Ostarine vs Rad 140 | Which Is Better for Your Goals?

MK 2866 and RAD 140 are exceptional compounds and are widely considered the best-cutting SARMs, with Ostarine being the milder and Testolone the stronger option. Because both Ostarine and RAD 140 are dry compounds, they can be used for both cutting and bulking. 

When deciding between the two it’s important to know exactly what you want to get out of your cycle, and, you must be aware of each one’s properties in terms of benefits and side effects. This article will teach you exactly that.

We will compare Ostarine vs RAD 140 from every angle, and all based on the latest academic data on both compounds, plus the careful analysis of thousands of anecdotal reports and experiences online. Enjoy./*! elementor - v3.12.2 - 23-04-2023 */<br /> .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}

Main Differences

Ostarine and Rad 140 have one thing in common, they don’t hold water. This is why they often get compared by users who are looking to do their first cutting cycle or are just looking to bulk up without retaining water.

The core difference between them is that RAD 140 is stronger than Ostarine which translates into benefits, as well as side effects.

When picking between the two it’s important to assess exactly what your goal with your to-be cycle is. Then make an educated decision by analyzing the properties of each one carefully (charts in next section).

By doing this, and not YOLOing into a cycle, you might come to conclusions that might save you a lot of headaches down the line. For example, you might come to one or multiple of the following conclusions:

• If you don’t want to do PCT, Ostarine would be a much safer bet
• If you’re scared of hair shedding, Ostarine would be a much safer bet
• If you want more muscle gains for a bulking cycle, RAD 140 would be a better pick
• If you want a cutting cycle, Ostarine would often be a better choice (not always), because RAD 140 on a caloric deficit can potentially tank your test levels and make recovery somewhat harder. 
• If you want to get stronger, RAD 140 is better for that.
• Etc.

In my opinion, RAD 140 should only be used for cutting by advanced lifters or reserved for bulking cycles. Ostarine is more than powerful enough to completely retain all muscle during a modest cut, and running RAD 140 for a cut might not be as productive as using it for a bulk.

Another thing worth noting is that a caloric deficit always exacerbates testosterone suppression from any compounds.

Benefits & Side Effects Comparison

The below charts swiftly illustrate and number the benefits and side effects of Ostarine and RAD 140. They are just descriptions to help you understand both compounds and which is better for you. If you plan on cycling either one I would direct you to my dedicated guides on Ostarine and RAD 140 as there you will find more detailed information regarding their properties, as well as their optimal usage.

Ostarine

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Muscle Mass
35%
Strength
30%
Testosterone Suppression
10%
Side Effects
20%

Benefits:

• Muscle Growth
• Strength Gain
• Increased Performance
• Increased Bone & Joint Density
• Faster Recovery
• No Water Retention
• Connective Tissue Healing

Side Effects:

• Testosterone Suppression
• Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)

Other Possible Side Effects:

• Elevated Liver Enzymes

Very Rare Side Effects:

• Gyno
• Hair Shedding
• Insomnia

RAD 140

Muscle Mass
70%
Strength
80%
Testosterone Suppression
50%
Side Effects
60%

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

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Muscle Building Potential

Results can vary from person to person, as everyone responds differently to different compounds, and has a different training philosophy, genetics, lifestyle factors, etc. So determining exactly how much gains you’ll make from a given compound, is practically impossible.

But, we can make estimates based on the average user. These are the numbers that I’ve deduced from analyzing thousands of anecdotal cycle reports from users online:

From an 8-week Ostarine cycle, one can expect gains of up to:

• 4-5 lbs, or 1.8 – 2.2 kg of lean muscle on a caloric surplus
• 1-2 lbs or 0.5 – 1 kg of lean muscle on a caloric deficit, but only if training variables (diet, training, recovery) are near perfect

From an 8-week RAD 140 cycle one can expect gains of up to:

• 8-10 lbs or 3 – 4 kg of lean muscle on a caloric surplus
• 2 – 5 lbs or 1 – 2 kg of lean muscle on a caloric deficit, only if training variables are near perfect

Keep in mind that these are rough anecdotal averages and should be taken as such. If you want to see how these numbers translate visually, take a look at these RAD 140 before and after transformations.

Which Is More Researched?

Most of what the studies say is listed on the comparison graphs. But it’s important to note that both of these compounds have gone through human trials, and are quite researched in comparison to most other SARMs.

Ostarine has gone through multiple phase II clinical trials, while Rad 140 has only gone through one phase I clinical trial.

How to Use Each One

None of the SARMs should be taken for over 8 weeks for the purposes of gaining muscle. Based on empirical data, users typically see a halt in progress around the 8th-week mark and experience diminishing returns. I suspect that myostatin buildup is responsible for this leisure of progress, but that’s yet to be proven.

In any case, bulking cycles should never exceed 8 weeks, no matter what SARM you are taking.

In terms of cycling differences between Ostarine vs RAD 140 this is what you need to know:

• Ostarine is classified as mild in terms of testosterone suppression, and most users, not all, get away without doing a PCT.
• RAD 140 is classified as moderately suppressive, and oftentimes, not always, requires a 4-week PCT with 1 SERM.

As said previously, a caloric deficit will exacerbate the testosterone suppression caused by SARMs and increase the likelihood of the need for a PCT, and even a test base. To determine whether or not you need PCT or not, you can visit my Post Cycle Therapy Guide for SARMs where I explain it in great detail.

Dosing information for both 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

Rad 140

• Half-life: 60 hours
• Dose: 10-20 mg/day
• Timing and Frequency:
  1x a day – in the morning
• Cycle Length: 8 weeks
• PCT: Recommended

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Conclusion

RAD 140 is much stronger than Ostarine, but it also has more side effects and causes more testosterone suppression.

If you’re a newbie you should by all means start with Ostarine. If you just want to put longevity first, and experience as little side effects as possible, Ostarine is the winner.

If you want to get as big as possible while looking as lean as possible, then RAD 140 is the better choice.

A document I originally made for my clients. A neat map to the sphere of PEDs and supplements.

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