Body Recomp: SARMs vs Prohormones

Body recomposition is about changing your body by building muscle and losing fat at the same time. It is different from typical methods that involve gaining weight (called bulking) or losing weight (called cutting). Instead of focusing on weight, body recomposition is about looking leaner and stronger. Two popular supplements used to help people achieve body recomposition are prohormones and SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators). In this article, we’ll explore what these two types of supplements do, how they work, and their benefits and risks.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

SARMs and prohormones are both used to help build muscle and lose fat, but they work in different ways.
SARMs usually have fewer side effects, while prohormones can be more powerful but come with more risks.
It’s important to talk to a doctor before using either, as they can affect your health.

I. What is Body Recomposition?

Body recomposition means trying to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time.

Most people who want to transform their bodies either focus on losing weight or gaining muscle, but body recomposition aims to do both.

Why is Body Recomposition Different?

Sustainable Change: Instead of gaining weight and then losing it, body recomposition helps you stay in shape all year.
Healthy Approach: By focusing on building muscle and burning fat, you avoid big changes in body weight, which can be stressful for the body.
Boost Metabolism: Adding muscle helps boost your metabolism, which means you burn more calories even when resting.

How to Gain Muscle and Lose Fat at the Same Time?

Body recomposition requires careful control of food intake and exercise.

Calories: To lose fat, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. To gain muscle, you need enough protein. So, you eat slightly less than you burn but keep your protein intake high.
Exercise: Training with weights is very important for building muscle, and doing some cardio helps burn fat.

II. What Are SARMs?

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators)

SARMs are compounds that help build muscle and bone. They were first made to help people with diseases that cause muscle and bone loss. SARMs help the body build muscle without many of the unwanted side effects of steroids.

How Do SARMs Work?

SARMs work by attaching to special parts of your cells called androgen receptors in your muscles and bones. This causes muscles to grow stronger, but SARMs do not usually affect other parts of the body, which helps reduce side effects.

Popular SARMs for Body Recomposition

1. Ostarine (MK-2866)

Benefits: Helps with lean muscle growth and keeps muscles while losing fat.
Dosage: Usually 10-25 mg per day.
Side Effects: May reduce your body’s natural production of testosterone, a hormone that helps build muscle.

2. Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

Benefits: Builds muscle mass and strength quickly.
Dosage: Usually 5-10 mg per day.
Side Effects: Can lower natural testosterone and might cause stress on the liver.

3. Andarine (S4)

Benefits: Helps keep muscle while losing fat.
Dosage: Usually 25-50 mg per day.
Side Effects: Some people report vision changes, like seeing things with a yellow tint.

Advantages of Using SARMs

Build Lean Muscle: SARMs help build muscle without making you gain extra weight.
Less Fat: They help the body burn fat while keeping muscles.
Easier Recovery: Muscles recover faster after workouts.

Risks of Using SARMs

Hormone Effects: SARMs can reduce your natural testosterone, which means you may need something called Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) to help your body recover.
Liver Issues: SARMs can sometimes affect the liver, especially if taken at high doses.
Vision Changes: Some SARMs, like Andarine, can cause minor vision problems.

III. What Are Prohormones?

Prohormones

Prohormones are substances that turn into hormones (like testosterone) once they are in your body. They were first sold as a legal alternative to steroids but have since been restricted due to their risks. If you’re wondering about the difference in prohormones vs SARMs for beginners, it’s important to consider the specific effects and safety of each.

How Do Prohormones Work?

Prohormones are inactive until they reach your liver, where they get turned into hormones. These hormones help increase muscle growth and strength.

Popular Prohormones for Body Recomposition

1. 1-Andro

Benefits: Helps build lean, dry muscle (without much water retention).
Dosage: Usually 100-300 mg per day.
Side Effects: Can reduce the body’s natural testosterone production.

2. 4-Andro

Benefits: Good for gaining strength and building muscle.
Dosage: Usually 100-300 mg per day.
Side Effects: Turns into estrogen, which can cause bloating and other side effects like gynecomastia (growth of breast tissue in men).

3. Epiandrosterone

Benefits: Helps build lean muscle without causing much water weight.
Dosage: 200-400 mg per day.
Side Effects: Can increase DHT, which may lead to hair loss in some people.

Advantages of Using Prohormones

Rapid Muscle Growth: Prohormones help people gain muscle quickly.
Increased Strength: They can boost how much weight you can lift.
Better Recovery: Muscles recover faster, reducing soreness.

Risks of Using Prohormones

Estrogen Issues: Some prohormones turn into estrogen, causing unwanted side effects like water retention and gynecomastia.
Liver Stress: Prohormones can be toxic to the liver, which means you need to take liver-supporting supplements.
Hormone Changes: Prohormones can throw off your hormone balance, causing issues like mood swings or aggression.

The Role of Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) for Prohormones

For more information about PCT, check out our guide on post-cycle therapy for prohormones vs SARMs.

Importance of PCT: After taking prohormones, you need PCT to help your body start making its own testosterone again.
What to Use: Use SERMs to prevent estrogen-related problems and boost testosterone.
Liver Support Supplements: Use things like Milk Thistle to help support your liver.

IV. SARMs vs Prohormones: A Detailed Comparison

How They Work

SARMs: SARMs connect directly to androgen receptors in muscles and bones, helping them grow stronger without affecting other tissues.
Prohormones: Prohormones convert into active hormones in the body, increasing levels of hormones like testosterone.

Which Is Better for Recomposition?

SARMs: SARMs are good for people looking for slow, steady muscle growth and fat loss without a lot of extra water weight.
Prohormones: These work faster, building muscle mass quickly, but can also lead to extra water retention.

Comparison of Side Effects

Aspect	SARMs	Prohormones
Hormone Effects	Medium testosterone suppression	Strong suppression and estrogen conversion
Liver Effects	Mild liver stress for some	Strong liver toxicity
Water Retention	Minimal	Possible, depending on prohormone type
Cycle Requirements	Mild PCT	Strict PCT required

Are They Legal?

SARMs: SARMs are often sold as research chemicals, meaning they are not illegal but are not approved for human use. They are banned in most sports competitions.
Prohormones: Most prohormones are banned in many countries, including the United States. For more information about the availability of SARMs and prohormones in 2024, check our latest update.

Safety Concerns

SARMs are generally considered safer because they focus only on muscles and bones.
Prohormones are stronger but also come with more health risks, especially for the liver and hormones.

V. Choosing Between SARMs and Prohormones

Personal Health

If you have any health issues, like problems with your liver or hormones, you should avoid both SARMs and prohormones. It’s important to speak to a doctor first.

Experience Level

Beginners: SARMs are a better option for people starting out because they have fewer risks.
Experienced Users: Prohormones might be useful for people who are experienced and are looking for big gains.

Fitness Goals

Muscle Mass: If you want to build muscle without gaining much weight, SARMs are better.
Bulking and Strength: Prohormones are stronger and work well for fast muscle growth but might also add water weight.

VI. Safe and Legal Alternatives

Natural Ways to Recomp

Diet and Nutrition

High Protein: Eating lots of protein helps build muscle. Aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.
Carbs and Fat: Eating enough carbs helps with workouts, and healthy fats are needed for hormone production.

Exercise for Recomposition

Weight Training: Doing exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses helps build muscle.
Cardio: Adding some cardio, like running or HIIT, helps burn fat without losing muscle.

Supplements for Recomp

Creatine: Creatine helps muscles use energy, making you stronger and allowing you to lift more weights. It is also very safe.
Protein Powder: Whey Protein is a fast-digesting protein that’s great for after workouts. Casein Protein is a slow-digesting protein that is good for before bed to help prevent muscle loss.

VII. Tips for Using SARMs or Prohormones Safely

Planning a SARMs Cycle

Start Slow: Begin with a low dose and see how your body reacts.
Track Progress: Measure muscle size, weight, and strength gains to see how well it’s working.

Using Prohormones

Blood Tests: Always get a blood test before and after a cycle to make sure your body is healthy.
Take Support Supplements: Use liver-supporting supplements like Milk Thistle to protect your liver.

Post-Cycle Therapy

PCT is necessary after using SARMs or prohormones to help your body get back to normal.

When to Start: PCT usually begins 1-2 weeks after the cycle ends.
What to Use: Use SERMs to prevent estrogen-related problems and boost testosterone.
Liver Support Supplements: Use Milk Thistle to help support your liver.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are SARMs Legal to Buy and Use?

SARMs are not approved for human use, but they are often sold as research chemicals. They are banned in most sports competitions.

2. Do SARMs or Prohormones Need a Prescription?

In many countries, SARMs are available without a prescription, while prohormones are usually banned.

3. Can You Stack SARMs and Prohormones?

Stacking SARMs and prohormones can be dangerous because of the increased risks, such as hormone problems and liver damage. Read more about the risks in our article on stacking SARMs with prohormones.

4. What Happens if You Skip PCT?

If you skip PCT, you could end up with low testosterone, feel tired, lose muscle, or gain fat.

5. Are SARMs Safe for Women?

Some SARMs, like Ostarine, can be used by women, but there are still risks of side effects like voice changes or hair growth.

6. Can SARMs or Prohormones Cause Permanent Damage?

Yes, if misused, both can cause permanent damage to hormones or the liver.

7. How Long Should You Wait Between Cycles?

You should take at least as long off as you were on. For example, if your cycle lasted 8 weeks, you should take at least 8-12 weeks off.

8. Can Teens Use SARMs or Prohormones?

No, SARMs and prohormones can interfere with growth and hormone balance, which is especially risky for teenagers.

9. Do You Need Blood Work Before and After?

Yes, blood work is important to make sure your liver and hormone levels are okay before and after a cycle.

10. Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking SARMs or Prohormones?

It is not a good idea to drink alcohol while using SARMs or prohormones because it adds stress to your liver, which could lead to damage.

Conclusion

Both SARMs and prohormones can help people trying to build muscle and lose fat, but they come with different benefits and risks. SARMs are usually safer because they are more selective, while prohormones are stronger but can harm the liver and cause hormonal problems.

Always put your health first, and talk to a doctor before deciding to use these supplements. Remember, there are also natural ways, like diet, exercise, and safe supplements, that can help you achieve body recomposition without the risks.