
Andarine is one of the most popular supplements on the market right now. Though not technically a fitness supplement, it is used by many to achieve phenomenal results. It is most decidedly one of the greatest allies you can have in your pursuit of your fitness goals and is one of the more powerful SARMs available. In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this potent drug.
What is Andarine?
Andarine, also known as S4 SARM, is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), originally developed by GTX Inc. for use as a treatment for muscle wasting diseases. Today, it is used by many athletes as a performance enhancer due to its anabolic properties.
SARMs work by directly binding themselves to the body’s androgen receptors. They do so selectively, meaning that there are far fewer potential side effects than you would usually experience with alternatives like androgenic steroids or prohormones. Androgen receptors are key in maintaining bone and muscle health, and in creating new muscle tissue.
By taking SARMs, as they bind to the androgen receptors in this way, you should expect to experience an increase in both lean muscle mass and strength.
Andarine is one of the most effective SARMs available; it is amongst the strongest SARMs, and it has several unique properties. It is most often compared to the anabolic steroids Winstrol and Anavar as it is known to be so potent.
Andarine Uses and Results
I’ve always found Andarine to be a great mass builder. It brings about a milder version of the gains you would expect to see on something like Winstrol. If you have any personal or anecdotal experience of Winstrol, this will be a good preparation for S4.
If you use it during a hypertrophy training cycle, you should expect some fantastic results from Andarine. These will include:
- An increase in lean mass
- Strength gains
- An increase in fat loss
However, S4 SARM can be used for pretty much everything: cutting, bulking, recomping, or just improving athletic performance.
The effects should make themselves apparent at around the two week mark when you are on an S4 SARM cycle. The weight you are able to move on your main lifts will increase, vascularity should improve- I’ve always found that veins become a lot more visible with the increased vascularity under the influence of Andarine, and muscle striation becomes much more evident- and your muscles will begin to look a lot fuller, especially at the peak.
Hypertrophy will soon follow, so that within a few weeks you will have put on a noticeable amount of muscle. In my own experience, a regular, eight week cycle on 25-50mg per day of Andarine should lead to a gain of about 3-4 kg of lean muscle mass.
If you use Andarine during a caloric deficit ‘cut’ phase, it will likely still allow you to increase strength and lean muscle mass. You should expect to stay tight and vascular from the two week mark, with the main size and strength gains coming at this point.
Andarine is a clean compound. This means that your body won’t be retaining any unwanted water weight, and you should experience little to no bloating.
Andarine Dosage
Andarine is very strong, so low doses work well. I generally recommend anything from 25mg to 50mg daily.
A lot of people like to combine Andarine in a stack with Ostarine to take advantage of the synergy the two SARMs have. This works incredibly well during a caloric deficit ‘cut’ phase, as they will enable you to retain or even build muscle mass. I’ll go into the comparative advantages of Anadrine and Ostarine in more detail below, however.
Recent studies have shown that Andarine has a short half-life: it should last approximately 3-4 hours. It is so potent that the low doses mentioned above are very effective, but due to this short half-life you will need to break it up into several doses to be taken throughout the day. This will ensure that you have a relatively consistent level of S4 in your body as you recover from training.
I would always recommend taking 50mg per day divided between two to four doses. Take one in the morning, one with your pre-workout, and the rest at even intervals.
Keeping to such a low dose, evenly spread, will also allow you to dodge some of the side effects associated with Andarine.
Andarine vs Ostarine
Andarine and Ostarine share a common heritage. They were both developed by the same company (GTX Inc.) with the same use in mind: the treatment of conditions that include muscle wasting symptoms.
However, there are some notable differences between Andarine and Ostarine that it is always worth bearing in mind when choosing your supplements.
Many of these differences are in the results recorded for both drugs during clinical trials. Ostarine has been found to be most efficient at building muscular strength and improving bone density, especially in those with pre-existing relevant weaknesses. Andarine, on the other hand, was more adept at maintaining muscle mass- and even aiding hypertrophy- during a caloric deficit.
Note that both are very good for hypertrophy, increasing bone density and maintaining lean mass. Though they were developed purely for clinical application, results from both Ostarine and Andarine have been able to achieve in the fitness world is remarkable. In a recent survey, 80 percent of users reported significant amounts of fat loss with both SARMs. A staggering 98 percent reported strength improvement and muscular gains.
However, they were both most efficient at one or another of these.
Andarine Side Effects
Of course, some SARMs carry potential side effects. You might often read that they are completely risk free: this is untrue. There are a few mild side effects associated with Andarine that it’s best to know going in so that you can make a fully informed choice.
Though the side effects with SARMs in general- and Andarine in particular- are indeed very mild compared with those associated with steroids like Testosterone, Winstrol, and Trenbolone, there are a couple of potential downfalls to bear in mind.
The first one is a possible light suppression of natural levels of testosterone. It’s uncommon but not unheard of, due to the high anabolic activity brought about by Andarine: a cycle could therefore leave your testosterone levels low. If this happens to you, there’s no need to worry. Most people will recover naturally, though it still might be a good idea to make use of a good post cycle therapy (PCT) supplement.
Secondly, users have reported a slight yellowing of their vision caused by Andarine. This usually occurs at high doses, so if you stick to my recommended dosing of 25-50 mg daily then you should be absolutely fine.
Any yellowing of the vision will cease when you come off Andarine at the end of your cycle.
Conclusion
It is easy to see why people are turning to SARMs as a safer alternative to traditional anabolic steroids. Athletes and gym goers alike are learning how to efficiently cycle them to best meet their fitness needs and goals.
These compounds come with only mild side effects at worst, whilst still enabling you to pack on lean muscle at a much greater rate than usual, or to retain muscle mass as you enter a caloric deficit. In the right hands, I have always found them to be incredibly potent.