When you start researching about SARMs online, you’ll soon see that most of the info you find online is contradictory or just blatantly biased.
This is why so many newcomers mess up their first cycle/s.
What you’ll read in this article is the most comprehensive beginner’s guide on properly cycling SARMs out there.
Everything written is based on the latest academic literature, and analysis of hundreds if not thousands of anecdotal reports and experiences.
SARMs Mechanism of Action
SARMs were designed to bring the positive effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) without the side effects that come with them.
AAS (anabolic androgenic steroids) attach to the androgen receptors in the body in:
- bone
- muscle
- prostate
- adipose tissue
- reproductive system
- cardiovascular system
- immune system
- neural system
- hematopoietic system
Whereas Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators attach to specific and “desirable” androgen receptors throughout the body:
- muscle
- bone
On paper, this means they have fewer side effects than AAS. And even though most of the SARMs come close, they’re not perfect and can still cause many of the side effects associated with AAS.
Testosterone Suppression
Understanding why testosterone suppression happens is perhaps the single most important aspect of being an autonomous SARMs user.
AAS are 100% testosterone based. When you introduce exogenous Testosterone (Testosterone whose origins are outside of your body) into your body, your reproductive organs stop producing your natural Testosterone as a response to the excess.
SARMs are not testosterone based. Which is why when you introduce them into your system, your body does not cease your natural testosterone production completely.
Your endogenous Testosterone levels after a cycle will be 10 to 50% of what they were before the cycle depending on what SARM you took, how well you conducted your cycle, and how your body reacted to it.
The majority of SARM users will benefit from a PCT, but the mildest cycles rarely require one.
Mildly Strong SARMs
Andarine (S4) and Ostarine (MK2866) fall into the category of mildly strong SARMs and are the most beginner-friendly compounds in terms of suppression and side effects.
On either one of these compounds one can expect to make gains of up to:
- 4 – 5 lbs of lean muscle – on a bulk
- 1 – 2 lbs of lean muscle – on a cut (retain, and even gain)
Ostarine | MK2866
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone & Joint Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Elevated Liver Enzymes
Very Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Hair Shedding
- Insomnia
Andarine | S4
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone & Joint Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
Possible Benefits
- Prostate Shrinkage
- Better Mood
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Elevated Liver Enzymes
Very Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Hair Shedding
- Insomnia
Moderately Strong SARMs
Testolone (Rad 140) and Ligandrol (LGD 4033) fall into the category of moderately strong SARMs and are the most common picks for the average SARM user. Ligandrol is mainly used for bulking, while Testolone is more versitile and can be utilized for cutting, bulking, and recomp cycles alike.
Both of these SARMs are going to add a similar amount of lean mass, though Ligandrol will always add more weight because of water retention.
On Rad 140 one can expect to make lean gains of up to:
- 8 – 10 lbs of lean muscle – on a bulk
- 2 – 3 lbs of lean muscle – on a cut (retain, and even gain)
- 10 – 15 lbs of weight – on a bulk
Testolone| Rad 140
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
- Increased Vascularity
- Better Pumps
Other / Possible Benefits
- Prostate Shrinkage
- Fights Breast Cancer (Proven)
- Better Mood
- Neuroprotective (In Rats)
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Elevated Liver Enzymes (Liver Toxic)
- Hair Shedding
- Aggression
Very Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Insomnia
Ligandrol| LGD 4033
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone & Joint Density
- Faster Recovery
- Better & Fuller Pumps
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- LGD Flu
Very Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Hair Shedding
- Insomnia
You might be wondering what “LGD flu” is if you haven’t read my guide on LGD 4033. “LGD flu” is the development of symptoms of an Upper Respiratory Tract infection for no apparent reason during an LGD 4033 cycle. This side effect was proven in a 2010 LGD 4033 clinical study.
Fortunately, the majority of users do not experience it. And when it does happen it only lasts 3 to 5 days, and the symptoms include those of a common flu.
Strong SARMs
S23, YK11 and LGD 3303 fall into the category of strong SARMs and are not recommended for beginners. Pros only!
LGD 3033 is the most powerful SARM in existence. It is incredibly hard to get, and reasonably safe.
- 10 + lbs of lean muscle – on a bulk
- Safe to assume that LGD 3033 is a very effective cutting agent, though using it on a caloric deficit would be a waste of its muscle-building potential.
S23 is a good pick for photoshoots and shows, but very harsh in terms of side effects.
- It’s very hard to pinpoint exactly how much muscle growth S23 will accumulate since it’s rarely used as a bulking agent, and always stacked with Testosterone and other anabolics. According to empirical data, it’s safe to assume that the muscle growth is comparable to that of Ligandrol and Testolone.
YK11 is a steroidal SARM, known for its purported ability to inhibit myostatin. It’s almost never taken as a standalone compound, and combined with another SARM to fully leverage its properties.
This makes it tough to determine how suppressive and strong it really is. Though when it is combined with another SARMs, the juice results are incredible.
S 23
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
- Increased Vascularity
- Faster Metabolism – Fat Loss
Other / Possible Benefits
- Contraceptive
- Increased Female Sexual Desire in preclinical Animal Study
Side Effects
- Testosterone Shutdown
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Elevated Liver Enzymes (Liver Toxic)
- Androgenic Side Effects
- Increased Body Temperature
Other Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Insomnia
LGD 3033
Benefits
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
- Increased Vascularity
- Dry & Hard Veiny Look
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Androgenic Side Effects
- Increased Body Temperature
- Elevated Liver Enzymes (Unproven but possible)
Other Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Insomnia
- Hair Shedding
YK11
Benefits
- Myostatin Inhibition
- Muscle Growth
- Strength Gain
- Increased Performance
- Increased Bone Density
- Faster Recovery
- No Water Retention
- Increased Vascularity
- Better Pumps
Side Effects
- Testosterone Suppression
- Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Elevated Liver Enzymes (Liver Toxic)
- Androgenic Side Effects
- Stiff Joints and Tendons
Other Rare Side Effects
- Gyno
- Insomnia
Stacks
For your first SARM stack limit yourself to the mild SARMs (Andarine or Ostarine) only. Testolone and Ligandrol are also viable choices, but only if you are strict with on-cycle therapy, and keep the dose minimal.
Keeping the dose as low as possible is a good general practice when experimenting with new drugs. Everyone responds differently to SARMs (and every drug for that matter), so by doing low doses you’re essentially exposing any possible cracks in the wall.
After playing around with a low dose, you’ll know if you can or cannot tolerate a drug at higher doses – before you do it.
Anyways, here are my recommended beginner first time SARM stacks:
Beginner Stacks for Bulking
WEEK | LIGANDROL | TAMOXIFEN |
|---|---|---|
1 | 5mg/day | |
2 | 5mg/day | |
3 | 5mg/day | |
4 | 5mg/day | |
5 | 5mg/day | |
6 | 5mg/day | |
7 | 5mg/day | |
8 | 5mg/day | |
20mg/day | ||
20mg/day | ||
20mg/day | ||
10mg/day |
An extremely effective bulking cycle for beginners who want to explode early on while keeping side effects to a minimum.
Some will not require a PCT, though having a SERM on hand is always a good idea. In this particular template I’ve included Tamoxifen, but any of the SERMs can be used. Check out the spreadsheet mentioned earlier, or my Post Cycle Therapy article to find the exact doses for the other SERMs.
In terms of health supplements, the must haves are Fish Oil (or Krill Oil) and NAC. Refer to my On Cycle Therapy Article.
WEEK | OSTARINE | IBUTAMOREN (MK677) | TAMOXIFEN |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
2 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
3 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
4 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
5 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
6 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
7 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
8 | 20mg/day | 15mg/day | |
9 | 15mg/day | 20mg/day | |
10 | 15mg/day | 20mg/day | |
11 | 15mg/day | 20mg/day | |
12 | 15mg/day | 10mg/day |
This bulking cycle uses a milder SARM, Ostarine, in conjunction with Ibutamoren for increased hunger, better recovery and higher IGF-1 levels.
Not as effective as a solo LGD-4033 run, but less supressive. Not everyone will need a PCT, and the Tamoxifen could be used from week 5 to 8 as part of a SARM + SERM protocol. Any other SERM could also work. You could also use DHEA (25-50 mg/day) from week 5 to 8 if you prefer to use Tamoxifen after the cycle rather than during it.
This is optional, but Ibutamoren could be used from week 9 to 12 to keep cutting without losing muscle.
In terms of supplements, take Fish Oil (or Krill Oil), NAC, Berberine and Vitamin B6 (P5P).
Beginner Stacks for Cutting
WEEK | OSTARINE | TAMOXIFEN |
|---|---|---|
1 | 20mg/day | |
2 | 20mg/day | |
3 | 20mg/day | |
4 | 20mg/day | |
5 | 20mg/day | |
6 | 20mg/day | |
7 | 20mg/day | |
8 | 20mg/day | |
9 | 20mg/day | |
10 | 20mg/day | |
11 | 20mg/day | |
12 | 10mg/day |
This is an ideal cutting cycle for beginners that want to lose fat and preserve muscle while experiencing the least amount of side effects as possible.
PCT is only necessary if bloodwork shows test levels below the reference range and/or if you feel suppression symptoms. Alternatively, you could take Tamoxifen from weeks 4 to 8 as a SARM + SERM combo.
Any SERMs could work instead of Tamoxifen, and you can also incorporate DHEA from weeks 4 to 8 as a non-suppressive test base.
As far as supplements go, Fish or Krill Oil and NAC.
WEEK | ANDARINE | TAMOXIFEN |
|---|---|---|
1 | 30mg/day | |
2 | 30mg/day | |
3 | 30mg/day | |
4 | 30mg/day | |
5 | 30mg/day | |
6 | 30mg/day | |
7 | 30mg/day | |
8 | 30mg/day | |
9 | 20mg/day | |
10 | 20mg/day | |
11 | 20mg/day | |
12 | 10mg/day |
This cycle is great for cutting as well as lean bulking. S4 will provide a look far better than MK2866, you will look incredibly lean and veiny, though the downside is the visual side effects.
Not everyone will need a PCT, and Tamoxifen can also be used from weeks 5 to 8 as a SARM + SERM protocol. Those that use this cycle for lean bulking will definitely experience less suppression. If used on a cut then it is recommended to go ahead and run the SARM + SERM protocol, as a caloric deficit will always exacerbate suppression.
In terms of supplements, Fish Oil and NAC.
Beginner Recomp Stacks
As far as recomp cycles go, any of the dry SARMs will work wonders. You can add MK677 to any SARM for a recomp cycle, but only if you can manage the increased hunger as it can be a problem for some that have a naturally high appetite.
Cycle Builder & Dosing Instructions
The cycle builder spreadsheet is the Encyclopedia of SARM cycling.
It includes all the details about cycling each individual SARM including the dose range, ideal cycle lengths, the frequency (how often you need to take it) and timing (what time to take it each day), as well as a versatile PCT protocol that includes all of the SERMs.
To access the full document drop your email in the form below and check your inbox.
Alternatively, here are the most “important” bits of the bunch containing all of the dosing, and general cycling information about each of the SARMs:
Ostarine
- Half-life: 24 hours
- Dose: 10-25 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
1x a day - in the morning - Cycle Length: 8-12 weeks
- PCT: Not Always Required
Andarine
- Half-life: Unclear
- Dose: 25 - 75 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
3x day - Morning, Noon, Night - Cycle Length: 8 to 12 weeks
- PCT: Not Always Required
Testolone
- Half-life: 60 hours
- Dose: 10-20 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
1x a day - in the morning - Cycle Length: 8 weeks
- PCT: Recommended
Ligandrol
- Half-life: 24 - 36 hours
- Dose: 10-20 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
1x day - Cycle Length: 8 weeks
- PCT: Recommended
YK11
- Half-life: Unclear
- Dose: 5-10mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
2-3x a day - Morning, Noon, Night - Cycle Length: 4-8 weeks
- PCT: Mandatory
LGD 3303
- Half-life: Unclear
- Dose: 5-20 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
2-3x a day - Morning, Noon, Night - Cycle Length: 4-8 weeks
- PCT: Mandatory
S-23
- Half-life: Unclear
- Dose: 10-30 mg/day
-
Timing and Frequency:
2-3x a day - Morning, Noon, Night - Cycle Length: 4-8 weeks
- PCT: Mandatory
Cycle Timeline
- Pre Cycle Bloodwork
- Cycle
- Post Cycle Bloodwork
- PCT (IF Necessary)
- Post - PCT Bloodowork
- Time Off Before Next Cycle
- | - Do Week Before Cycle
- 8 Weeks
- | - Do After Cycle (As Soon As Possible)
- 4 Weeks
- | - Do After PCT (As Soon As Possible)
- 4 Weeks
- Pre Cycle Bloodwork
- Cycle - 8 Weeks
- Post Cycle Bloodwork
- PCT (IF Necessary) - 4 Weeks
- Post - PCT Bloodowork
- Time Off Before Next Cycle - 4 Weeks
Can you skip any of these?
Ideally you should not, but realistically you probably will. If you can get bloodwork done once per cycle always get it before each cycle.
If that looks fine it means you recovered from the previous cycle.
But do not cheap out, your health and well-being are priceless.
1. Pre Cycle Bloodwork
If you don’t get pre-first cycle bloodwork done, you will never know what your natural levels are, and you will not be able to compare future post-cycle bloodwork to your natural baseline
This means that assessing the impact of the cycles on your overall health will be harder. Furthermore, getting bloodwork before your very first cycle can give you an idea of what your strength and weaknesses are.
2. Cycle
Your SARM cycles should almost never last longer than 8 weeks. This is because your body produces an excess of myostatin (a negative regulator of muscle mass) throughout your whole cycle, reaching peak levels at the 8-week mark.
If you do take your cycle past 8 weeks, you will hit a wall and plateau, essentially gaining no extra benefit while experiencing the same degree of side effects.
3. Post Cycle Bloodwork
Post-cycle bloodwork is the only way to determine the extent of side effects on your body. And if you did pre-cycle bloodwork you will have a very accurate picture of your body’s to a given compound.
4. PCT
If your post cycle bloodwork indicates shows your Total Testosterone and LH are below the reference range you will need a PCT, no matter whether you feel suppressed or not.
If your Total Testosterone and LH are within the reference range (even if close to the bottom) you can manage without a PCT. But, if you feel suppressed anyway, you should do a PCT to get rid of the symptoms.
If you don’t get bloodwork done for whatever reason, and you feel good day to day and have no sexual issues, you can probably manage without a PCT. But doing one is still recommended. And if you feel suppressed after your cycle you will absolutely need a PCT.
5. Post - PCT Bloodwork
The post PCT bloodwork will indicate how well you’ve recovered from your cycle.
6. Rest
Sufficient rest between cycles is imperative if you want to maximize not only your health, but also longevity in terms of the total amount of cycles you can safely do in your lifetime. Simply put, if you want to have a long-lasting path of PEDs you have to let your body rest.
If you didn’t need PCT after your cycle, take 8 weeks off before considering another cycle.
If you did do a PCT after your cycle, take 4 weeks off before considering another cycle.
Stacking Multiple SARMs
You should never stack multiple SARMs. Rather only stack compounds that have a complementary mechanism of action.
From reading hundreds (if not thousands) of anecdotal cycle reports, I’ve concluded that stacking SARMs that have the same mechanism of action is very ineffective, as it has often led to an increase in side effects more than it has improved benefits.
If you look at empirical cases of users that combined Rad 140 and LGD 4033, this becomes obvious. Users experienced a small increase in muscle and strength compared to running one or the other, but the testosterone suppression and bloodwork showed up significantly worse.
I suspect that when you stack multiple SARMs (that attach to the same androgen receptors = their mechanism of action) the one with the higher binding affinity ends up kicking the weaker SARM out of the receptors, making it useless.
On the other hand, if we combine compounds like MK677, YK11, or Cardarine with a SARM we get significantly better results and an increase in side effects that is proportional to the strength of the second compound.
What is the mechanism of action of SARMs vs other research chemicals?
- As said previously SARMs are selective androgenic receptor modulators = they attach to androgen receptors and promote muscle growth that way. That is their mechanism of action.
- YK11 for example is a myostatin inhibitor and promotes muscle growth by inhibiting myostatin.
- MK677 works by promoting IGF1 and GH production.
Makes sense?
What to Expect
Now you are fully equipped to partake in your first-ever SARM cycle, as safely, and as optimally as possible. Congrats. Though, there are still a few things you should know.
Firstly, everyone has an individual response to different drugs. Your bald friend might grow his hair back, while you develop a Vegeta hairline on Rad 140.
Secondly, if you have less than 3 years of consistent training and variables like your diet, program, and recovery aren’t near perfect DON’T TAKE SARMs or any PEDs until you gain the experience needed to fully leverage the performance-enhancing benefits of these drugs.
And lastly, if you’re expecting to become as big as your idol, or a huge friend that takes SARMs I’m sorry to tell you, but chances are you won’t.
The truth is only a minority of people reading this will have the genetics and work capacity to achieve a physique like that. SARMs and PEDs only enhance you. They don’t change you. They will only enhance your baseline performance, thus the name performance-enhancing drugs. Your genetics and knowledge will determine how much SARMs will transform you.
This only means that you should adjust your expectations, nothing more, nothing less. Be prepared to do whatever it takes to reach your goals, no matter who you are. Because you are you, and the only thing that matters is becoming a better you instead of a worse you.
Happy cycling.
