Prohormones vs SARMs for Cutting Cycles
Cutting cycles are part of bodybuilding where the main goal is to lose body fat but keep muscles strong and defined. This phase helps athletes achieve a fit and toned look. During a cutting cycle, people usually eat fewer calories, exercise a lot, and sometimes use supplements to help reach their goals.
Two common supplements used for cutting are prohormones and SARMs. These are special products that can help keep muscles while also losing fat. But how do they work, and which one is better? Let’s find out more about each one.
Key Takeaways
- Prohormones turn into hormones in the body and can help you lose fat fast, but they have more risks.
- SARMs work differently and target muscles and bones to help keep muscle while losing fat.
- Both prohormones and SARMs have good points and bad points, and the choice depends on what you need and what risks you are willing to take.
What Are Prohormones?
What Are Prohormones?
Prohormones are supplements that turn into anabolic hormones in your body. These hormones are like testosterone, which helps build muscles and get stronger. Prohormones became popular in the 1990s as an alternative to steroids, but they can still cause some serious side effects.
How Do Prohormones Work?
When you take prohormones, they get converted in your liver into active hormones. These hormones then help:
- Build Muscle: They make muscles bigger and stronger.
- Burn Fat: They help you lose fat by making your metabolism faster.
- Boost Strength: They make you stronger, even if you are eating less.
Types of Prohormones
- Anabolic Prohormones: These help build bigger muscles and increase strength.
- Androgenic Prohormones: These make you feel more focused and aggressive during workouts.
- Cutting Prohormones: These are used when you want to lose fat but keep your muscles.
Popular Prohormones for Cutting
| Prohormone | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Epistane | Helps you get harder muscles and lose fat. It doesn’t cause a lot of estrogen problems. |
| Halodrol | Builds lean muscles, increases vascularity (making veins more visible), and gives a more “dry” look. |
| Trenavar | Helps burn fat and keep muscle, but can be hard on the liver. Milk Thistle is often recommended to help support liver health during cycles. |
Benefits of Using Prohormones for Cutting
- Helps Keep Muscles Dense: Prohormones can help keep muscles solid and strong while you are trying to lose fat.
- Burns Fat Quickly: They make the body burn fat faster by increasing metabolism.
- Improves Strength: Even though you’re eating less, prohormones can help you stay strong.
Drawbacks and Side Effects of Prohormones
Short-Term Side Effects
- Estrogen Problems: Some prohormones can turn into estrogen, leading to problems like gynecomastia (breast growth in men).
- Acne and Hair Loss: Prohormones can cause oily skin and hair loss.
- Mood Swings: Prohormones can make people feel irritable or aggressive.
Long-Term Health Problems
- Liver Damage: Prohormones can hurt the liver, so you need to take liver support supplements.
- Testosterone Suppression: They can stop your body from making its own testosterone, so after using prohormones, you need to take a post-cycle therapy (PCT) to help your body recover.
What Are SARMs?
What Are SARMs?
SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are supplements that help keep muscle mass and burn fat. Unlike steroids, they only target muscles and bones. This means they have fewer side effects than steroids or prohormones.
How Do SARMs Work?
SARMs attach to androgen receptors in muscles and bones, which helps muscles grow and keeps them from breaking down. They don’t turn into estrogen, so they don’t cause the same issues like breast growth in men.
Types of SARMs for Cutting
- Ostarine (MK-2866): Helps keep muscles during a diet and burns some fat.
- Andarine (S4): Makes muscles look harder and increases vascularity (visible veins).
- Cardarine (GW-501516): Helps burn fat and improves endurance for cardio. Learn more about caffeine and prohormone cycles for endurance.
Popular SARMs for Cutting
| SARM | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ostarine | Helps keep lean muscle while losing fat. |
| Andarine | Helps muscles look more defined and increases vascularity. |
| Cardarine | Boosts endurance and helps burn more fat. |
Benefits of SARMs in a Cutting Cycle
- Helps Keep Muscle While Losing Fat: SARMs help keep muscles even when you’re eating fewer calories.
- Faster Recovery: You can recover quicker from workouts, meaning you can exercise harder. Check out BCAAs for enhanced recovery during cutting cycles.
- Fewer Side Effects: SARMs target specific areas in the body, so they usually have fewer side effects.
Risks and Side Effects of SARMs
Short-Term Risks
- Hormone Changes: SARMs can cause mild hormone suppression, so sometimes they need a light PCT.
- Vision Problems with Andarine (S4): Some people have problems with their vision, like a yellow tint or trouble seeing in the dark.
Long-Term Risks
- The long-term effects are still not fully understood, but there could be risks to the heart and other organs. Learn more about which has fewer side effects: prohormones or SARMs.
Prohormones vs. SARMs for Cutting Cycles
Fat Loss
- Prohormones: Can help you lose fat very quickly but come with more risks.
- SARMs: Provide a steady loss of fat and help keep your muscles.
Muscle Preservation
- Prohormones: Prohormones keep muscle, but they can also lower your testosterone, which can cause muscle loss if not handled properly.
- SARMs: SARMs are better at keeping muscles because they are more selective in how they work.
Strength and Performance
- Prohormones: Make you much stronger, which helps you keep lifting heavy weights.
- SARMs: SARMs like Cardarine help with endurance, making it easier to do more cardio and stay active.
Safety and Side Effects
| Factor | Prohormones | SARMs |
|---|---|---|
| Liver Damage | High risk; can hurt your liver | Lower risk; not as hard on the liver |
| Testosterone Drop | High; needs strong PCT | Mild; usually needs a lighter PCT |
| Estrogen Problems | Yes, risk of gynecomastia | No estrogen issues |
Legal Status
- Prohormones: Many are banned and illegal in many countries.
- SARMs: SARMs are often sold as research chemicals, which makes them easier to find, but they aren’t officially approved for human use.
Cost
- Prohormones: Usually less expensive but harder to find legally.
- SARMs: Often cost more but are easier to buy online.
Pros and Cons of Each Option
Prohormones
Pros
- Fast Results: Prohormones work quickly for building muscle and losing fat.
- Strength Gains: They help increase your strength, even during cutting.
Cons
- High Risk of Side Effects: They can cause liver damage and hormone problems.
- Legal Issues: Many prohormones are illegal in different places.
SARMs
Pros
- Lower Side Effects: SARMs have fewer side effects compared to prohormones.
- Easier to Get: They can be bought online, although not always legally.
Cons
- Unknown Long-Term Effects: There is not enough research to know the long-term risks.
- More Expensive: SARMs tend to cost more than prohormones.
Who Should Choose Prohormones or SARMs?
Prohormones
- Experienced Users: People who have experience with supplements and know how to manage side effects.
- Fast Results: Those who want fast changes in their muscles and are okay with more side effects.
SARMs
- New Users: People who are newer to supplements and want something safer.
- Long-Term Health: Those who want steady results without as many risks.
Tips for a Successful Cutting Cycle
Diet Tips
- Calorie Deficit: Eating fewer calories than you burn is the most important part of cutting.
- High Protein: Protein helps keep muscles while you lose fat. Aim for 1 gram per pound of body weight.
Training Tips
- Weight Training: Keep lifting weights to keep your muscles strong.
- Cardio: Add cardio exercises like running or cycling to burn extra fat.
Supplements for Cutting
- Cycle Support Supplements: These protect your liver and help keep you healthy during a cycle. Examples include Milk Thistle and digestive enzymes for better nutrition.
- Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT): After prohormones or SARMs, a PCT is needed to get your body’s natural hormones back to normal.
Rest and Recovery
- Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep to help your body recover. Consider using sleep supplements to improve rest.
- Manage Stress: Stress can make it harder to lose fat, so practice relaxation and deep breathing.
Safety Tips
Managing Side Effects
- Estrogen Control: If using prohormones, take something to block estrogen to prevent issues like gynecomastia.
- Liver Support: Take liver support supplements to keep your liver healthy during prohormone use.
Blood Tests
- Get blood tests before, during, and after a cycle to make sure your liver, hormones, and cholesterol are in a healthy range.
FAQ
1. Are Prohormones or SARMs better for fast fat loss?
Prohormones help you lose fat faster, but they come with more risks. SARMs are slower but safer for most people.
2. How long should a cutting cycle last?
Prohormone cycles usually last 4-6 weeks, while SARM cycles can last 6-8 weeks.
3. Can you use prohormones and SARMs together?
It’s not recommended because combining them can increase the risks of serious side effects.
4. What PCT is needed after using SARMs?
PCT for SARMs is usually mild, with testosterone boosters and estrogen blockers.
5. Are prohormones more dangerous than SARMs?
Yes, prohormones are more dangerous and can harm your liver and hormones more than SARMs.
6. What are some natural alternatives to prohormones and SARMs?
Creatine, BCAAs, and natural fat burners like caffeine are good alternatives for those who want to avoid risks.
7. Should I follow a special diet when using SARMs or prohormones?
Yes, eating high protein and staying in a calorie deficit is important to get the best results from your cycle.
8. How can I reduce the side effects of prohormones?
Use liver support supplements and follow a PCT to help your body recover.
9. Are SARMs safe for women?
Some SARMs, like Ostarine, can be used by women, but there is still a risk of developing male traits (called virilization).
10. Where can I buy real prohormones and SARMs?
Buying from reliable online stores is important. Make sure the products are tested and have good reviews to avoid fake supplements.
