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SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are often hyped as a "safer" alternative to anabolic steroids. While there's undeniable potential, it’s essential to approach them with a critical eye. Unlike what supplement sellers or influencer marketing might have you believe, SARMs are not approved for human use by the FDA. Most data available comes from animal studies, anecdotal user reports, or limited early-phase human trials.
This guide aims to break down the key SARMs and similar compounds based on actual use, not marketing spin. I’ll include benefits, drawbacks, realistic expectations, and smart protocols where possible — based on user feedback, existing research, and common community practices.
Nickname: "Oral Dbol-lite"
Primary Use: Lean bulking, strength gain
Dosage Range: 5–15 mg/day
Cycle Length: 8–10 weeks
Half-life: ~24 hours
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Great for lean bulking when paired with a testosterone base and a proper PCT. Most users tolerate it well and love the rapid strength bump.
Nickname: “The Powerlifter’s SARM”
Primary Use: Strength gains, muscle density
Dosage Range: 10–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 8–10 weeks
Half-life: ~20 hours
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Excellent for performance athletes and strength-focused lifters. Monitor blood work and aggression closely.
Nickname: “The Yellow Vision SARM”
Primary Use: Recomposition, mild cutting
Dosage Range: 25–50 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: Estimated ~4 hours
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Only useful for specific recomposition protocols. Most lifters drop it due to vision issues outweighing modest benefits.
Category: Myostatin inhibitor/SARM hybrid
Primary Use: Breaking plateaus, advanced bulking
Dosage Range: 5–15 mg/day (oral) or 10–30 mg/day (injectable)
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: Unknown
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Advanced users only. Promising, but risk/reward isn’t clear yet.
Nickname: “Mini-Tren”
Primary Use: Cutting, dry hardening
Dosage Range: 10–40 mg/day split into 2–3 doses
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: ~12 hours (varies)
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Ideal for advanced cutting cycles, but not recommended for first-time users due to harsh sides.
Nickname: “Beginner’s SARM”
Primary Use: Body recomposition, cutting
Dosage Range: 10–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–12 weeks
Half-life: ~24 hours
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Solid entry-level compound for cutting or recomp, especially for those who want a safer introduction to SARMs.
Category: PPARδ agonist (not a SARM)
Primary Use: Endurance, fat loss, improved lipid profile
Dosage Range: 10–20 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–12 weeks
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Incredible for performance and fat loss. Use in short bursts (e.g., pre-competition) until long-term safety is better understood.
Category: GH secretagogue
Primary Use: Recovery, sleep, muscle fullness
Dosage Range: 20–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 3–6 months or longer
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: Best used in the off-season for long-term growth. Less ideal for cutting phases unless paired with aggressive diet control.
SARMs are a gray area in performance enhancement — potentially useful but misunderstood, often misused, and surrounded by hype. They’re not side-effect free, and should never be treated as “safe steroids.”
Before starting any SARM or related compound:
If you want a tailored stack recommendation or help planning a cycle with minimal risks, feel free to ask! I’ve run almost all of these and can share real-world feedback.
Stay smart and lift safe
This guide aims to break down the key SARMs and similar compounds based on actual use, not marketing spin. I’ll include benefits, drawbacks, realistic expectations, and smart protocols where possible — based on user feedback, existing research, and common community practices.
A Few Ground Rules Before We Begin:
- SARMs are experimental: They are not FDA-approved for medical or recreational use.
- They do suppress testosterone: Even at low doses, expect some suppression. Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is typically required.
- They're not completely safe: Liver strain, lipid imbalance, suppression of natural hormones, and other side effects are real risks.
- A testosterone base is strongly recommended if you're running SARMs for more than a few weeks or using high doses.
Compound Reviews:
1. LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
Nickname: "Oral Dbol-lite"
Primary Use: Lean bulking, strength gain
Dosage Range: 5–15 mg/day
Cycle Length: 8–10 weeks
Half-life: ~24 hours
Pros:
- Rapid increase in strength — many users report noticeable gains in under 10 days.
- Mild water retention in the right places (gives a “full” or 3D look).
- Doesn’t carry the same liver toxicity as oral steroids like Dianabol.
Cons:
- Strong testosterone suppression (even at low doses).
- Possible blood pressure elevation.
- Anecdotal reports of gynecomastia (though rare).
- No significant change in appetite or libido for most users.
Verdict: Great for lean bulking when paired with a testosterone base and a proper PCT. Most users tolerate it well and love the rapid strength bump.
2. RAD-140 (Testolone)
Nickname: “The Powerlifter’s SARM”
Primary Use: Strength gains, muscle density
Dosage Range: 10–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 8–10 weeks
Half-life: ~20 hours
Pros:
- Extremely potent strength enhancer — possibly the strongest SARM in that regard.
- Dry, clean muscle gains without bloat.
- Some users compare the aggression boost to that of low-dose Trenbolone.
- Gives a “hard” look, often compared to Masteron.
Cons:
- Aggression spikes (in those sensitive to androgens).
- Worsens lipid profile (especially HDL).
- Some reports of accelerated hair loss in genetically predisposed users.
Verdict: Excellent for performance athletes and strength-focused lifters. Monitor blood work and aggression closely.
3. S4 (Andarine)
Nickname: “The Yellow Vision SARM”
Primary Use: Recomposition, mild cutting
Dosage Range: 25–50 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: Estimated ~4 hours
Pros:
- Promotes lean tissue gains with minimal water retention.
- Almost no aromatization or aggression-related sides.
- Mild in terms of cholesterol and suppression.
Cons:
- Vision disturbances: yellow-tinted vision, night blindness, and general visual discomfort are common above 50 mg/day.
- Gains are modest at best.
- Requires multiple doses per day due to short half-life.
Verdict: Only useful for specific recomposition protocols. Most lifters drop it due to vision issues outweighing modest benefits.
4. YK-11
Category: Myostatin inhibitor/SARM hybrid
Primary Use: Breaking plateaus, advanced bulking
Dosage Range: 5–15 mg/day (oral) or 10–30 mg/day (injectable)
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: Unknown
Pros:
- Targets myostatin, potentially unlocking more growth in "stubborn" lifters.
- Promotes dense, rapid muscle gain — even in those who have plateaued.
- Injectable version is reported to be much more potent.
Cons:
- Side effects similar to anabolic steroids (liver strain, suppression, acne).
- No human studies; highly experimental.
- Expensive and hard to find from reputable sources.
Verdict: Advanced users only. Promising, but risk/reward isn’t clear yet.
5. S23
Nickname: “Mini-Tren”
Primary Use: Cutting, dry hardening
Dosage Range: 10–40 mg/day split into 2–3 doses
Cycle Length: 6–8 weeks
Half-life: ~12 hours (varies)
Pros:
- Produces a dry, grainy physique like Winstrol or Masteron.
- Enhances aggression and focus during workouts.
- Potent anabolic effects despite being a SARM.
Cons:
- High suppression — full PCT required.
- Can cause night sweats, increased body temperature, and acne.
- More harsh than most SARMs on endocrine system.
Verdict: Ideal for advanced cutting cycles, but not recommended for first-time users due to harsh sides.
6. Ostarine (MK-2866)
Nickname: “Beginner’s SARM”
Primary Use: Body recomposition, cutting
Dosage Range: 10–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–12 weeks
Half-life: ~24 hours
Pros:
- One of the best-researched SARMs to date.
- Mild suppression, relatively low impact on cholesterol.
- Supports muscle maintenance in a calorie deficit.
- Great for first-time SARM users.
Cons:
- Not very powerful for bulking.
- Strength gains are modest.
- May not deliver the “shredded” look of harsher compounds.
Verdict: Solid entry-level compound for cutting or recomp, especially for those who want a safer introduction to SARMs.
Bonus Compounds (Not SARMs)
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Category: PPARδ agonist (not a SARM)
Primary Use: Endurance, fat loss, improved lipid profile
Dosage Range: 10–20 mg/day
Cycle Length: 6–12 weeks
Pros:
- Major boost in cardiovascular endurance.
- Excellent for cutting, HIIT, or high-volume training.
- Improves HDL and reduces triglycerides.
- Often stacked alongside SARMs.
Cons:
- Concerns about long-term safety (animal studies showed cancer at high doses).
- Not anabolic — won’t build muscle on its own.
Verdict: Incredible for performance and fat loss. Use in short bursts (e.g., pre-competition) until long-term safety is better understood.
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Category: GH secretagogue
Primary Use: Recovery, sleep, muscle fullness
Dosage Range: 20–30 mg/day
Cycle Length: 3–6 months or longer
Pros:
- Stimulates natural growth hormone release.
- Deepens sleep, accelerates recovery, improves skin/hair.
- Great for long-term body recomposition goals.
- Can increase appetite dramatically.
Cons:
- Massive hunger spike in the first few weeks.
- Significant water retention early on.
- Can worsen insulin sensitivity in some users.
Verdict: Best used in the off-season for long-term growth. Less ideal for cutting phases unless paired with aggressive diet control.
Final Thoughts
SARMs are a gray area in performance enhancement — potentially useful but misunderstood, often misused, and surrounded by hype. They’re not side-effect free, and should never be treated as “safe steroids.”
Before starting any SARM or related compound:
- Get bloodwork done pre-, mid-, and post-cycle.
- Always have PCT on hand.
- Buy only from third-party tested sources.
- Start with the minimum effective dose.
If you want a tailored stack recommendation or help planning a cycle with minimal risks, feel free to ask! I’ve run almost all of these and can share real-world feedback.
Stay smart and lift safe