If you’re a regular in the gym and always looking for ways to give your training that extra edge then you’ve probably heard about SARMs. Many SARMs offer similar results to anabolic steroids, but without the long list of side effects providing they’re used properly.
If you’re thinking about trying SARMs and wondering how to use SARMs then this guide is for you. Let’s take a look at SARMs and their uses as well as responsible SARMs usage.
What Are SARMs
SARMs stands for selective androgen receptor modulators. They work in a very similar way to anabolic steroids. Unlike anabolic steroids, they only target the androgen receptors in the body.
This means that, with the proper usage, they pose much fewer health risks than using anabolic steroids:
What Are SARMs Used For?
Different SARMs boast different benefits, but all SARMs help to give you that extra edge in your training. Taking SARMs can offer the following benefits:
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Increased metabolic rate and fat burning
- Improved endurance
- Increase in strength
- Faster recovery
- Increased testosterone levels
Not every SARM will tick all these boxes, so it’s important to know your fitness goals before choosing the right SARM for you.
SARMs are sold for research purposes and are not governed by any official body. As a result, it’s important to make sure that you find a reputable supplier. We recommend you buy from Umbrella Labs to guarantee quality products.
How to Use SARMs
SARMs are generally considered much safer than using anabolic steroids, but this is dependant on following proper dosage guidelines for each SARM.
It’s possible to stack multiple SARMs together to enhance the results. However, this is only recommended for experienced users. New users should always start with an all-around SARM such as Ostarine and follow the lower dosage guidelines:
On Cycle Support
Some SARMs can increase toxicity in the liver, much like steroids. When using a single SARM at lower doses this is rarely a problem. Some more potent SARMs such as YK-11 or RAD-140 (Testolone) will require on-cycle support, even at low doses.
On-cycle support is the term used for a supplement that helps promote healthy liver function while you’re on a SARMs cycle. Any natural supplements that are used for liver health are classed as on-cycle support. Some of these include:
- Milk thistle extract
- Artichoke leaf
- Dandelion root
Most supplement manufacturers offer all-in-one liver support supplements that offer a blend of different ingredients that are designed to protect your liver.
As well as using on-cycle support it’s also important that you make a few other precautions to take care of your liver. It’s important not to drink when using SARMs. You should also make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and limiting fatty foods.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
SARMs have anabolic properties. This is how they help you build muscle. This also means that they will artificially raise your testosterone levels. When this happens, the body stops producing as much testosterone naturally.
When you finish a SARMs cycle there is a period in which your body has to get used to making its testosterone again. Stronger SARMs can cause your natural testosterone production to completely shut down.
If this happens then not only will you quickly lose your gains, but you’ll encounter several other issues such as diminished libido, lethargy, and low mood.
Post-cycle therapy helps the body to transition from not having to produce any testosterone to its natural, healthy state. Not all SARMs suppress natural testosterone production, but you must use PCT after any SARMs that do.
Some of the most suppressant SARMs include:
- Testolone (RAD-140)
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
- Ostarine (MK-2866)
- Andarine (S-23)
Post-cycle therapy might sound scary and complicated, but it’s not. Unless you’re taking a huge SARMs stack, testosterone suppression is nothing like you’d experience with anabolic steroids.
PCT usually just involved taking a PCT supplement for around 4 weeks after your cycle finishes. This helps to restore your natural testosterone levels and reduce estrogen levels.
How to Cycle SARMs
SARMs work when you maintain a certain concentration of them in the blood over some time. Different SARMs have different half-lives and affect the body differently.
SARMs cycles can range anywhere between 6-12 weeks. A lot of this will depend on the dosage you are taking and how experienced you are with using SARMs. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular SARMs and their recommended cycles:
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Ostarine is a great SARM for beginners, is the most widely researched SARM. New users should start with a dose of 10 mg per day and work up to a maximum of 30mg.
The half-life of Ostarine is 24 hours so it can be taken once a day. The minimum length of a cycle is 6 weeks and it shouldn’t be used for more than 12 weeks. On-cycle support and PCT are recommended.
Cardarine (GW-501516)
Much like Ostarine, new users should start their Cardarine dose at 10mg. The maximum daily dose should be no higher than 20mg. Its half-life ranges between 12-24 hours so you can take the dose all at once or split it into two doses.
Typical Cardarine cycles will run from 6 to 12 weeks. On-cycle support is recommended, but Cardarine does not suppress natural testosterone production so no PCT is needed.
Testolone (RAD-140)
As the name suggests, Testolone will suppress your natural testosterone production so PCT and on-cycle support are a must. Testolone’s half-life is 12-18 hours so the dose should be split into two.
The recommended dosage ranges from 10-30mg depending on experience. A typical RAD-140 cycle lasts between 8-12 weeks.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Most users take between 5-10mg of Ligandrol daily, but some more experienced users might take up to 20mg a day. It is a very potent SARM. On-cycle support and PCT are a must.
The half-life of Ligandrol is 24-36 hours so it only needs to be taken once a day. Cycle lengths range from 3-12 weeks, however, most users stick to 4 weeks on/4 weeks off. This gives plenty of time for testosterone levels to recover between cycles.
Responsible SARMs Usage Is a Must
Knowing how to use SARMs is paramount to safety and success. Before starting any SARMs cycle make sure you have researched the recommended cycle length and dosage. Always make sure you know whether or not you’ll need on-cycle support or PCT.
By following the advice in this guide you can make sure you get the most out of your next SARMs cycle. For more health and lifestyle tips be sure to take a look at our other articles.