5 Pros and Cons of Using SARMs for Fitness

SARMs were the alternative to anabolic steroids that fitness enthusiasts and weightlifters were waiting for. Deemed safer than conventional steroids, they quickly gained in popularity. But almost every fitness supplement has both pros and cons, and this is true of SARMs as well. 

Before starting a SARM routine, check out these 5 pros and cons of using SARMs for fitness.

Administration Method

When choosing a supplement, the way you can administer it will affect your choice. Everyone has their preferences when it comes to supplement intake. While certain SARMs are available as injectables, most are available in liquid form or as pills/capsules.

Pro

• How you choose to use SARMs is up to your individual preference. It may be more convenient for dosage purposes to take them in pill form. However many users advocate using liquid SARMs products. This is an ideal alternative for those people who dislike popping pills.
• Taking SARMs in liquid form, sublingually (under the tongue) can increase bioavailability and offer faster absorption of the product.

Con

• Many users claim that certain liquid SARMs have a strong, unpleasant taste and odor. The odor can also linger on the breath for some time after use. You’ll need to keep a supply of mints or breath freshening spray, handy.

• It can take a few tries to get the hang of administering liquid SARMs with a dropper. It’s often trickier for some users to take a carefully measured dose when using SARMs in liquid form.

Product Efficacy

Digital marketing for medical practices is far outweighed by the online presence of pseudo-scientific “health and fitness” supplement websites. This is a concern, particularly as the latest SARMs are relatively new. 

Pros

• Although fairly new, one can get an idea of how effective SARMs are from research that has been done. More than 90% of men in a SARMs study reported increased muscle mass.
• Clinical data also shows that SARMs are highly effective even at dosages of as little as 1mg daily.

Con

• The latest generation of SARMs has only been used and studied since the 1990s. However, there is research data that suggests SARMs have less of an impact on building lean muscle mass than, for example, anabolic steroids.

User Experience

The user experience of SARMs is not the most scientific method to base your decision on. However, it can give you a glimpse into what you can expect when using SARMs for fitness. It is noteworthy that the SARMs user experience as indicated in user reviews is overall positive.

Pros

• In general, users have reported very few or no side effects, an increase in lean muscle mass, and better endurance. The user experience tends to be positive, with many saying they would recommend it or continue using it.

Cons

• Some users have reported that they didn’t experience the increase in strength that they expected from all the hype. That said, different users may react differently to SARM use.

Side Effects

Every medication or supplement on the market can have potential side effects. SARMs are widely claimed to have less severe side effects than anabolic steroids. 

Pros

• SARM proponents say that while there is always the potential for side effects, SARMs produce significantly fewer and less severe side effects than traditional steroids. This was one of the selling points when SARMs were first introduced as an alternative to anabolic steroids.

Cons

• Unfortunately, although side effects may be less severe, they do still exist. More than half of SARM users have reported mostly hormone-related side effects like mood swings and acne. While not life-threatening, these are negative effects that you may not want to experience.
• In some cases, a link has been established between SARM use and liver or cardiovascular issues. Therefore it would be best to avoid SARMs if you already have heart or liver conditions.

Legal Concerns

Legality issues are always an important consideration. This is not only a question of whether or not a supplement is legal for sale and use, but also whether or not it is FDA-approved, and if it is allowed or banned for use in professional sports. 

Pros

• SARMs are technically legal for sale and use. You will not face legal consequences for using it, either. It must be stressed, though, that a doctor will not prescribe them. Not even an online doctor should do this, as it is classified as a drug meant for research purposes.

Cons

• SARMs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What does this mean? When the FDA gives a product its stamp of approval, it has determined that, with responsible use, the benefits outweigh any potential risks. The absence of FDA approval is always an important consideration to be aware of.
• SARMs are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) overseeing competitive sports. If you’re a professional or competitive athlete and intend to start using SARMs, you could risk expulsion.