Ostarine (MK-2866) and RAD 140 (Testolone) are two SARMs that are extremely anabolic, and will help users build muscle, lose fat, increase strength, and more. But which is better?
Both SARMs work in similar ways, but are slightly different. In this article we'll be showing you a side by side comparison of Ostarine vs RAD 140.
Here's some of what we'll cover:
- Which is Better for Muscle Gains
- Which is Better for Losing Fat
- Which is Better for Strength
- Which is Better for Endurance
- …and much, much more
I've been using SARMs since 2010, and both Ostarine and RAD 140 are amazing SARMs that each have their own unique purpose and place. Now, let's break down the comparison.
Side-by-Side Comparison
First off, it's important to understand that no SARM is really the “better SARM” – it just depends on what you're going for. Every SARM will help you build muscle, improve your strength, and shred fat, but there's some key differences between them.
Milligram per milligram, RAD 140 is the stronger SARM. That being said, Ostarine is generally better if your only goal is fat loss. MK-2866 excels at cutting, whereas RAD 140 is generally for more of a “lean bulk.”
That being said, it's obviously a little bit more complicated than that. So, for the advanced users (or beginners who just want to learn), here's the Ostarine vs RAD 140 breakdown.
Ostarine (MK-2866)
Benefits:
- Build Lean Muscle Mass
- Improve Bone Health
- Less Testosterone Suppression
- Great for Rapid Fat Loss
- Extremely Well Researched
Drawbacks:
- Not the Strongest SARM
- Not The Best Bulking Compound
Overall, Ostarine really excels when it comes to doing a cut. It's great to avoid muscle wasting while you're cutting, even on a low dosage. It also excels for body recomposition.
Another major advantage it has is we're extremely well aware of all the Ostarine side effects there are, because it's been researched for so long. RAD 140 is a bit newer and less understood; still well proven and researched, but not nearly as much as Ostarine.
RAD 140 (Testolone)
Benefits:
- Pack on Tons of Muscle Mass
- Amazing to Rapidly Gain Muscle
- Awesome Strength Gains
- Quickly Lose Weight & Shred Fat
Drawbacks:
- More Suppressive than Ostarine
- Additional Research Needed
Overall, RAD 140 is a far more potent SARM than Ostarine. In fact, after my 10 years of experience, I'd say that it's by far one of the most potent SARMs, behind only maybe YK11 Myostine or potentially the S23 SARM.
Even then, RAD 140 is an extremely strong compound compared to Ostarine.
Ostarine vs RAD 140
RAD 140 and Ostarine are both performance enhancing drugs that will lead to visible changes in your physique, help you break personal records, and share many of the same characteristics.
Each one is an extremely potent compound, and both lack any sort of severe major side effects, making them great selective androgen receptor modulators for many users to research.
Personally I prefer RAD 140, but that's because I'm naturally very lean, so my biggest problem is bulking up and not necessarily shredding off fat (which Ostarine is better at).
Which is Better for Muscle Mass?
When it comes to packing on lean muscle mass, RAD 140 is clearly superior, so if your goal is gaining muscle and bulking up without the negative effects of anabolic steroids, then RAD 140 is absolutely your best bet.
RAD 140 is far better for muscle gain than most other SARMs, according to the clinical research. In fact, one study found that even at incredibly tiny dosages, RAD 140 exhibits an extremely anabolic effect on skeletal muscle tissues [R]:
In this study, a mean weight gain of greater than 10% in just 28 days of dosing was achieved at a dose of just 0.1 mg/kg, with a similar effect observed at the 1.0 mg/kg dosing group.
-Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 124-129, Published Online Dec. 2 2010
So, if you're interested in gaining weight and muscle, RAD 140 is your best bet here.
Which is Better for Fat Loss?
In the battle between Ostarine vs RAD 140, it turns out that Ostarine MK-2866 is far superior when it comes to fat loss. Yes, RAD 140 is stronger overall, but not for fat loss in general.
While Ostarine lacks the “punch” for muscle growth that RAD 140 will give you, and is generally a milder compound, it makes up for it with the fat loss “punch” it packs.
Just a single cycle of Ostarine has been known to shred off up to 20 pounds of body fat in just 2-3 months, so if losing fat and getting rid of water retention is your goal, go with Ostarine.
Which is Better for Endurance?
RAD 140 and Ostarine are both going to improve your muscular endurance, even at an average dosage, or low milligram level dosage like 1-5mg. That being said, RAD 140 is one of the best SARMs for endurance that's currently in development.
Due to the short half life of RAD 140, shortly after human consumption, it rapidly begins binding to androgen receptors and improving all bodily functions related to muscles.
What this means is that, you can physically FEEL the improved endurance levels with RAD 140 in just a matter of 24 hours or even less. I had one friend who took just 3mg of RAD 140 before a big physical therapy test, and he noticed a 30% improvement overnight.
Which is Better for Strength?
Again, while RAD 140 and Ostarine are both going to take your body and physique to the next level, when it comes to strength gains, RAD 140 Testolone is clearly the superior SARM.
Every study performed so far has ignored the strength benefits of RAD 140, but I know from my own experience, as well as bodybuilding anecdotal evidence, that RAD 140 appears to be vastly superior for gaining strength, for the vast majority of users.
Which Has More Side Effects?
RAD 140 clearly has more side effects than Ostarine, but that is to be expected since it's so much more powerful overall. Don't worry though, the side effects are really not that bad.
Both SARMs will suppress your natural testosterone production, but RAD 140 is more suppressive than Ostarine, so a post cycle therapy is absolutely mandatory.
In terms of liver toxicity, it appears that RAD 140 is slightly more liver toxic, but not enough to cause any sort of liver injury. Just take some milk thistle on cycle and you'll be fine.
(Milk thistle is a supplement that bodybuilders commonly take for its liver protection attributes, and ability to help the liver process things more efficiently and safely).
Conclusion
RAD 140 and Ostarine have significant differences, but are both extremely potent SARMs that will push your body to grow more muscle, build more strength, and shred more fat.
If your goal is purely strength or muscle growth, go with RAD 140.
If your goal is cutting and fat loss, go with Ostarine.
