The products recommended are safe and legal to use
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, or SARMs, have become a popular alternative to traditional anabolic steroids within the bodybuilding community. These experimental compounds promise similar results in terms of muscle growth and fat loss, but with reportedly fewer side effects.
Bodybuilders generally alternate between two main cycles: bulking and cutting. The bulking phase focuses on gaining muscle mass and strength, while the cutting phase emphasizes shedding excess fat to improve muscle definition.
Content Table
Best SARMS Stacks Quick Guide
BULKING STACK
Here is the best SARMS stack for muscle building on bulking cycles.
OSTA 2866, LIGAN 4033, TESTOL 140, IBUTA 677 included in the Stack
CLICK to view pricing and availability for legal SARMS stack for Bulking
CUTTING STACK
IBUTA 677, C-DINE 501516, LIGAN 4033, STENA 9009
CLICK to view pricing and availability for legal SARMS stack for Cutting
COMBO STACK
The Combo stack (Ultimate stack) will provide you with everything you need for a complete bulking and cutting cycle. If in doubt, start here.
C-DINE 501516, LIGAN 4033, OSTA 2866, STENA 9009, IBUTA 677
CLICK to view pricing and availability for legal SARMS stack for both fat loss and muscle gains
As with anabolic steroids, the right SARM or SARMs stack can greatly enhance the results obtainable via either cycle but finding the combinations that work best can be a daunting task. Bodybuilders who make the wrong choices may achieve poorer results and/or have to contend with worse side effects.
In this article, we will introduce the best SARMs stack for bulking. We will also take a look at the SARMs stack that offers the best level of support during cutting cycles.
However, although SARMs can deliver excellent results, it’s important to note that their use is not without risks and they currently occupy a gray area in terms of legality and FDA approval.
Because of this, we will also suggest some safe and legal options you may want to consider using instead. These “legal SARMs” provide similar bulking and cutting benefits without the risk of adverse issues or competition bans.
Best SARMs Stack for Bulking and Muscle Growth
- Testolone (RAD 140)
- Ostarine (MK2866)
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
- Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Best SARMs Stack for Cutting and Burning Fat
- Cardarine (GW 501516)
- Stenabolic (SR9009)
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
- Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Exploring the Best Bulking and Cutting SARMs in More Detail
As you may have noticed, Ligandrol and Ibutamoren are a key component of both stacks. As with steroids, when you use SARMs there can be some overlap. You can read about the best SARMS brands here
Testolone (RAD 140)
Read more about legal RAD 140 (Testol 140)
Presently still under development as a potential treatment for breast cancer, Testolone is known for its exceptional bulking capabilities.
Although it is not meant for use in bodybuilding or sports bodybuilders favor Testolone for its substantial anabolic impact, which directly translates into muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, a key factor for athletes aiming to increase muscle volume and density during a bulking cycle.
The appeal of Testolone also lies in its strategic action. Unlike anabolic steroids, this selective androgen receptor modulator only targets androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissues. This makes it useful for boosting protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, both of which are crucial processes in muscle development.
This targeted approach helps users achieve substantial gains in lean mass, with minimal risk of bloating or fat accumulation, paving the way for a more sculpted and vascular appearance.
Furthermore, Testolone also enhances stamina and muscle recovery, permitting more intense and frequent training sessions. These attributes not only contribute to its efficacy in muscle building but also to its overall desirability as a bulking agent.
However, despite the advantages this SARM offers over anabolic steroids, as you would expect from any experimental drug, the long-term risks Testolone may present are unknown.
Common side effects include headaches, nausea, and acne. It’s also known to cause liver damage and, in common with steroids, Testolone suppresses normal testosterone production so a PCT (post-cycle therapy) is necessary.
Fortunately, there is a safer option called Testol 140. Developed specifically for bodybuilding, it’s manufactured in FDA-approved facilities by Crazy Bulk – the leading producer of legal SARMs and steroid alternatives.
This all-natural product matches the SARM’s prowess at increasing muscle mass and power but has no known side effects and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Ostarine (MK2866)
Ostarine is another SARM that has become a staple in the bodybuilding community, particularly for those seeking to maximize their muscle growth. Its molecular design enables it to selectively mimic the effects of testosterone, which is central to muscle growth.
However, due to its selective nature, it can do this with a lesser risk of side effects.
Still an investigational drug that lacks FDA approval for use in any role, Ostarine was developed as a potential treatment for muscle wasting due to conditions such as HIV, AIDS, and cancer.
What sets Ostarine apart is its ability to offer substantial gains in lean muscle mass while being gentler on the body. It’s known for its high bioavailability and effectiveness at relatively low doses, which makes it a practical choice for those new to SARMs for bulking cycles.
Users of Ostarine can expect a steady increase in muscle size and strength.
Additionally, Ostarine can aid in the reduction of fat deposits by improving the basal metabolic rate (BMR). This makes it useful for maintaining a lean physique during the calorie surpluses that are necessary for bulking.
The relatively mild nature of Ostarine also means that it is less likely to suppress the body’s natural testosterone production, a common concern with stronger SARMs or anabolic steroids.
This makes Ostarine a particularly good option for users looking for a balanced approach to bulking, where quality muscle gains are achievable without severe hormonal disruptions.
Nevertheless, this SARM can still present adverse effects including nausea, headaches, and testosterone suppression.
Some bodybuilders using Ostarine also report problems with high blood pressure and cholesterol, both of which can present dangers to the heart.
As with Testolone, Crazy Bulk has formulated a safer version of Ostarine. It’s called Osta 2866 and is rapidly getting a reputation for being one of the best legal SARMs for enhancing muscle growth.
Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Read the review of LIGAN 4033 – legal Ligandrol LGD 4033
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is a potent SARM that has garnered attention for its versatility, making it a favored option for both bulking and cutting cycles.
Developed for the prevention of muscle wasting and osteoporosis, Ligandrol has a strong anabolic impact, which is vital for muscle building and maintenance.
During bulking, Ligandrol’s efficacy lies in its ability to facilitate rapid muscle growth without significant water retention, allowing for solid and clean muscle gains. It achieves this by binding with high affinity to the androgen receptors in bone and muscle tissue, stimulating an increase in lean body mass and enhancing muscular strength.
This makes it particularly useful for those looking to pack on size and increase strength quickly.
A great option for cutting cycles, Ligandrol is good for preserving lean muscle mass during the caloric deficit state the body needs to experience to trigger fat loss.
This SARM is also famous for its ability to promote muscle hardness, contributing to a more defined and vascular appearance as body fat percentages decrease.
Ligandrol allegedly has a mild impact on natural hormone levels. However, research disputes this so a PCT will still be necessary.
Muscle pain, headaches, and dry mouth are a few of the most common Ligandrol side effects. This SARM is also associated with anger and bloating.
Shrunken testicles and liver damage are two of the more worrying side effects. If any of these issues dampen your enthusiasm, we suggest you use Ligan 4033 instead (Crazy Bulk alternative).
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Ibutamoren (MK-677) is an unusual SARM stack component because it’s not a SARM. It’s a human growth hormone (HGH) secretagogue that stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete more human growth hormone and step up the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Both these important anabolic hormones play a key role in the development and regeneration of muscle tissue.
When it comes to bulking, ibutamoren’s appeal lies in its ability to significantly boost HGH and IGF-1 levels in the body. This not only enhances muscle growth and recovery but also improves sleep quality and overall well-being.
These factors are crucial for athletes hoping to speed up muscle recovery and achieve significant improvements in growth.
With higher levels of growth hormone, Ibutamoren users can expect to see rapid gains in lean body mass, accompanied by improvements in muscle fullness and athletic performance.
Equally useful for cutting, ibutamoren excels at preserving muscle mass. The elevations in HGH provide help to promote a more favorable fat-to-muscle loss ratio, ensuring that weight loss predominantly comes from fat stores rather than muscle tissue.
Additionally, because ibutamoren does not interfere with testosterone or estrogen levels, it is often considered a safer option for long-term use compared to anabolic steroids and SARMs.
Unfortunately, it’s not all good. Ibutamoren usage can result in water retention and fatigue. Insomnia may also be a problem. You won’t need to worry about any of these issues if you decide to use Crazy Bulk Ibuta 677 instead.
Cardarine (GW 501516)
Another SARM imposter that’s present in many of the best SARM stacks, Cardarine (GW-501516) is a PPARδ receptor agonist that influences how the body utilizes energy.
Cardarine was originally developed as a drug for treating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases but as with SARMs remains an experimental drug.
Experimental or not, Cardarine has formidable fat-burning capabilities and also shows enviable prowess as a performance enhancer.
A common addition to SARMs cutting stacks, Cardarine has a reputation for being able to preserve muscle mass while the body is experiencing a calorie deficit so it has much to offer as a cutting cycle companion.
Another appealing aspect of Cardarine is that, unlike many SARMs and steroids, it does not interfere with the body’s natural testosterone levels. That means that athletes who are cycling Cardarine alone do not need to worry about doing a PCT.
However, it’s more common to use Cardarine alongside SARMs that do cause testosterone suppression so in all probability a PCT will definitely be on the cards.
Despite the positive influence Cardarine can have on body composition and athletic ability, its use can entail several side effects. One of them is loss of appetite. During a cutting cycle, this may be beneficial but some of the other potential negative issues are more destructive.
As with SARMs and steroids, Cardarine has been linked to liver damage. Animal-based studies suggest it may also have the potential to cause cancer.
The knowledge of this may make you wonder if there is a Crazy Bulk alternative to Cardarine. If so, you may be happy to learn that there is. It’s called C-Dine 501516 and, as with all Crazy Bulk supplements, customer reviews endorse its ability to deliver the goods.
Stenabolic (SR9009)
Stenabolic (SR9009) is another experimental drug people often confuse with SARMs due to it being so commonly paired with them in cutting stacks.
However, Stenabolic is not a SARM. It’s actually a Rev-ErbA ligand that affects the circadian rhythms that play such an important role in sleep. It also influences lipid and glucose metabolism.
Stenabolic works by modulating the activity of Rev-ErbA, a protein that plays a significant role in the regulation of the body’s metabolic processes.
By activating Rev-ErbA, Stenabolic can significantly increase the mitochondrial count in the muscles. This increases thermogenesis, elevating the metabolic rate and causing the body to burn extra calories and fat, even when the body is at rest.
In addition to boosting metabolism, Stenabolic enhances muscular endurance, thereby supporting more intense and longer workout sessions. This improved exercise capacity further increases daily calorie expenditure.
This is particularly beneficial during cutting cycles, where maintaining workout intensity can often be challenging due to reduced energy intake.
Stenabolic also stands out for its non-hormonal mechanism of action, which means it does not interfere with normal testosterone production. This characteristic reduces the risk of steroid-like side effects.
Overall, Stenabolic’s unique ability to support enhanced metabolism and improve stamina, without hormonal disruption, makes it a great cutting stack inclusion. It helps you to train harder and burn more calories while also protecting lean muscle mass.
If you are wondering if there is a downside, there is. Some users find that Stenabolic stops them from sleeping. Excess sweating is also quite a common response to Stenabolic.
Potential side effects such as these are certainly not as scary as the side effects associated with steroids and SARMs. Nevertheless, if you want to avoid them you can by giving Stenabolic a miss and using Crazy Bulk Stena 9009 instead.
Understanding SARMs
What are SARMs?
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are a class of therapeutic compounds that have similar anabolic properties to anabolic steroids but with fewer androgenic properties. They are designed to selectively target and activate the androgen receptors in specific areas of the body – specifically muscle and bone tissue.
The goal of SARMs is to provide the benefits of traditional anabolic steroids, such as Sustanon (synthetic testosterone), including rapid muscle growth and improvements in bone density and strength.
How Do SARMs Work?
When SARMs bind with androgen receptors they modulate the receptors’ activity, promoting anabolic processes like muscle protein synthesis and improvements in nitrogen retention. Steroids do these things too but present a greater risk of adverse effects.
Legal Status of SARMs
SARMs are experimental drugs. Not a single one has ever been approved for human use. However, the legal status of SARMs can vary from one country to the next.
In the United States, manufacturers can only distribute SARMs as research chemicals. Legislation such as the SARMs Control Act further restricts their sale.
Internationally, the legal status of SARMs is similarly complex and varies widely, with some countries having stricter regulations than others.
Athletes also need to be aware that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits the use of SARMs. As do many other sporting organizations.
The bottom line is, that anyone who tests positive for these performance-enhancing drugs will invariably have to contend with competition bans and similar sports-related sanctions.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of SARMs
Although SARMs have a reputation for being safer than anabolic steroids, they are not free from risks and side effects.
Potential adverse effects can include suppression of natural testosterone production, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, liver toxicity, and the potential to increase the risk of certain cancers.
As for the long-term effects, they are unknown because SARMs have not been extensively studied in humans.
Stacking SARMs: Why do It?
Stacking SARMs refers to the practice of using multiple Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators simultaneously to achieve synergistic effects for enhanced muscle growth, fat loss, or endurance. That’s the theory anyway. The reality is many SARMs stack inclusions are anabolic compounds that belong to different drug classes.
The rationale behind stacking is to combine different SARMs that have varying strengths and target various aspects of performance enhancement, without significantly increasing the risk of side effects.
The primary reasons for stacking SARMs include:
Complementary Actions
Each SARM has a unique profile and mechanism of action. When stacked, they can complement each other’s effects.
For example, one SARM might be more effective at building lean muscle mass, while another excels at increasing physical endurance. Using them together can create a more comprehensive and efficient performance enhancement regimen.
Amplified Results
Stacking SARMs can potentially result in better overall results than using a single SARM. This is particularly appealing for athletes who have reached a plateau in their performance or physique development and are looking for a way to push past the limitation.
Minimized Side Effects
Because SARMs are selective in their action, stacking different types may allow for lower doses of each, potentially reducing the risk of side effects (compared to using a higher dose of a single SARM).
Targeted Cycles
Athletes can tailor their stacks for specific goals such as bulking, cutting, or recomping (losing fat while also gaining lean muscle growth). This allows for a more precise way to carve out your dream physique.
However, it is important to approach SARMs stacking with caution. The interaction between different SARMs can be unpredictable, and the long-term health effects are not well studied.
How to Use the Best SARMs Stack for Bulking and Lean Muscle Gains
When constructing a SARMs stack for bulking, the goal is to choose compounds that can help you gain muscle and improve strength. The most popular and best SARMs stack for bulking combines the abilities of Testolone (RAD 140), Ostarine (MK2866), Ligandrol (LGD-4033), and Ibutamoren (MK-677).
When you use this stack correctly, you can increase muscle mass rapidly.
To use this stack effectively:
- Start with conservative dosages to assess your body’s response.
- Maintain a calorie surplus with a focus on protein-rich foods to fuel protein synthesis and help you gain lean muscle mass.
- Ensure you follow a rigorous training regimen, as SARMs increase training potential.
- Monitor for side effects and adjust dosages accordingly.
- Do a PCT to normalize hormonal levels post-stack.
How to Use the Best SARMs Stack for Cutting to Reduce Body Fat
As with bulking stacks, cutting stacks include SARMs that present a useful synergy when it comes to performance enhancement, burning excess body fat, and protecting existing muscle mass.
The best SARMs cutting stack by far combines the anabolic abilities of Cardarine (GW 501516), Stenabolic (SR9009), Ligandrol (LGD-4033), and Ibutamoren (MK-677). If you want to burn fat fast, this stack could be your winning ticket.
Here are some steps you can take to get the best results from this stack:
- Carefully calculate a caloric deficit that allows fat loss without sacrificing any lean muscle tissue.
- Engage in a consistent regimen of cardio and resistance training to lose body fat fast and aid muscle preservation.
- Begin with the lowest effective dosages and adjust as necessary, monitoring the body’s response closely.
- Ensure adequate hydration and maintain a balanced diet, rich in nutrients.
- Implement a PCT following the cycle to restore natural hormonal balance.
Top SARMs Stacks for Bodybuilding – Summary and Conclusion
In bodybuilding, SARM stacks are tailored to leverage the unique benefits of each compound for specific goals like bulking, cutting, and/or enhancing performance.
When you stack SARMs the benefits increase. You can gain muscle mass faster and/or prime your metabolism to become more efficient at reducing body fat. Unfortunately, the risk of adverse issues increases as well.
SARMs have not been around as long as steroids, so there is still much to learn. Especially about the potential side effects that may occur due to long-term use.
That’s why so many people who switched from steroids to SARMs are now moving on to Crazy Bulk alternatives instead. Looking their best is not good enough, they want to feel their best as well.
Regardless of the route you take, SARM stacks need to be used with a strategic approach that includes appropriate dietary choices, correct training regimen, proper dosing, and the use of post-cycle therapy.
Ultimately, while SARMs can be potent tools within a bodybuilder’s arsenal, their usage should always align with a commitment to health and well-being.
FAQs About Using SARMs Stacks for Bodybuilding
- What are SARMs stacks?
SARMs stacks refer to the combination of different Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) taken together to achieve specific bodybuilding goals such as bulking, cutting, or recomping (losing fat while gaining muscle). - Why do bodybuilders stack SARMs?
Bodybuilders may stack SARMs to target different aspects of muscle growth and fat loss simultaneously, potentially leading to more pronounced results compared to using a single SARM. - Are SARMs stacks safe for use in bodybuilding?
The safety of SARMs stacks is not well-established, as most SARMs are still considered experimental drugs and have not been approved for human use by health authorities. There is a potential for adverse effects, and long-term safety data is lacking. - What are common SARMs included in bodybuilding stacks?
Common SARMs used in bodybuilding stacks include Ostarine (MK-2866), Ligandrol (LGD-4033), Testolone (RAD-140), and Andarine (S4), among others. - How should I choose which SARMs to stack for bodybuilding?
The choice of SARMs to stack should be based on your specific fitness goals, the properties of each SARM, and ideally, guidance from a medical professional. Each SARM has different strengths and potential side effects to consider. - What are the potential side effects of using SARMs stacks?
Potential side effects can include testosterone suppression, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, liver toxicity, and other unknown health risks. The side effects may be compounded when stacking multiple SARMs. - Do I need Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) after using a SARMs stack?
Yes, PCT is often recommended after using SARMs stacks due to the potential for natural testosterone suppression. PCT can help restore hormone levels to normal. - How long should a SARMs stack cycle last?
Cycle lengths can vary, but most SARMs stack cycles last between 8 to 12 weeks. Longer cycles can increase the risk of side effects and may require a more comprehensive PCT. - Can I legally purchase SARMs stacks for bodybuilding?
The legality of SARMs varies by country. In many places, including the United States, SARMs are legal to buy as research chemicals but are not approved for human consumption. It’s essential to understand the legal status of SARMs in your country before purchasing. - Are the results from SARMs stacks permanent?
Results from SARMs stacks may not be permanent, especially if gains are not maintained with continued exercise and proper diet. Additionally, any muscle mass gained during a cycle can diminish if the user experiences testosterone suppression and does not implement an effective PCT.
