Experienced bodybuilders and athletes may use more ‘hardcore’ supplements to improve in the sport they play. For many reasons, people use steroids, prohormones, or SARMs. The motivation might be purely cosmetic, such as to lose fat and gain lean muscle mass, or it could be to improve athletic performance and recovery.
Even though all three make very similar claims, they work very differently. Understanding the main difference between prohormones, steroids, and SARMs in terms of effects, risks, and interactions is crucial when weighing your options.
What Differentiates Prohormones, Steroids, and SARMs from One Another, and Are They Similar?
Steroids
Human hormones are replicated in steroids. Steroids help decrease inflammation like these hormones. Corticosteroids are distinct from anabolic steroids that bodybuilders and athletes use. Steroids reduce inflammation and relieve swelling, discomfort, and stiffness but will not cure the medical condition.
Infection or germs usually cause inflammation. To combat infections and germs, your immune system creates extra fluid, causing swelling, redness, and heat. A skin cut or wound may have shown this. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system mistakenly inflames joints and other areas, which may cause lasting damage if overlooked. Steroids may suppress this immune reaction.
Prohormones
Precursors or inactive hormones are transformed into active hormones in the body. They are generally produced in labs or sourced from plants or animals. Prohormones boost muscle-building hormones, including testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and nandrolone. SARMs are selective. However, Prohormones may target numerous tissues and organs with androgen receptors. The FDA and WADA have outlawed prohormones for human usage, even though they were created to treat hormone shortages and disorders. Still offered online as dietary supplements, bodybuilders and athletes take them for anabolic and androgenic effects.
SARMs
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs). They are synthetic chemicals that preferentially activate androgen receptors in muscle, bone, and fat. They can simulate the effects of testosterone and other anabolic steroids without damaging androgen-sensitive organs and systems such as the prostate, liver, and hair follicles. SARMs were created to treat muscle wasting and osteoporosis. However, the FDA has not authorized them for human usage. They are commonly accessible online as research compounds or dietary supplements, and bodybuilders and athletes utilize them for anabolic and anti-catabolic characteristics.
Of course, the quality and accessibility of each item is a major difference. The selling of anabolic steroids is illegal in the majority of countries. As a result, there is a thriving black market for items that may not be what they seem and are either under or overdosed. Prohormones have also been investigated, with several former favorites like superdrol being outlawed. Some, like Epistane, are still accessible, however. With increasing evidence supporting them, particularly ostarine, SARMs are perhaps the most “up and coming” group. Still, make sure you purchase from a reliable distributor and brand.
Comparing the Pros and Cons of SARMs, Prohormones, and Steroids
Pros
|
|
SARMs |
Prohormones |
Steroids |
|
Muscle Gains |
Moderate increase in muscle endurance |
Rapid muscle mass and strength gains |
Highest increase in muscle mass |
|
Body Fat |
Decrease in body fat with lean gains |
Moderate improvement in fat loss |
Significant reduction in body fat |
|
Strength |
Noticeable strength enhancement |
Substantial strength boost |
Superior strength enhancement |
|
Recovery |
Enhanced recovery times |
Faster recovery from workouts |
Quickest recovery post-exercise |
Side Effects & Dangers
|
|
SARMs |
Prohormones |
Steroids |
|
Hormonal |
Mild suppression, less than steroids |
High suppression, requires PCT |
Severe suppression, requires PCT |
|
Liver Health |
Lower hepatotoxicity than others |
Moderate risk of liver damage |
High risk of liver damage |
|
Cardiovascular |
Potential impact on cholesterol levels |
Can negatively impact the lipid profile |
Severe adverse effects on lipid profile |
|
Legal Status |
Not approved for human use, legal gray area |
Mostly banned or controlled substances |
Controlled substances, illegal without prescription |
Pricing
SARMs
SARMs often come with a very inexpensive price tag—roughly £30 to $50 per bottle. Generally speaking, one bottle will last 4-6 weeks at the recommended dosage.
Prohormones
The cost of prohormones might vary. Some may cost around the same as SARMs, while others may cost up to £100 for a single vial or bottle.
Steroids
A bottle or vial of steroids may cost as little as £30, while others might cost as much as £50-70. We believe that the cost difference is insufficient to take priority over the other factors. In contrast to growth hormone, all three have comparable prices, which may be quite costly for a genuine product.
Can Prohormones And SARMs Be Combined?
Prohormone stacking with SARMs should only be attempted by experienced users with a great deal of expertise in each class of chemicals and aware of the required safety precautions. Anyone considering implementing such a stack must know its pros and cons and have a well-defined plan for minimizing negative impacts.
Prohormone and SARM combination is generally not advised because of the higher risk of negative effects, especially those on liver health and hormonal balance. There are certain exceptions, however. Prohormones or steroids may be stacked with non-hormonal substances such as cardarine (GW-501516) and ibutamoren (MK-677), which have no direct effect on anabolic hormone levels. Without the usual adverse effects of hormonal therapy, these substances provide the advantages of increasing fat reduction, endurance, and growth hormone levels.
When choosing SARMs and prohormones, athletes and bodybuilders with particular objectives should exercise caution. The best stack often varies depending on the person, whether the aim is to lose fat, gain muscle, or enhance strength. Combining Androtest with Nano 1t, a non-methylated prohormone stack well-known for its effectiveness and lower risk profile than other stacks, reduces liver damage.
Enhancing Performance Responsibly
Although the discussion around the use of steroids, prohormones, and SARMs is often centered on concerns about negative effects and long-term health implications, when taken responsibly, these drugs may also provide a safe path to improving physical performance. It examines how careful usage might minimize risks and increase benefits.
- Responsible Use: The secret to using steroids properly for bodybuilders and athletes is to follow recommended dose guidelines and get proper information. This calls for in-depth investigation, medical oversight, and knowledge of how one’s body reacts to various substances. It also involves using these drugs for short to avoid long-term health problems.
- Medical Supervision: By speaking with medical experts, users may monitor their health throughout their use cycle and modify their strategy as necessary. This is essential for seeing warning indications of negative effects early on and avoiding possible long-term harm.
- Purposeful Goals: To prevent abuse, users should establish specific, achievable goals. Whether the goal is to increase muscle growth responsibly, improve muscle recovery, or improve endurance, having well-defined goals may help keep supplementing focused and safe.
- Alternatives and Supplements: Natural supplementation combined with diet and exercise may frequently provide big results without harsher drugs. This strategy not only improves output but also advances general health and well-being.
Conclusion
The SARM cycle is often the best choice for those who have never used steroids, prohormones, or SARMs. They have the same anabolic effects as steroids, but not as quickly. They also carry less danger than prohormones and are simpler to get securely. While many other kinds of SARMs are available today, three well-liked in the UK are andarine, ligandrol (lgd-4033), and rad140, all offered by Predator Nutrition.
To get the most advantages with the fewest problems possible, there are several strategies to work your way around these supplements over a long time. When you notice benefits, for example, begin with the lowest effective dosage of a mild SARM and work this way for as many cycles as possible before increasing the dose or stacking another SARM. No supplement can guarantee muscle growth without a suitable number of calories, progressive workout, and protein consumption. Prioritize getting these points completely mastered!
It should be noted that, in case of a positive test, athletes are usually banned from participating in their sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).