Choosing between prohormones and SARMs can be challenging. This is especially true for users looking to enhance their physique. While both compounds are popular in the fitness and bodybuilding communities, they work in distinct ways. Moreover, they offer different risks and benefits.
In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between prohormones vs SARMs. The information we will share will help you determine which is the right choice for your fitness goals.
What Are Prohormones?
Description
Prohormones are known research chemicals that serve as a precursor for hormones. Once consumed, they convert into active hormones. They typically become sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogen.
The mentioned conversion leads to certain anabolic effects such as muscle growth and fat loss. This is due to prohormones’ ability to increase the levels of active hormones in the body.
While prohormones can boost testosterone levels, they are not as powerful as anabolic steroids. However, they may still carry the risks and potential side effects of such bodybuilding supplements.
Most Popular Prohormones Today
Some of the most commonly studied prohormones are:
- ➢ 1-Andro: This prohormone is known for promoting lean muscle mass with fewer adverse androgenic effects than other compounds.
- ➢ 4-Andro: Along with other prohormones, this compound converts to testosterone in the body. In turn, it provides specific anabolic benefits.
- ➢ DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): This could be a natural precursor to testosterone that may help with muscle and bone tissue growth.
- ➢ Nandrolone: Another prohormone that is popular among bodybuilders for its impact on muscle growth and bone density.
What Are SARMs?
Description
SARMs refer to selective androgen receptor modulators. These are synthetic compounds designed to selectively target androgen receptors. The latter is commonly found among muscle and bone tissues.
SARMs are well-known among individuals who have specific fitness goals, such as bodybuilders and athletes. This is because SARMs promote anabolic effects (e.g., muscle growth and enhanced performance) with minimized chance of experiencing androgenic side effects.
These chemical compounds are often mild SARMs due there is a lesser chance for them to produce significant adverse effects. SARMs can improve one’s performance with fewer harmful side effects.
Most Popular SARMs Today
Some well-known SARMs include:
- ➢ Ostarine (MK-2866): This is a mild SARM that helps with lead muscle mass and reduction of body fat.
- ➢ Ligandrol (LGD-4033): This research product is known for promoting muscle growth and increased endurance.
- ➢ RAD-140: Another powerful SARM with significant muscle mass and strength gains potential.
- ➢ YK-11: This potent SARM product can be used to enhance muscle tissue growth and bone density.
Prohormones Vs SARMs: Mechanism of Action
SARMs Mechanism of Action
SARMs work by binding themselves to specific androgen receptors. This particularly occurs in muscle and bone tissues. The binding mimics the effects of testosterone. The latter is a known biochemical that affects growth hormone secretion.
However, SARMs only bind in targeted areas. This quality limits androgenic side effects such as hair loss and acne.
SARMs have gained wide attention due to their potential benefits in encouraging muscle growth. However, SARMs are not considered entirely safe for human consumption. This explains why they are not classified as dietary supplements for muscle building.
Prohormones Mechanism of Action
Prohormones are specific chemicals that become active anabolic hormones once ingested. Most commonly, they turn into testosterone. Thus, prohormones may also encourage muscle building and fat reduction.
Prohormones and SARMs may share similar benefits since both of them improve muscle growth and bone density.
However, since prohormones convert into active hormones, they may affect other body systems. Such a situation may lead to hormonal imbalances. This could affect natural testosterone production.
Prohormones vs SARMs: Their Benefits and Side Effects
SARMs Benefits
- ➢ Lean muscle mass with fewer negative side effects as compared with prohormones or steroids
- ➢ Potential to enhance strength and endurance
- ➢ Can promote fat loss while preserving muscle
- ➢ Some SARMs, such as Ligandrol and Ostarine, are known to help improve bone density
Prohormone Benefits
- ➢ Can significantly increase testosterone levels, leading to substantial muscle growth and increase in strength
- ➢ May encourage fat loss
- ➢ Can help restore natural testosterone levels for those with low levels
SARMs Side Effects
- ➢ Testosterone suppression
- ➢ Liver toxicity
- ➢ Other possible serious side effects with long-term use
Prohormone Side Effects
- ➢ Hormonal imbalances can occur
- ➢ Androgenic side effects
- ➢ May disrupt one’s hormonal balance
Prohormones vs SARMs: Pros and Cons
SARMs Pros and Cons
Pros:
- ➢ More targeted effects
- ➢ Tailored bodybuilding outcomes
- ➢ Milder with fewer androgenic effects
- ➢ Ideal for cutting goals
Cons:
- ➢ Costs more than prohormones
- ➢ Limited research for human consumption
Prohormones Pros and Cons
Pros:
- ➢ Can lead to faster muscle growth and endurance
- ➢ More ideal for bulking purposes
- ➢ A prohormone costs lower than a SARM or steroid
Cons:
- ➢ Post cyle therapy for prohormones might cost more
- ➢ May be banned by certain doping agencies
Prohormones vs SARMs: How Do They Work for Bodybuilding and Fitness
SARMs and Bodybuilding
SARMs have been heavily studied for their effects on cutting and bulking. Bodybuilders may benefit from SARMs due to their potential in growing lean muscle mass. SARMs may also help increase strength and promote fat loss. Such effects, are helpful for reaching one’s fitness goals.
Prohormones and Bodybuilding
Prohormones have the potential for bulking cycles. This is because they can significantly increase testosterone levels. Eventually, it can lead to rapid muscle growth resulting to improved strength. However, the risk of side effects is much higher.
Find The Best Prices For SARMs
Prohormones vs SARMs: Dosages and Cycling
SARMs Dosage and Cycling
SARMs are typically used in cycles that range from 6 to 12 weeks. Afterward, this is followed by a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). The latter helps restore the user’s normal hormonal production.
SARMs dosage may depend on the specific product used. The common range, however, lies between 10 – 30 mg per day. Here is a quick SARM dosage guide:
- ➢ Beginner: 10 – 15 mg per day
- ➢ Intermediate user: 16 – 20 mg per day
- ➢ Advanced user: 21 -25 mg per day
Prohormones Dosage and Cycling
Prohormones may be cycled for 4 to 8 weeks. A PCT regimen is recommended to restore hormonal balance. Just like with SARMs, prohormone dosage varies.
Below is a suggested prohormone dosage:
- ➢ Beginner: 10 – 20 mg per day
- ➢ Intermediate user: 21 – 40 mg per day
- ➢ Advanced user: 41 -60 mg per day
SARMs and Prohormones: PCT
Both SARMs and prohormones require a PCT. The latter is aimed at restoring one’s normal hormonal levels. Proper PCT effectively prevents the following:
- ➢ Hormonal imbalance
- ➢ Testosterone suppression
- ➢ Other potential side effects
PCT compounds are typically Clomid, Nolvadex, or D-aspartic acid.
Prohormones vs SARMs: Pricing
High quality SARMs may cost a few hundred dollars per month. Moreover, PCT is needed to restore normal testosterone levels. This could add to the overall cost of researching about SARMs.
On the other hand, prohormones often come with a cheaper tag price. However, they may require a stronger cycle therapy to manage natural testosterone production. The overall cost for prohormones might be less than SARMs.
Prohormones vs SARMs: Legality and Availability
Old prohormones are illegal in several countries. This is because they act as steroid precursors and may be converted anabolic steroids. The latter may pose several side effects. Newer prohormones, on the other hand, are marketed as legal supplements. However, they can still be banned in professional sports. The reason behind this is such compounds produce performance-enhancing effects.
SARMs are research chemicals that interact with androgen receptors. This quality promotes muscle growth. However, SARMs are not approved for human consumption by regulatory agencies like the FDA. SARMs can be legally sold online as research chemicals. The efficacy of SARMs are not well-established.
SARMs and Prohormones: Which is Better?
Prohormones vs SARMs for Bulking
Prohormones tend to lead to more significant gains in mass quickly. However, they come with a much higher risk. This is because prohormones may behave in the same way as steroids.
SARMs can also produce enhanced muscle growth. Although, this effect is not as potent as prohormones. Thus, SARMs can be a better option for moderate bulking. They even have lesser risks for adverse reactions.
Prohormones vs SARMs for Cutting
When it comes to cutting, both SARMs and prohormones can aid in fat loss and muscle retention. However, SARMs are generally considered better for this purpose. One known SARM Ostarine has been shown to help preserve lean muscle mass. This is achieved even during a calorie deficit.
Prohormones are typically more geared towards bulking. They may also cause water retention or bloating. Such effects can make them less ideal for cutting phases.
Prohormones vs SARMs for Strength and Endurance
In terms of strength and endurance, SARMs tend to have the edge. RAD-140 is popular for improving strength significantly. The best part is this effect occurs without many of the negative effects related to prohormones.
Conclusion
Both SARMs and prohormones offer similar benefits for muscle growth, strength gains, and fat loss. However, they come with different risks and side effects.
SARMs tend to have fewer androgenic effects. On the other hand, prohormones are more potent but may require a more rigorous PCT. Choosing between them depends on your fitness goals, tolerance for potential risks, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take SARMs and prohormones together?
Some users experiment combining prohormones and SARMs. However, stacking prohormones with SARMs increases the risk of hormonal imbalances. Proper cycle therapy is essential if combining these compounds.
What is the main difference between SARMs and prohormones?
SARMs work by selectively binding to androgen receptors. Hormones, on the other hand, convert into anabolic hormones and testosterone.
What are the key differences between SARMs, prohormones, and steroids?
Anabolic steroids directly introduce synthetic testosterone into the body. Prohormones convert into testosterone or similar hormones. Lastly, SARMs selectively activate androgen receptors.
What are the risks of taking SARMs and prohormones?
Both carry potential side effects. These may be testosterone suppression and hormonal imbalance.
Do SARMs and prohormones increase one’s strength?
Yes, both prohormones and SARMs improve one’s strength. However, prohormones may provide rapid strength increases. This is due to their androgenic effects.
