Strength Gains: Prohormones vs SARMs
If you are into fitness or weightlifting, you might have heard about Prohormones and SARMs. These are substances that some people use to help them gain muscle, increase strength, and recover faster. But what are they exactly, and how are they different from each other?
In this article, we will explain what prohormones and SARMs are, how they work, and their benefits and risks. This will help you understand which might be better for strength gains and what you need to be careful about if you decide to use them.
Key Takeaways:
- SARMs are drugs that specifically target muscles and bones, which means they usually have fewer side effects compared to prohormones.
- Prohormones are substances that turn into hormones in your body, making muscles grow quickly, but they can also come with serious health risks.
- Both SARMs and prohormones can affect your body’s natural hormones, so using them safely includes doing Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) afterward.
What Are Prohormones?
Simple Explanation
Prohormones are chemicals that turn into hormones once they are inside your body. Hormones are natural substances that help control many things in your body, including muscle growth. People use prohormones to increase their muscle size and strength faster than normal.
- History: Prohormones became popular in the 1990s as a way to get some of the benefits of steroids without actually using steroids. However, they eventually became banned in many places because of their side effects.
How Do Prohormones Work?
Prohormones work by being converted into active hormones in your body. After you take a prohormone, it gets changed by your liver into something similar to testosterone. This new hormone helps your muscles grow faster by increasing protein production and making your body better at using nutrients.
Types of Prohormones
1. Anabolic Prohormones
These prohormones help you build a lot of muscle quickly.
2. Androgenic Prohormones
These prohormones are used to help you get stronger and lift heavier weights.
3. Progestin-Based Prohormones
These are used for changes in body composition and can sometimes help with joint relief.
How Long Should You Take Prohormones?
Most people use prohormones for 4 to 8 weeks. Because they are strong, you need to take Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) afterward. PCT helps your body get back to normal because prohormones can affect your natural hormone production.
Benefits of Prohormones
- Strength Gains: Prohormones can make you stronger in a short amount of time.
- Muscle Growth: Many people gain 10-15 pounds of muscle in just a few weeks.
- Fat Reduction: Prohormones can also help you lose fat while gaining muscle.
Risks of Prohormones
- Liver Damage: Prohormones can hurt your liver, especially if you don’t take any liver protection supplements. You can learn more about Milk Thistle for liver detox on prohormones.
- Estrogen Side Effects: Some prohormones change into estrogen, which can cause unwanted effects like gynecomastia (growth of breast tissue in men) or bloating.
- Natural Testosterone Suppression: When using prohormones, your body might stop making its own testosterone, which is why PCT is so important.
Popular Prohormones
| Prohormone | Benefits | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Andro | Lean Muscle Growth | Bulking, Strength |
| 4-Andro | Mass and Strength | Bulking |
| EpiAndro | Dry Muscle Gains, Fat Loss | Cutting, Strength |
What Are SARMs?
Simple Explanation
SARMs, or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, are drugs that attach only to certain androgen receptors in your body. These receptors are found mostly in your muscles and bones. This means SARMs help you build muscle and make bones stronger without many of the side effects that steroids or prohormones have.
- History: SARMs were first made to help people with muscle loss or bone issues like osteoporosis.
How Do SARMs Work?
SARMs work by attaching to the receptors in your muscles and bones. They tell the receptors to grow more muscle or make bones stronger, just like testosterone would. But, they don’t affect other parts of your body as much, which helps avoid some side effects.
Types of SARMs
1. SARMs for Bulking
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) and RAD-140 are popular SARMs that help you put on muscle when you’re trying to bulk up.
2. SARMs for Cutting
Ostarine (MK-2866) is good for cutting, as it helps keep muscle while you’re trying to lose fat. Andarine (S4) helps make muscles look more defined, especially when you’re trying to cut.
3. Experimental SARMs
YK-11 is a newer SARM that is supposed to help build a lot of muscle, but it hasn’t been studied as much as others.
Using SARMs Safely
- Typical Cycle Length: SARMs cycles are usually around 8-12 weeks.
- Dosage: A common dose for Ligandrol is 5-10 mg per day, while Ostarine might be 10-25 mg per day.
Benefits of SARMs
- Muscle Growth: SARMs help build lean muscle without adding much fat.
- Fat Loss: SARMs can help your body burn fat while keeping muscle, which makes them good for cutting.
- Bone Strength: SARMs also help keep your bones strong, which is important for overall health.
Risks of SARMs
- Hormonal Changes: SARMs can lower your body’s natural testosterone, especially if you take them for a long time.
- Liver Stress: Some SARMs, like Ligandrol, can be hard on your liver. Find out more about liver health and the impact of prohormones vs SARMs.
- Vision Problems: A SARM called Andarine (S4) can cause vision problems for some people.
Are SARMs Legal?
- Legal Status: In most countries, SARMs are legal for research purposes, but they are not allowed in sports because they are on the banned substances list. It is also illegal to sell them as a supplement for humans.
Prohormones vs. SARMs: A Comparison
Strength Gains and Muscle Mass
- Strength: Prohormones are known for giving you strength quickly, sometimes faster than SARMs. This is because they turn into hormones like testosterone that help muscles grow fast. Check out our detailed guide on key differences between prohormones vs SARMs for more information.
- Muscle Growth: Both SARMs and prohormones can help you grow muscle, but prohormones usually lead to bigger gains in a shorter amount of time.
Side Effects
- Liver Damage: Prohormones are more likely to damage your liver compared to SARMs.
- Cholesterol Problems: Prohormones can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower good cholesterol (HDL), which can hurt your heart health.
Which One is Right for You?
- Goals: If you want to gain a lot of muscle fast, prohormones might work best for you. But if you want a safer way to add some lean muscle and lose fat, SARMs are a better choice.
- Side Effects: SARMs are generally less risky than prohormones. If you are worried about side effects, SARMs might be a better option.
Cost Comparison
| Factor | Prohormones | SARMs |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Cycle | $60-$150 | $100-$250 |
| Availability | Prescription/Online | Research Chemicals |
| Value for Gains | High Gains, High Risk | Moderate Gains, Lower Risk |
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) Essentials
Why You Need PCT
PCT is important because both SARMs and prohormones can stop your body from making its own testosterone. PCT helps get your hormone levels back to normal so that you can keep the muscle you gained and feel healthy again. You can read more about Post Cycle Therapy for prohormones vs SARMs to understand why it is crucial.
PCT for Prohormones vs SARMs
- Prohormones: After a prohormone cycle, you will need strong PCT supplements like Nolvadex or Clomid to help restart testosterone production.
- SARMs: SARMs usually need a lighter PCT, which can include natural testosterone boosters like DAA (D-Aspartic Acid).
Supplements for PCT
- Liver Support: Supplements like Milk Thistle and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) can help protect your liver.
- Natural Testosterone Boosters: Fenugreek and Ashwagandha can help boost your natural hormone levels after a cycle.
Real User Experiences and Case Studies
Prohormone User Stories
- Beginners: Many beginners using prohormones say they gain 10-15 pounds of muscle in about 8 weeks. However, they also experience side effects like acne and water retention.
- Advanced Users: More experienced users often get bigger gains by stacking multiple prohormones. This also increases the risk of serious side effects.
SARMs User Stories
- Successful Transformations: Users of Ostarine report losing body fat while keeping muscle, which makes it great for cutting.
- Mixed Results: Some users find that the SARMs they buy online don’t work because they are fake or not pure, which is a big problem since SARMs are not strictly regulated.
Choosing Between SARMs and Prohormones
What Are Your Goals?
- Bulking: If you want to bulk up quickly, prohormones are usually more effective. But they have more side effects.
- Cutting: If you want to cut fat and keep muscle, SARMs are better because they are more targeted and have fewer risks.
Health Considerations
- If you have health issues like liver problems or high blood pressure, it is best to avoid prohormones. SARMs are less damaging to the liver, but they can still have risks.
Legal Issues
- SARMs and prohormones are banned by sports organizations like WADA. If you are an athlete, using these substances can lead to suspensions or bans.
FAQ Section
- Are SARMs safer than prohormones for beginners?
Yes, SARMs are generally considered safer because they target muscles directly and usually have fewer side effects compared to prohormones. - Can SARMs and prohormones be used at the same time?
It is not recommended. Stacking them can increase the risk of side effects like liver damage and hormone issues. - What is the main difference between SARMs and anabolic steroids?
SARMs attach only to specific receptors in muscles and bones, while steroids affect almost all tissues, causing more side effects. - How do I know if I need PCT after SARMs?
If you notice low energy, weakness, or low libido after your cycle, it’s likely you need a PCT to boost your testosterone levels back to normal. - Which is better for bulking—SARMs or prohormones?
Prohormones are usually better for bulking because they increase muscle quickly, but they also come with more side effects. - What are the legal risks of buying SARMs online?
SARMs are legal to buy for research, but they are not meant for human use. Selling or buying them for personal use can be illegal depending on where you live. - Do prohormones cause permanent changes in the body?
Yes, if used incorrectly, prohormones can cause permanent problems with hormones, such as reduced testosterone. - Is liver support necessary when using SARMs?
Yes, taking liver support is always a good idea to protect your liver, even with SARMs. - Are there natural alternatives to SARMs and prohormones?
Yes, you can use natural supplements like tribulus terrestris, fenugreek, and ashwagandha to help build muscle more safely. - How do SARMs affect women differently?
Women who use SARMs might get side effects like a deeper voice or increased body hair, so they need to take much smaller doses. - Can I drink alcohol while taking SARMs or prohormones?
It’s not a good idea. Alcohol puts stress on your liver, and so do these substances. Mixing them can lead to liver damage.
