Prohormones vs SARMs
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Our Analysis
Prohormones vs SARMs: Our Real-World Take
We've tested thousands of these compounds in the store and personally, so we don't do theory. Prohormones are the harsher, more suppressive, old-school hammers. SARMs are the more selective operators. Neither is candy, but the choice usually comes down to raw aggression versus control and manageability.
Here's the direct breakdown:
Quick Comparison
- What they are: Prohormones are hormone precursors or designer anabolics that convert into active hormones. SARMs are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators built to hit androgen receptors with more precision.
- Primary goal: Prohormones deliver rapid size, strength, fullness, and aggressive recomposition. SARMs excel at lean mass, recomp, strength, and cutting support.
- Typical dosing: Prohormones 10–100 mg/day depending on the compound. SARMs 5–30 mg/day depending on the compound.
- Suppression risk: Prohormones usually high. SARMs moderate to high depending on compound and dose.
- Liver stress: Prohormones can be brutal, especially methylated ones. SARMs are generally easier but not innocent.
- Water retention: Prohormones often higher. SARMs usually lower.
- Real cost: Both look mid-to-premium on the shelf, but prohormones hit harder once you factor in all the on-cycle and PCT support they demand.
The Actual Compounds That Matter
Prohormones
We respect the ones that actually deliver. The effective stuff revolves around:
- 1-DHEA / 1-andro: 100–300 mg/day
- 4-DHEA / 4-andro: 100–300 mg/day
- Epiandrosterone: 300–600 mg/day
These get stacked for real muscle mass, strength, recovery, and that full, hard look. But effective use requires meaningful dosing. 50 mg of 1-DHEA or 100 mg of epi is cute marketing — it's not what actually moves the needle. Proprietary blends that hide the numbers are an immediate disqualifier in our book.
SARMs
These are single-compound products. The ones we see used most:
- Ostarine (MK-2866): 10–25 mg/day
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033): 5–10 mg/day
- RAD-140 (Testolone): 10–20 mg/day
- Andarine (S4): 25–50 mg/day
- YK-11 and S-23: the more aggressive ones, not for beginners
They're popular because they target leaner gains with less bloat. Selectivity is real but relative — they're not side-effect free, especially at higher doses or when stacked.
Dosing Is Everything
We've seen too many pretty labels with trash doses.
For prohormones: 1-DHEA at 150–300 mg/day is the real range. Epiandrosterone needs 300–600 mg/day to matter. Anything less is a waste of your time and money.
For SARMs: Ostarine at 3 mg or LGD at 1 mg is pointless for physique goals. Serious users run the doses listed above for a reason.
If the product isn't using clinically relevant or standard effective doses, it loses. Period.
Form and Real-World Use
Prohormones usually come in capsules or tablets. Convenient for stacking but many require multiple caps per serving and a fat support stack.
SARMs come in liquids, capsules, or tablets. Liquids let you dial in doses precisely but most taste like battery acid. Quality control is all over the map — we've seen plenty of mislabeled garbage.
Price Reality
Bottle price is misleading for both. Prohormones look cheaper until you add liver support, estrogen control, and proper PCT — the hidden cost is usually higher. SARMs run up the tab through longer cycles and support supps too. Either way, expect to pay for results.
Who Should Use What
Buy Prohormones if you want maximum size and strength, don't mind the aggression, and already know how to plan cycles, run support, and recover properly. They're built for serious bulking and advanced users who respond well to strong androgenic/anabolic effects.
Buy SARMs if you want leaner gains, better recomposition, lower water retention, and a more manageable ride. They're the smarter entry point for most people comparing the two categories, especially during cuts or recomp phases.
Avoid both if your training, food, and consistency are still weak. These aren't shortcuts.
Our Verdict
SARMs win for most people.
They're more selective, deliver better lean mass and recomp results, cause less bloat and chaos, and give you easier dosing control. Prohormones hit harder and can produce bigger scale weight and strength jumps, but they make you pay a steeper price in sides and recovery.
If your main goal is maximum mass at all costs and you're experienced, prohormones can be the right tool. For the majority of guys walking into our store asking this question? SARMs are the better overall pick.
We've tested both sides for years. That’s our honest take.
We've tested thousands of these compounds in the store and personally, so we don't do theory. Prohormones are the harsher, more suppressive, old-school hammers. SARMs are the more selective operators. Neither is candy, but the choice usually comes down to raw aggression versus control and manageability.
Here's the direct breakdown:
Quick Comparison
- What they are: Prohormones are hormone precursors or designer anabolics that convert into active hormones. SARMs are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators built to hit androgen receptors with more precision.
- Primary goal: Prohormones deliver rapid size, strength, fullness, and aggressive recomposition. SARMs excel at lean mass, recomp, strength, and cutting support.
- Typical dosing: Prohormones 10–100 mg/day depending on the compound. SARMs 5–30 mg/day depending on the compound.
- Suppression risk: Prohormones usually high. SARMs moderate to high depending on compound and dose.
- Liver stress: Prohormones can be brutal, especially methylated ones. SARMs are generally easier but not innocent.
- Water retention: Prohormones often higher. SARMs usually lower.
- Real cost: Both look mid-to-premium on the shelf, but prohormones hit harder once you factor in all the on-cycle and PCT support they demand.
The Actual Compounds That Matter
Prohormones
We respect the ones that actually deliver. The effective stuff revolves around:
- 1-DHEA / 1-andro: 100–300 mg/day
- 4-DHEA / 4-andro: 100–300 mg/day
- Epiandrosterone: 300–600 mg/day
These get stacked for real muscle mass, strength, recovery, and that full, hard look. But effective use requires meaningful dosing. 50 mg of 1-DHEA or 100 mg of epi is cute marketing — it's not what actually moves the needle. Proprietary blends that hide the numbers are an immediate disqualifier in our book.
SARMs
These are single-compound products. The ones we see used most:
- Ostarine (MK-2866): 10–25 mg/day
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033): 5–10 mg/day
- RAD-140 (Testolone): 10–20 mg/day
- Andarine (S4): 25–50 mg/day
- YK-11 and S-23: the more aggressive ones, not for beginners
They're popular because they target leaner gains with less bloat. Selectivity is real but relative — they're not side-effect free, especially at higher doses or when stacked.
Dosing Is Everything
We've seen too many pretty labels with trash doses.
For prohormones: 1-DHEA at 150–300 mg/day is the real range. Epiandrosterone needs 300–600 mg/day to matter. Anything less is a waste of your time and money.
For SARMs: Ostarine at 3 mg or LGD at 1 mg is pointless for physique goals. Serious users run the doses listed above for a reason.
If the product isn't using clinically relevant or standard effective doses, it loses. Period.
Form and Real-World Use
Prohormones usually come in capsules or tablets. Convenient for stacking but many require multiple caps per serving and a fat support stack.
SARMs come in liquids, capsules, or tablets. Liquids let you dial in doses precisely but most taste like battery acid. Quality control is all over the map — we've seen plenty of mislabeled garbage.
Price Reality
Bottle price is misleading for both. Prohormones look cheaper until you add liver support, estrogen control, and proper PCT — the hidden cost is usually higher. SARMs run up the tab through longer cycles and support supps too. Either way, expect to pay for results.
Who Should Use What
Buy Prohormones if you want maximum size and strength, don't mind the aggression, and already know how to plan cycles, run support, and recover properly. They're built for serious bulking and advanced users who respond well to strong androgenic/anabolic effects.
Buy SARMs if you want leaner gains, better recomposition, lower water retention, and a more manageable ride. They're the smarter entry point for most people comparing the two categories, especially during cuts or recomp phases.
Avoid both if your training, food, and consistency are still weak. These aren't shortcuts.
Our Verdict
SARMs win for most people.
They're more selective, deliver better lean mass and recomp results, cause less bloat and chaos, and give you easier dosing control. Prohormones hit harder and can produce bigger scale weight and strength jumps, but they make you pay a steeper price in sides and recovery.
If your main goal is maximum mass at all costs and you're experienced, prohormones can be the right tool. For the majority of guys walking into our store asking this question? SARMs are the better overall pick.
We've tested both sides for years. That’s our honest take.
