main reason a lot of women have started using SARMs instead of compounds like Anavar. SARMs are highly effective for women and will increase muscle building and fat burning considerably and almost immediately.

Most women will find SARMs almost as effective as steroids but it’s very important to stay within recommended dosage levels which aren’t the same as for men. It’s also vital to follow sensible cycle protocols, allowing your body to recover in between. Researching the different compounds thoroughly is the first step to ensuring your progress is safe. The most popular options are Andarine (S-4) and Ostarine. Other compounds similar but not actually SARMs are Cardarine and MK-677.

Are SARMs safe for women? SARMs aren’t completely side effect free but they do have much fewer side effects when used correctly. You should always start off with the lowest possible dose and don’t go beyond the recommended dose unless you are comfortable with the potential side-effects. When women use SARMs, they can also experience increased sex drive which can be a bonus for some!

Building Muscle Safely

Whilst SARMs can have a lot of benefits for building muscle mass and strength, never forget that there is a lot more to it than the supplements you take. Are you ticking all these boxes? If not, look to these basics before you even think about using SARMs.

  • Calories: you need to be in a calorie excess to grow
  • Food quality: food quality does count, make sure your meals include micronutrients, fibre, and phytonutrients
  • Protein: muscle gain requires adequate protein intake, aim for at least 30g every 2-4 hours
  • MPS: muscle protein synthesis is key to growing muscle tissue
  • Hydration: good hydration helps with digestion, nutrient uptake, and health
  • Sleep: aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night for good recovery, mood and diet adherence
  • Stress management: keep stress to a minimum and control what you can, stress is catabolic
liquid vs capsule sarms blog

Liquid Vs Capsule SARMs: 3 Useful Benefits of Capsules

Liquid SARMs Vs Capsules: What’s More Effective?

Liquid vs capsule SARMs, which is more effective? Is it better to take SARMs in liquid or capsule form – what are the pros and cons?

SARMs – selective androgen receptor modulators – can be amazingly effective at helping you build muscle, gain more mass, build strength and even diet more effectively (developing that full, hard look every bodybuilder wants).

There are a lot of questions surrounding SARMs. Which SARM should you use? Can you stack SARMs? What do SARMs do?

But then there is another question – one which many websites don’t answer. Which is more effective, liquid SARMs or capsule/tablet SARMs?

With so many SARMs on offer, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of choosing liquid vs capsule delivery systems. Before you make a decision, read our guide to liquid SARMs and capsule SARMs.

Why Are Some SARMs Liquid & Some SARMs Capsules?

The most important thing to understand is that all SARMs start out as raw ingredients in powder form. The liquid, capsule or tablet is just the delivery system.

Putting anything in a capsule form kind of suggests it might be used for medicinal purposes or as a food supplement, and in some countries, SARMs are not FDA approved for dietary use. As a result. some companies choose a liquid delivery system to stay well away from any such associations.

Liquid SARMs show that the manufacturer is trying to keep everything totally cut-and-dried from a legal perspective, which isn’t to say that liquid SARMs are illegal or banned.

Remember, SARMs are only banned by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). For use outside of drug-tested sport, you need to refer to your country’s legal view on SARMs. We wrote about the legality of SARMs here. SARMs are not currently viewed as illegal but some countries have their own regulations (like the UK, which says SARMs are legal to buy and sell but illegal to sell as a food supplement or as a medicine).

Liquid Vs Capsule SARMs: Bioavailability

Are liquid SARMs absorbed faster than capsule versions? It would make sense to think this way, but there is no evidence to suggest that liquid SARMs get into your system any quicker than capsule orals. If that was the case, wouldn’t every vitamin, supplement, and medical drug in the world be delivered in a liquid form? But they’re not – just think about all the different capsules you see for sale, or maybe even take as part of your supplement regime.

In most cases, capsules are the preferred method of taking SARMs. Capsules are easier to take, more appealing and have a kind of nicer image, plus they have a longer shelf life.

Liquid Vs Capsule SARMs: Which Should You Choose?

Some people swear that liquid SARMs work better, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Seeing as how capsules are safer to ship, keep longer, and are generally easier to transport and use, we can see why most people choose capsulated SARMs when they have the choice.

3 Benefits Of SARMs In Capsule or Pill Form

1 They protect the raw ingredients

Capsules protect the potency of the raw ingredients and ensure you get a consistent dose every time. Active ingredients can lose their strength in liquids.

2 They digest a little slower

You might think this sounds like a bad thing, but it’s best if your SARMs supplement stays in the stomach for a short while before it is absorbed into the body.

3 No extra ingredients

This about it – liquid SARMs need some added gradients as a carrier and to keep the liquid palatable. Capsules and pills don’t need any of that because you swallow the capsule without smelling or tasting the ingredients inside.

Liquid Vs Capsule SARMs: Pros & Cons

Capsules and pills have a better shelf life, easier to use and generally have more consistency of the active ingredient. Liquid allows the researcher to easily make micro incrementations of the doses.

Remember, most manufacturers would prefer to sell SARMs in capsule form (and capsules are probably easier for you to take, too). The main reason you will find SARMs as a liquid is that the manufacturer might be being ultra-careful about how their product is viewed from a legal perspective (capsules tend to suggest this is meant for human consumption as a food supplement or medicine).

Whatever you choose, remember the potency levels of the raw ingredient doesn’t change whether you take them inside of a capsule, or as a liquid.

View our range of top-quality SARMs here.

sarms vs steroids infographic preview

SARMs Vs Steroids: Ultimate Guide (Updated 2023)

SARMs Vs Steroids: in this article, we’ll compare everything you need to know; efficacy, health risks and benefits for bodybuilding and athletic performance.. Are SARMs the same as steroids? What are the similarities between steroids and SARMs, and what are the differences? Find out everything you need to know about the benefits of SARMs and the downsides of steroids so you can compare and make the right choice for you.

SARMs Vs Steroids for Bodybuilding

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) and steroids are both compounds that can enhance muscle growth, increase strength, and improve athletic performance. However, they work in different ways and have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Steroids have a long-standing association with bodybuilding, but they also have a lot of risks and unknown side effects. SARMs, on the other hand, are a newer form of performance enhancing drugs that can have a lot of the beneficial effects usually associated with steroids, but without the negative side effects.

Based on this information alone, we can say that SARMs are a better choice than steroids when it comes to SARMs vs Steroids for bodybuilding. But that would make for a pretty short article! So we’re going to go into a lot more detail about the impact, legality and risks with steroids and SARMs so you can make an informed decision; should you choose SARMs or steroids for bodybuilding?

SARMs Vs Steroids for Muscle building and Performance-Enhancing

Steroids are generally considered to be more potent than SARMs in terms of muscle building and performance-enhancing effects. They can increase muscle mass and strength significantly, especially when combined with resistance training.

SARMs are also effective at promoting muscle growth and strength, but to a lesser extent than steroids. They may be better suited for athletes who are looking for moderate gains without the risk of serious side effects.

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are synthetic steroid hormones which resemble testosterone in their effects on muscle growth. They are man-made, not natural and exogenous (meaning they come from outside the body).

Anabolic steroids are illegal, even though they continue to be used in a variety of sports (most notable in bodybuilding). The reason people still choose to use them despite their legal status is that they can have some powerful effects. But alongside those potential effects, come some risks and side-effects.

Most anabolic steroids were originally developed for medical use (or at least they started out that way). But remember that medical use of these drugs is controlled, dosed, administered in a sterile environment and assessed.

Steroids: Mechanism of Action

Steroids are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone, which binds to androgen receptors in the body, leading to an increase in protein synthesis and muscle growth. They also affect other tissues and organs, such as the liver, heart, and kidneys.

What Are SARMs?

SARMs are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators – they are performance-enhancing compounds, rather than synthetic hormones. They have become popular with bodybuilders and other athletes who want positive benefits but without the short- and long-term risks to physical and mental health.

SARMs work by binding to androgen receptors on a cellular level which means they are very unlikely to lead to health problems (like the fertility issues, heart problems and physical changes in the list of steroid side effects).

Common SARMs include Ostarine, Andarine and RAD-140.

SARMs: Mechanism of Action

SARMs are designed to selectively target androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue, while minimising the impact on other tissues. This selectivity reduces the risk of side effects associated with steroids.

Steroid Benefits For Bodybuilding

If steroids didn’t have benefits, people wouldn’t take the risk. The truth is, these drugs can have some very impressive benefits on muscle gain, muscle retention and fat loss. We’ll look at the side-effects and health risks in a moment.

  1. Muscle gain – anabolic steroids mimic testosterone, one of the key muscle growth hormones
  2. Training duration and frequency – this in itself leads to more muscle stimulation and potential growth
  3. Muscle retention – anabolic steroids ca reduce the rate of muscle wastage during training
  4. Muscle mass – steroid users can grow more mass than all but the most genetically gifted natural athletes
  5. Psychological – using drugs can make people feel as if they should be achieving more, so they work harder and train more seriously (call it a placebo effect, but it can’t be ignored)

Health Risks & Side Effects Of Steroid Use

Anabolic steroids are illegal, unregulated and come with a lot of health risks (both in the short term as you are using them and in the long term future). Many of these effects are irreversible no matter how many years you spend off the “gear”.

  1. Gynecomastia (“gyno”) – where male steroid users develop breast tissue or lumps
  2. Shrunken junk – guys using gear often suffer from shrunken testicles
  3. Prostate problems – enlarged prostate can be a side effect of steroid use
  4. For women, changes to genitalia include an enlarged clitoris
  5. Women users can develop deeper voices (we’re talking so deep that it’s a shocking change)
  6. Women users can also develop physical changes to the shape of the jaw, plus facial hair
  7. Baldness or thinning hair and hair loss for both sexes
  8. Women should expect interrupted periods which can have serious health implications
  9. Both sexes can be affected by severe acne on the face and body
  10. Tumours and other changes (especially to the liver) are common health risks
  11. Increased LDL and decreased HDL cholesterol
  12. Hypertension (high blood pressure) and other heart and circulatory issues
  13. Increased risk of tendonitis and associated injuries (especially in conjunction with lifting heavy)
  14. Plus the risk of infections linked to the administration of injectable drugs
  15. Steroid use can also lead to a number of mental issues including aggression, rage, depression, paranoia, poor judgement and even violent outbursts

6 Benefits Of SARMs

You can expect a range of positive effects from the sensible, proper use of SARMs, including benefits to muscle mass, body fat and body composition and training performance.

  1. Can help build more lean muscle mass
  2. Can help improve strength levels (so you can lift more)
  3. Can boost the healing and recovery process
  4. May improve training endurance to boost the duration and frequency of sessions
  5. Has positive benefits for bone health and bone density
  6. Can help you lose fat without also losing muscle mass

SARMs can give you the anabolic (growth) benefits of steroids but without needing to use an illegal drug which can harm your health. Sounds like a no-brainer! Another great reason to use SARMs (rather than anabolic steroids) is that you can buy them from above-the-board, approved distributors so you know exactly what you are taking, how to dose them and how to use them.

Lower Risks With SARMs

  • SARMs are non-toxic, so won’t harm your liver
  • You can always opt for oral SARMs so no need for injections.
  • SARMs have no effects on your libido (and don’t affect the size of your genitalia!)
  • SARMs work via androgen receptors, so have a balanced impact on all muscle groups
  • Combine SARMs with a PCT (post cycle therapy) or test booster to offset any suppression. See our Guide to PCT for more information.

SARMs Side Effects

SARMs are generally considered to have fewer side effects than steroids, but they can still cause issues such as:

  • Decreased testosterone levels
  • Acne
  • Headaches
  • Hair loss (mainly potent SARMs such as RAD-140, S-23 and YK-11)

However, the risk of long-term damage to organs like the liver and kidneys is lower than if comparing SARMs vs steroids.

SARMs Vs Steroids Legal Status

Steroids are classified as Schedule III controlled substances by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning they are illegal to possess or distribute without a prescription. In many countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, steroids are also illegal without a prescription.

SARMs are not yet approved by the FDA for human use, but they are not currently classified as controlled substances in most countries. However, some SARMs are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other sporting organisations because of their performance-enhancing effects.

SARMs Vs Steroids: The Final Word

SARMs and steroids are both compounds that can enhance muscle growth and improve athletic performance, but they work in different ways and have different risks and benefits. SARMs are generally considered to be safer and have fewer side effects than steroids, but they may be less potent in terms of muscle building and performance-enhancing effects. It is important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before using either of these substances.

We are always honest with you, so we need to say that SARMs have been reported to give some side-effects (like vision issues with Andarine) – but this is only ever reported when SARMs are misused. So if you take the recommended dose, follow the instructions and buy from a reputable source then you should have no problem at all. (That’s kind of common sense, right?)

SARMs Vs Steroids Infographic

sarms vs steroids infographic 2019
sarms vs steroids infographic 2019
3 Surprising Benefits of LGD-4033

3 Surprising Benefits of LGD-4033

In this article we’ll take a brief look at the 3 Surprising Benefits of LGD-4033 and if you want to know more, head over and read our blog post on Amazing Benefits of Ligandrol for more information. We’ll go over everything you need to know about this powerful SARM and its noteworthy benefits if you’re looking to transform your physique in just 8-12 weeks!

Ligandrol LGD-4033 is one of the most popular selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) on the market and its growing reputation isn’t to be taken lightly. This compound really helps you pack on muscle mass, develop denser muscle tissue, increase lifting strength and get leaner during a diet phase. Before you decide whether Ligandrol should be part of your supplement stack, read this and find out about the potential benefits of LGD-4033.

What Is Ligandrol LGD-4033?

Ligandrol LGD 4033 is a SARM – a selective androgen receptor modulator. It’s typically used by men and women who want to enhance their physique and build strength because it has been shown to have a positive impact on muscle building, training performance, fat loss potential and even bone strength.

Ligandrol binds to the body’s androgen receptors (in muscle and bone tissue), where it boosts anabolic activity and suppresses catabolism – which is how it can have an impact on growth and recovery.

All SARMs are selective to bone and muscle tissue, possibly because these tissues have more of the co-regulator sensors they need. Ligandrol does activate androgen receptors but it is chemically different from any kind of anabolic steroid.

How Was Ligandrol Developed?

Like most SARMs, Ligandrol was originally developed as a medical drug to combat troublesome health issues. Specifically, Ligandrol was developed to reduce muscle wastage in muscular dystrophy sufferers and to help people recover better from hip fractures.

Its impact on cell growth and tissue recovery was picked up by bodybuilders who recognised it as a potent compound for muscle gain. Ligandrol is still a relatively new compound so there is limited official scientific research into its effects but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence from within the bodybuilding community.

Ligandrol is not restricted for human use but you need to know it is banned by WADA so you should steer clear of it (and of all SARMs) if you aim to compete in professional sports or in drug-tested bodybuilding or physique contests.

Ligandrol For Bodybuilding

Lingandrol is popular with bodybuilders training for hypertrophy (muscle gain), strength, mass and fat loss. But it is also a common choice of SARM for physique models, CrossFit athletes and regular gym-goers. The benefits of LGD-4033 offer a versatile compound for anyone who wants to take their physique to the next level and fast. LGD4033 will help you to pack on the muscle and diet for fat loss without the usual risk of catabolism and muscle loss.

3 Surprising Benefits Of LGD-4033

#1 Muscle gain

Ligandrol targets anabolic pathways in the body and has been shown in human clinical trials to increase muscle mass and leg strength. Aside from this study, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence from bodybuilders who use LGD-4033 (alone, or with other compounds) to boost muscle mass and density, plus strength and training performance.

#2 Strong bones

By activating the body’s androgen receptors, Ligandrol may increase bone density and strength. This is important for bodybuilders as strong bones mean a strong foundation on which you can create a great physique. In addition, healthy bones mean you can lift heavier without fear of excess injury risk. Every bodybuilder needs to think about skeletal strength.

#3 Cognitive health

Although SARMs work on muscle and bone tissue, there is some evidence to suggest Ligandrol directly affects the brain, too. This is of interest to bodybuilders because of cognitive health impacts on training focus, endurance and motivation.

Aside from these 3 Surprising Benefits of LGD-4033, bodybuilders report a lot of other benefits to using Ligandrol, including:

  • more visible muscle pumps during training
  • maintaining muscle gain (even after a cycle)
  • easier and faster fat loss when dieting
  • increased energy and endurance
  • a feeling of energy and focus during the day
  • faster recovery between training sessions
  • increased strength for weight training
  • mood-boosting for mental wellbeing

Dosage & Cycling

Bodybuilders use Ligandrol for bulking cycles, cutting cycles and for body recomposition (lean gains) periods of training. LGD4033 can be used by itself but it can also be stacked with other SARMs or different types of compounds. Common SARMs stacks include Ligandrol with Cardarine, Testolone (for strength and muscle gain) or Ostarine (for fat loss or body recomp). Check out Mutagenic Labz Symbiote capsules if you want a reliable blend of Ostarine MK-2866 and Ligandrol LGD-4033.

One study showed pretty impressive gains on a dose of just 1mg per day but most guys will run Ligandrol doses should be up to 10mg per day (for men), and up to 5mg per day for women. The half-life of Ligandrol is 24-36 so there is no need to split the dose (most people take their daily dose in one go).

Advice on length of cycles is mixed, with some people advising a 4-week limit (followed by a 4-week recovery period) but others use Ligandrol for 8 or even 12 weeks for fat loss. Most people don’t feel the need for PCT after a Ligandrol cycle as the suppression is very mild but a great way to boost recovery post-cycle is with the use of testosterone boosters to help stimulate natural hormone production levels after use.

We know from clinical trials that levels of blood LGD 4033 can almost triple after 3 weeks (compared to day 1) – this tells us that concentration of the compound does build up in the body. This might be one reason for shorter cycles.

Choosing The Best Ligandrol Product

Ligandrol might be banned in drug-tested sport but it’s available as a research chemical. However, you still need to be smart about where you get your SARMs.

There are a lot of disreputable sellers out there who either pack their products with weird extra ingredients or who can’t prove the quality and dosage of the active compound.

We recommend Mutagenic Labz Symbiote that offers a super-popular blend of Ligandrol with Ostarine. This is one of the best SARMs stacks for lean gains, body recomposition, or fat loss with muscle gain. Symbiote gives you 4mg Ligandrol with 10mg Ostarine.

If you want LGD4033 on its own, go for Research Pharma UK LGD-4033 Pro which contains an “Absorb Core” base to improve bioavailability and to extend the half-life of the compound, making it one of the strongest and most efficient on the Research Compound market.

If these 3 Surprising Benefits of LGD-4033 didn’t impress, head over to our blog post on Amazing Benefits of Ligandrol for more information

5 amazing benefits of ostarine mk-2866

5 Surprising Benefits of Ostarine MK-2866

Discover everything you need to know about the popular SARM Ostarine, also known as MK-2866. Ostarine is one of the most popular SARMs in the bodybuilding and physique world – no surprise once you learn about the potential effects of this research-backed compound.

What Is Ostarine?

If you’ve been around the bodybuilding or physique sport world for even a short while, you’ve probably heard about Ostarine. But what is this compound, why do some people use it, and should you consider it (or should you look for a better alternative)? To begin, it’s worth mentioning that this is widely considered one of the safest anabolic SARMs on the market.

MK-2866 is a SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) which is popular with strength, power and physique athletes who are looking for ways to boost muscle mass and strength with fewer or no side effects compared to harsher compounds such as steroids or prohormones. It was originally developed to help treat muscle-wasting conditions, so you can understand why bodybuilders are drawn to it. It preserves lean tissue when conditions would usually lead to catabolism (for example, dieting or high-frequency training).

How Does MK-2866 Work?

Like any SARM, MK-2866 can mimic testosterone (the primary anabolic hormone), stimulates the body’s androgen receptors and boosts the steroid hormone receptors. It can activate stem cells, helping to regenerate and build muscle and bone tissue – exactly what bodybuilders want. For this reason, MK-2866 is thought to have fewer side-effects than anabolic steroids because SARMs do not affect the organs. They are very selective by their very nature, which is the main advantage of any SARM. Of course, this can change if someone stacks Ostarine with an anabolic steroid.

Ostarine is renowned for improving both training performance (strength and power) and physique appearance (through bigger, denser muscle mass). However, its noteworthy advantage is injury repair and recovery; it has an excellent affinity for joint repair in particular.

Muscle Gain & Recovery with MK-2866

One reason many bodybuilders use MK-2866 is for its impact on the IGF-1 gene, as well as muscle cells and cells in connective tissues. Ostarine may stimulate these cells which means faster recovery from training stress. Less time out for recovery (or less soreness during your next training session) means you can train more frequently, achieving a greater workload across the training week. This is likely to result in greater muscle growth from the training stimulus.

In one human study of 120 healthy elderly people, Ostarine significantly increased lean muscle mass as well as fitness levels with no side effects or steroid-like risks.

5 Potential Effects Of Ostarine

There are five key reasons a bodybuilder might choose to use Ostarine.

#1 Muscle gain
The SARM is often used as a compound to aid muscle gain because of its effect on stimulating muscle cells. Not only does this mean you may gain additional muscle tissue but you are likely to protect the muscle mass you already have (important during a fat loss phase).

#2 Recovery
It can mean faster recovery from DOMS and training fatigue. This means you can train more frequently and you can push harder during each session.

#3 Fat loss
It is thought to slow or stop muscle breakdown (catabolism) whilst the body is getting leaner. This means you can push harder during a dieting phase without the usual worry about losing muscle, resulting in the holy grail of lean gains.

#4 Cardiovascular health
Ostarine can have a number of benefits for heart health, including reduction of triglycerides, reduced lipids and reduced total cholesterol. It may also help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance.

#5 Increased metabolic rate
It is thought to increase base metabolic rate, meaning you will burn more calories during training, NEAT and cardio. It can also increase endurance and give you better stamina, which will also mean longer more intense training sessions. All these combined means you are likely to burn more calories – good news if you are trying to get shredded.

How Long Does MK-2866 Take to Work?

As with most supplements, one of the most commons questions asked is how long MK-2866 takes to work. Anecdotal evidence shows that people tend to feel a great sense of ‘wellbeing’ within 2-3 days of using Ostarine. A sense of vitality, positive mood, good energy and holistic ‘balance’.

Many bodybuilders and athletes report noticeable consistent strength gains within the first 2-3 weeks of using the compound. In terms of physical changes; body composition and muscle definition, results will usually be seen to the eye from 4 weeks onwards, however, it’s important to understand that this ultimately comes down to so many individual factors. Your current body composition, your goals, your training and diet, as well as recovery protocols. Everyone will respond to different compounds in different ways whilst your efforts and commitment will play an even bigger part in how quickly you see results.

Ostarine & Bodybuilding

MK-2866 is best known for is building muscle and burning fat – two things all bodybuilders are interested in at some point during their lifting career (even if they never want to step on stage).

Muscle gain: remember how we said Ostarine was originally developed to help tackle muscle wasting diseases? People who want to build more muscle tissue, and hang on to the muscle they’ve got, can use MK-2866 to harness those anti-catabolic effects.

Fat burning: Ostarine has muscle preserving properties, meaning you can diet more aggressively or for longer without losing muscle tissue. Retaining muscle during a diet phase means you’ll also retain more strength, so you can train harder and heavier, all leading to a positive circle of lean gains.

But there’s more than muscle building and boosted fat-burning abilities. Ostarine can also boost bone health, help reduce LDL and triglycerides and improve insulin resistance. These are all things which can be attractive to bodybuilders looking to gain mass and strength.

How to Stack Ostarine

Bodybuilders use Ostarine in a few different ways. This is what you need to know.

Using Ostrarine by itself: Ostarine MK-2866 can be used alone. It should be used as a cycle (like any SARM) of 12 weeks for men, up to 8 weeks for women. Men should use between 15-25mg and women should use 5-10mg. Ostarine has a half-life of 24 hours so there is no need to split the dose across the day.

With other SARMs: bodybuilders typically stack Ostarine with other popular SARMs, like Ibutamoren MK677 or Ligandrol LGD-4033. Ostarine can also be used in a so-called “triple SARM” stack of Ostarine plus Andarine and Cardarine (although Cardarine isn’t a true SARM).

Choose The Best Ostarine Supplement

Like any SARM, it’s important you choose the best-quality Ostarine MK-2866 supplement. Don’t go for the cheapest product. Check the label carefully and look for smart ingredients which are designed to optimise the product’s effectiveness so you see the best gains.

We love our best selling Mutagenic Labz Ostagainz, which delivers 10mg of pure Ostarine MK-2866 along with Piperine in every dose (to aid digestion and absorption). It’s non-liver-toxic, has no androgenic activity, and promises minimal side effects – with maximum results. Click here to try it for yourself. Choose an Ostarine product you can trust, backed by a reliable name in bodybuilding supplements.

We should point out that Ostarine – like all SARMs – is not approved for use in tested strength and physique sports but for those of you who don’t want to compete with the tested federations? There are so many reasons to try Ostarine by itself or as a stack, whether you’re dieting, bulking, or aiming for a body recomposition phase.

Cardarine GW-501516: A Complete Guide to GW501516

Cardarine GW-501516: A Helpful Guide 2019

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the PPAR-delta activator Cardarine (GW-501516), how long it takes to work, the ideal cycle length, safety and vital information you need before you consider adding it to your supplement regime.

A lot of the compounds we write about at PumpingIron.com are SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators). This article is about something a little different, although often classed into the same category. GW501516 can help burn fat, boost metabolism, increase training endurance and protect muscle tissue but it isn’t actually a SARM. It’s a non-hormonal PPAR-delta activator which doesn’t work on the androgen capacitors at all.

If you’re curious about Cardarine, here’s everything you need to know and if we haven’t covered something, simply e-mail us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!

Is Cardarine (GW-501516) a SARM?

As we said, Cardarine isn’t actually a SARM (anyone who tells you it is doesn’t know what they’re talking about). A SARM activates androgen receptors in muscles and other tissue. Cardarine is a PPAR-delta activator but it can produce results similar to those of SARMs.

Background Information

The best way to understand what to expect from a compound is to look at why it was developed (and what was discovered by researchers). GW501516 was originally developed by a drug company in the 1990s as a way to prevent tumours (especially on the colon and prostate). But there were some surprising discoveries.

During their studies into increased endurance and fat burning, the researchers began to understand more about the PPAR-delta pathway. They realised that activation of this pathway had an astounding impact on muscle growth, endurance and energy whilst decreasing blood lipids and subcutaneous fat. And – you guessed it – the compound GW-501516 can bind to this PPAR-delta pathway.

It turned out Cardarine could help reduce body fat, boost metabolic rate, improve the strength of blood vessels. This has a positive impact on cardiovascular health, increases muscle growth rate and even reduces recovery time. We’ll go into these factors in greater depth later in this article.

One thing we need to make clear: Cardarine is not currently sold for human consumption. It is classed as a ‘research compound’, sold for research purposes only.

How Long Does Cardarine Take to Work?

It’s important to understand how the Cardarine works in the body. Like we’ve already said, it binds to PPAR-delta in muscle cells and it stimulates certain genes which facilitate the body’s use of energy. Once you know that, you can see how it can boost your metabolic rate, improve physical performance and even help burn more fat (whilst increasing and protecting muscle mass).

You’ll notice the effects almost instantly; timing one of your dosages about thirty minutes before a high-intensity training session is an ideal protocol. The difference in energy, endurance and stamina will be noticeable almost immediately.

Burn Fat & Recover Faster with GW-501516

How exactly does Cardarine burn body fat? It’s not as simple as just torching fat right off your body. It starts with preventing the formation of fatty acids chains which, in turn, stops your body actually storing fat. This means your body needs to tap into your subcutaneous fat stores for energy – just like when you diet. But there’s one big difference to when you burn body fat by dieting. GW-501516 has those sought-after anti-catabolic properties, which means you get leaner without losing valuable muscle tissue.

What about boosting recovery between training sessions? It seems Cardarine can help your muscle fibres (specifically the slow-twitch fibres) use oxygen more efficiently, and this can help improve rates of recovery between training. It can also mean better endurance during training sessions. Good news if you train for hypertrophy, with a lower-load and higher-rep style of training.

Cardarine & Bodybuilding

You can already guess that this is an attractive compound for bodybuilders with its potential for muscle gain, training recovery and fat burning. (Side note: it’s also getting a lot of interest with the nootropics crowd.)

Cardarine could be used by itself or with other compounds as a cycle; you can stack it with prohormones, SARMs or other fat-burners. You can also use it to bridge between cycles or throughout a PCT (post cycle therapy) phase. Either way, it should be cycled for best results. Plan your cycle length for 8-12 weeks before having a 4-8 week break.

GW501516 has a half-life of 12-24 hours so you can decide whether to split your dose or to take it once per day. A dosage of 10mg-20mg per day is recommended.

Stacking Cardarine with Other Compounds

Cardarine can be used as a standalone supplement but is often stacked with other compounds. Most commonly, it has great synergistic effects with MK-677, RAD-140, Ostarine, LGD-3303 and Andarine.

It can also be used to combat negative side-effects of some anabolics (such as Trenbolone) and address potential lipid health issues. Cardarine is beneficial during PCT because it can lessen your chances of a fat-regain or rebound after running a steroid or prohormone cycle.

7 Things You Need To Know About Cardarine

#1 Fat Burner

It boosts your body’s fat-burning capacity by stimulating glucose and activating the ABCA1 and CPT1 fat-burning genes. Interestingly, there was a human study done on Cardarine’s potential for receding fatty acids, VLDL proteins and triglycerides (human studies on Cardarine are pretty rare, so it’s worth a look at this one).

#2 Training Endurance

It can stimulate the body’s glucose uptake, encouraging your body to use glucose as its primary fuel source. This means you get more energised for training and can train harder for longer. Since Cardarine can activate PPAR-delta pathways, it can also improve strength endurance. This 2015 study (on mice) suggests Cardarine can increase the specific muscle fibres associated with peak training performance.

#3 Lean Gains

It is a popular choice for stacking with SARMs and other compounds to protect lean muscle tissue whilst dieting to get shredded. As we’ve said, it can help burn body fat without the problem of losing muscle mass or looking over-dieted and scrawny.

#4 Brain Health

It can have a positive effect on blood vessels (see #5) and this means protection for your brain blood vessels (plus more blood to the brain). You might also like to know PPAR activators are thought to boost nerve cell development of nerve cells.

#5 Cardiovascular Health

It can prevent oxidative damage to blood vessels, helping reduce build-up in the arteries and (most exciting for bodybuilders) increasing your nitric oxide (NO) levels. This could mean Cardarine may reduce inflammation and associated tissue damage – a key factor in recovery and muscle growth during hypertrophy.

#6 Liver & Kidney Health

MCP-1 activity is a key factor in kidney disease and Cardarine can reduce this activity. Additionally, Cardarine acts directly on your liver (a powerhouse for storing fats for fuel in the body), using PPAR-delta activation to use fatty acids for energy. Cardarine could even reduce the body’s production of IL-6 and thereby prohibit insulin resistance.

#7 Muscle fibres

Activating PPAR-delta also means Cardarine can encourage better muscle fibre development. This means increased training endurance and the potential for greater muscle growth.

Choosing & Using Cardarine GW-501516

The bottom line is that Cardarine GW501516 is not currently legal for human consumption so it is sold for research purposes. Not for training, cutting, bulking, or bodybuilding.

You also need to bear in mind that Cardarine is banned for any tested bodybuilding competitions (yes, even trace amounts found accidentally in another product). At the moment, almost all the (limited) research on Cardarine GW501516 is on animals.

Don’t risk wasting your money on cheap, fake dupes!

One of the best selling products Mutagenic Labz Amalgamation combines a blend of GW-501516 and SR-9009, a very effective fat-loss combo. If you’re not keen on Cardarine just yet, Check out Mutagenic Labz Assimilation – our safe, legal and insanely effective GDA (Glucose Disposal Agent) to help you get leaner and build more muscle faster.

Disclaimer: By publishing this post we are not recommending using GW501516. It’s our duty to inform and educate you on all compounds. All of the information we have given here can be corroborated by published scientific reviews and literature. We recommend Mutagenic Labz Assimilation.

sarms results

SARMs Results: Complete Rundown (2023)

When it comes to SARMs results, there’s a huge variety of compounds to choose from and all have different strengths. Although SARMs are highly versatile, they do produce slightly different results, have different potencies and can be utilised in different phases for different goals.

So, what are the effects and benefits of different SARMs compounds?

SARMs – selective androgen receptor modulators – are the most exciting modern development in supplements, sweeping aside the need to even think about risking your health on illegal substances like anabolic steroids or prohormones. SARMs can give you some astounding results with little to no side effects, no hormonal suppression, and no known health risks.

SARMs Results: Before and After Photos

What exactly can you expect from taking SARMs? It’s all very well reading about the benefits and looking at other people’s before and after photos. Wouldn’t it be useful to know what to expect from the most popular SARMs compounds, so you can select the precise ones to get the physique you want?

Most SARMs have some effect on rates of muscle gain, the appearance of muscle, as well as on strength, training performance, and rate of fat loss. But they are all slightly different. How are the various SARMs different, and what can you expect when you take them alongside a good diet and regular training?

See more before and after photos on our blog post here!

Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)
Ostarine Before & After (8-Week Cycle)

The Most Popular SARMs

SARMs Results From ACP-105

ACP-105 is one of the newer SARMs and has been researched in relation to treating bone and tissue conditions including osteoporosis and muscle wasting conditions. Although ACP-105 is not one of the stronger SARMs, it has powerful anabolic effects and is comparable in some ways to synthetic testosterone. However, it seems to have minimal suppressive effects on the body’s natural hormone levels which is great news. It is what’s known as a partial agonist.

ACP-105 results include strength gains, muscular endurance, and better muscle mass gains. It is known to be one of the weaker SARMs (for want of a better word), so don’t expect insane results – just visible, pleasing ones!

SARMs results to expect from ACP-105:

  • Muscle and strength gains
  • Improves the rate of fat loss
  • Better muscle recovery from training
  • Increased rate of muscle growth
  • Improved blood circulation
  • Non-toxic to the liver

Cardarine (GW-510516) PPAR Modulator

Cardarine is not actually a SARM – it is a PPAR-delta activator. This means it doesn’t directly influence the androgen receptors. Cardarine was initially researched for its fat-burning potential and further developed to potentially treat health issues around the heart and blood vessels. It is known to have a range of benefits for athletic performance and bodybuilding, including reduction of inflammation and increased fat-burning potential.

  • Helps maintain good blood flow to the brain
  • PPAR-delta activation increases fat burn and energy use
  • May even reverse symptoms of metabolic syndrome including liver fat and triglycerides
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Increases nitric oxide to minimise oxidative damage to blood vessel
  • Lowers risk of heart disease
  • Suppresses inflammation (another benefit of activating the PPAR-delta pathway)
  • Encourages the liver to use fatty acids (to glucose) as energy which can reduce blood sugar
  • Better development of muscle fibres for strength, endurance, mass

SARMs Results From Ostarine (MK-2866)

Ostarine has been researched for its potential to reverse the effects of catabolism in muscle-wasting diseases and the ageing population. It is still in the clinical trial stage, making it one of the SARMs more likely to be approved for clinical use. Ostarine is favoured by bodybuilders for its effects on muscle gain and strength gain with minimal risk of side effects.

SARMs results to expect from MK-2866:

  • Increases muscle mass and strength
  • Gives a dry, lean muscle gain appearance
  • Supports better fat loss without muscle loss
  • No water retention
  • Better pumps during training
  • Can reverse muscle loss (potentially when dieting in a calorie deficit)
  • No known impact on hormone levels
  • Beneficial for bone strength and bone density
  • Can lower cholesterol and blood glucose
  • May activate muscle satellite cells to help regenerate muscle tissue and connective tissue
  • No need for PCT or liver support supplements

Results From Ibutamoren (MK-677) Growth Hormone Secretagogue

Ibutamoren isn’t a SARM but a growth hormone secretagogue that is known to stimulate your natural production of growth hormone to increase GH levels. By increasing the body’s secretion of GH, it also increases IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) both of which are key anabolic hormones. Ibutamoren binds to a part of the brain that plays a part in appetite.

  • Increases growth hormone secretion
  • Increases IGF-1
  • Improves muscle mass gain
  • Can reduce muscle loss during dieting phases
  • Boosts ability to lose body fat
  • Bone strength and bone density
  • Can improve sleep
  • Some nootropic effects for better cognition and mood
  • May even help with hangovers!

SARMs Results From LGD-3303

LGD-3303 is one of the newer SARMs – don’t confuse it with LGD-4033 (Ligandrol). 3303 and 4033 do have similarities but you need to know the difference. Anecdotally, we hear that LGD-3303 is the stronger SARM and perhaps better for fat loss on a cut. LGD-3303 was developed as a potential for treating osteoporosis, and may be beneficial for treating loss of muscle tissue in older people.

SARMs results to expect from LGD-3303:

  • Great bioavailability
  • Minimal water retention
  • Good choice for dieting phase (less water retention)
  • No negative effect on androgenic organs
  • Increases bone density and bone mass
  • Muscular fullness and hardness
  • Can help offset catabolism to retain muscle mass
  • Increased endurance for training sessions

SARMs Results From Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

LGD-4033 is often called the most potent of the SARM compounds. It was developed to improve patients’ recovery from fractures, because of its effect on tissue regeneration and strength.

SARMs results to expect from LGD-4033:

  • Muscle mass gains (good choice for a bulk)
  • Fat loss (although may temporarily be masked by some water retention)
  • Strength increases
  • Bone density and bone strength
  • Positive effects on catabolism including cachexia
  • Can help retain muscle whilst dieting
  • Increased sense of wellbeing and libido

Results From Stenabolic (SR-9009) REV-ERB agonist

SR9009 is not a SARM, it is a REV-ERB agonist. It mediates optimal metabolic function being described often as an exercise mimetic, or something which can provide similar effects as can be expected from exercise.

Stenabolic was developed for its effects on the circadian rhythm – it enhances REV-ERB (the proteins which stabilise our internal body clock). It has been shown to impact a number of health factors including anxiety, endurance, cholesterol, and inflammation. SR9009 has the ability to affect weight loss without dieting, according to a 7-day study on mice.

  • Can impact the genes under circadian control
  • Potential to boost fat burn and increase mitochondria activity
  • “Turns off” the genes which encourage fat storage
  • Potent metabolism booster and fat burner
  • Enhances endurance and stamina
  • Enhance REV-ERB activity
  • Reduces fat and cholesterol
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Improves heart function
  • Promotes wakefulness
  • Combats anxiety
  • Non-stimulant and non-hormonal
  • Reduces levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood
  • Muscular endurance for improved training performance
  • Supports better mood and energy, reduces anxiety

SARMs Results From Testolone (RAD-140)

Testolone mimics testosterone but avoids the side effects of traditional testosterone supplements. It is being used in research for increasing muscle mass and protecting brain cells from degeneration.

SARMs results to expect from RAD-140:

  • More anabolic than testosterone
  • Anabolic to androgenic ratio of 90:1
  • A great addition to a prohormone cycle
  • Best for bulking cycles
  • Improves libido and sexual performance
  • Best SARM for muscle growth and size
  • Reduces fat and increases muscle mass
  • Ideal to enhance body composition
  • Rapid muscle recovery
  • A safer alternative to anabolic steroids
  • No androgenic side effects such as male pattern baldness
  • Excellent stacking potential with other SARMs and prohormones
  • PCT required

SARMs Results From Andarine (S-4)

Like many SARMs, Andarine was developed for its potential to treat muscle wasting conditions and osteoporosis. It has been shown to increase strength, muscle mass, and bone density, muscle mass.

SARMs results to expect from S-4:

  • Potent hardening agent for exceptional body re-composition
  • One of the most researched SARMs in the industry
  • Highly anabolic
  • Preserves and improves lean body mass during diet phases
  • Increases oxidation of fatty tissue
  • Non-liver-toxic
  • No aromatization
  • The ultimate SARM with an exceptional potency

SARMs Results From S-23

S23 is a new SARM, which has been found to trigger an anabolic response for a positive effect on muscle and bone and muscle tissue. A safer alternative to anabolic steroids, S-23 is extremely effective for burning stubborn body fat. Considered by many as a powerful version of S-4 (Andarine), S-23 is one of the best performance-enhancing drugs to harden muscle for a dry, grainy look.

SARMs results to expect from S-23:

  • Increases both skeletal and muscle mass
  • Promotes long-lasting muscle mass and endurance gains
  • Ideal for muscle hardening
  • Completely sets off catabolism in a calorie deficit
  • Increases bone strength and reduces fat mass
  • Improves libido in men and women
  • Helps users to retain gains long after a cycle
  • No bloating or fluid retention

SARMs Results From YK-11

YK11 is being talked about as a myostatin inhibitor which can boost physical and mental aspects of bodybuilding. It offers a lot of benefits without any apparent side effects.

SARMs results to expect from YK-11:

  • Highly anabolic compound with fewer side effects than a steroid
  • Enhances muscle mass via myostatin inhibition
  • Increases muscle building with fewer side effects than prohormones
  • No estrogenic side effects
  • No hepatoxicity so safe to stack with another SARM or prohormone
  • Faster muscle growth than any natural test booster
  • Much improved recovery

Before you use any SARM, be sure to buy a reliable product from a trustworthy manufacturer and distributor. Always start with the lowest possible dose and asses your progress as you go along. Side effects have mostly been reported at high doses (higher than the recommended doses), or long cycles. Be smart and sensible, and you’ll reap the rewards of these incredible compounds.

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