Goal guide
Best compounds
for muscle
From proven legal supplements to prescription steroids — ranked by evidence and realistic effect size.
Start here
If you haven't maxed out what creatine can do for you, you're not ready for SARMs or steroids. Most natural trainees leave 15-20% of their potential gains on the table by not using creatine consistently. Get your fundamentals right before adding complexity.
Creatine Monohydrate
BeginnerCreatine, Cr
The most evidence-backed muscle building supplement in existence. 5-15% strength increase, proven in thousands of studies, cheap, legal, and safe long-term. Start here.
Best for: Strength and power, everyone
LGD-4033
IntermediateLigandrol
The strongest SARM for lean mass gains. Produces 8-12 lbs of lean mass in a typical 8-week cycle. Closest SARM to mild steroids in terms of anabolic effect.
Best for: Serious lean mass, experienced users
RAD-140
IntermediateTestolone
Cleaner, drier gains than LGD with better strength-to-size ratio. Slightly less suppression. Better choice for recomp or if you're sensitive to water retention.
Best for: Lean recomp, strength gains
Testosterone
AdvancedTest, Test E / Test C / Test P
The gold standard. Studied for 80 years, dramatic results, available via prescription for TRT. The most effective muscle building compound that exists.
Best for: Maximum muscle and strength, TRT candidates
MK-677
BeginnerIbutamoren
Oral GH secretagogue that raises IGF-1 and improves sleep quality. The sleep improvement alone accelerates recovery and muscle growth indirectly.
Best for: GH-assisted bulking, sleep optimization
IGF-1 LR3
AdvancedLong R3 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1
Promotes actual muscle hyperplasia — new muscle cells, not just hypertrophy. Advanced compound with significant results but requires careful handling and has hypoglycemia risk.
Best for: Maximum hypertrophy, advanced users only
The progression most people follow
Most people in this space follow a natural progression: creatine and training fundamentals → Ostarine as a first SARM to test tolerance → LGD-4033 or RAD-140 for serious gains → testosterone if they want the real thing under medical supervision. Skipping steps in this progression is where people run into problems.
PCT is not optional
LGD-4033, RAD-140, and testosterone all suppress your natural testosterone production. If you run any of these without a proper post-cycle therapy, your testosterone may not recover on its own and you could need medical intervention. Plan your PCT — typically Nolvadex 20mg/day for 4-6 weeks — before you start your cycle, not after. Get bloodwork before and after.