SARMs Before and After Pictures (Typical Results)

Two primary questions relating to SARMs are:

1. How do the efficacy and results compare to those of anabolic steroids?
2. Are they a safer alternative to steroids?

In this article, we will showcase several SARMs before and after transformation examples, providing anecdotal evidence of the muscle gains and fat loss experienced by users.

SARMs Before and After Transformation

This is a 5-week before-and-after picture published on Reddit that demonstrates the combined effects of:

1. RAD 140 (Testolone)
2. LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
3. MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

RAD-140 and LGD-4033 are among the most potent selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) currently available. According to Dr. Anthony Hughes, RAD-140 stands out as one of the most effective performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) he has encountered, particularly due to its notable benefits in athletic performance and neurological health.

This perspective is noteworthy given Dr. Hughes’s extensive experience with anabolic-androgenic steroids.

MK-677, technically a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), is frequently combined with SARMs to optimize results.

Moderate Muscle Growth

This Reddit user has clearly experienced improvements in muscle hypertrophy, with a visual gain of 10–15 pounds. However, there is an argument that a SARM cycle (like the one above) may be less potent than a typical steroid cycle.

In early human trials, researchers analyzed the effects of SARMs vs. steroids (testosterone enanthate). They found that testosterone users built 5–7 kg of lean mass, compared to just 1–1.5 kg in the SARMs group, over 4–6 weeks (1).

However, based on this user’s results, who has achieved a thicker overall look (particularly in the quadriceps), it would seem unrealistic that steroid users would experience 5 times his results.

Visceral Fat

This user appears to have experienced a noticeable increase in visceral fat, resulting in a bloated or more protruding appearance of the midsection.

We have also found visceral fat accumulation to be common among steroid users, raising estrogen levels and consequently causing insulin resistance. Han et al. (2022) discovered that testosterone treatment decreased subcutaneous fat—but not visceral fat (2). Additional research concluded that oxandrolone (Anavar), a non-aromatizing anabolic steroid, reduced visceral fat more than testosterone, an estrogenic compound (3).

SARMs are not inherently estrogenic, as the aromatase enzyme is not present; however, they can raise levels of the female sex hormone indirectly.

The reason estrogen levels can still increase during SARM use is due to their high affinity for androgen receptors (AR). While natural testosterone typically binds to AR to exert its effects, SARMs have a stronger binding capacity, effectively outcompeting endogenous testosterone. This displacement reduces natural testosterone signaling, leaving more free testosterone in circulation.

Consequently, this excess testosterone can be converted into estrogen and DHT, potentially leading to hormonal fluctuations. This can cause estrogen dominance, resulting in:

• Visceral fat storage
• Water retention
• Gynecomastia

DHT dominance can also contribute to several side effects, including:

• Hair loss on the scalp
• Acne development
• Prostate enlargement

SARMs’ tissue selectivity aims to inhibit the above side effects; however, in practice, we still see them occur via this indirect mechanism.

Beard Growth

Increased DHT levels resulting from SARMs use can also promote beard growth, as research indicates that hair follicles are more sensitive to this androgenic hormone than to testosterone (4). This enhanced sensitivity can lead to prominent facial hair development, contributing to an increasingly masculine appearance of the facial region, as observed in the above user.

MK-677 and Body Composition

MK-677 (Ibutamoren), a compound included in this user’s stack, stimulates increased growth hormone (GH) secretion. Elevated GH levels can lead to enhanced visceral fat storage, as it influences lipid metabolism and fat distribution. Additionally, GH, similar to estrogen, can raise blood sugar levels by promoting insulin resistance, which may contribute to a bloated or “HGH gut” appearance characterized by increased abdominal distension.

Interestingly, research on rats has shown MK-677 to increase peak GH concentrations by 1.8-fold over a six-week cycle (5). However, MK-677 also decreased SST receptor (SSTR)-2 mRNA expression in the pituitary gland, consequently failing to increase the growth or size of the rodents.

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SARMs Before and After Transformation (12 Weeks)

This Reddit user completed a 12-week cycle of RAD 140 (Testolone) at 17 mg/day.

He gained 5 pounds in weight, which can be attributed to a small calorie surplus from his diet. This caloric excess likely contributed to some fat gain alongside any lean muscle mass development.

Muscular Strength

Despite experiencing minimal muscle gains, he reported significant improvements in muscular strength, which were particularly noticeable from week 6 onward. His lifts increased markedly, with specific mention of adding approximately 90 pounds to both his flat and incline bench presses, indicating substantial strength gains independent of noticeable hypertrophy.

Testosterone Suppression

The user experienced a dramatic suppression of testosterone levels, decreasing from 750 ng/dL to 193 ng/dL. This significant decline indicates potential damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA), leading to hypogonadism.

Generally, we find this to be a temporary effect, with research indicating that testosterone levels typically recover post-cycle (6), assuming no other anabolic substances are administered.

Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity

The above user also reported AST and ALT liver enzymes being excessively high post-cycle, in conjunction with his blood lipids deteriorating. Thus, SARMs can increase the risk of heart disease or liver failure.

Such side effects, regarding liver and cardiovascular toxicity, align with what we have observed from analyzing the labs of 2,000 SARM users over a 10-year period. Consequently, Dr. Thomas O’Connor is now of the opinion that SARMs are more deleterious than steroids.

We find RAD-140’s hepatotoxicity particularly concerning, based on both our clinical experience and supporting medical research. For example, a case has been documented where a 49-year-old male was diagnosed with hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury (7) after taking RAD-140 for four weeks, with only infrequent use afterward. This highlights the potential risk of liver toxicity associated with RAD-140, even with relatively short-term use.

However, Dr. Rand McClain has observed that RAD-140 users tend to exhibit more favorable bloodwork profiles on average compared to users of other SARMs, such as Ostarine, which he has noted can have deleterious effects on health. This suggests that individual responses to different SARMs may vary significantly, highlighting the importance of personalized assessment and monitoring when considering these substances.

RAD 140 Authenticity

Due to the high amounts of counterfeit SARM products on the market, one could hypothesize that this user’s RAD 140 was potentially diluted or completely void of the true compound, hence his mild results.

However, given the severity of his side effects, notable strength results, and the fact that the specified manufacturer (confidential) has a positive reputation, this conclusion is unlikely.

Androgenetic Alopecia

This user also reported an obvious loss of hair toward the later stages of his cycle, indicating significantly elevated DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels. While this may not be a common issue for individuals using SARMs sporadically—since hair typically regrows once a cycle ends—regular and prolonged SARM use can lead to more persistent effects. In such cases, hair thinning, recession, or loss may become permanent, potentially accelerating male pattern baldness.

SARMs Results Compared to Steroids

The before and after pictures presented above are representative of the standard outcomes observed following an initial SARM cycle.

Thus, it is evident that SARM users are hypo-responders, compared to steroid users, who are hyper-responders, in terms of muscularity and fat loss.

Novice Steroid Cycle

The before and after pictures below demonstrate typical results from a first steroid cycle.

This YouTube user administered conservative dosages of testosterone, adding roughly 20 pounds of lean mass while also significantly reducing his body fat percentage and enhancing muscle definition.

In contrast, SARM users are likely to experience negligible reductions in subcutaneous body fat, with only modest increases in muscle hypertrophy, equating to roughly 5 pounds.

These could be considered as exceptional results given the above user utilized testosterone as a standalone cycle instead of stacking it with other potent steroids, such as:

• Trenbolone
• Anadrol

From Natural to SARMs

This YouTube user is natural on the left, and the picture on the right is after several S4, Ostarine, and GH (growth hormone) cycles. An increase in back muscle thickness is apparent, along with overall growth throughout the body.

From SARMs to Steroids

The left photo is post-SARM use, and the right photo is post-steroid use, with Deca Durabolin and Anadrol being two steroids regularly utilized.

This shows the vast difference in potency between SARMs and steroids, with the latter being more effective at adding muscle mass.

However, Deca Durabolin and Anadrol have the ability to cause testosterone deficiency. Research has shown that Anadrol also has the potential to cause large fluctuations in cholesterol and liver enzymes due to it being a C-17 alpha-alkylated oral compound (8, 9). Anadrol is also an estrogenic steroid, with water retention and gynecomastia being possible due to its direct stimulatory effect on estrogen receptors.

Anecdotal Results

The following are anecdotal reports posted by SARM users on Facebook, documenting their experiences.

I’m halfway through my first RAD 140 cycle. It definitely boosted strength; recovery time is still the same, and endurance has gone up. I’ve got everything ready to start testosterone enanthate after this.

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The SARMs work pretty well; what I like about them is how “keepable” the gains are. But I’ve also never had any bad side effects from any SARM except YK-11.

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4 weeks in on Ostarine 10 mg, LGD 4033 10 mg, and MK-677 20 mg. Weight has gone up 8-10 lbs, and strength and endurance are at an all-time high for me. The only downside is that my libido is slightly lower. I’m considering upping the Ostarine and MK-677 by 10 mg for optimal gains, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

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Summary

Non-steroidal SARMs are not FDA-approved, only being formulated in the last 20 years, thus making them investigational compounds (10). Therefore, anyone who takes SARMs is essentially conducting their own human trial.

It is already evident that initial claims of SARMs having a more acceptable safety profile than anabolic steroids are inaccurate, with vast anecdotal evidence of liver enzymes and blood lipids rising to high levels and diagnoses of acute myocarditis in clinical literature (11).

Thus, from existing research and our practical experience of treating patients who have taken SARMs, we find them to be comparable to steroids in regard to toxicity.

How Do SARMs Compare to Testosterone?

In our experience, SARMs only replicate a fraction of the muscle-building effects achieved by testosterone and other anabolic steroids. Thus, testosterone may be more favorable from a clinical perspective for the treatment of cachexia. Dr. Rand McClain supports this idea, asserting that testosterone may be superior to SARMs as it poses fewer cardiovascular risks, provides more anabolism, and has more clinical studies detailing its effects.

A cycle of testosterone can produce more optimal results in terms of muscle hypertrophy and subcutaneous fat loss without any notable negative effects on liver enzymes. However, studies have shown that testosterone can cause moderate adverse effects on cholesterol (12).

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