Selectively Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are becoming a popular choice for people looking to build muscle, burn fat, and improve their performance in the gym. SARMs work by targeting specific areas of your body, like your muscles and bones, to help you reach your fitness goals faster and with fewer side effects compared to traditional steroids. However, to get the best results from your SARM cycle, it’s important to track your progress. In this article, we’ll show you how to monitor your progress with SARMs, make changes as needed, and optimize your results.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

  • Tracking your progress helps you make sure your SARM stack is working.
  • Regularly checking your results lets you make adjustments to your plan.
  • Monitoring helps you stay safe and avoid unwanted side effects.

1. What Are SARMs and How Do They Work?

What Are SARMs?

SARMs, or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, are special compounds that help your muscles grow and burn fat. They work similarly to anabolic steroids but with fewer side effects. Unlike steroids, which affect many areas of your body, SARMs target only muscle and bone tissue, which means less risk of unwanted effects on things like your liver or hair.

How Do SARMs Work in the Body?

SARMs attach to androgen receptors in your muscles and bones. This makes your muscles grow and helps burn fat. Unlike regular testosterone, which can affect other parts of your body, SARMs only affect muscle and bone tissue, which reduces the chance of side effects.

How Are SARMs Different from Steroids?

  • Targeted Action: SARMs are more selective, meaning they focus on muscles and bones, unlike steroids, which can affect the whole body.
  • Fewer Side Effects: SARMs usually have fewer and less serious side effects compared to anabolic steroids.

2. Understanding SARMs Stacks

What is a SARM Stack?

A SARM stack is when you combine two or more SARMs to get even better results. Each SARM works in a slightly different way, so stacking them can help you reach multiple fitness goals at the same time, like building muscle and burning fat. If you’re looking for the best SARM stack for your fitness goals, you can check out our guide to the best SARMs stack.

Why Stack SARMs Instead of Using One?

While using just one SARM can give you great results, stacking different SARMs together helps you target multiple fitness goals at once. For example, you could stack Ostarine (which helps preserve muscle) with Cardarine (which helps burn fat) to get the best of both worlds.

Types of SARMs Stacks

  • Bulking Stacks: These stacks are used to build muscle.
    • Example: Ligandrol (LGD-4033) + RAD-140
  • Cutting Stacks: These are used to burn fat while keeping your muscle.
    • Example: Ostarine (MK-2866) + Cardarine (GW-501516)
  • Endurance Stacks: These help increase stamina and energy during workouts.
    • Example: Cardarine (GW-501516) + SR9009

3. Setting Clear Goals Before Starting a SARM Stack

Why Goal Setting is Important

Before you start using SARMs, it’s important to decide what you want to achieve. Do you want to gain muscle? Lose fat? Or improve your endurance? Setting clear goals will help you track your progress and make sure your SARM stack is working.

Types of Fitness Goals with SARMs

  • Muscle Growth: If you want to build muscle, choose SARMs like RAD-140 or Ligandrol.
  • Fat Loss: If you want to burn fat, try SARMs like Ostarine or Cardarine.
  • Endurance and Performance: For better stamina and energy, you can use Cardarine or SR9009.

Creating SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)

SMART goals are a great way to stay focused. Here’s how to set them:

  • Specific: “I want to gain 5 pounds of muscle.”
  • Measurable: “I will track my body fat percentage and muscle size.”
  • Achievable: “I will gain 2 pounds of muscle per month.”
  • Relevant: “I want to be stronger for lifting.”
  • Time-bound: “I will achieve this in 12 weeks.”

4. Establishing Baseline Metrics to Track Progress

Why Baseline Metrics Matter

To know if SARMs are working for you, you need to know where you’re starting from. Tracking things like your body weight, body fat, and strength will help you see if you’re improving.

Key Metrics to Track

  • Body Composition:
    • Track your weight, body fat percentage, and lean muscle mass using a scale, body fat calipers, or even a special scan.
  • Strength:
    • Keep track of how much weight you can lift, how many sets and reps you can do, and any other strength measurements.
  • Performance:
    • Track your endurance in activities like running, cycling, or swimming.
  • Health:
    • Track how you’re feeling: how much energy you have, how well you’re sleeping, and how good your mood is.

Tools for Measuring Metrics

  • Use fitness apps like MyFitnessPal to log food and workouts.
  • Use a body fat scale or calipers to track body fat.
  • Take progress photos every couple of weeks to see physical changes.
  • Keep a workout log to track strength and endurance.

5. Monitoring Physical Changes During Your SARM Cycle

Tracking Muscle Growth

  • Measure your muscles: (arms, chest, legs) to see if they’re getting bigger.
  • Take progress photos: from different angles to compare over time.
  • Track strength: If you’re lifting heavier weights or doing more reps, that means you’re likely building muscle.

Tracking Fat Loss

  • Measure body fat: Use a scale or calipers to track changes in body fat percentage.
  • Track measurements: Measure your waist, hips, and thighs to see if they’re shrinking.
  • Notice how clothes fit: If your clothes are looser, it’s a good sign you’re losing fat.

Performance Monitoring

  • Strength gains: Track how much weight you’re lifting and how many reps you can do.
  • Endurance improvements: Record how long you can do cardio, or how fast you can run or cycle.
  • Recovery: If you’re recovering faster between sets, you’re making progress.

6. Monitoring Mental and Emotional Health

Psychological Effects of SARMs

Sometimes SARMs can affect your mood or energy levels. For example, they might make you feel more aggressive or irritable. It’s important to pay attention to your mental health during your cycle.

How to Track Mental Well-being

  • Keep a journal: of how you’re feeling each day—track your mood, energy, and motivation levels.
  • If you feel overly stressed or aggressive, it might be time to adjust your dosage.

Addressing Negative Mental Effects

  • Lower your dosage: if you notice mood changes or agitation.
  • Take a break: from your SARM cycle if you’re feeling mentally drained or anxious.

7. Adjusting Your SARM Stack Based on Progress

How to Assess Your Progress

Regularly check your results. If you’re not seeing the muscle growth or fat loss you expect, you might need to adjust your stack or dosage. Check out our guide on muscular endurance to see how to keep progressing.

When to Increase Dosage

If you’re not getting the results you want after a few weeks, you may want to slightly increase your dosage. But always start low and increase gradually to avoid side effects.

When to Change Your Stack

If you’re not seeing any progress or you’ve reached a plateau, consider changing your stack. For example, you could add a more potent SARM like RAD-140 for more muscle growth or use Cardarine to improve fat loss.

Cycling SARMs

To keep your body from getting used to the SARMs, it’s a good idea to take breaks. A typical cycle lasts 8-12 weeks, followed by a 4-6 week break.

8. Supporting Your SARM Cycle with Proper Nutrition and Supplementation

Nutrition for Best Results

  • For bulking: Eat more calories, especially protein-rich foods like chicken, eggs, and fish.
  • For cutting: Focus on eating fewer calories while keeping your protein high to protect muscle.
  • For endurance: Eat balanced meals with healthy carbs, protein, and fats.

Supplements to Enhance Results

  • Creatine: Helps increase strength and muscle size.
  • BCAAs: Help prevent muscle breakdown during workouts.
  • Liver support: Supplements like milk thistle or NAC help protect your liver.

Hydration and Sleep

Drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep (7-9 hours a night) is essential for recovery and muscle growth during your SARMs cycle.

9. The Importance of Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

What is Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)?

PCT is a process that helps restore your body’s natural hormone levels after using SARMs. When you stop taking SARMs, your body might need help to get back to normal.

Why You Need PCT

  • Restores Natural Testosterone: PCT helps restore the body’s natural testosterone levels.
  • Preserves Gains: Prevents muscle loss and supports continued fat loss after the cycle.

Common PCT Supplements

  • Clomid and Nolvadex are often used in PCT to help restore testosterone levels.
  • Testosterone boosters can also help your body produce more testosterone naturally.

FAQ

Q1: How long does it take to see results from a SARMs stack?

It usually takes 4-6 weeks to notice some changes, like muscle growth, fat loss, or increased endurance.

Q2: Can I stack SARMs with other supplements?

Yes, SARMs can be stacked with supplements like creatine or BCAAs to boost results, but be sure to monitor your body for any side effects.

Q3: How can I avoid SARMs-related side effects?

Start with low doses, use proper cycling, and take liver support supplements to reduce side effects.

Q4: Can women use SARMs?

Yes, women can use SARMs, but they should choose those with lower androgenic effects, like Ostarine or LGD-4033, to avoid masculinization.

Q5: How do I know if my SARMs stack is working?

Track changes in your body size, strength, and endurance. If you’re not seeing results, adjust your stack or dosage.

Q6: Should I use SARMs if I’m a beginner?

It’s best to start with a lower dose and simpler stacks if you’re new to SARMs. This will help you see how your body reacts before using more complex stacks.

Q7: Can SARMs help me lose fat and gain muscle at the same time?

Yes, SARMs like Ostarine and Cardarine are great for helping you build muscle while burning fat.

Q8: How do I track strength and performance during my SARMs cycle?

Log your strength progress (e.g., maximum lifts) and endurance improvements (e.g., longer cardio sessions).

Q9: How do I know when to end my SARM cycle or take a break?

If you’ve completed 8-12 weeks or start noticing side effects, it’s time to take a break and begin post-cycle therapy (PCT).