Looking for Ostarine and Cardarine? Want to know which to use and where to buy them? Well, before you get your hands on them, you must know that SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) might sound tempting, but there’s a catch. These substances can have hidden downsides and haven’t been fully researched for long-term use.
Before you consider SARMs, let’s break down what they are, explore the potential risks, and uncover some safer alternatives that could be a better fit for your fitness goals.
Ready to ditch the risk and achieve a ripped physique the healthy way? Buckle up—we’re about to get you on the right track!
Beyond the Hype: Why SARMs Aren’t the Safe Alternative to Steroids
Anabolic steroids are a thing of the past – especially in the bodybuilding world. Don’t read this wrong; they are still used, but SARMs are the better-looking exotic cousin that everybody wants to meet. Steroids were able to beef athletes up, burn body fat, and increase strength, but they came with a laundry list of side effects that nobody wanted or planned for. SARMs became a godsend as they were able to perform with as much alacrity as steroids but with not so many side effects. Hence, SARMs are now the new plague in the sports community.
SARMs, or selective androgen receptor modulators, do exactly what their name suggests. They can isolate a particular androgen receptor and stimulate it to illicit desirable results. Because of their ability to target particular receptors, there is a marked decrease in the number and severity of side effects. The bodybuilders needed – a fitness aid that could get the job done but without the telltale signs that would give them away. However, where steroids were actively used as medical therapy, SARMs have not ever made it that far.
SARMs are research compounds, and very little is known about them. This makes them volatile and possibly dangerous to the users as we do not know what to expect from them. The benefits are on display but there is no research, no scientific studies that can reliably predict what would happen to your body if you pump it with SARMs.
The real concern, though, is that this does not seem to bother users. You see, the need to increase lean muscle mass, initiate fat loss, and boost athletic performance is so strong that many actively ignore the possible risks. This is simply because many believe that the cost of using SARMs is worth the price – health, longevity, and overall well-being. This overview is so skewed that SARM use is now deeply embedded in bodybuilding, and it has been a task weeding them out.
Many argue that the reason steroids and, now, SARMs are such a persistent problem is because of their efficacy. There is no denying the fact that they have results to offer professional bodybuilders, but the risks are very real too. Now the question is, “Would you be willing to risk life and limb for weight loss and muscle mass gains?”
SARMs are used for bulking, cutting, and body recomposition. So, here’s what we will do. Let’s take a closer look at a bulking SARM – Ostarine MK 2866 and a cutting SARM – Cardarine GW 501516, to understand what the pull is all about.
In fact, we could also show you a way out of SARMs. So, let’s begin.
Ostarine MK 2866 & Cardarine GW 501516: What Are They?
Ostarine
Before we begin, athletes choosing to use SARMs, synthetic hormones, or anabolic steroids to enhance performance is a matter of personal choice. A risky and often disagreeable one. This guide on SARMs does not condone the use of the compounds mentioned here. The guide is meant to highlight the various facets of SARM use and to, hopefully, steer you onto a safer and healthier path. That being said, let’s move on.
Ostarine, also known as Mk 2866 or Enbosarm, is a selective androgen receptor modulator developed by GTX Inc. The compound was initially researched as a possible remedy for osteoporosis and muscle-wasting conditions. Designed to target androgen receptors responsible for fat burning, muscle growth, and muscle tissue repair, the SARM quickly caught the attention of the bodybuilding community.
The drug was able to increase the rate of protein synthesis without causing a concurrent rise in body fat mass. And this is exactly what most athletes need from a performance enhancer.
- Ostarine is available in doses from 5mg to 20 mg; the latter dosage is the preferred strength for athletes.
- An Ostarine cycle typically lasts between 12 to 16 weeks. The most followed practice is to take a 20mg dose orally every day for 12 weeks. However, a lot depends on the results you need.
- It is best to take the drug right after your gym session or earlier in the morning before your workout.
- Ostarine is relatively safe which is why the drug is the choice of beginners.
- Used for bulking and cutting cycles, Ostarine can be used on its own or stacked with Cardarine for fat loss. Advanced bodybuilders stack Ostarine with RAD 140, LGD – 4033, and/or MK-677.
- Post-cycle therapy is a must after an Ostarine cycle.
Ostarine is a research chemical that has not been approved by the FDA for human consumption. The compound awards users with undue advantages, so WADA and almost all sports associations worldwide have banned it.
Cardarine
Cardarine, also known as GW501516, is not a SARM but a PPAR delta receptor agonist that influences the liver and its energy metabolism behavior like growth hormone would. In fact, it primarily affects the way the body reacts to fatty acids stored in the body.
Developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline in the 1990s, it was initially meant to be used as a fat burner, diabetes remedy, and physical performance booster. Cardarine can change the liver’s energy source from glucose to fatty acids, which puts the body in fat-burning mode while also increasing mitochondria numbers in the muscle cells. The more mitochondria, the greater the production of energy which results in more energy production, faster metabolism, and boosted stamina. This makes Cardarine, the ultimate aid during a cutting cycle.
Now, Cardarine effectively made it to human trial but didn’t make it through which is probably where the athletes learned about this fat-burning compound.
- Available in doses of 2.5mg to 10mg, Cardarine is often used on its own, and cycle and dosages are a bit of a grey area. Users usually adjust doses according to their needs and how their body reacts to the drug. Usually used on its own, when it comes to fat loss, Cardarine is pretty effective.
- Post-cycle therapy is optional but recommended nonetheless for Cardarine GW 501516 users.
Just so you’re aware, Cardarine was rejected during clinical trials, which makes it illegal for human consumption. It is illegal to compete professionally when under the influence of the compound.
Benefits & Side Effects for Ostarine and Cardarine
Since Ostarine and Cardarine were meant to be used on patients suffering from muscle loss, obesity, and osteoporosis, they do have medical benefits. However, it was their adverse effects that caused all the ruckus. In addition to the anabolic effects an athlete receives from such compounds, the athlete’s body usually pays a heavy price in terms of overall well-being.
| Benefits | Side Effects | Benefits | Side Effects |
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It must be said that most of these side effects were seen in clinical trials conducted on mice. There is no such literature about the effects of the compounds on human physiology. The best we can hope for is the anecdotal evidence from users.
What’s the Verdict on Ostarine and Cardarine?
To be honest, SARMs could help pack on lean body mass without adding fat to the mix, and the two SARMs that could do so are Ostarine and Cardarine. However, it is also true that both Cardarine and Ostarine are banned for human use, and it is so for a reason.
Both compounds were developed as medical remedies and hopeful steroid alternatives. Human trials for both drugs were abandoned at early stages because of the emergence of side effects. Needless to say, there are no tests that check for the long-term consequences of the drugs. It isn’t only the side effects that should scare you but also the possibility of future issues. Issues that we know nothing about.
Compounding the health concerns are the drugs themselves. Because the SARMs are not fit for human use, they can be bought only for ‘research purposes.’ Mind the companies selling said research chemicals know well enough who buys them and for what purpose. They do not care if you push chemicals into your body as long as they get their profits. There is also no way of telling whether the SARMs you buy are pure or of high quality. For all you know, you could be swallowing very expensive sugar pills. Thus, the potential health problems and the hit to your wallet should be enough to make you think twice.
If you wish to compete professionally, then using drugs, performance enhancers, or hormones is very difficult to do. There are tests in place that could check for even the faintest traces of SARMs or steroids in your system. Should these enhancers be found, you could be stripped of your titles, banned from competing altogether and finding work outside the sports community would be the only alternative available to you.
All of that being said may put you off Ostarine or Cardarine, but do you still want the bigger muscles, increased endurance, and all the positive effects of the SARMs but don’t want the side effects or the embarrassment of getting caught using them? Then there is a way out, too. Fitness brands have been trying to develop natural supplements that provide you with the benefits of performance enhancers but with none of the side effects.
Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force are two supplement brands that have become pioneers in this field. In addition to developing legal options for steroids and even more potent SARMs, they have been able to create fitness aids that do not harm the body at all but support and promote anabolic activity. And, yes, they do have alternatives for Ostarine and Cardarine.
The Ostarine MK 2866 Alternatives
Ostarine is often used during the bulking cycle because of its ability to promote muscle gain while keeping total body fat in check. These are also the features of the SARMs that Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force took their cues from. Instead of forcing the body to unnaturally increase performance, both brands developed natural, safe, and legal alternatives to Ostarine or MK-2866 that work with the body to improve muscle growth and fat burning. By using natural ingredients alone, both brands were able to deliver the same benefits as Ostarine but with none of the consequences.
Crazy Bulk’s Osta 2866
The Crazy Bulk alternative is called Osta 2866. Designed to increase muscle mass gains, preserve muscle mass while you are on a calorie-deficit diet, raise testosterone levels, and promote greater muscle size, Osta 2866 provides you with the best of what its namesake SARM can offer. Because of the natural ingredients included, you would also be able to enjoy additional health benefits like better focus, visceral fat loss, and shorter recovery periods.
Osta 2866 can be used for bulking, cutting, or body composition. The only ask is that you use the supplement with a healthy, balanced diet and a strenuous workout routine. All you need to do is take 4 capsules with water 30 to 45 minutes before you start your lifts. Continue to use Osta 2866 for at least 2 to 3 months to enjoy the complete range of benefits the fitness aid has to offer.
Osta 2866 works. Don’t take it from us, but the reviews left on the website and elsewhere on the internet are a testament to that fact. It works because Crazy Bulk uses a clinically proven formula that enhances the natural processes in the body. And because all the inclusions are natural, there are no side effects. Read complete review.
A combination of the right vitamins, minerals, and herbs in the right proportions is all your body needs to perform at optimum.
- Osta 2866 includes the use of Magnesium for better muscle control, flexibility, muscle strength, and reflexes. It also reduces the occurrence of muscle cramps, improves sleep quality, and supports stress relief.
- Zinc promotes oxygen supply and usage, improves protein structures which increases muscle hardness, and also supports the production of certain enzymes that support anabolic activity.
- Salacia can help with several issues like diabetes, asthma, joint pain, and slow metabolism. The herb can help with fat-burning and energy production.
- Southern Ginseng is a traditional Chinese remedy used to enhance muscle relaxation and repair. It can also help with raising testosterone levels, improving adrenal gland function, and supporting the cardiovascular system.
- Fennel promotes healthy digestion and supports weight loss by not letting food be stored as fat. It also promotes a feeling of fullness.
- Cinnamon, when used along with a calorie-deficit diet, can increase muscle growth and support fat burning. It may also help with testosterone production.
- Last but not least, Reishi Mushroom Extract is a nootropic agent that improves focus, sleep, and overall cognitive function and curbs muscle fatigue.
To buy Osta 2866 and Save Big, click to visit Crazy Bulk’s Official Website, where:
- A month’s supply would cost $69.99.
- If you purchase 2 bottles at once for $139.99, you get a third bottle free.
- And a purchase of three bottles for $209.99 would get you 2 extra bottles free.
Fast and free shipping is available on all purchases. Also, if you feel like this is not the supplement for you, Osta 2866 comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Brutal Force’s OstaBulk
The Brutal Force Ostarine is called OstaBulk and is formulated to emulate the anabolic benefits of the SARM. Instead of replacing testosterone, OstaBulk uses a combination of natural ingredients to raise testosterone production, which further supports the building of muscles, fat metabolism, strength, and endurance.
Unlike Osta 2866 by CrazyBulk, which can be used for several goals, OstaBulk is designed primarily as a bulking agent. It is the go-to fitness aid for athletes looking for rapid muscle building and super strength. Along with a healthy diet and exercise routine, taking 4 OstaBulk capsules 45 minutes before your first meal a day should take care of your anabolic needs. It is recommended that the supplement be taken consistently for at least two months. This allows the product to showcase all its benefits.
If the customer reviews are anything to go by, OstaBulk works. Users claim that the supplement was able to increase muscle definition, hardness, and growth in a matter of weeks. What this product does is that it supplies the body with extra nutrition that allows the anabolic processes to speed up and function better. The system is entirely natural, so there are no adverse consequences. Read complete review.
In addition to Magnesium, Zinc, and Ginseng (which are common to Osta 2866), OstaBulk includes:
- Vitamin B6, in addition to smoothening the metabolic process, allows for better absorption of amino acids, which is fodder for protein synthesis and muscle building.
- Vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption, which promotes bone strength and mineral density.
- Vitamin K1 keeps the circulatory system in top shape, supporting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells.
- D-aspartic acid acts as a pre-workout strength booster, increases testosterone production, and even supports fertility.
- Nettle Leaf Extract is often used to promote testosterone production, enhance muscle building, and burn excess fat.
- Fenugreek Extract has been proven to improve athletic performance, strength, and endurance and also help the body break through stubborn plateaus.
- Boron is a mineral that helps with cognitive function, focus, and the elimination of fatigue. It also helps with bone health and muscle growth.
- And last but not least, Black Pepper Extract is a natural thermogenic agent that supports fat-burning for energy. It also increases the bioavailability of the supplement.
To Buy OstaBulk and Grab 30% Savings, click here to visit the Official Brutal Force Website.
- A month’s worth of the supplement would cost $47.99.
- If you purchase two bottles at once, you get a third free for the price of $95.98 only.
All purchases include free worldwide shipping. Also, Brutal Force offers a 100-day money-back guarantee. However, the refund policy does not apply to single-bottle purchases.
The Cardarine GW 501516 Alternatives
As previously mentioned, many bodybuilders choose Cardarine, or GW501516, as their poison of choice, especially during the cutting cycle. Because Cardarine was developed to treat obesity, the SARM increases fatty acid oxidation by influencing liver enzymes to work overtime. It leaves the lean mass alone, which means that you will end up with a ripped, sleek body at the end of your cycle. However, the whole process is forced, which is what causes the side effects. Seeing that Cardarine was a favorite, both Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force set about developing alternatives for the compound. They were immensely successful, and here’s why.
Crazy Bulk C-Dine 501516
Crazy Bulk formulated C-Dine 501516, a cutting agent that could help you cut your cutting cycle length in half. The supplement formula is designed to cut through accumulated fat at near-alarming speed, helping you shed extra pounds in the process. The components included here are programmed to use your reserves of fat as an alternate energy source, meaning that you would not feel as fatigued as you would when otherwise on a diet.
In addition to the fat burning, you would also be rewarded with extra endurance and a lean, ripped physique. To use, take 4 C-Dine 501516 capsules approximately 20 minutes before your first meal. The boost in metabolism would last the duration of your workout and then some. Continue use for 2 to 3 months, and you should be able to see a marked difference in your body.
C-Dine 501516 uses a combination of appetite suppression and thermogenic ingredients. In addition to supporting digestion, C-Dine 501516 includes ingredients that actively melt fat and use this fat as an alternative source of energy.
- The supplement uses Vitamin B6, Ginseng, and Vitamin C helps to reduce free radical damage and also boosts collagen synthesis, thereby easing joint pains.
- It also increases iron absorption; Iron is required to boost hemoglobin production, which would ensure better oxygenation of the blood, and this, in turn, would mean better oxygen supply to the muscle cells for energy production.
- Vitamin B2 is primarily responsible for the metabolism of carbs. Carbs are the primary source of energy.
- Vitamin A has many responsibilities, but it is included here to help muscle and bone cells quickly mature and repair after strenuous physical exercise.
- Iodine supports the thyroid gland, the hormones which regulate metabolic rate and energy production.
- Chromium keeps sugar levels in check and controls the way the body uses insulin. This helps to stop sugar from spiking in the bloodstream.
- Choline maintains cell structure and is also required for cognitive functions like mood stabilization and focus.
- InnoSlim® and Capsimax® are both supplements that support fat-burning and weight loss. The former accelerates metabolism without the use of stimulants, while the latter helps the body enter a state of thermogenesis to burn more fat as fuel.
Prices, offers, shipping, and refund policies are the same as those of CrazyBulk’s Osta 2866. Both Osta 2866 and C-Dine 501516 are featured in Crazy Bulk’s SARMs stack.
Brutal Force developed CardaLean
To counter the use of the SARM Cardarine, Brutal Force developed CardaLean. Designed to be the ultimate natural fat burner and endurance enhancer. The supplement targets fat cells and melts them away while preserving the lean mass you put on during the bulking phase. In addition to fat burning, CardaLean is meant to give more vascularity and also improve endurance so that your pumps and workouts are more productive and longer than usual.
Since this is a natural supplement similar to CrazyBulk’s C-Dine 501516, you do not have to worry about half-life and dosage adjustment. You simply need to take 3 capsules with water 20 minutes before your first meal and continue this regime for at least 2 months. Needless to say, an appropriate diet and exercise are necessary.
To bring about weight loss from fat burning, CardaLean employs the use of a few effective natural fat burners. What this supplement does is increase your exercise capacity. The longer you spend at the gym, the greater your fat loss. There are also ingredients here that stop protein metabolism, which leads to muscle loss.
To bring this about, CardaLean uses Ginseng (the perks of which have been covered before), and apart from that, the formula has:
- Wild Yam, packed with complex carbs that leave you feeling fuller for longer. It is also an excellent source of energy.
- L-arginine is an amino acid that supports fat burning. It is also a performance booster, testosterone booster, and muscle builder.
- Acetyl-l-carnitine supports fat loss by influencing the mitochondria in muscle cells to burn fat instead of glucose for energy. It also supports key cognitive functions.
- L-citrulline has been proven to improve the rate of weight loss when supplemented. It increases stamina and energy, which means greater fat burning.
- And finally, Puncture Vine Extract, also known as Tribulus Terrestris, is a natural testosterone booster that supports natural testosterone production, which promotes anabolic activity.
To buy CardaLean & Grab 30% Off, click here to visit the Brutal Force Official Website.
- The price per bottle of Cardalean is $59.99.
- Should you choose to buy two bottles simultaneously, you will receive a third one at no additional cost, all for the price of $119.98.
Cardalean’s offers, shipping, and refund policies are the same as OstaBulk’s. Brutal Force also offers stacks to improve your results.
How Do the Legal Alternatives Compare to the Actual SARMs?
To be honest, the differences between the research compounds and the natural options are stark. But the question does arise – If the natural supplements are so much better, why aren’t they more popularly used?
Here probably lies the only drawback of natural fitness aids. You see, with steroids, SARMS, and other medical performance enhancers, you can predict the results. Drugs are designed to forcibly alter the way your body functions regardless of any other factors. This means that you can predict when the results will appear and the degree of change. But that is not possible with these or any natural supplements.
Natural ingredients have a cumulative effect and work with the body to bring about the changes you wish over the course of time. All natural supplements are affected by factors like the health of the user, genetics, age, gender, diet, and lifestyle choices. As a result, results cannot be predicted. There would most definitely be results, but when they would manifest depends on the user. This is why Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force recommend that their products be used regularly for at least 2 months.
Apart from this one factor, everything else works in favor of natural supplements. To drive the point home, here is a quick look at the table that provides a comparative overview of Ostarine MK 2866, Crazy Bulk Osta 2866, and Brutal Force OstaBulk, detailing their purposes, pros, cons, costs, refund policies, and purchasing options.
It aims to help users make informed decisions based on their fitness goals and preferences.
| Ostarine MK 2866 | Crazy Bulk Osta 2866 | Brutal Force OstaBulk | |
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| Purpose | Developed as a possible remedy for muscle-wasting & osteoporosis. | Developed as a natural fitness supplement to emulate the anabolic benefits of Ostarine MK 2866. | |
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| Cost | Depends on source | $69.99 | $47.99 |
| Refund Policy | Refunds unlikely. | 60-day money-back guarantee | 100-day money-back guarantee |
| Where to Buy Ostarine MK-2866? | Not legally available for sale. | Click to Buy Osta 2866 from the CrazyBulk Official Website. | Click to Buy OstaBulk from the Brutal Force Official Website. |
Up next is a quick comparison of Cardarine GW 501516, Crazy Bulk C-Dine 501516, and Brutal Force CardaLean, focusing on their purposes, pros, cons, costs, refund policies, and more.
| Cardarine GW 501516 | Crazy Bulk C-Dine 501516 | Brutal Force CardaLean | |
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| Purpose | Developed as a possible remedy for obesity, diabetes & low physical performance. | Developed as a natural fitness supplement to emulate the anabolic benefits of Cardarine GW 501516. | |
| Pros |
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| Cost | Depends on the source. | $69.99 | $59.99 |
| Refund Policy | Refunds unlikely. | 60-day money-back guarantee. | 100-day money-back guarantee. |
| Where to Buy Cardarine GW501516? | Not legally available for sale. | Click to Buy C-Dine 501516 from the CrazyBulk Official Website. | Click to Buy Cardalean from the Brutal Force Official Website. |
Summary & Verdict
Ostarine MK 2866 and Cardarine GW 501516 are prevalently used SARMs, often used in tandem to increase muscle growth and fat loss. However, the use of such SARMs is illegal, wrought with side effects, and cannot be used if you are competing professionally.
However, if you are still looking for an additional boost to your exercise routine, we recommend that you opt for the natural alternatives that Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force offer since they are safer, affordable, legal and offer the same advantages as the pure SARM.
Mark Miller has been a certified trainer and coach for over 10 years. He is the CEO of Ostarine Official that provides bodybuilding solutions. To date, he has trained over 5,000 people in his career with an astonishing success rate of 97% – 98%. His goal is to teach you how to get fit without feeling like it’s work. Mark has helped many people reach their goals with weight loss, increased muscle mass, increased energy levels, better mental clarity and moods and now you can be the next.