Table of contents
According to some recent data from 2024, the global population of bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts who use performance-enhancing drugs is estimated at 53.05% men and 41.99% women.
Due to the enormous demand, this article is focused on contrasting the SARMs versus steroids. As a main point, we will cover a brief description of both substances.
Subsequently, we compare both substances based on their benefits in terms of muscle, strength and physical performance. We rely on research and real-life user experience; in addition to the adverse effects and legality of its use, which we will also reasonably cover.
Understand SARMs
As their name indicates, the SARMs they are selective modulators of androgen receptors. Basically, this implies that they selectively associate by binding to androgen receptors found in skeletal muscle and bone tissue.
Usually many SARMs like Testolone RAD140, are taken in pill form. Once processed by the body, they pass into the bloodstream. Thus, the substance begins to interact with the body’s androgen receptors, activating various genetic pathways and receptors.
Likewise, it increases testosterone production, as well as muscle protein synthesis and bone synthesis. This undoubtedly leads to significant growth, repair and strength of these body tissues, as well as optimization of physical performance.
Due to the selectivity of SARMs, adverse effects are low compared to other performance-promoting drugs, such as anabolic steroids. Some examples of SARMs that we can mention are Ostarine and Testolone.
Understanding steroids
Similarly, anabolic steroids are also chemically engineered substances. Unlike SARMs, anabolic steroids mimic the male sex hormone testosterone, this directly increases the levels of this hormone in the body. At this point, the precursors are converted to estrogen and dihydrotestosterone.
As a result, anabolics also increase muscle protein synthesis, in addition to reducing muscle protein breakdown (muscle breakdown).
However, there are a large number of possible side effects as a consequence of this mechanism, which we will address later.
Most anabolics are injected directly into the bloodstream, where they take effect. The most popular anabolics may be: deca, trenbolone, testosterone and anadrol.
Comparative effectiveness for muscle growth, strength and performance
Both SARMs and steroids are both performance-enhancing drugs that enhance muscle growth. In this section we focus on “SARMs versus steroids”, so we can determine which is better.
According to records, anabolic steroids improve strength in the athletic population, between 5% and 20%. This will depend on the particular anabolic and the number of cycles.
To see it more clearly using an example, we have an athlete who can do squats with a 300-pound bar in one go. A 10% increase would increase the athlete’s lift to 330 pounds. Taking into account lean mass and muscle; This athlete could gain 5 to 11 pounds. However, weightlifters who are just starting out can make much more gains.
It is difficult to determine exactly how many muscle and strength gains can be expected from SARMs. There are too many variables to consider, but too little research, for ethical reasons.
However, it is often believed that muscle and strength improvements are much smaller and slower when compared to anabolic steroids.
This is motivated by the fact that anabolic steroids directly increase testosterone levels, far beyond the physiological range. For this reason, steroid users see much more significant changes in strength and muscles, which will later translate into athletic performance.
Real-life user experience
Many of the real users of SARMs and anabolic steroids can be found on forums like Reddit. These people constantly report their results from anecdotal experiences.
In this sense, one individual reported that he obtained much more effective results when using steroids through the use of SARMs. The user stated the following:
“With “juice” (steroids), you are much more likely to look much larger, with bulging muscles and veins the size of a garden hose. With SARMs, you have a little more control over your results and profits, if you take it responsibly. I know both MRSA and steroid users, and steroids offer results faster. However, they often seem unnatural, not to mention the side effects”.
By “juice”, this user refers to anabolic steroid injections, and clearly, the results were much faster and more significant, given his anecdotal observation.
Side effects and health risks
There is a belief that the side effects of using SARMs are much lower compared to traditional steroids. According to records, side effects could include cardiovascular problems and liver toxicity, in most cases. However, it should be considered that SARMs are supported by less research, generating many questions that remain unanswered for ethical reasons, especially in chronic studies.
Unlike SARMs, traditional anabolic steroids are converted to estrogen and DHT. This increases the risk of gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue). Additionally, steroids are associated with increased long-term liver damage, as well as heart problems and disruption of natural testosterone production.
This means that many users would have to rely on testosterone replacement therapy for life, even if they decide to stop using anabolics. In the case of women, some may have menstrual irregularities and a more masculine appearance.
Milder side effects could include acne, hair loss, and mood swings.
Legality and Accessibility
SARMs are illegal and impossible to access in countries such as the US, Canada and Australia. You may be surprised to learn that SARMs are not regulated in most European countries. For this reason, they are openly used by many gym enthusiasts recreationally, as well as low-level athletes.
At the opposite extreme, we have that it is illegal to process and distribute steroids without a prescription in most countries. Some Eastern European countries, such as Mexico and Thailand, have less strict regulations, in fact, these countries allow you to make over-the-counter purchases from a health professional.
Due to strict anti-doping regulations, both substances are banned in all professional and elite sports worldwide.
If these substances are detected during a drug (anti-doping) test, they will likely be prevented from playing the sport, or fined. For example, Mexican-American professional boxer Ryan García allegedly used SARMs called Ostarine. This resulted in a one-year ban and a $10,000 fine.
A final message
SARMs selectively interact with adenosine receptors, while steroids directly mimic testosterone.
Steroids have decades of research, while SARMs are relatively new. This is why there is less data from human trials and long-term studies.
Even in the athletic population, anabolic steroids have been shown to improve strength by up to 20%, while boosting muscle mass by up to 11 pounds. On the other hand, SARMs don’t seem to be that impressive, this is even based on anecdotal observation by real-life users.
Due to the mechanism used by anabolic steroids, side effects point to greater severity. For one thing, steroids increase the risk of organic problems, such as liver toxicity and heart disease. In addition, natural suppression of testosterone in men is possible, in addition to menstrual irregularity in women. Another point to highlight are cases of acne, as well as hair loss.
Please remember that this article is not medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease, disorder or medical condition. You should never replace any advice and treatment provided by your trusted licensed physician.
If you still have questions about using or purchasing the product, please feel free to contact us directly.
References
Hoseini, R., &., Hoseini, Z. ‘Exploring the prevalence of anabolic steroid use among men and women resistance training practitioners after the COVID-19 pandemic’ BMC Public Health, 13(24): 798, 2024
Wen, J., Seyed, B., Leapart, J., et al. ‘Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Effects on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials’ Clinical Endocrinology, 102(1): 2–27, 2024
Hargens, F., &., Kuipers, H. ‘Effects of Androgenic-Anabolic Steroids in Athletes’ Sports Medicine, 34(1):513–554,2004
Reddit, 2023 ‘Sarms vs steroids tells?’ Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/nattyorjuice/comments/xwc91r/sarm_vs_steroid_tells/ (accessed: 12/02/2025)
BBC Sport, 2024 ‘Garcia handed one-year doping ban’ Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cd1175e56x7o#:~:text=Ryan%20Garcia%20has%20been%20handed,Devin%20Haney%20on%2020%20April (Accessed: 12/02/2025)
