SARMs vs Steroids: Which to choose?

Every once in a while we come across a bodybuilder who wants to know if the best SARMs are better than androgenic-anabolic steroids for bodybuilding or vice versa.

In reality, most people who ask this question are either new to the world of bodybuilding or are considering doing their very first cycle of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Typically, our answer to this question is simple: “It depends!”

In this article, we explain the similarities and differences between SARMs and androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) in the hope that by enlightening you, you will be able to decide for yourself which one to choose.

I. What are SARMs?

SARM stands for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators. Researchers developed SARMs as a viable alternative to the use of AAS as prescription drugs in the medical field.

One of the main goals in creating SARMs was to develop comparatively effective drugs with few or no side effects. The researchers' argument is that AAS, while effective in treating a number of serious diseases, leave patients with a variety of minor and/or severe side effects.

The idea behind the synthesis of SARMs was to have drugs that mimic the anabolic properties of steroids, but without the complications of drug-induced side effects.

In other words, SARMs are widely considered to have a much safer profile than steroids, while offering roughly the same, if not better, healing properties.

This belief is also true in the bodybuilding community, where word is quickly spreading that SARMs offer about as many benefits as some popular AAS, but with fewer risks. SARMs proponents stress the need to avoid the health risks associated with injectable steroids, such as abscesses, HIV/AIDS infection, addiction, overdose and outright death.

Those who recommend bodybuilders to opt for a SARM cycle over injectable steroids for bodybuilding also point out the availability of SARMs in oral form with potent anabolic properties and minimal androgenic, estrogenic or hepatotoxic side effects.

According to studies, SARMs will help users gain lean muscle mass, speed recovery and improve athletic performance in a similar way to steroids by binding to androgen receptors and increasing red blood cell counts, respectively.

The best SARMs are known to prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones), anemia, and catabolism caused by loss of muscle tissue. While many hail SARMs as effective for bulking, they are also known to help users who want to embark on a weight loss program.

II. How do the best SARMs work in bodybuilding?

SARMs have the same level of activity in users as steroids, except that SARMs are better able to select tissues to promote anabolism while avoiding adverse effects on other organs.

As we have already mentioned, SARMs bind to androgen receptors to stimulate skeletal muscle growth, strength improvements, and fat burning in bodybuilders.

Bodybuilders claim that their SARMs cycle allows them to build muscle, recover quickly, and lose body fat without worrying about estrogen-related side effects like bloating, water retention, low libido, gynecomastia, and more.

Although there are a number of SARMs available for sale, the most popular and arguably the best are:

#1. GW-501516:

To improve your athletic performance, you can follow a cycle of SARM GW-501516. GW-501516 will increase your level of concentration, focus, and agility. You will also be able to lose excess body fat with GW-501516s.

#2. LGD-4033 Ligandrol:

Ligandrol is a SARM that can help in the rapid recovery of bone and muscle injuries during training. In addition, LGD-4033 will increase your endurance, stamina, and strength by promoting increased testosterone levels in your bloodstream.

#3. MK2866 Ostarine:

When it comes to burning excess body fat without losing quality skeletal muscle mass, MK2866 Ostarine is one of the best SARMs to use. You will also gain lean, dry, hard, sculpted, and vascular muscles with this drug.

#4. MK-677:

If you want to bulk up fast without using powerful injectable AAS like Trenbolone, MK-677 is a SARM worth considering. MK-677 will stimulate both human growth hormone and protein synthesis in your muscle tissues to promote rapid muscle growth.

#5. RAD-140:

RAD-140 is considered a versatile SARM because it can stimulate muscle growth, increase bone density and energy while reducing excess visceral and body fat.

III. What about steroids for bodybuilding?

Androgenic-anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone that are developed for medical and performance-enhancing purposes.

In general, AAS act in the same way as SARMs by binding to the body's androgen receptors. Steroids tend to flood your body with large amounts of exogenous testosterone while suppressing your body's supply of endogenous testosterone.

Steroids offer bodybuilders three major benefits, namely mass gain, weight loss and performance enhancement.

There are many oral and injectable forms of AAS, but the five most popular steroids for bodybuilding are:

#1. Anavar:

Also referred to as “Var” in the bodybuilding community, this AAS allows bodybuilders to gain both mass and size.

In fact, Anavar is generally considered to promote 44% growth in users' muscle mass, while also providing weight and fat reduction properties.

#2. Clenbuterol:

Clenbuterol is known as “Clen” in the bodybuilding community. Clen is a well-known weight loss agent and it works by dramatically increasing your metabolic rate, which results in thermogenesis or an elevated body temperature.

In response to thermogenesis, your body naturally attempts to reach a homeostatic body temperature by increasing your sweat rate. These body warming and cooling activities will lead to rapid gains in fat burning.

#3. Deca-Durabolin:

Affectionately called “Deca”, this AAS is a well-known mass gaining agent. Deca will increase your exogenous testosterone levels, increase nitrogen retention, and stimulate the production of human growth hormone.

Additionally, Deca promotes protein synthesis in skeletal muscle for even greater growth.

#4. Dianabol:

Dianabol is a steroid that has been around for what seems like forever. Popular bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger have been credited with using “Dbol” during his bodybuilding career.

Dbol increases testosterone and glycogen levels, promoting protein synthesis, muscle mass and improved performance.

#5. Winstrol:

If you want to train harder than usual or are currently following a training program,high intensity training (HIIT), you can improve your training by taking Winstrol.

“Winny,” as she is affectionately known, will increase your energy, agility, strength, endurance and stamina by increasing your red blood cell count and the flow of oxygenated blood throughout your body.

IV. Are SARMs the same as steroids?

There are many comparisons between SARMs and steroids, but also many differences.

Here are some of these comparisons and differences between SARMs and SAA.
Comparison between SARMs and SAA:

• Both are synthetic compounds.
• They both bind to androgen receptors in the body to promote anabolic responses similar to endogenous testosterone, but to a much greater degree.
• SARMs and AAS are able to stimulate nitrogen retention, human growth hormone production, and protein synthesis to promote skeletal muscle growth.
• SARMs and bodybuilding steroids can help users get rid of excess weight and fat.
• Both SARMs and AAS help improve performance by increasing endurance, stamina, agility and strength, speeding up recovery and increasing energy levels.

The differences between SARMs and SAA:

• SARMs are able to bind to specific androgen receptors (the ones they were designed for) whereas steroids do not offer this level of precision in binding to androgen receptors.
• SARMs are thought to cause little to no side effects, while most AAS can cause side effects of varying severity.
• SARMs are oral medications, while steroids are available as oral or injectable medications. Oral steroids can be hepatotoxic in nature, while SARMs do not affect the liver.

Conclusion

As you can see, SARMs and steroids both have similarities in terms of effectiveness as mass gaining, weight loss, and performance enhancing drugs.

So your choice depends on your personal preferences, which may be based on your genetics, health needs, age, gender, weight, route of administration, etc.

However, before deciding which one to choose, we advise you to consult your personal doctor and/or bodybuilding trainer.

We at Top-steroids also offer free consultation services with an IFBB PRO, if desired. You can get the best SARMs mentioned above here.