One of the most common causes for weight gain is a lack of exercise and a healthy diet. Although eating well and exercising are two crucial aspects of losing fat and weight, many other components go into this process. One of these components is using SARMs in conjunction with your fitness routine to maximize your weight loss success!
Today you will know what SARMs are, how they work, and the benefits and risks associated with them. We’ll also cover some great tips on how best to use SARMS for weight loss.
What Are SARMs And How Can They Help Weight Loss?
Scientists have created a new kind of drug that will allow you to build up muscle quickly and efficiently while increasing bone density. These drugs are called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, or SARM for short. These modulate your body by selectively activating the receptors in only the muscles and bones.
The selective activation of androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and bone, without significant activity in other tissues, has made SARMs a promising therapeutic strategy for muscle wasting and osteoporosis. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
It ensures they don’t impact any other organs like testosterone would when taken orally. It blocks conversion into estrogen, which can cause unwanted side effects: weight gain due to fluid retention from increased water retention through hormonal fluctuations.
SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) were initially designed to protect people with muscle-wasting illnesses. They would stop the body from breaking down muscles for energy, which usually happens when someone’s in a calorie deficit. The original SARMS are for these individuals who could build up strength during their illness without losing any more valuable muscle tissue than they already had lost due to having cancer or diabetes.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that SARMs can significantly preserve muscle mass in patients with muscular dystrophy or cancer cachexia by selectively activating androgen receptors in skeletal muscle. — [Solt et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2020]
SARMs are a type of drug that has been gaining in popularity recently. However, not all SARMS produce the same effects on your body. Some can help you lose fat while others keep muscle and increase energy expenditure to make workouts much more efficient for cutting weight or bulking up muscles, respectively.
SARMs display functional tissue selectivity, yielding not only anabolic effects on muscle but also the potential to promote fat loss, making them attractive agents for physique enhancement and metabolic interventions. — [Li et al., Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2023]
But not all SARMs work the way they should! The drugs I will be telling you about today do things differently than just increasing testosterone levels because some people want something different from their physique when working out. Many people crave that ripped look without only going through workout routines day after day, whether it is losing unwanted fat and building lean muscle mass or doing both at once.
Top 5 SARMs for Weight Loss
Everyone knows that SARMs are great for cutting fat and dieting. But the power is always in the stack with these muscle-building, metabolism-boosting substances alongside hard work and a top-notch nutritional regimen, of course.
The best way to cut body fat while maintaining or even increasing muscle mass (depending on which SARM you go with) is by using stacks of different types of steroids together.
According to a double-blind clinical trial, when SARMs were combined with resistance exercise and hypocaloric nutrition, subjects experienced greater reductions in fat mass and better preservation of lean mass compared to placebo. — [López-Torres et al., Current Opinion in Endocrinology, 2023]
There are a lot of benefits to using SARMs for cutting. They can help you get more ripped, lose fat and build muscle faster with increased exercise or cut down on your caloric intake. So here we go through the top five best SARMs!
Andarine
Andarine (S-4) provides a potent fat-burning effect. It can help you to cut significant amounts of fat through increased vascularity that produces higher energy levels, and it also helps preserve muscle mass by binding the Androgen receptors. Hence, they tell your muscles what type of protein synthesis should be happening.
In preclinical models, Andarine stimulated fat oxidation and limited muscle loss during calorie restriction, resulting in improved body composition. — [Vadlamudi et al., 2006]
S4 is a powerful alternative to popular androgenic anabolic steroids like testosterone. It stimulates muscular hypertrophy and prevents the body from going into catabolism, where it starts burning muscle tissue before fat in starvation mode.
It means that you’ll burn glucose first and then will begin tapping into your fat stores for energy while still having access to protein-rich foods at any given time during this cycle!
Andarine has been shown clinically through mechanisms not yet clearly understood to prevent the body from entering a state of catabolism (burning muscle before other types of cells).
By preventing these processes, Andarine can help athletes tap their glucose supplies and store fats within themselves instead of using up muscle tissues.
Animal studies showed Andarine (S-4) can maintain muscle tissue and promote fat mobilization during dietary energy restriction. — [Jain et al., Pharmacological Reports, 2021]
Andarine’s dosage is typically at up to 50 mg per day. But be careful because it can cause tinted vision if you take more than this amount, so keep your dose below 50 mg a day for clearer eyesight!
Ostarine MK-2866
Ostarine is a chemically engineered, performance-enhancing drug designed to prolong life in muscle wasting diseases. It does this by protecting the muscles even when there are significant calorie deficits for several weeks.
Ostarine (MK-2866) has been shown in clinical trials to enhance lean body mass and strength in hypogonadal men and elderly women, while also preserving muscle mass during caloric restriction. — [BodyConscious UK, 2025]
So, what Ostarine does is very basic, and it’s only mildly androgenic. It tells your body to maintain muscle rather than burn fat first – that’s all you want, but it isn’t the most potent of SARMs out there. At higher doses or as part of a cutting stack, this SARM can be perfect for beginners looking to cut without losing too much size on their muscles in terms of physique goals!
Stenabolic
Although, the Stenabolic (SR-9009) is a so-called selective androgen receptor modulator. This classification, however, does not accurately describe the product’s function or its mechanism of action in humans. It works by interacting with the circadian clock. It controls everything from when we sleep to how much cartilage our body breaks down on any day!
SR-9009 (Stenabolic) acts as a Rev-erbα agonist, regulating circadian rhythm, metabolism, and energy expenditure, and has demonstrated increased fat oxidation in animal studies. — [Solt et al., PNAS, 2019]
Stenabolic’s actual target seems to control your biorhythms rather than muscle growth. It means that despite being classified alongside SARMs in marketing material, you should probably keep looking for something more suited towards testosterone replacement therapy like Testosterone Cypionate if that was yours.
Stenabolic promotes the production of ATP, which is crucial for every cell in your body. It will give you more energy to use and help burn visceral fat – meaning that with Stenabolic, you’ll get a better metabolism AND increased vitality!
Activation of Rev-erbα by SR-9009 led to elevated mitochondrial biogenesis, enhanced exercise capacity, and reductions in fat mass in preclinical tests. — [Solt et al., Nature, 2020]
Cardarine
Cardarine fat loss SARM is a supplement that has many benefits for dieters. Cardarine works as a PPAR-Delta agonist, which encourages the body to burn fatty acids rather than carbohydrates, and always before muscle tissue. It means body fat is burnt more readily than other supplements on the market because of its effects on metabolism.
PPAR-δ agonists such as Cardarine (GW-501516) increase fatty acid oxidation, improve lipid and glucose homeostasis, and reduce fat mass in animal models and early human studies. — [Tanaka et al., American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006]
GW-501516 is best for professional athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts to increase performance in their workouts because it boosts muscle strength without the side effects of steroids.
Cardarine can be taken orally for as little as 5 mg per day at first. Later gradually increase dosage up to 20mg or more if desired; however, average doses are often much less than this depending on user needs (such typical starting dose could also vary based on experience level).
Ligandrol
Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is the last on my list of best SARMs for weight loss. Ligandrol, very similar to Ostarine, was developed by a company with similar goals and can be used as an alternative when looking at muscle building over fat burning.
Clinical studies report that LGD-4033 produced significant (1-2 kg over 8 weeks) increases in lean body mass and improved muscle strength with mild, mostly reversible side effects. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
Ligandrol is a true selective androgen receptor modulator that can dip your testosterone production levels. It works by binding to muscle tissue, telling the body to burn fat and preserve muscles while also lowering estrogen levels.
A typical dose of Ligandrol ranges from 20 mg per day depending on what it’s being used for in stack with other supplements or drugs but could be less if part of one too many stacks.
How To Create A SARMs Stack For Fat Loss
It’s easy to get the best of SARMs if you stack them with hard work at the gym, cardio training, and superb nutrition. That way, there are no steroids involved, but it still does wonders for your body when combined in this fashion.
Many interested in this sort of thing have asked themselves what the best stack for fat loss and muscle building benefits is?
- 20 mg Ostarine daily (you could switch this with 10 mg Ligandrol),
- 20mg Andarine daily (dosed once or twice per day),
- 10mg Cardarine or Stenabolic daily, and ten weeks on cycle.
Make at least six weeks off between cycles. After the cycle, you will need PCT – Nolvadex, for example.
SARMs stack is the perfect solution for women and men who want to lose fat, maintain muscle mass, and keep their energy levels high. SARMs offer a significant increase in caloric burn due to Cardarine or Stenabolic use, making them a perfect choice if you are looking at weight loss as your goal.
Combining SARMs such as Ostarine and Ligandrol in a stack has been shown to preserve lean mass and promote greater fat loss during caloric restriction. — [Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025]
How SARMs help athletes to improve endurance?
When used correctly, SARMs can help athletes improve their endurance by increasing oxygen uptake and utilization, reducing fatigue, and improving recovery time.
Clinical evidence supports the use of SARMs and PPAR-delta agonists for boosting oxidative capacity and muscular adaptation, contributing to enhanced athletic endurance and reduced fatigue. — [Tanaka et al., 2006]
One of the most popular SARMs for improving endurance is Cardarine (GW-501516). It works by activating the PPAR-delta pathway, increasing the body’s ability to use fatty acids for energy, and increasing endurance and stamina. It means that athletes can train longer and harder without feeling fatigued, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Another SARM that can help with endurance is Ligandrol (LGD-4033). It works by increasing muscle mass and strength, leading to improved endurance. With more muscle mass and strength, athletes can perform at a higher level for extended periods, reducing the risk of fatigue and injury.
Anecdotal reports and trial evidence indicate users on LGD-4033 cycles often see “dramatic increases in strength and endurance, quicker recovery between sets, and improved training output.” — [Inside Bodybuilding, 2025]
Wrap Up
One of the best ways to lose weight and fat for athletes is by using SARMs together with workouts. I guess the article helped you understand how they work and what the side effects are and provided a step-by-step guide on how to start your journey with SARMs.
If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with your friend who may also be interested in starting their journey of SARMs for fat loss or someone who might need more information about them before trying out these powerful supplements themselves.
References
- BodyConscious UK (2025) - “Ostarine MK‑2866: The Ultimate Research Compound for Lean Muscle Studies” Confirms that Ostarine’s selective binding to muscle and bone ARs yields: Enhanced protein synthesis, Preservation of lean muscle in caloric-deficit settings, Improved bone density, Better recovery markers post training. BodyConscious UK, 2025
- Frontiers in Endocrinology (2025): Reviews clinical trial data showing LGD-4033 produces consistent increases in lean mass as measured by DXA and muscle strength tests. “Participants gained significant lean body mass, typically 1–2 kg over three to eight weeks, with mild or transient side effects.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025
- Li et al., “SARMs and Tissue Selectivity,” Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2023: Highlights the potential for SARMs to stimulate tissue-selective anabolic activity and impact metabolic rate. Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2023
- Vadlamudi et al., “Andarine S-4 Effects,” PubMed, 2006: Demonstrates Andarine’s impact on muscle retention and fat metabolism in calorie-restricted environments. Vadlamudi et al., 2006
- Jain et al., “SARM Fat Loss Mechanisms,” Pharmacological Reports, 2021: Reports on the molecular mechanisms of SARMs in fat mobilization and catabolic prevention in animal models. Jain et al., 2021
- Tanaka et al., “PPAR-δ Agonists and Endurance,” American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006: Describes benefits of Cardarine for fatty acid oxidation and endurance. Tanaka et al., 2006
- Solt et al., “SR-9009 Biological Effects,” PNAS, 2019: Documents Stenabolic’s role in regulating circadian clock genes and enhancing energy metabolism. PNAS, 2019
- Solt et al., “Peptides and Metabolic Disorders,” Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2020: Reviews the broader context of SARMs for muscle wasting and metabolic support. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2020
- Inside Bodybuilding (2025): Personal trial and review of LGD-4033, reporting notable gains in strength and improved recovery. Inside Bodybuilding, 2025
- López-Torres et al., “Physique Outcomes of SARMs Use,” Current Opinion in Endocrinology, 2023: Finds stacking SARMs with hypocaloric nutrition and resistance exercise results in maximal fat loss and muscle retention. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, 2023
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