What supplements are there for building muscle?
When we talk about muscle-building supplements here, we're not talking about creatine and the like (although creatine is a fairly anabolic supplement). Rather, we're talking about supplements for FAST muscle building! No, not anabolic steroids – but steroid-like preparations, some of which even fall into the "doping" category. Whether these deserve the label "best supplements for muscle building" is debatable; but when it comes to the question "How do you build muscle the fastest?" they are certainly part of the answer.
- SARMs
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are undoubtedly among the most effective muscle-building supplements. They work similarly to anabolic steroids but have fewer side effects. However, they are by no means free of side effects, despite the often-claimed claims. In fact, 50% of all SARM users report experiencing side effects [1]. The severity of SARM side effects depends on the specific product and, of course, on the dosage chosen. Click>hereto see our SARMs offer.
- Prohormones
Prohormones are no less effective than SARMs; some prohormones are even on the same level as anabolic steroids in terms of muscle building effects – for example, the very popular (but not harmless) prohormone Superdrol, available among others asSuperdrol by Core Labs Xand asSuperdrol by Hero NutritionProhormones have had a firm place in the supplement market since the 1990s. Despite all the sales restrictions that have since occurred, they are real bestsellers online. However, even prohormones can have serious side effects. Click>hereto access our prohormone offering.
- Estrogen blockers
"Estrogen blockers" is a collective term for substances that block the effect of estrogen on estrogen receptors or inhibit estrogen production in the body. (An alternative term for estrogen blockers is "antiestrogens"). It's important to understand that the female sex hormone estrogen hinders muscle building. Among other things, it has an anti-inflammatory effect [2]. However, certain inflammatory processes in the muscles are necessary to trigger muscle growth. Estrogen also causes water retention in the tissue and promotes the replenishment of fat deposits. By lowering estrogen levels in the (male) body, estrogen blockers indirectly help with muscle building and contribute to a better shape. Click>hereto access our range of antiestrogens.
- Testosterone booster
Testosterone boosters are supplements that increase natural testosterone production. Unlike steroids, prohormones, and SARMs, they do not have a testosterone-like effect. Instead, they cause the body to produce more testosterone on its own, resulting in increased strength and enhanced muscle development. The effect of testosterone boosters is essentially based on the saponins contained in certain plants stimulating the gonadal regulatory circuit. (These plants includeTonkgat Ali,Tribulus Terrestris(or Tribulus spp. and a few others.) Compared to SARMs and prohormones, testosterone boosters are less effective in terms of muscle building—primarily because they can only slightly increase testosterone production. However, they also have no serious side effects. The starting hormonal status of testosterone boosters is also very important: Older athletes over 40 usually benefit quite well from testosterone boosters because their "normal" testosterone production rate has already declined. Young men between 20 and 30 with age-appropriate testosterone production, on the other hand, usually don't notice a significant effect. However, for many young men, testosterone production is "low," whether due to a stressful daily routine, lack of sleep, or other reasons. For them, testosterone boosters can have a true game-changing effect. Click>hereto access our testo booster offer.
- Herbal steroid alternatives
Substances such asTurkesteroneBeta-ecdysterone, and laxogenin are considered legal steroid alternatives. It is scientifically proven that they actually have an anabolic and androgenic effect, respectively [3][4] – but it is also proven that this effect is not comparable to that of real anabolic steroids. Nevertheless, herbal steroid alternatives are a big topic in bodybuilding, especially in natural bodybuilding. The number of natural athletes purchasing steroid alternatives has been growing steadily since the emergence of these products in the early 2010s. Click>hereto access our range of herbal muscle builders.
What should you consider when buying supplements for muscle building?
Buy SARMs
SARMs likeLigandrol (LDG 4033),Testolone (RAD 140),Andarine (S4)andOstarine (MK-2866)can boost muscle growth enormously within a few weeks. Due to their short half-life, some SARMs take effect within hours of first ingestion – even few anabolic steroids can achieve this. However, it should be noted that SARMs are experimental substances: Not a single SARM has yet been officially approved as a supplement or medication for humans. Anyone wanting to buy SARMs must therefore place great trust in the shop or dealer offering them, because due to the lack of approval for human use, SARMs are exclusively produced underground. The risk that as a SARMs buyer you will receive underdosed or completely mislabeled products is correspondingly high. Incidentally, all SARMs are on the WADA list of prohibited substances, meaning they are considered doping.
Buy prohormones
The same applies to purchasing prohormones as to purchasing SARMs: Caution is advised when selecting a supplier. It's better to read a few reviews before ordering! In the EU and the US, the consumption of prohormones is classified as doping—thus, the sale of prohormones takes place outside of regulated trade. You shouldn't experiment with online shops whose reliability is questionable.
Buy antiestrogens
When it comes to purchasing antiestrogens, it's advisable to take a very close look at the ingredients list of the selected product. There are no standard ingredient requirements for estrogen blockers. This means that these preparations can contain a wide variety of substances – even those that are barely effective. Ideally, they should contain either the active ingredient androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione (also known as "Arimistane") or the active ingredient anastrozole (brand name: "Arimidex"), as in the products.E-Block from Core Labs XandArimistane-30 from Brawn NutritionBoth active ingredients are considered very effective aromatase inhibitors in medicine. The situation is unclear regarding other substances often found in estrogen blockers, such as 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM). (It is believed that DIM can influence estrogen metabolism; however, this has only been proven for people with thyroid proliferation disease (TPD) [5]).
Buy testosterone boosters
When it comes to testosterone boosters, you also have to make sure you buy the right thing, because in the supplement industry, "testosterone boosters" are used to describe all kinds of products. Some online retailers sell genuine prohormones such asDHEAas a testosterone booster, while others offer very simple zinc supplements that have virtually no effect on endogenous testosterone production (unless there is a zinc deficiency). Testosterone boosters in the true sense of the word are supplements that contain one or more of the following plant substances:
- Aspartic acid
- Ashwagandha
- Fenugreek
- Fadogia Agestris
- Maca
- Tonkgat Ali
- Tribulus Terrestris
Buy steroid alternatives
The term "steroid alternative" is often misused online. It actually refers to preparations that, on the one hand, have a significant anabolic effect, but, on the other hand, do not constitute doping as defined by WADA. Turkesterone preparations, for example, are a steroid alternative. But beware: Just because a preparation contains the ingredient "turkesterone" does not mean it is a harmless supplement!Bio Stenobol from Toxic Pharmafor example, which even has the word "organic" in its name (and can therefore easily be considered harmless), is a real "trap": At the top of the list of ingredients are the plant substances turkesterone, ecdysterone, and laxosterone, all of which are tolerated in doping tests. The lower part of the ingredient list, however, is quite something: This lists, among others, ostarine, testolone, and ligandrol as ingredients – i.e., SARMs. The estrogen blocker arimistane, which is also included, is not even important. If you want to buy steroid alternatives, you should only do so where the product categorization is unambiguous and transparent (like at GETBOOST3D.com).
What is the best supplement for building muscle?
The best supplement for muscle building for each fitness enthusiast depends on their training status and individual ambitions.
Training beginners
For beginners, herbal steroid alternatives, such as turkesterone and the like, are recommended supplements. While their anabolic effect is modest, they should definitely accelerate muscle growth for beginners. Furthermore, herbal steroid alternatives are 100% legal muscle-building supplements with no side effects.
Experienced athletes
Athletes who have been training for years and have explored their genetic limit for natural muscle development can – if they are willing to experiment – try SARMs and prohormones. However, they should be aware that they will be detected in doping tests and that following use, aPCT (Post Cycle Therapy)with suitable post-cycle supplements is necessary.
Athletes with competitive ambitions
Athletes with competitive ambitions must fundamentally decide: Do they want to literally squeeze the most out of themselves – or do they want to stay natural? In the latter case, SARMs and prohormones are out of the question, as are estrogen blockers. In the former case, SARMs, in particular, are an option, especially as "bridging" supplements between two steroid cycles. Testosterone boosters are also useful for competitive athletes, because the body's own testosterone production is severely suppressed immediately after a steroid cycle. Booster supplements can then help get it back on track as quickly as possible.
Older athletes
Testosterone boosters are ideal for athletes over 40. Since natural testosterone production declines with age, athletes over 40 can benefit greatly from testosterone boosters. SARMs and prohormones are also worth considering. However, older athletes are at a higher risk that their body's natural testosterone production will not fully recover after a SARM/prohormone regimen.
Women
SARMs are only of interest to women if they have a truly strong interest in extreme muscle development. (Women who neither earn money from their muscular appearance nor participate in bodybuilding or strength training competitions should generally refrain from the muscle-building supplements mentioned here. There are better and healthier supplements for them.) However, dosages should be kept very low; under no circumstances should women take the same SARM doses as men.
- IV Efimenko (2022): “Adverse effects and potential benefits among selective androgen receptor modulators users: a cross-sectional survey”
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471228/) - medical-tribune.de (2024): Estrogens with a major influence on bones and inflammation (https://www.medical-tribune.de/medizin-undforschung/artikel/oestrogene-mit-grossem-einfluss-auf-knochen-und-inflammation)
- E. Isenmann et al. (2019) “Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells.” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31123801/)
- C. Beer, AM Keiler (2022): “Androgenic properties of the dietary supplement 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35344071/)
- S. Rajoria (2011): “3,3'-diindolylmethane modulates estrogen metabolism in patients with thyroid proliferative disease: a pilot study”
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21254914/)
