A majority of Americans say that they feel dissatisfied with how their body looks from time to time. Two out of every five people even say that they feel this way whenever they look in the mirror.
For many men and women, a lack of size, strength, and muscle impacts their overall self-esteem and confidence. Many Americans go to the gym in order to bulk up, however, they lack the know-how necessary to make effective progress and realize their goals.
In this blog post, we will take a look at SARMs, selective androgen receptor modulators, and their role in building muscle and strength. We will also highlight some of the most effective exercises to gain weight and share other tips to effectively bulk up. Let’s get started.
What Are SARMS?
As noted above, SARMs stand for selective androgen receptor modulators. They are a class of therapeutic compounds with similar anabolic properties to anabolic steroids. They differ from anabolic steroids in an important way, however, which is that they have reduced androgenic (producing male characteristics) properties.
SARMs are known to be effective at stimulating specific tissue growth like muscle and bone. At the same time, users are generally able to avoid side effects in other tissues such as the skin and liver.
SARMs are very popular among fitness buffs and bodybuilders, who value them for their ability to aid with muscle building without the common side effects that come with traditional steroids. If you are interested in bulking up, SARMs may be the perfect supplement to take.
If you are interested in learning more, click here to find the best SARMs to help you build muscle in the gym.
Steroids vs SARMs
As we have mentioned, there is an association between androgenic steroids and undesirable side effects. In men, this may include things like enlarged prostate, acne, and shrinking of the testicles. In women, this may include increased clitoral size and body hair growth.
In terms of more serious health concerns, the use of androgenic steroids may increase the risk of liver damage, heart attacks, and blood clots.
SARMs are seen as a step towards a safer class of these drugs. They are generally well-tolerated by the body and it is possible that they soon receive final approval from a regulatory body.
What Are the Benefits of SARMs?
SARMs are popular among bodybuilders for a host of reasons. Let’s take a look at some of these here.
Build Muscle and Strength
Studies into SARMs show that they are useful for building muscle growth. For anyone looking to make the most of their time in the gym lifting weights, supplementing with SARMs may be beneficial.
While research into SARMs is ongoing, early studies suggest that they may not be as effective as anabolic steroids (though they also don’t have the same side effects and risks). Still, SARMs can help an individual gain between 1 kg and 1.5 kg in fat-free mass over a 4- to 6-week period.
Building muscle and strength is the primary reason why so many gym-goers take SARMs as a supplement.
Burn Fat
For many people, their efforts in the gym have a dual goal. In addition to attempting to gain muscle size and strength, many people attempt to burn unwanted fat. SARMs also help people to reach this goal.
SARMs allow users to burn notable amounts of subcutaneous fat, resulting in increased muscle definition.
No Injections Required
Below, we will highlight some of the different ways that SARMs are taken. While they are also taken intramuscularly, other options include orally and sublingually.
They are predominantly administered orally. This eliminates the risk of improper injection techniques leading to injury and contaminated needles.
More Socially Acceptable
It is fair to say that steroids in general do not have a good public image. The reality is that anabolic steroids come with a lot of social stigmas. The good news is that SARMs do not carry the same stigma and are far less demonized by the public.
How to Take SARMs
There are three different ways to take SARMs:
- Orally
- Sublingually
- Intramuscularly
Generally, they are purchased in liquid form. This allows users to place the correct dosage in their mouth (measured either with an eye dropper or a syringe) and swallow. It’s beneficial to have some mints close to hand after consuming SARMs, given their strong taste and odor.
When we speak about taking SARMs sublingually, this means “under the tongue”. This is a more direct and faster entry into the bloodstream compared to taking SARMs orally and swallowing.
As noted above, SARMs may be taken via injection, though this method is much less common.
Useful Exercises to Gain Size and Bulk Up
There are so many different exercises a person can perform in the gym. So much so that many people feel overwhelmed. Let’s highlight some of the most basic, yet most effective exercises you can perform in order to bulk up.
Squat
The squat is rightly regarded as one of the most-effective exercises a person can perform, whether simply using body weight or by adding additional weight in the form of dumbbells, kettlebells, or a barbell.
Squats work to develop stronger and bigger leg muscles, including the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. It’s a simple exercise that even beginners are able to perform (starting off with just body weight is a good idea). Over time, extra weight will help to increase the gains from this movement.
Other benefits of squats include improved core strength, a higher vertical jump, stronger joints, improved mobility, and the ability to produce more power.
Deadlift
If you only perform one exercise in the gym, then perhaps the best option is the deadlift. This exercise works a number of muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, core, quads, hip flexors, and the upper and lower back muscles. What’s more, it’s great for improving grip strength and increasing forearm size.
The deadlift really is a full-body workout, which is why it’s so popular among serious bodybuilders and gym-goers. A similar exercise that works many of the same muscle groups is the kettlebell swing, which incorporates a more active movement that is great for cardio, too.
Military Press
The military press, also known as an overhead press, is an upper-body weight training exercise. It is primarily a shoulder-building exercise, though the full list of muscles it targets includes:
- Deltoids
- Upper chest
- Triceps
- Biceps
- Glutes
- Lats
- Serratus anterior
- Rhomboids
- Trapezius muscles
- Abdominal muscles
- Lower back
That’s an impressive list just for one simple-to-perform exercise! If you are planning to hit the gym with the goal of bulking up and increasing strength, then the military press should absolutely be on your list.
Bent-Over Row
The bent-over row is an exercise that targets a variety of back muscles. Again, this is a popular exercise for powerlifters and bodybuilders, given that it increases muscle mass while also improving hip and trunk stability. Some of the main benefits of this exercise include:
- Improve upper body and core strength
- Prevent injuries
- Help burn fat and reduce risk of chronic disease
There are a number of variations to the bent-over row. These include the barbell bent-over row, the dumbbell bent-over row, the reverse grip bent-over row, the single-arm supported bent-over row, and the incline-bench supported row.
Bench Press
It’s likely that if you have ever been to a gym before, you have performed this common exercise. The bench press is one of the most popular exercises for people looking to bulk up. It’s also one of the most effective.
It’s an exercise that focuses on strengthening the muscles of the upper body, including the pectorals, shoulders, and arms. Depending on your grip position on the barbell during this movement, you will target different muscles such as the pectoralis major and the anterior deltoid.
In addition to increased strength, this exercise helps to improve endurance and tone the muscles of the upper body, in particular the chest muscles.
Tips for Bulking Up Faster
In addition to taking SARMs and performing the above exercises in the gym, there are a number of useful tips you should be aware of when bulking up. Let’s highlight some of the best tips you should follow to meet your goals.
Increase Calorie Intake
If you are looking to build mass, it is necessary to consume more calories than your body uses while resting. Generally, a calorie surplus of between 300 and 500 calories per day is recommended for people looking to bulk up.
It’s important to gradually gain this additional weight. Otherwise, you may find that much of the weight you have added is fat rather than muscle.
Eat Sufficient Protein
It’s not simply a case of increasing calorie intake by eating any food you like. It’s important to focus on eating good-quality goods. Proteins are perfect for people looking to bulk up without adding any extra fat.
Examples of proteins to eat include dairy, fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans. Remember to also include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, to ensure that you are getting the right vitamins and minerals.
Don’t Avoid Carbs
While protein is generally seen as the building block of muscle, it’s important not to skimp on carbs. In fact, they are just as important as proteins when it comes to building muscle.
A meal that is high in both carbs and protein is highly recommended after a strength training session. Good sources of carbs include pasta, rice, grains, and potatoes. Stay away from carbs that are also high in fat, such as food that has been deep-fat fried.
Take Regular Breaks
You might have a particular deadline in mind for your bulking goals (beach season, for example), however, it’s important to pace yourself. Otherwise, you risk injury which can put your workouts on hold for a considerable length of time.
Rest days are just as important as the days when you hit the gym. It’s essential that you allow your body and muscles to repair themselves. Sleep is also very important, so make sure that you are getting enough to feel rested and ready to work out.
Keep a Goal in Mind
You know that you want to bulk up. But why? It’s important to understand your motives for building muscle and to keep this front and center in your mind every time you go to the gym
For many people, building muscle is simply to help with self-esteem and confidence. It may also be as a means of improving athletic or sporting ability. For many people, going to be gym is just a way to boost mental health.
In order to maintain motivation to hit the gym day after day, we also recommend that you partner with someone who has a similar goal to you. This is a great way to motivate yourself and avoid making excuses. You and your friend will push each other on and make your visits to the gym more enjoyable.
How to Bulk up With the Help of SARMs
The bottom line is that SARMs are great exercise supplements for muscle building. In addition to taking SARMs, the other information in this blog post will allow you to hit the gym with confidence in your plan. Remember not to rush progress and always enjoy the process.
Like this blog post on how to bulk up with the help of SARMs? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.