First SARM Stack: A Must-Read for Beginners

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are non-steroidal investigational drugs currently being reviewed for the potential treatment of cachexia in medicine (1).

In this guide, we will detail the first SARM stack researchers often implement and its consequent effects.

Common SARMs:

• Ostarine
• RAD 140
• S23
• LGD-4033
• Andarine

Several other compounds are also commonly utilized but are not technically SARMs. These are:

• Ibutamoren (MK-677) is a growth hormone secretagogue.
• Cardarine (GW501516) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist.
• YK-11 is a myostatin inhibitor.
• Stenabolic (SR9009) is a REV-ERB agonist.

A novice’s first experience with SARMs is typically a solo cycle and not a stack. This is due to SARMs causing moderate side effects, and thus users do not want to cause unnecessary damage prematurely but instead build up tolerance to these drugs slowly.

SARMs are not to be underestimated in this regard, as our doctors have observed harsh side effects, even from mild SARMs. This is particularly true if excessive dosages are administered or cycles are excessively long in duration.

The most commonly taken SARM for a first cycle would be Ostarine. Ostarine is typically administered at 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. Ostarine is often chosen because it is the mildest SARM in terms of side effects.

Ostarine is also the second most researched SARM behind LGD-4033, so novices have a more informed idea of how it affects overall health.

In our experience, Ostarine typically adds up to 10 pounds of lean muscle to users while simultaneously reducing visceral and subcutaneous fat mass.

Once a user has comfortably cycled Ostarine, they may utilize more potent SARMs or stack Ostarine with additional SARMs for increased results.

The majority of beginners do not stack SARMs during their first cycle, enabling them to understand how each compound affects their body. They may find out that a certain SARM causes their ALT and AST levels to rise notably. However, it will be impossible to detect which SARM is causing such hepatotoxicity when multiple SARMs are stacked synchronously.

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First SARMs Stack

Bulking Stacks

If the objective is to gain muscle hypertrophy and strength, users are more inclined to combine Ostarine with LGD-4033 or RAD 140 for a first stack.

S23 and YK-11 are regularly avoided for a first SARM stack, as we find them to be the two harshest SARMs, although YK-11 technically is not a SARM.

S4, or Andarine, also is not optimal, as its potency is similar to that of Ostarine. Therefore, additional results will be minimal. Furthermore, S4 can cause temporary alterations in ocular health. Thus, users may experience a yellow tint to their vision during S4 supplementation.

LGD-4033 is a potent bulking SARM that produces notable increases in muscle mass and strength. RAD 140 is similar to LGD-4033; however, strength results are more prominent on RAD 140. Improvements in lean muscle mass, however, may be slightly superior on LGD-4033.

Ostarine and LGD-4033 Stack

• Week 1–8: Ostarine: 20 mg/day, LGD 4033: 6 mg/day.

Ostarine and RAD 140 Stack

• Week 1–8: Ostarine: 20 mg/day; RAD 140: 20 mg/day.

Dosages for women: Ostarine can be dosed up to 10 mg/day for 8 weeks, LGD 4033 up to 2 mg/day for 4 weeks, and RAD 140 up to 10 mg/day for 8 weeks.

Ostarine and Ibutamoren Stack

• Week 1-8: Ostarine: 20 mg/day; Ibutamoren: 20 mg/day
• Week 9-16: Ibutamoren: 20 mg/day

Ibutamoren, or MK-677, is an efficacious addition to a first SARM bulking stack for numerous users, with it notably increasing fat-free mass.

In one clinical study, male participants gained 7 pounds of lean muscle from a dosage of 8 mg/day for 2 months (2).

Ibutamoren promotes anabolism by stimulating IGF-1 in the body, causing cellular hyperplasia. Consequently, myofibers split in half, effectively creating new muscle fibers (3). Ibutamoren also induces lipolytic effects; however, its anabolic effects outweigh its ability to burn subcutaneous fat.

Although Ibutamoren burns subcutaneous fat and builds lean muscle simultaneously, it will cause some visceral fat gain. This may cause an individual’s midsection to appear bloated. This effect occurs due to Ibutamoren’s impaired effects on insulin sensitivity.

Cutting Stack

There are three main compounds generally considered by researchers when planning a first SARM stack for cutting. These are:

1. Ostarine
2. Cardarine
3. Ibutamoren

Administering all three of these substances will be the most effective stack in terms of results. Such a stack is also unlikely to cause excessive side effects, considering only one of these three compounds is a SARM.

Cardarine is a PPAR agonist, and Ibutamoren is a growth hormone secretagogue. Therefore, neither of these compounds will negatively affect the HPTA.

Our lipid profiles demonstrate Cardarine to have a positive effect on cholesterol, with clinical research also showing reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by 23% (4).

Cardarine is a potent fat-burning compound due to its beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and lipid balance.

By reducing the utilization of glucose, Cardarine induces fatty acid oxidation. This means the body will utilize fat stores as the body’s primary energy source. Cardarine is also mildly anabolic. In research, users have gained 1.3 kg after 10 mg/day of supplementation for 12 weeks (5).

The above user lost 40 pounds from a 12-week Cardarine-only cycle. According to his post on Reddit, his regimen consisted of 10 mg/day of Cardarine for the first week and 20 mg/day for the subsequent 11 weeks.

The First SARM Stack: For Cutting

• Weeks 1–8: Ostarine: 20 mg/day; Cardarine: 10 mg/day.

20 mg/day of Cardarine also can be utilized; however, we find this to be a high dose for beginners and intermediates. For a first-time stack, such a dosage may cause notable hepatotoxicity.

Ibutamoren is a mild fat burner in comparison to Cardarine. Some consider Ibutamoren an effective addition to any cutting stack due to its ability to reduce subcutaneous fat mass. However, one noteworthy drawback is its ability to increase visceral fat. Thus, Ibutamoren can create a lean and simultaneously bloated appearance.

The following testimonials were posted in our SARMs Facebook group by users who have stacked Cardarine and Ostarine together.

Ostarine and Cardarine helped me build quite a lot of muscle, although I am a woman. My endurance also improved noticeably.

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I needed very little sleep. I felt great on about 6 hours.

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Side Effects

All of the SARMs mentioned in these stacks will cause:

1. Testosterone suppression
2. Raised LDL cholesterol
3. Elevated ALT and AST levels

Dr. Rand McClain states that SARMs can “contribute to muscle growth and act like anabolic steroids.” However, he also cautions that SARMs can mimic the side effects of anabolic steroids, particularly with regard to cholesterol. Dr. McClain adds that he has overseen HDL reductions of 50% from SARMs, which can even surpass the cardiotoxicity of anabolic steroids such as Anavar, which reduces HDL levels by 30% in our experience.

Consequently, it is possible for testosterone to reach hypogonadal levels, blood pressure to increase, and a user’s liver to become temporarily inflamed from SARM use. We have seen such side effects diminish upon cycle cessation, with the exception of low endogenous testosterone, which can take several weeks to recover.

20 mg/day of Nolvadex, administered for 4 weeks, is an effective post-cycle therapy that can accelerate testosterone recovery. This protocol is advised when utilizing any of the stacks mentioned in this article.

Dr. Chris Raynor reports that SARM users also experience “acne vulgaris, mood swings, and testicular atrophy.” These are side effects associated with damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Dr. Raynor also states that 90% of users purchase SARMs on the internet without medical supervision, presenting substantial risk.

Our liver function tests indicate that Cardarine, despite being a PPAR agonist, can cause hepatic inflammation. Research has also shown that excessive doses of Cardarine, when taken continuously for years, may result in cancer.

The two main side effects associated with Ibutamoren are:

1. Water retention
2. Reduced insulin sensitivity

Conclusion

We cannot recommend a best first SARM stack, as these compounds are not intended for human use. However, if an individual is intent on utilizing SARMs, opting for substances that enable them to achieve their objectives while minimizing side effects is imperative.

Thus, harsh SARMs should not be utilized. Less experienced users will commonly administer a mild SARM alongside another moderately potent one.

• For bulking, Ostarine and LGD-4033 are an optimal duo for building muscle hypertrophy.
• For cutting, Ostarine and Cardarine make for a potent stack, notably increasing fat loss and muscle retention.

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