Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) | Ostarine (MK-2866 / Enobosarm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SARMs | SARMs |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 5-10 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 1 data showed significant lean mass gains at 1 mg/day. | Research indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 2 clinical trials used 1-3 mg/day with significant lean mass gains. |
| Timing | Once daily, consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24-36 hours. No food timing requirements. | Once daily, morning or evening. Consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24 hours. No food timing requirements. |
| Cycle Duration | 8-12 week cycles maximum. PCT strongly recommended after all but the shortest/lowest-dose cycles. | 8-12 week cycles. PCT may be required depending on suppression level and cycle length. |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | moderate_human |
LGD-4033 is a potent nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator with high AR binding affinity (Ki of approximately 1 nM). It demonstrates strong anabolic activity in muscle and bone with significantly reduced androgenic activity in prostate tissue, achieving an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of approximately 10:1. LGD-4033 activates the AR with full agonist efficacy in muscle, upregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway for protein synthesis and satellite cell recruitment. It produces dose-dependent suppression of SHBG, total testosterone, LH, and FSH, indicating significant HPG axis suppression even at low doses.
Research indicates 5-10 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 1 data showed significant lean mass gains at 1 mg/day.
Once daily, consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24-36 hours. No food timing requirements.
8-12 week cycles maximum. PCT strongly recommended after all but the shortest/lowest-dose cycles.
Ostarine (enobosarm/GTx-024) is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator that binds the androgen receptor with high affinity, inducing a conformational change that recruits coactivator proteins preferentially in muscle and bone tissue over prostate and seminal vesicles. This tissue selectivity arises from differential AR cofactor recruitment and 5-alpha reductase metabolism. Ostarine promotes lean body mass by activating AR-mediated transcription of anabolic genes (MYC, IGF-1) in myocytes while minimizing androgenic effects in reproductive tissues. It has demonstrated dose-dependent increases in lean mass in Phase 2 trials.
Research indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 2 clinical trials used 1-3 mg/day with significant lean mass gains.
Once daily, morning or evening. Consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24 hours. No food timing requirements.
8-12 week cycles. PCT may be required depending on suppression level and cycle length.
Take our free assessment to get personalized recommendations based on your health goals, current stack, and biomarkers.
Get Your Free Protocol →or take the assessment →