Ever since the dawn of time, fitness enthusiasts have been searching for new ways to legally enhance their bodies. We all seem to want the same goal: to look better, lift heavier, and perform at higher levels. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard about SARMs.
This article aims to be the most complete, up to date source of information about SARMs on the internet. We are going to cover a lot of points, ranging from the basics of how SARMs work to advanced stacks and cycles.
If you are looking for information regarding a particular compound, you can use the navigation bar above to find it on our site. We have also included a table of contents section to the right that will allow you to skip to specific sections.
By the end of this article, you should have a full understanding of how they work, where the best place to buy them is, and how to safely use them in your training routine. If for some reason you feel that we missed something, simply let us know in the comments section and we will periodically update this page.
What are SARMs
SARM stands for “Selective Androgen Reuptake Modulator”. According to the United States Anti Doping Agency:
…are a class of therapeutic compounds that have similar properties to anabolic agents, but with reduced androgenic properties. This property allows SARMs the advantage of androgen-receptor specificity, tissue selectivity, and the lack of steroid-related side effects.
In a nutshell, SARMs are similar to steroids but lack some of the side effects.
For athletes, these drugs can enhance your performance in ways never thought possible without injecting anabolics. These compounds will force your body to build muscle, burn fat, and increase endurance.
Let’s take a look at some of reasons that these products are becoming so popular.
Benefits of SARMs
There are countless benefits that could entice and athletes. A lot of the same benefits that are achieved with steroids can be experienced without the same side effects. Here are some of them:
Increase Muscle
Undoubtedly the biggest reason people take these compounds is because they have shown to increase muscle mass in humans. This study for example shows that they decrease muscle wasting in resting humans. On top of the mountains of studies that have been done, there are thousands of user experiences on forums such as AnabolicMinds and the Bodybuilding.com forums that have replicated these results.
Lose Fat
Another reason people take SARMs is to aid in dieting. Many users experienced increased fat oxidation, especially in stubborn areas. Using these compounds while cutting can help you retain the most muscle mass possible so you don’t end up looking like a skeleton at the end of your diet.
Increased Endurance
Some of these compounds, specifically cardarine, have been shown to increase endurance of athletes. This means that if you’re trying to get better at cardio or a specific sport, they might be able to help you achieve your goals.
Use in Bodybuilding
It’s no secret that bodybuilders will take every advantage they can when it comes to improving their physiques. With that being said, there have been quite a few athletes come forward and admit to SARMs usage.
Ricky Garard, a crossfit athlete and amateur bodybuilder, tested positive for ostarine, and was disqualified from the crossfit games.
Jimmy Wallhead also tested positive for ostarine, however his supplements were spiked. He was not intentionally taking the product.
Performance enhancers are popular in bodybuilding because they can help polish the users body in the coming weeks before a show. Some bodybuilders use them months in advanced to build mass as well.
Where to Buy SARMs
Where to Buy SARMsIf you are looking for SARMs for sale, you need to read this first. There have been an extremely high level of counterfeit products floating around in 2019.
Before you buy, you need to do your homework first. There have been quite a few bad apples that are selling fake products that are either 100% worthless or even worst, cut with dangerous prohormones.
For this reason, we can only recommend buying from Proven Peptides. This is a reputable company and we have personally tested their products in our laboratory.
Do not get duped into buying fake products! We will be posting many more reviews of companies as time goes on. Lab testing is expensive and we are slowly weeding out the bad eggs one test at a time.
Side Effects
Side EffectsJust because SARMs are less dangerous than steroids does not mean they do not cause side effects. One good thing to note, however, is that no side effect caused by these compounds is permanent. We have never seen a patient or user experience side effects that weren’t immediately reversed after ceasing use. With that being said, the main thing you need to look out for is a change in testosterone levels:
Suppressed Testosterone Levels
Some of these supplements can temporarily lower your testosterone levels while you are on cycle. Most notably, RAD140 and LGD4033. This study noted that testosterone levels went down while on cycle, but returned to normal after ceasing use.
They also do not suppress LH (leutinizing hormone) or FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) like steroids do. Because of this, your testosterone levels will return to normal quickly after stopping use.
Hair Loss from SARMs
While hair loss on cycle is rare, it can happen. This post on Reddit shows that one man using LGD 4033 experienced hair loss. He noted that after he stopped taking the SARM, his hair loss stopped.
Hair loss from SARMs will ONLY happen to men who are already balding or are susceptible to male pattern baldness.
If you’ve never had a receding hairline, you will not experience hair loss.
Acne / Back Pimples
One of the more common side effects is acne. For people who rarely have skin issues, it is rare. We have personally never seen it like we have with steroid use. With that being said, it is a reported side effect (albeit anecdotal) and something to look out for. We recommend using a chemical exfoliant like benzyl peroxide to get rid of the extra oils on your skin while on cycle.
Gyno
No matter what you might hear from your friends, it is nearly impossible for SARMs to cause gyno. We’ve reviewed hundreds of blood tests that track estrodial levels and not once have we seen an increase those levels from taking SARMs. Without an elevated amount of estrodial, it is impossible to get gynecomastia.
Anxiety
One thing that people can be concerned about is an increase of anxiety while on cycle. We have never seen a case of this. If you see a report of someone feeling anxious on a cycle, it is either a placebo or their product is not pure!
Cancer?
Cancer you say? According to one study done on cardarine, there can be growth in pre-existing cancer cells. One thing to note, however, was that the study done used doses of 2000mg per day. The correct human dosage is 10mg to 20mg a day. Many people argue that if you took a dose of 100x the normal amount of anything, it could cause cancer.
Safety of SARMs
Safety of SARMsIf you’re wondering “are sarms safe?” then you’re on the right page. Most all experts agree that they are incredibly safe when used appropriately. You must be responsible with your cycles and not extend them past eight weeks or so.
Like we mentioned in the section above, there have never been any reported side effects that lasted after the user ceased taking these drugs. If you are smart and monitor your body, you will have no issues.
Best SARMs – 2019 List
Best SARMs – 2019 ListThere are currently over 20 different types of SARMs that are available to buy. We have done extensive research and created a list of the best sarms you can buy in 2019.
1st Pick: Ostarine
Ostarine is by far the most versatile SARM available right now. It is potent for both bulking and cutting, and is typically well tolerated. Multiple members of the SARMS.io team have used ostarine with great success and never experienced any side effects.
- Good for bulking and cutting
- Few side effects
- Rapid change in physique
We did an entire write up on ostarine, so if you’d like to read more about this product you can do so here.
2nd Pick: Ligandrol / LGD 4033
If you are only concerned about packing on muscle mass, then ligandrol might be for you. This SARM is not the best for dieting or cutting. It does, however, shine when you use it for a bulk. It can help you put on 5 to 10lbs of muscle mass in very little time. You can read more about LGD 4033 here.
- Great for bulking
- Quick increases of lean body mass with little side effects (source)
- Not great for cutting
3rd Pick: Cardarine
Imagine having access to a drug that would allow you to run forever. If that interests you, then you might like cardarine. This study shows that cardarine can help reprogram your muscles to increase running efficiency. It is not uncommon for users who take cardarine to be able to double their cardiovascular performance.
- Run twice as long
- Great for cutting and shredding
- Rapid fat burner
RAD 140
RAD 140 is mainly considered to be a bulking SARM due to it’s ability to pack on a lot of muscle mass. It is a suppressive SARM, which is expected due to it’s strength. This study outlines its ability to increase protein synthesis in humans leading to increased muscle mass. RAD140 is probably one of the most powerful SARMs out there, so we only recommend it for experienced lifters.
- Great for bulking
- More suppressive than other options
- Advanced compound
YK11
A real myostatin inhibitor and a potent SARM! YK11 is a personal favorite of our team due to how it works. By eliminating myostatin in the body, YK-11 forces your body to produce more muscle without any extra stimulation. YK-11 is a suppressive SARM (source), so do not run it longer than 8 weeks. If you want to increase muscle mass, this is a great compound to throw in.
- Powerful bulking agent
- Can be used for cutting as well
- One of the most potent selections
S4 (Andarine)
S4 is one of the original SARMs that was introduced into the supplement market years ago. While it’s not our favorite compound, it is still great on a cutting stack to retain muscle and burn fat. It primarily helps achieve a lean look so it is not the best for bulking. One of the main side effects of S4 is vision related. As of 2019, there have not been any human studies done on S4.
- One of the first compounds to hit the market
- Great for fat burning
- Possible vision side effect
SR 9009 (Stenabolic)
Potent fat burning drug created by Professor Thomas Burris of Scripps. Some people are calling it “exercise in a pill” due to it’s ability to burn fat without any change in diet or exercise. While it has been shown to be effective in rats (source), there have yet to be any human studies done on this compound so far. With that being said, we would assume this drug is best off for cutting cycles.
- No human studies
- Exercise in a pill
- Still being researched
MK 677 (Nutrobal)
Bodybuilders have known about the power of using HGH (growth hormone) for a long time. It can help build muscle, increase strength, and change a physique. MK677 is an oral growth hormone secretagogue that does not need to be injected. It stacks well and can be used for both bulking and cutting. It does not need to be cycled!
- Huge spikes in HGH levels
- No need to cycle
- Can be used for bulking and cutting
We have a full guide on MK 677 here
What Results to Expect
What Results to ExpectThe results you achieve will vary highly depending on a few things:
- What SARM you choose to run
- Your diet
- Training routine
- Commitment and dedication
If you plan on being lazy, hanging out on the couch, and eating like crap, you will most likely be disappointed with your results. However, if you eat clean, work out, and follow a proven protocol, you will get the results you want.
SARMs can give you 10x the results you would achieve naturally, but you still need to work hard in order to get there. Getting the physique you always dreamed of takes time and effort. Never forget that.
Before and After Pictures
Here are some before and after pictures of people who have used SARMs. As you can see below, you can get some very impressive results by using these compounds during your next bulk or cut. If you have any before and after pics you’d like to submit to be featured, you can email us at info@sarms.io
Stacks
Many people who want to take it to the next level will be curious about different SARMs stacks. We always recommend going with a single compound first to see how your body reacts. Once you get an idea of what gains to expect, you can move forward with one of these different stacks.
Bulking Stack
A classic SARMs bulking stack is going to help you pack on muscle as quickly as possible. It is important to eat a large caloric surplus (500+ on resting days and 700+ on workout days) while on a bulking cycle. Some good options for a bulking stack will be MK 677, RAD 140, and LGD 4033. We’ve put together a full bulking stack that you can check out here: SARMs bulking stack
Cutting Stack
If you’d rather shred up instead of adding mass, then you’ll want to do a cutting stack. These stacks are more geared to help you lose weight while maintaining muscle mass. Some people can also gain a little muscle while on a cut, though usually not much. Some good cutting SARMs will be cardarine, ostarine, and s4. Here is a sample cutting stack that works well.
Recomp Stack
A “recomp” is when you aim to stay a similar weight as your starting weight, but change the composition of that weight. Basically, the goal is to gain muscle while losing fat at the same time. A good recomp stack relies on a lot of cardio and a high protein diet. Some good SARMs to include in a recomp stack are cardarine, LGD 4033, and YK 11. Check out our full recomp stack here.
Strength Stack
Some people just want to get stronger. We get it – we have a powerlifter on our team who has the same mentality. If you only care about gaining strength and throwing around heavy weights, then maybe you should try a strength stack. This stack will be very similar to a bulking stack, but will focus on muscle density instead of size. A strength stack will almost always include MK 677, YK 11, and RAD 140. You can read our full strength stack here.
Legality
LegalityAs of right now, SARMs are legal in all 50 states. There is no federal ban that prohibits the sale of SARMs in the united states. Now, with that being said, HOW they are sold is different.
You see, SARMs can not legally be sold for human consumption. They are not approved by the FDA and some of them are still intellectual property of the pharmaceutical company that created them. Therefore, SARMs are always sold “for research purposes only” and some labels will even say not for human consumption.
This is all a legal loophole that will hopefully be around for a long time.
SARMs Control Act
Unfortunately, congress has introduced a potential ban on SARMs. It is called the SARMs Control Act of 2018 and was introduced into congress with bipartisan support. As of right now, the bill has not been passed. However, we saw the same thing happen to prohormones in 2014 where the government banned all of them over night. Once they are gone, they’re gone. We highly suggest stocking up while they are still legal.
Legality in Australia
SARMs are completely legal in Australia and have no pending ban.
Legality in UK
There is no ban for SARMs in the UK or any country in Europe as of now.
SARMs vs Prohormones
Many people read up on SARMs and think they look very familiar to the prohormones that were popular in the early 2000s. While it is true that both SARMs and prohormones can help build a lot of muscle for you, the similarities end there.
Prohormones convert into active steroids once passed through the liver. These steroids do build muscle, but they also have side effects that affect the hair line, prostate, liver, and can cause gyno.
SARMs on the other hand are already active and need no conversion to be effective. The S stands for Selective, meaning that they target the muscles and no other place. Virtually all other side effects are eliminated.
SARMs vs Testosterone
This is like comparing apples to oranges. Testosterone needs to be injected at a minimum of once per week, and can have alot of side effects such as:
- Male pattern baldness
- Gynecomastia
- Roid rage
- Unusual hair growth
- Small testicles
SARMs are taken orally and do not have the side effects listed above. They are not even remotely the same types of drugs.
PCT / Post Cycle Therapy
PCT / Post Cycle TherapyA huge debate is whether or not you need to do a post cycle therapy (PCT) after using SARMs. While there is no proven science that says one thing or another, there are a few things to take into consideration when deciding on whether to PCT or not:
- Which SARMs were used
- How long have you been on
- What doses were you taking
- Do you have symptoms of suppression
Someone doing a 8 week cycle of ostarine will most likely be somewhat suppressed, but not shut down. Even doing a larger stack will not shut you down completely. Your body will always recover naturally, and with SARMs it only takes around a month to regain natural testosterone levels after a cycle or stack.
If you insist on doing a PCT, we suggest Tamoxifen, 10 to 20mg a day, for 4 weeks.
Using SARMs During PCT
Thanks to Dylan Gemelli, many people tend to think it is okay to go directly on a SARMs cycle after coming off of anabolics. The idea is that because SARMs are not nearly as suppressive as steroids, you can take them while you are recovering in order to prevent muscle decay.
That is true, to an extent.
A small dose of ostarine (less than 10mg a day) can help recovery during PCT. However, taking something more suppressive (RAD 140, LGD 4033, etc) can make things worse.
The best SARMs for PCT are ostarine, cardarine, and MK 677. Do not use anything else during PCT or you will prolong your shutdown.
FAQ
SARMS.io is dedicated to being your #1 resource for SARMs related information. We plan on adding a lot of content over the next coming months and reviewing a lot more stores. Here is a collection of some frequently asked questions we’ve gotten. Make sure you hit us in the comments section below if you have additional questions! We always reply within a few hours.
Are SARMs the same as peptides?
No, they are not. SARMs are a completely different class of drugs. Peptides typically need to be injected and there are only a few that offer any sort of muscle gaining properties. Most peptides are used for injury recovery and tendon repair.
Are steroids better?
In our opinion, SARMs are actually way better than steroids. Steroids are great at building muscle, but they also come with a lot of side effects. SARMs do not carry these same side effects and therefore are a better choice.
Will they shrink your balls?
No, they will not. Atrophy of the testicles (common with steroid use) happens after a prolonged shutdown period. As we discussed above, SARMs will not shut you down. They will temporarily suppress you, but not to the extent where your balls shrink.
Will using these compouds break a fast?
It depends on whether or not your SARMs are suspended in a solution that contains sweetners. Anything from Proven Peptides will not have sweeteners and therefore will not break a fast. You typically will want to stay away from providers that use dyes or sweeteners if you are following a program such as intermittent fasting.
When will my cycle kick in?
Depending on what you’re taking, it usually takes about three days for SARMs to kick in. Some users report feeling the effects on the very first dose, especially when taken pre workout. Other compounds such as MK 677 and Cardarine need to build up in the bloodstream before they take effect. If you are using one of those, expect to wait up to two weeks.