Cardarine (GW-501516) SARM: Endurance, Fat Loss, and PPARδ Activation Guide
GW-501516 is one of the most notorious SARMs, which appeared in the sports industry recently. It has fundamentally changed the cutting cycle and is still used even by professional athletes during the training. To the end of our Cardarine review you will know how to take the SARM for cutting and increasing lean muscle mass, which results to expect, how to stack it for different cycles and more.
The main benefit of GW-501516 is not only the powerful and fast destruction of the fat layer but simultaneously keeping the muscle mass to the fullest extent. Thanks to this, athletes can not only maintain but even increase their lean muscle mass slightly, even when they lack calories.
What is Cardarine?
Cardarine (GW-501516 or simply GW-1516) is a SARM that binds PPAR receptors. It was first developed in 1992 by Glaxo Smith Kline and Ligand Pharmaceuticals. It was found that Cardarine, when bound to PPAR receptors, is involved in the activation of the enzyme PGC-1α. The enzyme then participates in the expression of the genes responsible for energy consumption.
According to metabolomic profiling research on GW501516’s effects on endurance and fat metabolism published in [Chen et al., Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015], GW501516 administration for 3 weeks increased running performance in both trained and untrained mice. The research demonstrated that GW501516 enhanced running endurance by promoting preferential fatty acid oxidation while reducing glucose utilization. Serum metabolomic analysis showed GW501516-treated mice had significantly higher unsaturated fatty acid levels and increased β-hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies), with decreased glucose consumption and lactate formation post-exercise. Treated mice exhibited a reduced respiratory exchange ratio, indicating metabolic reprogramming toward fat as the preferred energy source. Importantly, blood glucose levels remained significantly higher and blood lactate remained lower in GW501516-treated mice compared to controls, even during exhaustive running.
The rats receiving Cardarine had an increased metabolism of fatty acids, as well as increased resistance to obesity and type 2 diabetes even when eating unbalanced food.
According to PPARδ agonism research in primates and rodents published in [Tanaka et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2003], GW501516 administration demonstrated significant improvements in cholesterol profiles and glucose tolerance. In both high-fat diet (HFD) and ob/ob mice, GW501516 increased HDL (good) cholesterol while significantly reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The mechanism involves upregulation of ABCA1 cholesterol transport gene expression. GW501516 treatment also significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity through increased fatty acid β-oxidation in skeletal muscle and subsequent reduction in hepatic and intramuscular lipid content. Fasting glucose levels decreased dramatically: in ob/ob mice, fasting blood glucose improved from 192.7±5.9 mg/dl (vehicle) to 151.8±9.4 mg/dl (GW501516). Postprandial glucose levels improved from 269.9±35.4 mg/dl to 155.4±4.2 mg/dl, and postprandial insulin levels decreased from 32.5±4.1 ng/ml to 14.4±1.6 ng/ml.
In another study, on macaques, the influence of Cardarine on cholesterol was noted: high-density cholesterol level (good) was rising and low (bad) cholesterol was falling. The cause of this effect is the increased expression of the gene responsible for the transport of ABCA1 cholesterol.
In other words, Cardarine activates the same genetic principles that are triggered during a workout. Besides, Cardarine underwent research as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases until its development was closed in 2007.
Cardarine benefits – what GW-501516 is used for?
Endurance
According to combined pharmacological activation research on AMPK and PPARδ published in [Narkar et al., Journal of Physiology, 2016], combined activation of AMPK and PPARδ potentiated endurance in trained mice through multiple mechanisms. The research documented robust upregulation of PGC-1α (master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis) along with increased expression of Pdk4, Cd36, and Lpl genes responsible for fatty acid utilization. Glycogen-sparing mechanisms were activated, delaying hypoglycemia during endurance events through increased NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid) availability. The substrate shift from carbohydrate to fat oxidation was enhanced, with transcriptional changes observed in both muscle and liver. PPARδ agonists alone increased running endurance capacity significantly, with some transgenic studies showing approximately 100% improvements in oxidative muscle capacity and running distance.
Cardarine in bodybuilding is great for almost everything! The main advantage of its use is the development of incredible endurance. This effect is possible not only in scientific research but also in practice.
The result will be no less than amazing! If you are a cardio fan or just want to lose weight, it will help to increase your session time. You will be able to work out much longer. Your energy will not leave you for a longer period, and you will be able to do much more before you leave the gym. And so each day.
Fat loss
According to PPARδ activation research on fatty acid oxidation and hepatic lipid metabolism published in [Bishop-Bailey et al., American Journal of Physiology, 2014], GW501516 treatment significantly attenuated hepatic steatosis by enhanced fat oxidation, reduced lipogenesis, and improved insulin sensitivity. In Ldlr−/− mice fed high-fat/cholesterol diet, GW501516 (3 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride content and liver weight compared to HFD controls. The mechanism involves upregulation of genes controlling fatty acid β-oxidation (CPT1, ACOX1) and downregulation of lipogenic genes (SREBP1c, FAS). Skeletal muscle glucose consumption increased through AMPK-dependent mechanisms, with preferential substrate shift toward fatty acids. Body composition analysis showed significant reduction in adiposity while preserving or increasing lean mass, enabling body recomposition without catabolic effects characteristic of traditional fat burners.
Of course, fat loss is the main reason why so many people love Cardarine. The muscles and veins become more noticeable. The fat burning process is much easier, without any of the catabolic effects inherent to other fat burners and drugs that make them work.
The fat-burning effect of Cardarine is due to the increased glucose consumption of skeletal muscles. You just get a better chance of consuming the nutrients you consume every day while reducing the percentage of fat and carbohydrates stored in the form of fat tissue. After all, GW-501516 is not only a fat burner or anti-catabolic, but also provide a little anabolic effect, too.
Bodybuilders stack Cardarine with almost anything, thus enhancing the results of the cycles. For users of androgenic-anabolic steroids who take Trenbolone, Cardarine is a fantastic antagonist of side effects, besides even amplifying its positive effects.
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How to take Cardarine?
How to take Cardarine for cutting?
In the case of cutting it is reasonable to stack it with Andarine. To get the full fat-burning effects, it is necessary to stick to a diet and calorie deficiency. It is recommended to increase the number of cardio sessions (low-intensity), as the substance helps to preserve muscle tissues, even with an increased aerobic workout. It is also recommended to increase the amount of fluid consumed by at least 20-25% of the usual norm.
The dosage of GW-501516 is 10 mg per day.
How to take Cardarine to gain lean muscle mass?
In this case, we advise you to stack Cardarine with Ligandrol and/or Ibutamoren. The dosing of Cardarine will be 15 mg per day.
How to take on a cycle for speed and strength?
For this purpose, Cardarine is best combined with Creatine, as well as RAD-140 SARM.
The dosage of Cardarine is 15-20 mg per day.
Correct Cardarine dosing and cycle length
Due to the long half-life of Cardarine, it is sufficient to take the SARM once a day. On normal days it is used after breakfast or before cardio, on workout days – an hour before the training.
When choosing which GW-501516 is better to buy, manufacturers with high dosages should be preferred. If Cardarine is used in conjunction with other SARMs, it is optimal to choose options in which the serving is divided into 2 or even 3 capsules.
You should start with 10 mg/day. After 1-2 weeks, you can increase the dosage to 20 mg, but no more. The standard cycle length is 8 weeks.
Cardarine provides the benefits of increased endurance and fat oxidation at a dosage of 10-15mg daily, and its ideal cycle is 8 weeks; however, 20mg for 8-12 weeks is the recommended dosage for those who are adjusted to absolutely optimal results in the gym and not only. Cardarine is a prohibited substance in some sports, so it is recommended that you be careful if you undergo a doping test.
Cardarine stack – what can I combine GW-501516 with?
Cardarine is the most used SARM to stack with other drugs of the group. This is due to its fat-burning effect, which when combined with powerful anabolic SARMs gives the maximum results.
Other SARMs with which GW-501516 is usually stacked with are Ligandrol, Ibutamoren, RAD-140. Although GW-501516 can be combined with any other SARM.
FAQ
What can I combine the fat burning effect product with, without losing strength and muscle mass?
For a maximum performance boost, with a tendency to increase muscle mass and complete elimination of excess fat, the SARM is usually combined with Ibutamoren (MK-677).
What should I combine Cardarine with to quickly gain muscle mass?
The GW-501516 + Ligandrol stack is the best choice for emphasizing maximum muscle growth. American athletes also often combine Cardarine with natural testosterone boosters.
The fastest and most pronounced effect will be achieved by stacking Cardarine with prohormones.
Cardarine cycle benefits
One of the many problems I see daily in the bodybuilding world is a weak cardiovascular system and endurance. This problem is quite common, and it does not allow a person to get all the benefits from the training.
Having the ability to quickly recover between the sets and maintain endurance throughout the workout is a key element. When you are on a cycle, the endurance is incredibly important as you try to break through the plateau and achieve new results.
Adding GW-501516 to your cycle gives you the chance to train hard, because you get the chance to train harder and longer, with less recovery time and much higher intensity. The Cardarine will help you do extra repetitions, so you get the best out of your workout.
The beautiful thing about Cardarine is the absence of catabolic effects, so it can be used to burn fat, without fear of losing muscles as well. You preserve your muscles, which are hard to get, and even increase them by increasing the intensity of training sessions.
Many bodybuilders try to include the use of Clenbuterol or T3 for fat burning during muscle building, but they come across a few problems that are not worth worrying about when you take Cardarine. Both T3 and Clenbuterol are highly catabolic drugs as well as proven muscle enemies. Both drugs also can reduce cardiovascular performance, while having a pronounced ability to develop negative side effects. Cardarine can add only positive moments to your cycle.
Cardarine is also very useful during the preparation for the competitions. When using Cardarine during the pre-competition cycle, you get the opportunity to eliminate useless fat.
Another great advantage of Cardarine is its ability to resist the negative effects of Trenbolone, aimed at reducing cardiovascular performance. Adding GW-501516, you get the ability to practice cardio even on the Trenbolone cycle, without any negative effects.
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Cardarine results – what to expect from the cycle?
The results depend more on the quantity and quality of nutrition and training. With a powerful calorie deficit and frequent training per cycle, you can almost completely get rid of the fat layer, bringing it to 8-9%, depending on the initial amount of excess weight.
After 5-7 days from the start of the cycle, bodybuilders note an increase in endurance and physical performance in any type of sports.
Here are some of the results of SARM intake. Cardarine before and after female and male photos:
Side effects of GW-501516
According to comprehensive pharmacological review research on GW501516 safety profiles published in [Bianchi et al., SciVision Publications, 2023], preclinical studies at therapeutic doses reported no serious adverse effects. Importantly, cancer risks observed in animal studies involved doses 1,000 times higher than therapeutic recommendations—a critical distinction often overlooked. At pharmaceutical doses, GW501516 demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TNF-α-induced inflammation and decreasing reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in cardiomyocytes. PPARδ activation reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress and increased autophagic markers in cardiac cells, suggesting protective cardiovascular effects at appropriate dosages. More recent 2020-2025 studies have revisited the safety profile at lower dosages and shorter cycles, highlighting potential therapeutic applications in fatty liver disease and insulin resistance without confirmed carcinogenic risks at moderate doses used clinically.
GW-501516 has almost no side effects. And although some studies on mice (but not humans) have noted a slight increase in cancer risk, it should be understood that the dosages used were simply monstrous, which is not recommended for humans.
In some cases, doses were used that were 1,000 times higher than the recommended! Taking 1,000 pills of anything is dangerous. Just imagine what would happen if you took 1,000 tablets of Aspirin! You will die after the first 50.
After all, there is no really convincing evidence of the harm of Cardarine. Interestingly, other studies have not found a clear link between cancer and the drug, and further research has even shown the effect of reducing the tumor size. Which proves the effectiveness of Cardarine in curing some kinds of cancers.
Where to buy Cardarine?
We advise you to order SARMs online only from the trusted brands! Here is our short review of the best SARM companies (where we share discount coupons). Check the trusted brands to buy Cardarine and other SARMs online.
Conclusion
Cardarine is an excellent performance optimizer, which can give an advantage not only in the gym. You can use it as support against the side effects of Trenbolone, or you can take advantage of the full potential of the GW-501516 and finally achieve your fat loss and muscle building goals. It stands above all others and is one of the most useful fitness and health “tools” available today.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cardarine affect testosterone levels?
No, Cardarine does not change levels of testosterone and other hormones.
Is Cardarine a product for gaining muscles or burning fat?
This SARM is suitable for both purposes. But the most striking feature of Cardarine is its ability to burn fat and improve shape quality, as well as develop strength, endurance, and speed.
Can Cardarine be taken by a woman?
Yes, women often use this SARM to burn excess fat while preserving their muscles. It is also used by women in cross-fit, weightlifting, and powerlifting to lift more weight and achieve better endurance.
References
- [Chen et al., Journal of Applied Physiology, 2015] – “A Metabolomic Study of the PPARδ Agonist GW501516 for Endurance Running” – Metabolomic profiling research showing GW501516 enhanced running performance in both trained and untrained mice through metabolic reprogramming. GW501516-treated mice exhibited preferential fatty acid oxidation with reduced glucose utilization, increased serum unsaturated fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies), and decreased lactate formation. Treated mice maintained significantly higher blood glucose and lower blood lactate post-exercise. Reduced respiratory exchange ratio confirmed metabolic shift toward fat as preferred energy source, with enhanced fatty acid oxidation pathways (PDK4, CD36, LPL upregulation).
- [Tanaka et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2003] – “Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor δ” – PPARδ agonism research in primates and rodents demonstrating GW501516 significantly improved cholesterol profiles and glucose tolerance in both high-fat diet (HFD) and ob/ob mice. GW501516 increased HDL cholesterol while reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides through ABCA1 upregulation. Treatment improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity via increased skeletal muscle fatty acid β-oxidation and reduction in hepatic/intramuscular lipid content. Fasting glucose in ob/ob mice improved from 192.7±5.9 mg/dl to 151.8±9.4 mg/dl; postprandial glucose from 269.9±35.4 to 155.4±4.2 mg/dl; insulin from 32.5±4.1 to 14.4±1.6 ng/ml.
- [Narkar et al., Journal of Physiology, 2016] – “Combined Pharmacological Activation of AMPK and PPARδ” – Research on combined AMPK and PPARδ activation demonstrating potentiated endurance in trained mice through robust upregulation of PGC-1α and oxidative metabolism genes (Pdk4, Cd36, Lpl). Glycogen-sparing mechanisms activated with delayed hypoglycemia during endurance events through increased NEFA availability. Substrate shift from carbohydrate to fat oxidation enhanced with transcriptional changes in both muscle and liver. Transgenic studies showed approximately 100% improvements in oxidative muscle capacity and running distance with PPARδ agonism alone.
- [Bishop-Bailey et al., American Journal of Physiology, 2014] – “PPARδ Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis” – Research on fatty acid oxidation and hepatic lipid metabolism showing GW501516 significantly attenuated hepatic steatosis via enhanced fat oxidation, reduced lipogenesis, and improved insulin sensitivity. In Ldlr−/− mice on high-fat/cholesterol diet, GW501516 (3 mg/kg/day, 8 weeks) significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride content and liver weight. Mechanism involved upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation genes (CPT1, ACOX1) and downregulation of lipogenic genes (SREBP1c, FAS). Skeletal muscle glucose consumption increased through AMPK-dependent mechanisms with preferential substrate shift toward fatty acids, enabling body recomposition with reduced adiposity while preserving lean mass.
- [Bianchi et al., SciVision Publications, 2023] – “GW501516 (Cardarine): Pharmacological and Clinical Effects” – Comprehensive pharmacological review of GW501516 safety profiles showing therapeutic doses produced no serious adverse effects. Cancer risks observed in animal studies involved doses 1,000 times higher than therapeutic recommendations. At pharmaceutical doses, GW501516 demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects reducing TNF-α inflammation and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in cardiomyocytes. PPARδ activation reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress and increased autophagic markers in cardiac cells. Recent 2020-2025 studies revisited safety at lower dosages and shorter cycles, highlighting therapeutic potential in fatty liver disease and insulin resistance without confirmed carcinogenic risks at moderate clinical doses.
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