SARMs FAQ
Most common questions about SARMs, answered by our experts.
Legal & Compliance
General Questions
It’s legal to buy SARMs for research purposes. The Government of Canada doesn’t advise on using SARMs, but there’s no legal restriction against possession of SARMs.
Since the quality of the compounds is not regulated by law, bodybuilders should choose products from reliable vendors, such as verified NEO Sarms Partners. NEO Sarms always tests our products through third-party laboratories to ensure the compound is pure and safe for customer use.
SARMs, as all performance-enhancing drugs, aren’t legal in the military. Even though testing for SARMs isn’t included in regular screenings, if the Commander Officer has any doubts about the soldier, he can write to the laboratory and ask to run this specific test.
Some soldiers choose to take SARMs and try to stay discreet about it. After all, standard blood work won’t show any significant changes, only high testosterone levels.
After 10 days off the cycle, SARMs become undetectable in urine or blood, even with SARMs-sensitive tests. However, the risks can outweigh the benefits, and we recommend weighing all pros and cons before deciding on starting the cycle.
In most countries, SARMs are not legal to travel with. Before packing compounds on a trip, it’s important to take a look at the airline’s policy guide and SARMs regulations in the destination country.
Note that Australia is one of the worst options for traveling with SARMs, as the country’s regulations against compounds are much more strict. As of 2025, Australia one of the few countries that keeps SARMs striaght-up illegal.
SARMs are officially banned by the WADA and NCAA for fitness use, specifically for competitive sports. The compounds can be detected in doping tests up to 10 days after the end of the SARMs cycle.
If the bodybuilder fails the doping test, they can be prohibited from competing in the upcoming event.
SARMs and anabolic steroids are often confused, as the results they provide are similar. However, SARMs are a separate class of performance-enhancing drugs that differ from steroids in their active compounds, their molecule structure and the mechanism of action.
While the steroids affect the androgen receptors in various tissues, SARMs were designed to target the receptors in muscle and bone tissues. Therefore, the use of SARMs has fewer negative side effects and lower testosterone suppression.
Even though the severity of a steroid’s side effects is higher, they are approved by the FDA and different organizations. Steroids are authorized for human consumption; SARMs are still researched.
SARMs do not cause testicular atrophy or gynecomastia since their profile is predominantly anabolic, whereas steroids have more androgenic side effects.
Safety & SARMs Use
SARMs Basics
SARMs aren’t prohormones, since they are a different compound class. SARMs bind to the androgenic receptors directly, when prohormones need to convert into hormonal compounds before they start acting on androgenic receptors.
Both SARMs and prohormones can be used for increasing muscle gains, losing weight and recomposing the muscle-to-fat ratio. The main difference is that SARMs have fewer side effects, as they bind to the muscle tissue specifically.
Prohormones are metabolized through the liver, so they can cause elevated enzyme levels and liver damage. If the dosage and the cycle length are adequate, and the compound is pure, SARMs won’t affect liver enzyme levels or cause liver damage.
SARMs and peptides can be used for gaining lean muscle mass and recomposition cycles. Their effects are the only thing they have in common, as they belong to different compound classes.
The peptides are amino acid chains, sharing standard structure with proteins. SARMs have their own structure that has nothing in common with peptides and can vary from one compound to the other.
The peptides have no clear anabolic profile and are often used to increase growth hormone secretion. SARMs can be used for bulking, cutting or recomposition cycles as they have a strong anabolic profile and fat-burning effects.
You should choose SARMs, considering your target goals, experience and contraindications.
If you want to lose weight or gain lean muscle mass, it’s better to go on a cutting cycle and use ― S4, GW501516, MK-2866, SR9009 or ACP-105.
To increase muscle mass and significantly increase strength gains, bodybuilders go on a bulking cycle and use ― RAD-140, LGD-4033 or MK-677.
In body recomposition cycles designed to affect muscle-to-fat ratio, the most potent SARMs will be ― LGD-3033, YK-11, and GW-0742.
If it’s your first SARMs cycle, we recommend starting with one compound and on a minimal dosage. There are SARMs with lesser negative side effects and little to no testosterone production suppression, such as MK-677, MK-2866, SR9009 or ACP-105.
The most female-friendly SARMs are S4, LGD-4033 and MK-2866, as they don’t cause hormonal shifts in adequate dosages. Even though the options are limited, SARMs are generally safer than steroids for women, as they target only muscle and bone tissues.
Low androgenic profile allows avoiding masculinizing effects, for example, deepening of the voice. The only downside is SARMs usage is restricted for pregnant women.
We recommend starting with a minimal dosage and considering health contraindications before starting the cycle, as well as purchasing SARMs only through verified NEOSarms Partners to ensure compund’s purity.
SARMs start affecting the androgenic receptors as soon as they’re going through the system. However, noticeable effects can be seen later, as the compound needs time to accumulate.
The effects of some SARMs can be seen after two or three weeks. In general, by the 4th week, most SARMs do “kick in,” and the bodybuilder can evaluate first results.
The timing will differ due to SARMs unique features, dosage, cycle length and the compound’s purity. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the product, purchase compounds only through verified NEOSarms Partners.
Since SARMs are PEDs and not nutrient additives, the amount of calories in the pill is minimal. SARMs cycle won’t affect your fasting.
However, for increasing or retaining muscle mass, the body does need protein, carbs and fats. We recommend using intermittent fasting or adhering to a calorie deficit diet for better results.
Safety & Handling
SARMs and Damage Control
If you’re looking for SARMs that won’t cause HPTA suppression, we recommend considering the following compounds:
These compounds are often used in cutting or recomposition cycles. They are well-known for their fat-burning effects and increasing lean muscle mass among bodybuilders.
However, SARMs suitable for bulking cycles can cause mild to moderate natural testosterone production suppression. There’s no reason to be afraid to use them: post-cycle therapy will be needed, yet you will restore the testosterone level in a matter of 2 weeks.
As long as you’re using pure SARMs that have been tested through third-party laboratories or purchased through verified NEOSarms Partners in recommended dosage, there are no significant health risks.
There’s no evidence supporting SARMs effects on the immune system. If you’re sick, there’s a great chance you’ll stop training for a while. In this scenario, SARMs can be beneficial for retaining muscle mass and recovering.
However, if you experience any side effects that may worsen your condition, we recommend taking a pause and continuing the cycle after recovery.
You can take SARMs if you’re overweight, but they won’t be as effective. If you’re maintaining a low-calorie diet and adhere to the exercising schedule, you can try to go on a cutting cycle.
The end results can depend on the fat percentage; the optimal range varies between 10-15%. To strive for better, we advise you to lose weight and revisit the idea of going on a cycle later.
If you have been training for a while and have reached muscle mass plateaus or strength ones, it is a good idea to go on a SARM cycle. SARMs provide muscle and strength gains, enhance endurance and promote fat loss.
Basically, if you have no health contraindications for SARMs cycle, you can implement them into your daily regimen, achieve your goals and set better personal records.
SARMs, as all bioactive compounds, have an expiration date. For NEOSarms compounds, the shelf life is 24 months, as they come in the form of oral tablets.
If the compound has expired, it might not be as effective. We recommend monitoring expiration dates and using the product before its shelf life ends.
Yes, you have to take SARMs on rest days to keep up the optimal concentration of the compound in the system. Most SARMs have to be administered orally a few times a day, every day during the cycle.
However, there is an exception ― S4. To prevent negative side effects on vision, it’s advised to make small pauses during the cycle. The break can be on a rest day or workout day; it won’t make a difference.
Making the Right Choice
Best SARMs for Your Goals
The best SARMs for cutting cycles are:
- S4 ― Andarine promotes fat-burning effects, and helps to build lean muscle mass, recompose muscle-to-fat ratio and increase strength gains;
- MK-677 ― Ibutamoren is considered one of the most potent SARMs for gaining lean muscles on a calorie deficit;
- LGD-4033 ― Ligandrol can be used for cutting cycles for keeping or increasing lean muscle mass on a deficit, even though it doesn’t promote fat loss by itself;
- LGD-3033 ― Super Ligandrol can elevate calorie expenditure through enhanced metabolic activity and help gain up to 10 lbs of lean muscle mass;
- MK-2866 ― Ostarine is a great choice for losing weight and recomposing the body, as the compound promotes fat loss and increases muscle mass;
- SR-9009 ― Stenabolic is primarily used on cutting cycles, as it helps to shed fat and increases bodybuilder’s stamina;
- GW-501516 ― Cardarine is well-known for its fat-burning effects; more importantly, it doesn’t cause HPTA suppression;
- GW-0742 ― Lipoline can be used for cutting cycles, as it has proven itself effective in promoting weight loss and improving muscle-to-fat ratio.
For better results, bodybuilders can stack SARMs with RAD-140 or LGD-4033. Combining compounds can be helpful in better muscle retention or gaining more lean muscle mass on a cutting cycle.
It’s important to remember that in order for SARMs to work, the bodybuilder has to follow a calorie-deficit diet and continue his training.
The most popular SARMs for bulking cycles are:
- LGD-4033 ― Ligandrol is a compound with a potent anabolic profile, perfect for increasing muscle mass, breaking strength plateaus and improving performance in general;
- RAD-140 ― Testolone can help to gain muscle mass up to 12 lbs and increase bodybuilders’ strength and endurance;
- YK-11 ― Myostine increases lean muscle mass and improves muscle-to-fat ratio while providing fuller pumps;
- MK-677 ― Ibutamoren can be helpful on a bulking cycle, especially in stacks with RAD-140 or YK-11 (on its own, MK-677 provides around +8 lbs, whereas in stacks, the average gains can reach 15 lbs);
- MK-2866 ― Ostarine can be used in bulking cycles; however, the results won’t be as impressive, as if it were used in stacks with LGD-4033 or RAD-140;
- ACP-105 ― Vasculine (or Acadibol) is suitable for bulking cycles, when stacked with LGD-4033 or YK-11.
The SARMs effectiveness depends on its purity, dosage and cycle length, as well as on the bodybuilder’s efforts. To achieve best results, purchase the SARMs only through verified NEO SARMs Partners and adhere to the recommended dosage for a bulking cycle.
The recomposition cycle is based on two elements: losing fat and keeping muscle mass or gaining it. The main goal is to increase muscle and lower fat percentage, achieving a lean, “dry” look in the end.
For recomposition cycles, you can use and stack the following SARMs:
- RAD-140 ― Testolone is used for retaining or building lean muscle mass on a calorie deficit, and can be stacked with MK-2866 or SR9009;
- GW-0742 ― Lipoline is a compound that offers lean muscle mass, while shedding fat. To reach better results, the bodybuilder can stack this compound with RAD-140 or S4;
- MK-2866 ― Ostarine can be used in recomposition cycles as the only compound, as well as in stacks with GW-501516 and LGD-4033;
- YK-11 ― Myostine can be used for gaining lean muscle mass and is stacked with MK-2866, MK-677, and SR9009;
- S4 ― Andarine is helpful in reducing fat percentage by 10-15% in a cycle and can be used with MK-2866 and GW-501516.
Most recomposition cycles require bodybuilders to use stacks, so it’s important to make sure the compounds are compatible, and their dosage is optimal for improving muscle-to-fat ratio.
Selective androgen receptor modulators, or SARMs, primarily used for gaining muscle mass, retaining muscle on cutting cycles, and building lean muscle. SARMs bind to the androgen receptors, boosting testosterone production, therefore stimulating muscle growth.
To put it simply, yes, SARMs are designed to keep and promote muscle gains without any androgenic side effects. The most potent SARMs for bulking cycles are RAD-140, MK-677 and LGD-4033.
However, SARMs aren’t magic pills, so the results will depend on the intensity of your training and proper diet.
Some SARMs can be beneficial for losing weight, as they promote cell oxidative functions and replace the energy source from glucose to fat. Most of the SARMs can be used on a cutting cycle as well to retain muscle mass and increase strength.
SARMs that are recognized for their fat-burning effects are GW501516, GW-0742, S4, MK-2866 and SR9009.
The calorie deficit and cardio training are still needed to achieve a desirable muscle-to-fat ratio. SARMs won’t provide the same results without exercising or a low-calorie diet.
Compounding Effects
SARMs Stacks Questions
Peptides and SARMs combination is one of the safest stacks of different-class compounds. Peptides are responsible for protein synthesis, providing needed nutrients for muscle development, whereas SARMs target androgen receptors in muscle tissue to enhance muscle growth, endurance and strength.
These classes can be stacked and benefit each other. However, the same results can be achieved through adhering to a proper diet and choosing an optimal SARMs stack.
Advanced SARMs users can try to stack SARMs with testosterone or other steroids, starting with the minimal dosage. However, it is not recommended, as the HPTA suppression will be severe and the risk of experiencing androgenic side effects will significantly increase.
There are better options in SARMs bulking stacks, offering lower testosterone production suppression and side effects: RAD-140, LGD-4033, YK-11.
SARMs can be stacked with prohormones by advanced users only, as this combination should be approached with caution. Prohormones aren’t targeting muscle tissue specifically, so the HPTA suppression will be severe.
It’s important to note that prohormones are metabolized through the liver, and they can cause its damage. You can combine SARMs and achieve similar effects without experiencing serious side effects.
Even though Anavar doesn’t convert into estrogen, which reduces the risks of gynecomastia, it’s still not recommended stacking with SARMs. The combination of Anavar with SARMs should be used only by experienced bodybuilders, it’s not suitable for beginner cycles.
SARMs specifically target muscle and bone tissues, providing similar effects to steroids, You can increase muscle mass, strength gains and endurance with a SARMs stack, without Anavar.
If you have decided to stack Anavar with SARMs, the best options are MK-2866, LGD-4033 and S4. Start with the minimal dosages and closely monitor your reaction to the stack, as Anavar can cause virilization, hair loss and liver damage.
On average, the bodybuilder has to take 4 weeks off between cycles, where 3 weeks are needed for post-cycle therapy and one week for rest. If you’re a beginner SARMs user, you may want to go on the second cycle to achieve the best results possible, but it isn’t safe.
After SARMs cycle, the body needs some time to restore the hormonal balance and natural testosterone production. The only way to know for sure if you can go on the next cycle is to do the blood work and evaluate:
- Testosterone level;
- AST and ALT levels;
- HDL and LDL levels.
Once your body has recovered, health marks are in order, and the testosterone level aligns with the pre-cycle one, you can safely start the next SAMs cycle.
To prevent liver damage and other negative side effects, it’s important to purchase pure compounds through NEOSarms Partners.