SARMs Before and After Pictures: The Ultimate Results Guide

Highlights

• SARMs can build moderate amounts of muscle, although anabolic steroids appear to be more effective at increasing lean mass.
• Some SARM users have reported exceptional improvements in muscular strength.
• SARMs may cause side effects such as elevated liver enzymes, cholesterol alterations, and testosterone suppression.

This guide showcases SARMs before-and-after transformations, highlighting real-life muscle gains and fat loss reported by users.

SARMs Before and After #1

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

• RAD-140 (Testolone)
• LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
• MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

RAD-140 and LGD-4033 are among the most potent SARMs currently available. RAD-140 stands out as one of the most effective performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) we have encountered due to its notable benefits for anabolism (1) and neurological health (2)

Thus, RAD-140 is of particular interest to researchers exploring treatments for patients diagnosed with:

• Cachexia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Huntington’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy

MK-677, a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), is frequently combined with SARMs to enhance results. MK-677 is utilized by certain weightlifters and bodybuilders to increase anabolism without inducing suppression of testosterone levels.

Certain athletes may also take MK-677 to aid their performance by increasing muscular strength and power. However, it is important to note that MK-677 is a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other sporting organizations.

Consequently, professional athletes face a potential risk of failing a drug test if they supplement with MK-677 or SARMs.

Moderate Muscle Growth

The Reddit user has experienced improvements in muscle hypertrophy, with a gain of 10–15 pounds. However, there is an argument that a SARM cycle may be less potent than a typical anabolic steroid cycle.

In early human trials, researchers analyzed the effects of SARMs vs. 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 (3).

However, based on this individual’s transformation, it may be unrealistic for steroid users to expect results that are 5 times greater. The subject has developed a notably thicker overall appearance, particularly in the quadriceps.

Therefore, SARMs are utilized by certain weightlifters and fitness enthusiasts in an effort to increase muscle mass and strength. While these users may acknowledge that SARMs do not yield the significant enhancements in muscle hypertrophy associated with steroids, they continue to find them attractive due to their potentially milder side effect profile.

Visceral Fat Increase

The user has experienced a noticeable increase in visceral fat, resulting in a bloated or more protruding midsection. Therefore, stacks containing MK-677 (Ibutamoren) may not be preferred by individuals desiring a small waist.

We have also found visceral fat accumulation to be common among anabolic steroid users (4). This effect is due to MK-677 increasing estrogen and insulin resistance.

Han et al. (2022) discovered that testosterone treatment decreased subcutaneous fat but not visceral fat (5). Additional research found that oxandrolone (Anavar) reduced visceral fat more than testosterone (6). Such results occurred primarily due to oxandrolone being a non-aromatizing anabolic steroid, whereas testosterone converts to estrogen.

SARMs are not inherently estrogenic and do not directly promote aromatization—the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. However, because they activate androgen receptors with high affinity, they can suppress endogenous testosterone production. In some cases, this suppression can lead to changes in estrogen levels.

While natural testosterone typically binds to androgen receptors 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, excess testosterone can be converted into estrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), potentially leading to hormonal fluctuations. This can cause estrogen dominance, resulting in:

• Visceral fat storage
• Water retention
• Gynecomastia (man boobs)

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

• Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss)
• Acne vulgaris
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)

SARMs’ tissue selectivity aims to prevent the above side effects. However, in practice, we still see some of them occur via this indirect mechanism (7).

Beard Growth

Increased DHT levels from SARM use can also promote beard growth, as studies suggest that hair follicles are more sensitive to this androgenic hormone than testosterone (8). This enhanced sensitivity can lead to prominent hair growth, contributing to an increasingly masculine appearance of the facial region.

MK-677 and Body Composition

MK-677, one of the compounds in this user’s stack, stimulates increased growth hormone (GH) secretion via the activation of GHS-R1a receptors, increasing:

• Pulsatile release
• Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels

This means that MK-677 tricks the body into making more growth hormone by interacting with receptors in the brain.

Elevated GH levels can lead to enhanced visceral fat storage, as they influence:

• Lipid metabolism
• Fat distribution

Additionally, GH can cause hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) by impairing insulin signaling pathways. Such elevations in blood sugar can contribute to a bloated appearance characterized by abdominal distension.

Therefore, MK-677 may not be suitable for individuals with:

• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic inflammation conditions

Research on rats found that MK-677 increased peak GH concentrations by 1.8-fold over a six-week cycle (9). However, such elevations failed to enhance rodent hypertrophy. Researchers attributed this lack of growth to increased expression of the somatostatin receptor in the hypothalamus.

Therefore, weightlifters and athletes aiming to achieve substantial muscle mass are unlikely to find the results of MK-677, when used in isolation, to be satisfactory.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

Best SARMs Company in 2026

Note: Chemyo and Sports Technology Labs’ products are regularly tested by independent laboratories, MZ Biolabs and Colmaric Analyticals. MZ Biolabs holds a US DEA Schedule III license, and Colmaric Analyticals is ISO/IEC-certified and ISO-accredited.

SARMs Before and After #2

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

The subject gained 5 pounds, which can be partly attributed to a small calorie surplus in their diet. This caloric excess likely contributed to an increase in:

• Adipose tissue (fat)
• Lean muscle mass

Muscular Strength

Despite minimal muscle gains, the user reported significant improvements in muscular strength, particularly noticeable from week 6 onward. Their lifting performance increased notably, adding 90 pounds to both their flat and incline bench presses.

Therefore, RAD-140 may be of interest to powerlifters, strongmen, and weightlifters prioritizing strength over muscle hypertrophy.

Testosterone Suppression

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

In our experience, SARM-induced testosterone suppression is typically transient. Research also shows that testosterone levels commonly recover post-cycle (10), assuming no other anabolic substances are administered.

However, SARM supplementation may worsen the health of hypogonadal individuals by exacerbating damage to the HPTA. Alternatively, individuals with normal or elevated testosterone levels may opt to abstain from SARMs in order to maintain optimal hormonal balance and preserve fertility.

Individuals under the age of 18 who utilize SARMs are at an increased risk of long-term testosterone deficiency, as their immature endocrine systems are more susceptible to adverse side effects.

Some people believe that low testosterone levels only affect men. However, women can also experience complications and thus may refrain from taking SARMs to maintain optimal energy levels, libido, and mood.

Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity

The user reported aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes being excessively high post-cycle, in conjunction with their blood lipids deteriorating.

Thus, SARMs may increase the risk of users experiencing:

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Hepatic (liver) failure
• Cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
• Cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring)
• Atherosclerosis (hardened arteries)

Therefore, the use of SARMs may pose significant health risks for individuals with hypertension or elevated liver enzyme levels.

Such side effects, regarding liver and cardiovascular toxicity, align with what Dr. Thomas O’Connor has observed from overseeing 2,000 SARM users over 10 years. Consequently, Dr. O’Connor is currently of the opinion that SARMs may be more toxic than anabolic steroids.

RAD-140’s hepatotoxicity is particularly concerning, with research documenting a 49-year-old male with hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury (11). This occurred following a four-week cycle of RAD-140, with only infrequent use afterward.

Such an injury signifies the potential risk of toxicity with RAD-140, even with relatively short-term use.

Dr. Rand McClain has mentioned that RAD-140 users exhibit more favorable bloodwork profiles on average compared to users of other SARMs, such as Ostarine (S-22).

In contrast, Dr. McClain has noted that Ostarine can have deleterious effects on health. This suggests that individual responses to SARMs may vary significantly, highlighting the importance of personalized assessment by a medical professional and monitoring when considering these substances.

RAD-140 Authenticity

Due to the high incidence of counterfeit SARM products on the market, this user’s RAD-140 was potentially diluted or entirely void of the true compound. However, this hypothesis is unlikely, given the:

• Severity of the subject’s side effects
• Notable strength results
• Reputable manufacturer in Chemyo

Androgenetic Alopecia

This user also reported a loss of hair toward the later stages of his cycle, known as telogen effluvium, which is caused by an increase in DHT. This may not be a major issue for individuals using SARMs sporadically, since hair enters the anagen (growth) stage once a SARM cycle ends.

However, regular and prolonged SARM use can lead to more permanent effects. In such cases, hair thinning, recession, or loss may become irreversible.

Therefore, individuals concerned about hair recession or thinning may find the results of SARMs to be unsatisfactory.

SARMs Before and After #3

Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf states that he gained 55 pounds for Salvable by:

• Eating large quantities of food
• Administering SARMs
• Lifting weights

He adds that there was “pressure to be bigger” for the role and that SARMs helped him successfully bulk up. However, Shia warns that consuming very high calories in conjunction with SARMs resulted in his cardiologist expressing concern for his heart health.

It is important to recognize that individual results from SARMs can vary significantly, and achieving the same level of muscle mass as Shia is unlikely, unless users consume equivalent caloric intake to support anabolic growth.

SARMs Results vs. Other Anabolic Agents

The before-and-after pictures previously illustrated are representative of the standard outcomes following an initial SARM cycle.

Thus, SARM users appear to be hyporesponders compared to anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users. The latter are typically hyperresponders in regard to muscularity and fat loss. Increased anabolism from anabolic steroids can be attributed to their superior potency when binding to androgen receptors, causing greater:

• Nitrogen retention
• Protein synthesis

Steroid Progress

In our experience, the before-and-after picture below is a typical transformation from a first steroid cycle.

This YouTube user administered conservative dosages of testosterone, adding approximately 20 pounds of lean mass, while significantly:

• Reducing his body fat percentage
• Enhancing his muscle definition

In contrast, SARM users are likely to experience negligible reductions in subcutaneous body fat, with only modest increases in muscle hypertrophy (size). They will typically gain 5–10 pounds of lean mass from a cycle.

This user’s results are noteworthy, given they utilized testosterone as a standalone cycle instead of stacking it with other potent anabolic steroids, such as:

• Trenbolone
• Anadrol

SARMs Before and After

The above subject had not taken PEDs in the left image. The right image is after they completed several S4 (Andarine), MK-2866 (Ostarine), and GH (growth hormone) cycles. An increase in latissimus dorsi (back) thickness is apparent, along with overall growth throughout the body.

Transitioning to Anabolic Steroids

The left photo is post-SARM use, and the right photo is post-steroid use. Deca Durabolin (nandrolone) and Anadrol (oxymetholone) were the two anabolic steroids he regularly utilized.

These results indicate a vast difference in potency between SARMs and anabolic steroids, with the latter being more effective at adding muscle mass in our experience.

However, Deca Durabolin and Anadrol can cause low testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism. Research has also shown that Anadrol can cause substantial fluctuations in cholesterol and liver enzymes due to its status as a C-17 alpha-alkylated compound (12, 13).

This means that Anadrol has been chemically modified at the 17th carbon position with a methyl alkyl group, enabling it to be taken orally. Consequently, Anadrol is resistant to hepatic breakdown.

However, such resistance also results in the liver working harder to detoxify the compound, contributing to hepatocellular stress.

Anadrol is also an estrogenic steroid. Therefore, the following side effects are possible because of its direct stimulatory effect on estrogen receptors:

• Water retention
• Bloating
• Gynecomastia

Individual results may vary when transitioning from SARMs to anabolic steroids, based on:

• The compounds being used
• Dosages
• Genetics
• Nutritional factors

SARMs vs. Testosterone

Testosterone was the first-ever anabolic steroid, created in 1935 by scientists Ernst Laqueur, Adolf Butenandt, and Leopold Ruzicka. In contrast, the first non-steroidal SARMs were created in 1998 by researchers at the University of Tennessee and Ligand Pharmaceuticals.

In our experience, SARMs can replicate a portion of the muscle-building effects achieved by testosterone and other anabolic steroids (16). Dr. Rand McClain states that testosterone may pose fewer cardiovascular risks and promote more anabolism than SARMs.

Therefore, individuals seeking to prioritize their cardiovascular health may be more suited to a carefully tailored testosterone-replacement therapy protocol rather than SARMs.

Dr. McClain adds that there are more clinical studies detailing testosterone’s effects in comparison to SARMs, enabling medical professionals and users to understand more about its benefits and risks.

A cycle of testosterone may produce more optimal results, compared to SARMs, in terms of muscle hypertrophy and subcutaneous fat loss.

Furthermore, testosterone is unlikely to cause negative effects on liver enzymes. However, studies indicate that supraphysiological dosages of testosterone can cause moderate adverse effects on cholesterol (17). Therefore, any testosterone-replacement therapy plan must be tailored to the individual and regularly monitored to determine a suitable dosage for optimal cardiovascular health.

Summary

Non-steroidal SARMs are not FDA-approved and are investigational compounds (14). Therefore, anyone who utilizes SARMs could potentially damage their health.

It appears the initial claims of SARMs having a more acceptable safety profile than anabolic steroids warrant further evaluation, with evidence of:

• Transaminitis (high liver enzymes)
• Acute myocarditis (sudden heart inflammation) in clinical literature (15)

Thus, based on existing case reviews, SARMs appear to be comparable to anabolic steroids in terms of toxicity. However, individuals exhibit variable responses to anabolic substances. For instance, an individual may present with an unfavorable lipid profile when cycling testosterone. However, they may retain normal blood pressure levels throughout Ostarine supplementation.

Consequently, it is imperative for individuals exposed to SARMs or anabolic steroids to undergo blood testing so a healthcare professional can evaluate the individualized physiological response to the administered substance(s).

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