If you’re a regular in the gym and always on the lookout for that ‘extra something’ to take your strength and physique to the next level then you’ve probably heard about SARMs.
The SARMs market is steadily growing as bodybuilders and gym fanatics look for a safer alternative to steroids. If you’re yet to look into SARMs then finding the best SARMs can be a tricky task.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best SARMs for beginners and everything else you need to know before you Buy Sarms and take your training to the next level.
What Are SARMs
SARMs belong to a recent class of drugs that are designed to enhance muscle growth, help burn fat and stimulate bone growth. They work in much the same way as anabolic steroids, but with much less of the associated risks associated with steroid use.
SARMs, or selective androgen receptor modulators, work by binding to androgen receptors in skeletal muscle tissue and bones. Androgen receptors are parts of the body that receive signals from hormones such as testosterone. They then send signals to your DNA that influence protein synthesis and cell growth.
In short, when you take SARMs they send a signal for your muscles to grow. Anabolic steroids do this too, but they’re not exclusive to androgen receptors and this is why anabolic steroids affect other parts of the body.
SARMs are available in powder, liquid, and capsule form, so not only are they safer than anabolic steroids, they’re a great way to get the benefits of steroids without using injections.
The Benefits of SARMs
The benefits of SARMs are identical to the reasons people use steroids. If you’ve been working out regularly, following a healthy diet, and getting ample rest, but keep hitting plateaus then SARMs can help you in the following ways:
- Increase in strength
- Better endurance
- Increased fat loss
- Increased bone density
- Faster recovery
- Higher testosterone levels
These are just the main benefits that most SARMs produce on some level, but as we look at each SARM individually we’ll take a closer look at each SARM’s unique benefits.
Are SARMs Safe?
Because SARMs are selective in the parts of the body they target, they are largely safer than steroids. However, the fact that they work similarly also means that they have similar side effects. They just tend to be a lot milder than the effects you’d experience when using anabolic steroids.
Very few SARMs have undergone scientific human trials so most of the side effects come from reports from users. Most side effects are reported when taking larger doses and cycling more than one SARM at a time.
Some of the most commonly reported sarms side effects include:
- Liver toxicity
- Testosterone suppression
- Irritability and increased aggression
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea
- Headaches
Most side effects can be minimized by adhering to lower dosages and never running a cycle for longer than advised. On-cycle and post-cycle support can also help to counteract liver toxicity and testosterone suppression
Dosing and Cycles
Every SARM differs in potency and as a result, they all have different recommended dosages and cycle lengths. We’ll look at the recommended dosage and cycle length for each SARM a little bit later.
When trying SARMs for the first time it’s important to start with a lower dose to assess your body’s tolerance. You should also run a cycle for the least possible time. The higher the dose and the longer the cycle the more risk you have of experiencing side effects such as testosterone suppression and liver damage.
On-Cycle Support
Some of the more potent SARMs can put a strain on your liver. As a result, it’s important to take some form of on-cycle liver support while you’re using SARMs. These help to protect the liver during your cycle and alleviate other side effects such as:
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Prostate issues
- Mood changes
- Libido changes
- Joint pain
- Lower back
Some of the most common ingredients in on-cycle supplements include milk thistle, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, and TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid). If you’re looking for an on-cycle support supplement then make sure they contain these 3 ingredients.
Post-Cycle Support (PCT)
Most SARMs increase the amount of testosterone in the body. When you artificially increase the amount of testosterone your body stops producing its own. This is known as testosterone suppression.
Post-cycle support helps to balance your natural testosterone levels after you’ve finished your cycle. If you’re stacking multiple SARMs or taking large doses of stronger SARMs such as Testolone or YK-11 then you’ll need PCT. Failing to do so can lead to a complete shutdown in testosterone production.
The Top 8 Best SARMs for Beginners
Now you’re clued up about SARMs we can begin to look at each SARM and how you can benefit from it. We’ll cover the dosages, cycle lengths, and whether or not you’ll need any on-cycle support or PCT for each one. If you want to find reputable sites for SARMs, you can explore other websites.
1. Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine is the original SARM. It’s been around the longest and as a result, it’s one of the few SARMs that have undergone human trials. It’s also considered one of the safest.
In addition to targetting androgen receptors, Ostarine also helps the body to use calories from fat stores to muscle tissue. This means that bodybuilders can continue to build muscle even when on a calorie deficit.
This makes Ostarine a great all-around SARM for building leaning muscle and cutting fat simultaneously. For first-time users, a dose of 10mg of Ostarine daily is recommended to assess tolerance.
More experienced users looking to build muscle will run Ostarine for 3-8 weeks at doses of up to 35mg a day. Those just looking to cut fat use a lower dose of around 20mg for up to 8 weeks.
If you’re going to be taking Ostarine in doses higher than 10mg then it’s important to use PCT after the cycle. You should leave a minimum of 4 weeks before starting another SARMs cycle.
2. Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Ligandrol is a newer SARM, but it has also been subjected to human clinical trials. Think of Ligandrol as a more potent Ostarine. It’s also a great choice for those to improve their physique by gaining muscle and shedding fat.
New users should start with a dose of 3-5mg a day to assess their tolerance. A typical cycle lasts between 8-12 weeks. More experienced users will use a dosage of up to 20mg daily.
Following a Ligandrol cycle, you must use PCT and take a break for 3 weeks before using another SARM.
3. Cardarine (GW-501516)
Unlike most of the other SARMs, Cardarine won’t boost your testosterone levels, but it will enhance your endurance. As a result of it is often used alongside other SARMs as part of a stack.
Because Cardarine doesn’t affect your testosterone levels you won’t need PCT after your cycle. Most users take between 10-20mg of Cardarine daily and run a cycle for a maximum of eight weeks.
4. Andarine (S4)
Andarine will boost your testosterone levels, help gain muscle mass and give you a fat-burning boost. The half-life of Andarine is only four hours so your daily dose needs to be split into 3-4 doses throughout the day.
Users often use doses of between 50-75mg a day and run a cycle for 12-16 weeks. It’s important to follow your cycle with PCT and leave 3-4 weeks before starting another cycle.
One of the biggest concerns with Andarine is the reported change in vision. Users report a yellow tint to their vision when cycling Andarine. This can also make it harder to see at night. These effects aren’t lasting and will go away completely after your cycle is finished.
5. S-23
S-23 is one of the lesser-known SARMs, but it certainly packs a punch. It’s one of the more potent SARMs on the market. It’s increasing lean muscle mass, burning fat, improving bone density, and speeding up recovery time.
Beginners should start with a daily dose of 5-10mg of S-23 working up to a maximum of 25mg. A typical cycle lasts for 8-12 weeks. Some users have reported gaining 10-15lbs of lean muscle mass in a single S-23 cycle.
S-23 can increase your irritability and aggression. Not to the level of roid rage, but it’s worth noting. Increased aggression is great for the gym, but not so good for your day-to-day interactions!
S-23 will suppress your natural testosterone production more than any other SARM so PCT is an absolute must.
6. Testolone (RAD-140)
Testolone is widely considered the number one SARM for bulking. It will dramatically boost your muscle growth, increase your endurance and fire up your libido.
Beginners should take between 8-10mg of Testolone daily and run a cycle for 6-8 weeks. Like any SARM that boosts testosterone levels, it’s important not to overrun your cycle. The longer you use it the harder it will be to get your testosterone levels back to normal.
As with S-23, PCT is an absolute must after completing your cycle.
7. Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Ibutamoren also goes under the name Nutrabol. It’s technically not a SARM, it’s a growth hormone secretagogue. It will help you reach the same goals, but it works a little differently.
Ibutamoren increases the number of growth hormones that are secreted. This means the body can increase lean muscle mass and recover faster. It will also improve your sleep quality.
Beginners should start with 10mg daily and work up to no more than 50mg for up to a 12-week cycle. If you’re using Ibutamoren on its own then you won’t need any PCT following your cycle.
8. YK-11
Last on the list is YK-11 and it only just makes the list of best SARMs for beginners due to its potency. If you want to see great results fast, then YK-11 is the SARM for you.
YK-11 is somewhere between SARM and steroid. Due to its strength, new users should start with a dose of 5mg daily and your first cycle should be 4 weeks long.
You must use on-cycle support and PCT when using YK-11 to protect your liver and counteract testosterone suppression. It is highly recommended that you try some of the other SARMs on this list before trying YK-11.
Are SARMs Legal?
The legality of SARMs is a bit of a grey area and one you should be aware of before you make your first purchase. SARMs are legal to buy and sell, but they cannot be sold for human consumption. Instead, they have to be labeled as ‘for research purposes only’.
SARMs are not governed by the FDA or any other official body for that matter. This does not affect their legality, but it can affect the quality of what you’re buying. When looking for SARMs for sale, be sure to research the company thoroughly.
One study previously analyzed 44 SARMs products that were readily available to purchase and came back with some astonishing results. Of the SARMs tested only 52% contained any selective androgen receptor modulators at all. Almost 60% contained different quantities of substances as to what was stated on the label. 25% contained substances that weren’t even mentioned!
Fortunately, there are reliable suppliers out there. It’s very important to research retailers and look into customer reviews. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
It’s Time for Gains
Now you know the best SARMs for beginners it’s time to decide exactly what you’re looking for in a SARM. Always remember that SARMs are intended to be used as part of an already vigorous training regimen. Meanwhile, should you want to try steroids, anavar is one of the compounds that is recommended by many. They won’t magically make you massive unless you’re working hard!
Always stick to the recommended dosage and cycle length, and make sure you have your on-cycle and post-cycle support ready. If in any doubt then speak to your health care provider before starting a SARMs cycle. For more health and lifestyle articles be sure to take a look at the rest of our site.
