Best SARMS For Bulking (UPDATED 2026)

By: Rob Miller


Home » SARMS » Best SARMS For Bulking (UPDATED 2026)

Who doesn’t want to get bigger muscles without the pesky addition of fat?

Wouldn’t you like to increase your strength and overall performance in the gym or in your chosen sport?

Outside of natural training, supplements have become almost a requirement if you want to push your results to the next level.

SARMs have become extremely popular as a way to achieve muscle building, fat loss, and performance enhancement without the horror story side effects associated with anabolic steroids.

Let’s review what SARMs are, and the 5 best SARMS for bulking that will help you get big, get lean, and get strong.

Jump To A Topic:

SARMS 101
How Do SARMS Work?
#1 – Cardarine
#2 – Ibutamoren
#3 – Andarine
#4 – Testolone
#5 – S23

SARMs 101

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are an effective way to get the anabolic benefits associated with common steroids without the androgenic side effects.

sarms for bulking

Anabolism refers to the size and definition of the muscle tissue. (Source) When you take a SARM, you’ll see increases in size and definition while losing fat.

Androgenic means the natural hormonal changes that occur in the body such as organ development and testosterone and estrogen production. (Source)

Illegal steroids, for example, have horrible androgenic side effects such as liver strain, hair loss, and gyno (man-boobs).

man boobs from steroids
Man boobs develop from steroid cessation. (Source)

How Does a SARM Work?

The name reveals how it works once ingested.

SARMs are designed to seek out androgen receptor sites or places in the body that are responsible for controlling the production of hormones and important compounds.

Once attached to these receptors, the SARM gets to work to increase the production of specific anabolic compounds.

Once your body is flooded with these anabolic compounds, this is when you’ll see the increases in lean muscle mass, fat burning, and strength gains.

Here are the 5 best SARMs for bulking that have been shown to work, while minimizing the risk of serious side effects.

#1. Best SARM For Bulking: Cardarine (GW-1516)

cardarine from swisschems

Cardarine, also known as GW-1516 is technically not a SARM but a PPARδ modulator.

However, to avoid confusion, it’s often classified as a SARM in online forums and stores.

What’s the difference between a SARM and a PPARδ modulator?

While SARMs stimulate the production of androgen receptor sites, a PPAR modulator taps into something called the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) – more commonly known as a nuclear hormone receptor. (Source)

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
Source: Wikipedia.org

These receptors are found in muscle and fat tissue and they help to control fat burning, muscle metabolism, muscle development, and healing.

Cardarine links up to these nuclear hormone receptor sites and stimulates the production of compounds that increase muscle building, fat loss, and performance recovery. (Source)

Just like with Ostarine and other SARMs, you don’t have to worry about androgenic side effects because Cardarine only promotes anabolic benefits.

Studies suggest that Cardarine is better equipped to be a cutting and performance SARM than anything else.

It’s been shown to improve endurance-based performance in mice, increasing distance running by up to 68%. (Source)

cardarine study in mice
Cardarine effects on run distance.

Source: NIH.gov

In that same study, researchers confirmed that Cardarine also promoted fat burning and inflammation reduction.

Cardarine Highlights:

  • PPAR modulator
  • Safe for all levels of experience
  • Great for stacking with a muscle-building SARM (e.g., Ostarine)
  • Ideal for getting shredded and increasing endurance

Where To Buy Cardarine

As we mentioned above, our personal top pick for Cardarine is via a company called Swiss Chems.

Their brand of Cardarine is rigorously tested by independent 3rd party’s, and is by far the highest quality on the market.

Visit their Cardarine page here: www.SwissChems.is/product/gw-501516-cardarine-10mg-capsule-60-capsules/?ref=376

#2. Best SARM For Bulking: Ibutamoren (MK-677)

mk677 from swisschems

Ibutamoren MK-677 (sometimes called Nutrobal)is an injection-free way to support muscle building.

Unlike Ostarine and Cardarine, Ibutamoren is classified as a growth hormone secretagogue (HGH-S).

What’s the difference?

SARMs hook up to androgen receptor sites while PPARs latch on to nuclear hormone receptors; both crank up the production of anabolic compounds.

A growth hormone secretagogue can move past something called the somatostatin barrier.

Somatostatin regulates your growth hormone production and an HGH-S works by stunting the growth hormone-limiting actions of somatostatin.

Ibutamorenincreases the amount of growth hormone production in the body.

Growth hormone is responsible for muscle recovery and growth as well as fat burning and cognitive functioning.

Ibutamorenhas been shown to prevent muscle catabolism (muscle breakdown) while increasing protein synthesis, growth hormone, and IGF-1 – All three of which are essential for muscle development.

I’d argue that given Ibutamoren’s anti-catabolic nature, it’s best for those people going on a low-calorie diet in order to get more defined.

It can protect your hard-earned muscle mass while supporting your goals for definition and vascularity.

If you’re looking for the best SARM for bulking, Ibutamoren just might be the ideal choice for you.

Ibutamoren Highlights:

  • Growth hormone secretagogue
  • Safe for all levels of experience
  • Great for stacking with a muscle-building SARM (e.g., Ostarine)
  • Ideal for getting shredded and preventing muscle breakdown (e.g., during fasting or low-calorie diets)

Where To Buy Ibutamoren

Just like with the SARMs listed above, we recommend you go with the SwissChems MK-677 brand.

It’s the highest quality version on the market, and in short, it works!

Visit the official Swiss Chems website listing for MK-677 here: www.SwissChems.is/product/mk-677-ibutamoren-10mg-capsule-60-capsules/?ref=376

#3. Best SARM For Bulking: Andarine

Also known as S-4, Andarine is a classified as a SARM.

cardarine and ligandrol for bulking

Just like Ostarine, it promotes anabolic properties in the body without the worry of androgenic side effects.

Andarine is a unique SARM in that it does not aromatize or promote the conversion of testosterone intro estrogen. What’s more, it’s been shown to be selective in the muscle tissue that it benefits.

Andarine has been used for some time as a way to halt and reverse muscle wasting.

It has been shown to be so effective at stopping muscle catabolism and promoting muscle growth, that it’s used with cancer and AIDS patients.

It’s also been used on healthy and young volunteers looking to build muscle mass.

The results shouldn’t surprise you: Researchers found that Andarine was dramatically effective in increasing lean muscle mass in just five short weeks – A common SARM cycle length.

Andarineis a great SARM if you want to build more muscle and protect the muscle you have during fasting workouts or low-calorie diets.

AndarineHighlights:

  • SARM
  • Safe for beginners
  • Great for stacking with cutting / shredding compound (e.g., Cardarine)
  • Ideal for muscle mass and avoiding muscle breakdown (e.g., during fasting or low-calorie diets)

Click Here to read my full Andarine review.

You can pick up a 60 count bottle of capsules from Swiss Chems here: www.SwissChems.is/product/s4-andarine-25mg-capsule-60-capsules/?ref=376

#4. Best SARM For Bulking: Testolone (RAD-140)

rad140 from swisschems

Rounding out our article on the 5 best SARMS for bulking is a product called Testolone.

Also known as RAD-140, Testolone is another unique SARM in that it helps to promote androgen receptors in both bone and muscle tissue.

The result is greater bone density as well as muscle growth without any impact on reproductive or essential organs such as the prostate and liver.

If you’re looking to gain some serious size and don’t care about that dry cut definition, Testolone is the SARM for you.

It is the mass-building SARM, producing dramatic results in a short amount of time.

One study found that Testolone triggered lean muscle growth in a big way using only a small dose.

Even when researchers increased the dose 10 times the normal amount, liver enzymes stayed within a healthy range.

But don’t get too excited: Increasing the dose to insane levels did not produce more mass than what a lower dose did.

If you use Testolone, follow the instructions, and do NOT use more than the recommended amount.

The best way to use Testolone is if you’re going for straight up size.

Hardgainers, listen up: This is the SARM for you.

Testolone Highlights:

  • SARM
  • Safe for all levels of experience
  • Great for stacking with cutting / shredding compound (e.g., Nutrobal)
  • Ideal for muscle mass and avoiding muscle breakdown (e.g., during fasting or low-calorie diets)

Where To Buy Testolone

Just like with the others, you can pick up Nutrobal from the official SwissChems website.

Here’s a link: www.SwissChems.is/product/rad-140-testolone-10mg-capsule-60-capsules/?ref=376

#5. Best SARM For Bulking: S-23

s-23 from swiss chems

Considered the ideal SARM for beginners, S-23is by far one of the best SARMS for bulking on the market right now.

It’s a foundational SARM that many bodybuilders and muscle-building enthusiasts start with or base their stack upon.

As described above, S-23 works by attaching itself to androgen receptor sites and increasing the production of different anabolic compounds including testosterone.

Studies show that S-23is extremely effective for muscle mass.

One study saw subjects gaining an average of 3 pounds of muscle without implementing an exercise or specific diet program.

While it’s not considered a cutting SARM or a SARM that can help you get shredded for a competition, for example, you will probably see some fat loss in correlation with the gains in muscle.

Users of S-23also report higher levels of strength during their workout, and some also claim they experience fat loss.

Without a doubt, the primary use for Ostarine is to build size.

Very few noted any side effects, although some are possible. (VERY rare)

potential side effects from ostarine
Source: SupplementCritique.com

S-23 Highlights:

  • SARM
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Great SARM to base a stack upon
  • Best for building muscle mass

Where To Buy S-23

By far the highest quality producer of S-23 is a company called Swiss Chems. They’ve been in the SARMS business for years, and are highly regarded as the finest quality SARMS provider on the market.

Visit the official listing for S-23 on the Swiss Chems website here: www.SwissChems.is/product/s-23-10mg-capsule-60-capsules/?ref=376

Have You Used These SARMs? Leave Your Review Below!

Top 3 SARMSAffiliate Disclosure

Ostarine

Ostarine

Is Ostarine the perfect SARM? You bet your ASS it is!

Read more here.

Click Here To Learn More »

Cardarine

Cardarine

Cardarine is one of the strongest SARMs on the market today.

Read more here.

Click Here To Learn More »

Nutrobal

Nutrobal

Nutrobal is one of the most popular muscle builders in the bodybuilding industry.

Click Here To Learn More »



User Reviews


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Works Great!


By Mike A.,  Feb 25, 2021
In Short: I would recommend this to a friend.

I went with your recommendation on stacking Ligandrol and Cardarine and all I can say is WOW!

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Author: Rob Miller

Supplement Critique

Rob Miller founded SupplementCritique.com over 7 years ago, and has been the chief editor ever since. He has a diploma in Advanced Dietary Supplements Advisor, and worked at GNC for 3 years. He KNOWS supplements, both inside and out. Rob currently resides in Jupiter, FL, with his wife of 4 years.  Learn more about him in his Bio here. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook, LinkedIn, or find him on Google +.

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