SARMs or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators were originally developed to replace Anabolic Steroids in the medical world. They could do this... Wait, you probably don't care.
All you care about are gains - and rightfully so. I just ate more protein in a meal than my mom does in a week, and for some reason, I know how to pronounce very scientific words like Ibutamoren. But not all SARMs were created equally, some are far better than others when looking at their ability to cause muscle growth and body fat loss.
Key Takeaways
- SARMs should be used for specific goals (fat loss, muscle mass, etc)
- The best SARMs won't necessarily be the best SARMs for you
- Some of the most commonly used SARMs include LGD 4033 and MK 677
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How We Chose the Best SARMs
When going about choosing the best options for anything in life you have to be really sure about a host of factors. Costs, quality, who makes the product, etc. SARMs are no different. If you wanna build thebest SARMs stack then you need to focus on the following factors:
- Quality and testing of the products. Companies should have COA and other testing methods (with third parties) to prove their products are actually as good and pure as they claim
- Side effects of the SARMs will by and large limit the SARMs you can take. Taking a SARM that increases blood pressure if you are already prone to water retention is asking for a host of problems (including renal damage)
- The greatest benefit with the least amount of sacrifice. This is simple math, really
So, without further ado let's get into the list of the best SARMs you can get your hands on.
Best SARM Overall: LGD 4033
Ligandrol or LGD 4033 is about the most simple of SARMs you can get. Its main purpose is to increase protein synthesis or protein expression which will drive muscle anabolism and reduce muscle wasting in case your calories are low [1, 2].
Ligandrol has even been used by women at far lower doses. As far as safety goes, it's pretty decent but there are still some precautions you need to take.
Known to improve athletic performance as well as muscle gains, LGD 4033 is often a SARM used by beginners or intermediates. That said, there are still some side effects you need to be aware of, such as short-term aggression and violence, acne, sleeping difficulties, liver and kidney damage, and may cause depression and hypertension.
Best for:
- Individuals looking to build lean muscle mass as well as muscular endurance
- Those looking to stave off muscle loss while losing weight
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Best SARM for Muscle Growth/Bulking: Testolone RAD 140
Testolone or RAD 140 is another classic SARM. Originally designed by Radius Health inc. as a cancer medication but soon found its way into the goodie cupboard of bodybuilders [3, 4].
Since it binds to the Androgen Receptors in muscle and bone tissue it'll increase muscle mass and bone density, respectively. Testolone has been used by some females, however, there have been some reported side effects like enlargement of the prostate, clitoris, and mammary tissue.
RAD 140 can be used for muscle development and therefore can also be used to help lose excess body fat. Just keep in mind there are side effects like testosterone suppression, hair loss, and liver toxicity.
This is reported to be one of the best SARMs for bulking. It could be used with other SARMs.
Best for:
- Greatly increasing muscle mass
- To slightly help you lose body fat
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Best SARM for Fat Loss: MK 677 Ibutamoren
Ibutamoren or MK-677 is not technically a SARM but it's always grouped along with other SARMs. MK 677 is known as a Growth Hormone Secretagogue and will therefore not bind to any Androgen Receptors in the body.
What it'll do is simply boost your pituitary gland to produce more human growth hormone (HGH). HGH has been shown to increase bone density, muscle mass, and fat loss, as well as having overall health benefits. It'll always increase the insulin-like growth factor which is immense for rapid muscle growth.
The only side effects are a slight increase in water retention and if you abuse the compound you might suffer from some insulin resistance.
MK 677 can be used by women as well as those looking to build muscle mass or lose weight.
Best for:
- Anyone looking to improve athletic performance
- Those who don't want to suppress natural testosterone production
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Best SARM for Beginners: Ostarine MK 2866
Beginners would wanna stay away from SARMs with severe side effects. Typically, you would also not start with the strongest SARMs seeing as these might be overwhelming at times.
Ostarine MK 2866 is a great option for beginners who would also like to omit the need for a huge Post Cycle Therapy. Even though the SARM is mild and won't cause too much trouble in your life it is extremely good at striping excess fat as well as building lean muscle mass [5, 6].
It is on the milder side of 'bodybuilding supplements' but some side effects will be present like stomach pain, headaches, liver toxicity, hypertension, and cholesterol.
Best for:
- Building muscle mass with the least number of side effects
- Those looking to reduce the use of a Post Cycle Therapy
Best SARM for Women: Cardarine GW 501516
While SARMs might be somewhat effective for men they're extremely effective for women. Even the slight increase in protein synthesis they provide will create a massive change in the female system.
Unfortunately, while SARMs do have fewer side effects, some are a bit too strong. Cardarine GW 501516 is the best SARM for women. Has the least impact on the female endocrine system while still being able to help reduce body fat, and increases bone density, as well as muscle mass [7, 8].
Oh, Cardarine isn't even a SARM. It's actually a PPAR (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) agonist. These receptors are located in muscle tissue hence why it can affect muscle.
Best for:
- One of the best SARMs for cutting
- Best SARMs for women
- Can help with weight loss as well as muscle endurance
Best SARM to Enhance Athletic Performance: YK-11
YK-11 or Myostine is widely recognized as the strongest SARM on the market. Its muscle-building potential is unmatched by the other SARMs but this comes at the price of health.
YK-11 acts a bit differently from other SARMs. It will inhibit the activity of myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth [9, 10]. While it has significant benefits and is also one of the most potent SARMs for cutting and bulking you would need to take note of the side effects.
Sides include headaches, nausea, stomach issues, testosterone suppression, and liver toxicity.
Best for:
- Those looking to be the best in the bodybuilding world
- Those looking to rapidly increase muscle strength and mass
- People who don't mind dealing with the sides
Best SARM for Strength: S23
SARMs for bulking, SARMs for cutting, what about SARMs for Strength? SARMs won't directly increase strength seeing as their main mechanism of action is to increase protein synthesis. But some have been found to work slightly better for strength than others.
S23 was developed by GTX inc. as a potential male contraceptive. It hasn't passed the testing to be used as a cock block per se but it has shown the potential to increase muscle-building capabilities in men who also exercise and diet, in anecdotal settings (11, 12).
Typically, S23 will cause some water retention which is not usually something we want, but strength athletes do. This water acts as leverage in the gym allowing them to push higher numbers. Typically not great for fat loss but some people recall having less excess fat after using it.
Side effects include testosterone suppression, hair loss, and aggression.
Best for:
- Strength athletes who don't mind a bit of water retention
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Best SARM Stacks
Stacking SARMs for bulking or for cutting is quite common in the bodybuilding world. Hell, even my own mother stacks Omega 3 Fatty Acids with Vitamin C - that junkie! While stacking SARMs may seem like a no-brainer you have to be aware that it may have severe sides.
Before using a stack, ensure you can handle each SARM on its own. If you use two new ones at the same time and something goes wrong you won't know which is causing what.
Best SARM Stacks for Cutting
- MK 677 (Least number of sides)
- Cardarine (Good for endurance while helping you lose weight)
- Ostarine (Can help you gain muscle or retain more while cutting)
If you are going to use other products or SARMs to aid in burning fat make sure the sides that overlap.
Best SARM Stack for Bulking
- MK 677 (Least number of sides)
- Testolone RAD 140 (Good amount of benefits without causing too many sides)
- [For the extreme] YK-11
Best SARMs for Lean Muscle Mass
When delving into the world of SARMs you'll come across various individuals with different opinions about which are best. That said, most SARMs will increase lean muscle tissue as long as you actually train and diet correctly. Taking that into account, here are some of the best SARMs for lean muscle gains:
- Testolone RAD 140: A classic SARM that will help with muscle-building endeavors and while the side effects appear severe they also appear to be dose-related
- MK 677: A 'SARM' that actually increases Growth Hormone production, unlike any of the other SARMs or Anabolic Steroids
- YK-11: YK-11 is a brutal SARM that'll inhibit myostatin, a protein in the body that limits lean muscle growth. Inhibiting it could unlock quite a lot of muscle mass
- S23: This is a great SARM that is often used to gain muscle mass while also increasing muscular strength. The two go hand in hand
What to avoid when taking SARMs?
Right, parenting time. What are the ins and outs of using SARMs. There are a few things you would want to do (or not do) while using SARMs (or Anabolic Steroids):
- Cardio: Most selective androgen receptor modulators will increase cholesterol and blood pressure. Thus, you would need to practice healthy life choices including doing your cardio. Both HIIT and LISS will help
- Diet: Your diet will play a big role in muscle growth. It will also play a role in fat burning (duh) but will also aid in fighting cholesterol and other health effects. High fiber, low Saturated fats, and ensure you get plenty of minerals and vitamins
- Reduce your body fat: Both fat and overall weight will increase blood pressure and just make life slightly worse. Lowering weight will ensure your kidneys function better. Unless you are in a muscle mass growth phase try keep your weight under control
- Avoid alcohol: This is a no-brainer. Alcohol will affect the liver which will already be affected by the 'bodybuilding supplements'
- PCT: Your post-cycle therapy will ensure you do not suffer from low testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels have been linked to poor muscle recovery, blood flow, and muscle strength. Taking certain products to increase LH and FSH after your SARM cycle is needed to ensure natural testosterone levels return to normal
You could argue that the muscle growth from SARMs leads to health benefits, and it does to an extent. However, even the mildest SARMs will have side effects. Make sure you understand the SARMs stack you are taking and that you do the necessary to be healthy.
When training, ensure you practice progressive overload which is needed for muscle gains. You can take all the best SARMs for bulking but you will not grow unless you actually train hard enough. Muscle cells react to stimuli.
History of SARMs
To give you a brief history of SARMs you need to understand Anabolic Steroids first. Steroids have been used in the medical world to treat certain muscle-wasting diseases.
Unfortunately, Steroids do have side effects that weren't very popular with the ladies and the young folk. Hair loss, body hair growth, clitoral growth, etc. Not nice.
Medical engineers and chemists then engineered selective androgen receptor modulators - SARMs. These would still enhance muscle growth and help the patients but due to their selective nature, they do have fewer sides.
Benefits of SARMs
Overall, SARMs will increase protein synthesis. They might bind to the Androgen Receptors like Anabolic Steroids do but they merely increase muscle growth. They do not cause as much glycogen retention as Anabolic Steroids nor do they make you as strong.
- Increase muscle mass
- Fat loss
- Unlike Anabolic Steroids, they have fewer sides
- Increased strength
- Some can improve skin and hair health
Side Effects of SARMs
The side effects of SARMs do not act on the muscle cells itself. The sides would present themselves in the cardiovascular realm and with your Testosterone levels.
- Will decrease testosterone production
- Increased LDL and total cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hair loss and aggression
- Prostate growth
- Testicular atrophy
Conclusion: Best SARMs
The best SARMs will only work if you work as well. SARMs are not the one-way ticket out of a bad physique, and unlike Steroids, they are not strong enough to make a mediocre body slightly less mediocre.
That said, SARMs can help, especially with women. Just make sure you know what you're doing and you manage the side effects. Also, buy from trusted vendors - it matters.
FAQs about SARMs
What to avoid when taking SARMs?
There are a few things you'd want to avoid when taking SARMs. Not doing cardio, drinking too much alcohol, not hydrating, drinking too much caffeine, or taking too many SARMs. Live a healthy lifestyle and you should be good.
What do I need to know before taking SARMs?
Know everything about the SARMs you'll be taking. How they work, which side effects they have, etc. From there, you should also have a kit to solve any issues if they were to arise.
How long does it take for SARMs to affect you?
Depending on which SARM it might take 2 - 3 weeks.
References
1) Basaria S, Collins L, Dillon EL, Orwoll K, Storer TW, Miciek R, Ulloor J, Zhang A, Eder R, Zientek H, Gordon G, Kazmi S, Sheffield-Moore M, Bhasin S. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013 Jan;68(1):87-95. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gls078. Epub 2012 Mar 28. PMID: 22459616; PMCID: PMC4111291.
2) Roch PJ, Henkies D, Carstens JC, Krischek C, Lehmann W, Komrakova M, Sehmisch S. Ostarine and Ligandrol Improve Muscle Tissue in an Ovariectomized Rat Model. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Sep 17;11:556581. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.556581. PMID: 33042018; PMCID: PMC7528560.
3) https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/recreational-use-of-selective-androgen-receptor-modulators
4) Jayaraman A, Christensen A, Moser VA, Vest RS, Miller CP, Hattersley G, Pike CJ. Selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 is neuroprotective in cultured neurons and kainate-lesioned male rats. Endocrinology. 2014 Apr;155(4):1398-406. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1725. Epub 2014 Jan 15. PMID: 24428527; PMCID: PMC3959610.
5) Leciejewska N, Pruszynska-Oszmalek E, Bien J, Nogowski L, Kolodziejski PA. Effect of ostarine (enobosarm/GTX024), a selective androgen receptor modulator, on adipocyte metabolism in Wistar rats. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2019 Aug;70(4). doi: 10.26402/jpp.2019.4.04. Epub 2019 Oct 19. PMID: 31642815.
6) Roch PJ, Henkies D, Carstens JC, Krischek C, Lehmann W, Komrakova M, Sehmisch S. Ostarine and Ligandrol Improve Muscle Tissue in an Ovariectomized Rat Model. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Sep 17;11:556581. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.556581. PMID: 33042018; PMCID: PMC7528560.
7) Chen W, Gao R, Xie X, Zheng Z, Li H, Li S, Dong F, Wang L. A metabolomic study of the PPARδ agonist GW501516 for enhancing running endurance in Kunming mice. Sci Rep. 2015 May 6;5:9884. doi: 10.1038/srep09884. PMID: 25943561; PMCID: PMC4421799.
8) Kintz P, Ameline A, Gheddar L, Raul JS. Testing for GW501516 (cardarine) in human hair using LC/MS-MS and confirmation by LC/HRMS. Drug Test Anal. 2020 Jul;12(7):980-986. doi: 10.1002/dta.2802. Epub 2020 Apr 25. PMID: 32298044.
9) Kanno Y, Ota R, Someya K, Kusakabe T, Kato K, Inouye Y. Selective androgen receptor modulator, YK11, regulates myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts by follistatin expression. Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(9):1460-5. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b13-00231. PMID: 23995658.
10) Kanno Y, Hikosaka R, Zhang SY, Inoue Y, Nakahama T, Kato K, Yamaguchi A, Tominaga N, Kohra S, Arizono K, Inouye Y. (17α,20E)-17,20-[(1-methoxyethylidene)bis(oxy)]-3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,20-diene-21-carboxylic acid methyl ester (YK11) is a partial agonist of the androgen receptor. Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(3):318-23. doi: 10.1248/bpb.34.318. PMID: 21372378.
11) Fang C, Li L, He R, Wang D, Wang M, Hu Q, Ma Q, Qin K, Feng X, Zhang G, Fu X, Liu Z. Identification of S23 causing both interspecific hybrid male sterility and environment-conditioned male sterility in rice. Rice (N Y). 2019 Feb 28;12(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s12284-019-0271-4. PMID: 30820693; PMCID: PMC6395467.
12) Ma Z, Qu B, Yao L, Gao Z, Zhang S. Identification and functional characterization of ribosomal protein S23 as a new member of antimicrobial protein. Dev Comp Immunol. 2020 Sep;110:103730. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103730. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32423862.
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