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.
SARM stands for “Selective Androgen Receptor 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
If 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 suggest you read our list of verified companies that have sarms for sale.
There 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.
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.
We did an entire write up on ostarine, so if you’d like to read more about this product you can do so here.
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.
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.
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.
You can read our RAD 140 guide here
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.
Read the full YK11 guide here
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.
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.
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!
We have a full guide on MK 677 here
What Results to Expect
The results you achieve will vary highly depending on a few things:
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
As 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.
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.
SARMs are completely legal in Australia and have no pending ban.
There is no ban for SARMs in the UK or any country in Europe as of now.
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.
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:
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
A 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:
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.
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.
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.
What are SARMs?
SARMs are a new class of performance enhancing compounds that are similar to anabolic steroids but lack many of the unwanted side effects. They were originally designed to treat muscle wasting diseases.
Are SARMs legal?
Yes. SARMs are legal to be sold in the United States as long as they are not labeled for human consumption. In order to legally sell SARMs, many companies label them as research chemicals.
Where to buy SARMs?
There are many online stores that sell SARMs in the USA. You can check out our store reviews for an updated list of legit sources.
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 the same thing as SARMs?
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 SARMs shrink your balls?
No, they will not. Atrophy of the testicles (common with steroid use) happens after a prolonged shutdown period. As we discus above, SARMs will not shut you down. They will temporarily suppress your natural testosterone levels, but not to the extent where your balls shrink.
Will using SARMs break a fast?
It depends on whether or not your SARMs are suspended in a solution that contains sweeteners. None of our top rated stores sell solutions that contain sweeteners.
How long until SARMs kick in?
It usually takes about three to five 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. In those cases you can expect to wait around two weeks to see changes.
Finding a reputable source of sarms for sale can be a pain in the ass. We know because we’ve been covering the industry since 2018. We’ve seen our share of under dosed and downright fake products. The Sarms.io Verified Source Program was created to solve these issues. We maintain a … Read More
Everyone wants to be the best they can be in everything they do. Sometimes, you simply run out of energy and endurance to accomplish your goals. When this happens, what do you do? Many people are starting to turn to SARMs to help give them the extra boost they need … Read More
What is Ostarine Ostarine, or MK 2866, is a versatile SARM with a strong anabolic effect. It was created by GTx to treat muscle wasting disorders such as cachexia. Today, Ostarine is commonly used by athletes for both bulking and cutting. This guide will teach you about the benefits, side … Read More
What is Cardarine Cardarine, or GW501516, is one of the most controversial supplements of all time. It is a delta PPAR activator (not a SARM), meaning it speeds up your body’s fat burning ability. Cardarine also increases endurance in sedentary individuals. Basically, Cardarine makes you leaner, faster, and quicker. Many … Read More
What is MK 677 MK 677, also known as Nutrobal or Ibutamoren, is a powerful growth hormone secretagogue that increases levels of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) in the body. It was originally created to treat muscle wasting disorders such as osteoporosis. When clinical trials began, researchers noticed that it drastically … Read More
What is YK11 YK11 is a SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) and derivative of Testosterone. Structurally, YK11 is very similar to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It appears to have some affinity for the androgen receptor, which explains its anabolic properties. However, people seem to have interest in YK11 for other reasons. A … Read More
What is LGD 4033 LGD 4033, also known as ligandrol, is one of the most powerful SARMs available. It is currently being studied as a treatment for muscle wasting conditions and possible hormone replacement therapy. Because of its strong anabolic properties, many athletes use it as an alternative to steroids. … Read More
You’ve likely heard of S23, which has recently risen to popularity in the SARM world. Users on bodybuilding forums tout the benefits of this non-steroidal muscle growth agent, and S23 is widely hailed as the most potent SARM on the market. Even pharmaceutical GTX, which specializes in hormonal drugs, is … Read More
If you’re trying to improve your body without many of the harmful side effects of anabolic steroids, you might have heard of SARMs. These first entered the market in the 90s, but we date their use back to the 1940s. Back then, hospitals used steroidal SARMs to treat people with … Read More
There are plenty of substances in the world that can help us enhance our body beyond its natural abilities, but there are very few of them that don’t come with immense risks. SARMs are one of these few substances, as their risks are relatively mild, and the potential rewards outweigh … Read More