SARMs: A Comprehensive Guide for Bodybuilding

When it comes to bodybuilding and knowing the right supplements to take to get the results you want, information can be skewed and spread out all over the place. One website says one thing and then you go to another and it says something opposite. That’s why having everything in one place when it comes to SARMs is so important. Don’t know what SARMs are? Read on to find out what they are and how they can help you get to exactly where you want to be physically.

What are SARMs?

SARMs are selective androgen receptor modulators, and although they are like anabolic steroids, they are a class all their own. In comparison, SARMs are the gentler substance. Rather than being a blunt ended knife that rips through your body, they connect to bone and muscle tissue never vital organs. As their name implies, they are also selective in nature and only target specifics instead of creating a mess of your insides. Another plus, no poking yourself with a needle as most SARMs are in capsule form and taken orally.

SARMs vs. Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids have been in the game for a while. Simply put, they are a synthetic version of testosterone created by humans. Anabolic quite literally refers to steroids abilities to build muscle. Because they have become so mainstream, even healthcare providers such as doctors have prescribed them for various medical conditions. However, that doesn’t make them “safe” per say, it just means that the side effects are worth the outcome in that case. It doesn’t mean that they are the best when it comes to bodybuilding and fitness.

Misusing anabolic steroids can lead to a plethora of issues with some being more severe than others. For example, when misusing steroids, an individual can experience things like paranoia, delusions, and in a lot of cases aggression and irritability. Not only that, men can experience things like a decrease in sperm count, testicles that have shrunk, baldness, and even a development of breasts. While women have more of a possibility of facial hair becoming a thing, a decrease in breast size and changes in the menstrual cycle. Of course, let’s not forget about the fact that long term use of steroids can lead to worse outcomes such as kidney failure, liver damage, and even an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

So, what do you do? This is where SARMs have become the supplement that many consider a game changer in the bodybuilding and fitness world. Unlike anabolic steroids, they don’t have nearly as many if any at all side effects that steroids do. In fact, the name itself says it all. SARMs or selective androgen receptor modulators, are selective in nature, they typically only attach to bone and muscle tissue and avoid vital organs completely. So, less worry surrounds the possibility of developing issues with your liver or kidneys.

Types of SARMs

There are several SARMs that exist in todays world. Each one with its own health related benefits. Even though most offer similar results; they each have their own mechanism on what they offer.

GW 501516 Cardarine

The primary job of Cardarine is to increase your endurance and recovery time while aiding in weight loss and fat burn.

LGD 4033 Ligandrol

Ligandrol is known for a few reasons, one being that it improves the creation of lean muscle mass. The others being that it has a therapeutic effect on muscles and bone and promotes a faster recovery time.

MK 677 Ibutamoren

When it comes to MK 677, also known as Ibutamoren, it has abilities to increase libido and the production of GH and IGF-1 while promoting more restful sleep, better moods, and improved memory. Not to mention, it improves your metabolism and increases lean muscle mass.

MK 2866 Ostarine

Ostarine is a peach when it comes to the SARMs, not only does it improve lean muscle mass it prevents the body from creating muscle wasting. If you’re looking for a SARM that enhances your strength and endurance, then this is the SARM for you.

RAD 140 Testolone

RAD 140 is one of the first SARMs to be identified and has shown an affinity to improve stamina and muscle development while also protecting the brain against neurodegenerative diseases. Want more in a SARM? It also inhibits the production of fat and improves bone health.

S4 Andarine

S4 Andarine isn’t quite as potent as other SARMs but don’t count it out. It still can help you gain muscle and increase it over the time you use Andarine.

SR 9009 Stenabolic

SR 9009 works like many of the other SARMs in that it aids with decreasing fat and increasing muscle and improving endurance. However, it also lowers lipid storage in the process as well.

YK 11               

Ever heard of Follistatin? Well YK 11 increases its production. It also improves blood circulation while you use it. Who wouldn’t want to lose weight, gain muscle, and maintain a healthy body?

Stacking SARMs

Stacking SARMs in the bodybuilding and fitness world is a common practice with most stacks ranging from two to three SARMs being involved. But how can stacking SARMs help you? Why can’t they function on their own? They very well can function on their own. Each SARM has its own weight that it holds on what it does and how it does it. However, if you’re looking for faster results or just want to make sure that you’re giving your body every ounce of what it needs, you stack your SARMs.

Stacking SARMs for Women

When it comes to bodybuilding, it has predominantly been a man led world. However, with gender rolls changing and women becoming more interested in various hobbies that they hadn’t before, bodybuilding is becoming a mixed pot of both men and women. So how do women who want to take SARMs know what to do?

It’s easy, most SARMs stacks are geared towards having doses most men use. However, a woman’s body absorbs things differently that a man’s does. Therefore, having the same dose wouldn’t benefit the woman nearly as much. It has become best practice as a woman to half the doses that are commonly given so that they can get the best results without any side effects associated with taking the dose measured out for a man.

Top 10 Most Popular Stacks

Note: All the stacks listed here are doses recommended for men. If you are a woman looking to stack various SARMs, then the common practice is it cut the doses in half.

LGD 4033 & RAD 140

This stack is one of the most common among bodybuilders and is known to be a popular bulking stack. The cycle is meant to be between eight and ten weeks, not exceeding that ten-week mark. RAD 140 is recommended at a dose of 10mg per day while LGD 4033 is recommended at a lower dose of 5mg per day due to its potency. Keep in mind that with most potent SARMs you’ll need a PCT, this stack is no different.

Cycle Length: 8 to 10 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

RAD 140: 10mg per day

LGD 4033: 5mg per day

LGD 4033 & MK 677

When it comes to pairing LGD 4033 and MK 677, you can expect to bulk up. For your first cycle with this two, it is recommended to take them at 10mg each with a cycle length of six weeks. Once you complete this cycle along with a post cycle therapy, you can decide on whether you want to up the length of your next cycle with these two to eight to ten weeks instead.

Cycle Length: 6 weeks + 4 weeks of a PCT

LGD 4033: 10mg per day

MK 677: 10mg per day

LGD 4033 & YK 11

If you are looking for a stack that will help you gain more strength, then this is the stack you’re looking for. The stack length itself is six weeks due to the potency and effectiveness of the two SARMs. Like most stacks, a PCT is necessary. For LGD 4033, the dose recommended for the duration of the cycle is 10mg per day while the dose for YK 11 is 15mg per day. The goal with this stack is to make sure that you are maintaining your testosterone in your body.

Cycle Length: 6 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

LGD 4033: 10mg per day

YK 11: 15mg per day

MK 677 & GW 501516

The cycle length on this combination is eight weeks and includes a PCT at the end that is a four-week span. This stack is better if you are looking to cut fat. The dosages also change a bit in terms of their milligrams. To start, both MK 677 and GW 501516 start out at 10mg. This takes place for the first couple of weeks of the stack. For the remaining six weeks, that dose then jumps up to 20mg per day.

Cycle Length: 8 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

MK 677: weeks 1 & 2 – 10mg per day; weeks 3+ – 20mg per day

GW 501516: weeks 1 & 2 – 10mg per day; weeks 3+ – 20mg per day

MK 2866 & GW 501516

Another variation of a cutting stack finds itself in the pairing of MK 2866 and GW 501516. This stack is an eight weeklong stack with a four-week PCT needed once completed. Throughout the stack, MK 2866 stays the same whereas GW 501516 changes a bit. MK 2866 stays at 20mg. GW 501516 is at 10mg for the first week and then for the duration of week two through eight that dose doubles to 20mg per day.

Cycle Length: 8 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

MK 2866: 20mg per day

GW 501516: week 1 – 10mg per day; week 2+ – 20mg per day

LGD 4033, RAD 140, & MK 677

Stacking various SARMs is an art, one of which a lot of attention is needed for. To that effect when combining LGD 4033, RAD 140, and MK 677 together in a stack dosage must be monitored. For this stack, an eight to ten-week span is recommended. However, unlike most stacks you’ll find, this stack has a slight fluctuation in doses throughout the cycle. LGD is recommended at 5mg for the first week to allow your body to get used to it, and the subsequently increases to 10mg for the remainder of the cycle. Regarding MK 677, the dose starts at 20mg for the first week and then increases to 30mg for the rest of the cycle and that leaves RAD 140. RAD 140 starts at 10mg per day for the first week and then once your body hits the point where it’s used to it, the second week through then end of the cycle is recommended to be at 20mg per day. Since this is such a potent stack, a PCT is required 100%, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Cycle Length: 8 to 10 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

LGD 4033: week 1 – 5mg per day; week 2+ – 10mg per day

MK 677: week 1 – 20mg per day; week 2+ – 30mg per day

RAD 140: week 1 – 10mg per day; week 2+ – 20mg per day

MK 2866, MK 677, & SR 9009

Stacks are not all about bulking, cutting, and building muscles. These are just happy occurrences. You can also use stacks to promote quicker and better healing as well. That is where a stack of MK 2866, MK 677 and SR 9009 come into play. You’ll still obtain the muscle you’re working for, but you’ll also heal better as well. In this stack, MK 2866 is recommended at 20mg with both SR 9009 and MK 677 at 10mg each per day. Like most stacks, this stack is an eight-week duration.

Cycle Length: 8 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

MK 2866: 20mg per day

MK 677: 10mg per day

SR 9009: 10mg per day

LGD 4033, MK 2866, & GW 501516

If by chance, you are looking for a stack that will allow you re-composition, then pairing LGD 4033, MK 2866 and GW 501516 is what you need. These three SARMs would be taken with each other for a duration of eight weeks. The dosing is super simple with each being 20mg per day and as with most stacks, you’ll need to complete a PCT once you finish along with a rest period before starting a new cycle.

Cycle Length: 8 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

LGD 4033: 20mg per day

MK 2866: 20mg per day

GW 501516: 20mg per day

MK 2866, GW 501516, & S4 Andarine

If you’re looking to burn fat, gain muscle, and increase your energy and strength then combining MK 2866, GW 501516, and S4 Andarine will do just that. With these three in combination with one another, the cycle length is recommended at eight weeks. All three are to be taken at 20mg each for the duration of the cycle with a PCT of four weeks to follow.

Cycle Length: 8 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

MK 2866: 20mg per day

GW 501516: 20mg per day

S4 Andarine: 20mg per day

MK 677, RAD 140, & YK 11

In the world of bodybuilding, there exists a variation of advanced stacks with MK 677, RAD 140, and YK 11 being one of them. Because of its potency, this stack is only a six-week stack and does require a PCT once completed. MK 677 stays at a constant 10mg per day throughout the cycle. However, both RAD 140 and YK 11 start at 10mg for the first two weeks and then go up to 15mg for the remaining four. Keep in mind that this combination will strongly suppress your testosterone, so you’ll need to monitor it while using this stack.

Cycle Length: 6 weeks + 4 weeks of PCT

MK 677: 10mg per day

RAD 140: week 1 & 2 – 10mg per day; week 2+ – 15mg per day

YK 11: week 1 & 2 – 10mg per day; week 2+ – 15mg per day

What is a PCT?

PCT or post cycle therapy is imperative to many of the stacks noted above. They help your body recuperate as well as help you continue to maintain the gains that you reached while doing the cycle. Most of the time PCTs are used when completing a steroid cycle. However, they are equally as important when using SARMs. But what is a PCT exactly and why are they so important?

In layman’s terms, a PCT is a course of supplements taken after a cycle. The amount of time typically given for these supplements is an additional four weeks. So, after taking let’s say RAD 140 for eight weeks, you would then complete a PCT for four weeks. By using a PCT you help to avoid any potential negative effects that can occur from using SARMs.

There are three common supplements used in a PCT. These three include Clomid or Clomifene, Nolvadex also known as Tamoxifen, and rebirth.

Clomifene

Clomifene is a common PCT and is a SERM. SERM stands for selective estrogen receptor modulator. Clomid or Clomifene is most used when an individual completes a heavy cycle that includes the SARMs with a higher potency. Of course, those that use Clomid as a PCT also need to keep in mind that at higher doses it can cause issues with vision. A typical dose of Clomifene is anywhere from 25mg to 50mg per day during a PCT with most starting their PCT about two weeks after the actual cycle is complete.

Tamoxifen

As with Clomid, Tamoxifen or Nolvadex, is also a SERM. However, unlike Clomid it is not as potent and considered relatively mild as a PCT. Keep in mind, this does not mean it is not effective. On the contrary it is just as effective as Clomifene. The dosage for Nolvadex also start off on the lower end as well with doses ranging between 10mg and 40mg per day for the four-week span of the PCT.

Rebirth

Now, onto the last form of PCT currently used. Rebirth is a supplement that is sold OTC. It includes several ingredients that help with an array of things including testosterone levels. Not sure what your levels are? Learn more on how to monitor your levels here.

This PCT is used directly after a cycle is completed. Most individuals that use SARMs prefer rebirth to the other two options. Usually this supplement comes in a 30-day supply which is plenty to get your recovery well under way.

Taking a Break Between SARMs Cycles

So why is it important to take a break between cycles and how does it work? Taking a break basically gives your body the time it needs to recuperate from the intensity of the SARMs you’ve been using. Although most if not all these substances are safe to use, it is best not to tempt fate and completely ignore giving yourself a break.

The biggest rule of thumb for breaks between cycles is to essentially take the amount of time you were on the cycle and take a break that same length. So, for example, if you take a SARM or a stack of SARMs for eight weeks and then do a PCT, you should additionally take eight weeks off the SARM or SARMs to give your body a break.

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