Cutting is a phase in fitness where the goal is to lose fat while keeping as much muscle as possible. Whether you’re trying to get leaner for a competition or just want to look and feel better, cutting can be tough. Cutting usually involves eating fewer calories and doing more exercise, which can cause the body to lose muscle along with fat.

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are gaining popularity in fitness circles because they help people keep their muscle and strength during cutting. SARMs are similar to steroids, but they usually have fewer side effects. For a deeper dive into how SARMs work, check out our overview of SARMs.

In this article, we’ll explain how SARMs can help you keep your strength and muscle while you lose fat, which SARMs work best for cutting, and how to use them safely. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on the best SARMs stack for cutting and muscle preservation, we’ve got you covered.

Key Takeaways:

  • SARMs can help you keep muscle and strength while losing fat.
  • SARMs help your muscles grow and recover without too many side effects.
  • It’s important to use SARMs carefully and follow the right dosing to avoid health problems.

1. What is Cutting and Why is Strength Important?

1.1 What Does “Cutting” Mean?

In fitness, cutting means reducing body fat while trying to keep your muscles. This usually comes after a phase where you try to build muscle (called bulking). Cutting is harder than it sounds because eating fewer calories can cause you to lose muscle, too.

Maintaining strength during cutting is very important. If you don’t keep up your strength, you may lose muscle, and your workouts will get weaker, which can make it harder to burn fat.

1.2 Why is Strength Important When Cutting?

Here are some reasons why strength is important during cutting:

  • Keep muscle mass: Strength training helps prevent your body from using your muscles for energy when you’re in a calorie deficit (eating fewer calories).
  • Better performance: If you lose strength, you might not be able to lift as much weight or train as hard, which can slow your progress.
  • Higher metabolism: Strong muscles help you burn more calories, even when you’re not working out.

1.3 Challenges During Cutting

Cutting isn’t easy, and it comes with a few problems:

  • Losing muscle: When you’re in a calorie deficit, your body might break down muscle for energy.
  • Fatigue: Eating fewer calories can make you feel tired and worn out.
  • Slow recovery: With less food, your muscles take longer to repair, which can make it harder to train hard.

2. What Are SARMs and How Do They Work?

2.1 What Are SARMs?

SARMs are chemicals that help your body build muscle and stay strong, even when you’re cutting. They work by binding to androgen receptors in your muscles, which tells your body to grow muscle and burn fat.

SARMs are like steroids, but they focus only on your muscles, not other parts of your body, which means fewer side effects.

2.2 How Do SARMs Help You Keep Muscle and Strength?

SARMs help by:

  • Stopping muscle breakdown: When you’re in a calorie deficit, SARMs help stop your body from breaking down muscle for energy.
  • Increasing strength: SARMs help you stay strong and lift heavy weights, even when you’re cutting.
  • Faster recovery: SARMs help your muscles heal faster, so you can train harder and recover quicker.

2.3 How Do SARMs Help With Fat Loss?

SARMs can also help with fat loss by:

  • Boosting metabolism: Keeping your muscles strong helps you burn more calories at rest.
  • Helping your body use fat for energy: SARMs can make your body better at burning fat, which helps you lose weight.

3. How SARMs Help With Strength During Cutting

3.1 Keeping Muscle While Cutting

When you’re cutting, your body wants to burn fat, but it might also burn muscle. SARMs help stop that from happening by:

  • Helping your muscles grow: SARMs encourage your muscles to grow even while you’re eating fewer calories.
  • Protecting muscle: SARMs make sure your muscles stay strong, even when you’re in a calorie deficit.

3.2 Boosting Strength and Recovery

SARMs can help you stay strong while cutting by:

  • Reducing fatigue: SARMs help you feel less tired, so you can work out harder and longer.
  • Faster recovery: After a tough workout, SARMs help your muscles heal faster, so you’re ready to train again.

3.3 Reducing Tiredness and Improving Workouts

SARMs can also give you more energy to push through tough workouts:

  • More stamina: SARMs can help you keep your energy up during both cardio and weight training, even when you’re eating fewer calories.
  • Longer workouts: With more energy, you can work out harder and for longer periods, which helps burn more fat.

4. Best SARMs for Strength During Cutting

4.1 Ostarine (MK-2866)

Benefits:

  • Ostarine is the most popular SARM for cutting because it helps preserve muscle while burning fat.
  • It is mild and usually doesn’t cause many side effects.

Dosage:

  • 10-25 mg per day for 6-8 weeks.

4.2 Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

Benefits:

  • Ligandrol is great for strength and muscle mass, even during a calorie deficit.
  • It helps you stay strong when you’re cutting.

Dosage:

  • 5-10 mg per day for 6-8 weeks.

4.3 Andarine (S4)

Benefits:

  • Andarine helps you lose fat while keeping your muscles strong.
  • It’s great for cutting, but be careful about the side effects (like vision changes).

Dosage:

  • 25-50 mg per day for 6-8 weeks.

4.4 RAD-140 (Testolone)

Benefits:

  • RAD-140 is very strong and helps you keep strength and muscle mass during cutting.
  • It’s especially good for people who want to increase strength.

Dosage:

  • 10-20 mg per day for 6-8 weeks.

4.5 YK-11

Benefits:

  • YK-11 helps you grow more muscle even when you’re cutting fat. It’s also great for muscle preservation.

Dosage:

  • 5-10 mg per day for 6 weeks.

5. How to Use SARMs Safely During Cutting

5.1 Dosage and Cycle Length

  • Start with a lower dose: Begin with a smaller dose and see how your body responds before increasing it.
  • Cycle length: Use SARMs for 6-8 weeks at a time, then take a break.
  • Stacking SARMs: You can combine different SARMs for better results, but start with just one to see how it works for you. Learn more about the science behind stacking SARMs.

5.2 Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

After using SARMs, it’s important to restore your hormones back to normal. This is called PCT (Post-Cycle Therapy). You might need supplements like Clomid or Nolvadex to help your body recover. For more information on post-cycle therapy, visit this guide.

5.3 Managing Side Effects

While SARMs have fewer side effects than steroids, there can still be some problems, like:

  • Liver stress: SARMs can sometimes affect your liver. Make sure to check your health with regular tests.
  • Vision problems: Some SARMs (like Andarine) can cause vision changes at higher doses.

5.4 Maximizing Results with SARMs

To get the most from SARMs:

  • Eat high-protein foods: Protein helps you keep muscle.
  • Lift weights: Keep doing strength training to maintain your muscle.
  • Sleep well: Rest and recovery are just as important as your workouts.

6. Alternatives to SARMs

6.1 Natural Supplements

If you don’t want to use SARMs, here are some natural supplements that can help:

  • Creatine: Helps you stay strong during cutting.
  • BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): Help protect muscles from breaking down.
  • Caffeine: Gives you extra energy and helps burn fat.

6.2 Diet Adjustments

  • High-protein diet: Eat more protein to preserve muscle during cutting.
  • Carb cycling: Adjust carbs based on your energy needs during workouts.

FAQ

Are SARMs a safe alternative to steroids?

Yes, SARMs are safer than steroids because they focus on muscle and not other organs, but they should still be used carefully. For a deeper look at SARMs vs steroids, see our guide on SARMs vs supplements.

Can SARMs cause permanent side effects?

SARMs can cause temporary side effects, but with proper use and PCT, long-term problems are less likely.

How do SARMs compare to steroids for strength?

SARMs are effective for maintaining strength during cutting, but they usually have fewer side effects compared to steroids.

What is the best SARM for cutting?

Ostarine (MK-2866) is often considered the best for preserving muscle while cutting. For more on Ostarine, check out this cutting guide.

Should I use SARMs if I’m just starting cutting?

If you’re new to cutting, try adjusting your diet and workouts first. SARMs might be helpful later if you need extra support. For more on fat loss during cutting, check out our guide on fat loss and muscle preservation.

Conclusion

SARMs are a great way to help you keep your strength and muscles during a cutting phase. While they’re safer than steroids, it’s still important to use them responsibly. Always make sure you’re following the right dosage, taking care of your health, and including a good diet and exercise plan. If you do all this, SARMs can help you achieve your fitness goals faster and safer. For more on choosing the right SARM stack, visit our guide on how to choose the right stack.