It can be daunting when you are looking at SARMs for bodybuilding use. There are at least nine main types, and then an increasing number of derivatives (this is mostly because of legal action to stop the main SARMs being produced, so they create derivatives with slightly different names and compositions).
In this article, I’m going to talk you through the main SARMs that people use for bodybuilding benefits.
I’ll talk about cutting, bulking, and strength building. I’ll talk about using those SARMs individually, and stacking them.
On top of that, we will also discuss cycle length and dosage levels so that you have a complete picture of which SARMs are probably best to get started with to achieve your bodybuilding goals as a beginner.
Which SARMs Should You Start With?
At the start of your journey you will basically have a decision between wanting to be stronger, cutting fat, or bulking.
You can combine strength building with cutting and bulking. Personally, I’d suggest you start with a bulking stack, and then move to a cutting stack.
For bulking, you’re looking at using the SARMs:
- S-23
- S-4 Andarine
- RAD-140 Testolone
- MK-677 Ibutamoren
- YK-11
- LGD-4033 Ligandrol
The thing to understand here is that S-23, S-4, RAD-140, and LGD-4033 are all androgenic. That means they mimic testosterone in muscle and bone tissue, producing muscle growth, faster recovery, and harder muscle density. However, they do this at the cost of depleting natural testosterone production, which means they will need a PCT supplement after use.
MK-677 and YK-11 are not androgenic SARMs, and, therefore, will not require the use of a PCT supplement. They can be stacked together, or they can be stacked with androgenic SARMs.
For cutting, you’re looking at using MK-2866 Ostarine all S-4 Andarine as the base. Both of these SARMs have the ability to tell the body to burn more fat than you would naturally, and they work to protect muscle mass in a calorie deficit by getting your body to target fat burning before using muscle as fuel.
It’s also very important that the SARM must be high quality and pure, do not buy cheap Chinese SARMs from shady websites.
Underpinning, cutting and bulking are energy-building SARMs. GW-501516 and SR-9009 use different methods of action in the body to produce an increase in energy availability. Either of these stacked in a bulking stack or a cutting stack will produce higher energy output, allowing you to burn more calories and increase your endurance.
Always Start SARMs That Match Your Initial Bodybuilding Goals
So the golden rule has to be to always start with SARMs at your initial bodybuilding goals. If you want to start by cutting some fat, then you are looking at Andarine or Ostarine, either on their own or stacked with something like Cardarine to produce high levels of energy output and the ability to burn more calories.
For bulking, something like Testolone stacked with YK-11 and SR-9009 will deliver a significant increase in muscle mass and a significant increase in energy output and availability.
However, there are lots of blends you can do in terms of stacking SARMs, and as a beginner, you may initially decide to just use a single one to get the main effect and see how it works with your body.
If I was starting out again, cutting, I would probably go with Ostarine as it’s the mildest SARM. If I wanted to cut more, I would then upgrade it in a subsequent cycle to Andarine, which not only has the ability to protect lean muscle mass but can also harden and sculpt existing muscle.
For bulking, Ligandrol is a great starting androgenic SARM at lower doses. Testolone and S-23 are more potent and probably not for beginners.
YK-11 is mildly androgenic and is close to a steroid in terms of its chemical construction. It’s very potent but, on its own, not as good as the androgenic SARMs. Stack though it enhances them superbly. However, again, it’s probably not for beginners.
If you just want to increase your strength and endurance, up your energy output, and increase your recovery times, then simply starting with Cardarine or Stenabolic is a great idea.
Should You Stack SARMs Or Use Them Singly?
In the beginning, I would probably suggest that you use SARMs on their own. For cutting, stick with Ostarine; for energy, go with Cardarine; and for bulking, I’d probably go for Ligandrol.
Those are the classic SARMs that are mostly androgenic and not overpowering at normal doses.
You could go for the non-androgenic SARMs completely; it really is up to you which ones you try first.
However, once you’ve tried two or three singly, it’s important to realize that the power of SARMs is in the stack. Also, smaller doses stacked can actually be more productive and safer than higher doses of a single one.
There are plenty of good bits of advice out there about stacking SARMs, and as long as the total dose of androgenic SARMs isn’t higher than you would take individually, then you shouldn’t suffer any more problems, and you are taking the individual one in terms of testosterone drop.
Dosing & Cycling SARMs As A Beginner
My advice for dosing SARMs to a beginner would be to keep it as low as possible. Read online and try to find the lowest doses that people are talking about using, and stick to that.
For example, with Ostarine, a good starting dose is around 15 mg. Very mild, with minor effects; you’ll see how it works for you. If after two or three weeks it’s doing nothing, up it to 20 mg, and then maybe 25 mg.
So you see, you don’t have to fix the dose, and you can taper up or down as you need.
Also, keep the cycle as short as possible, especially with androgenic SARMs, which deplete your testosterone supply. Six weeks would be a good starting cycle, while 8-10 weeks is typical for most experienced people.
Also, remember that your body needs to recover. My golden rule is always to have a gap between cycles equal to the length of the cycle you have just completed. That way, you’re giving your body two or three months break between cycles, and it helps you to monitor any after-effects that you might not spot if you start another cycle too soon.
