That athletes frequently use anabolic steroids to bulk up and increase strength and endurance is, perhaps, the sports industry’s worst-kept secret. But steroids—and their dangerous and well-documented side effects—are also often experienced by a younger generation of athletes seeking to improve their performance. Now athletes have the option to choose a supplement that is more effective—and far less risky—than steroids. Even better? SARM-X is a legal, over-the-counter (OTC) supplement.

What Are SARMs?
For the last decade or so, leading scientists and biochemists have been researching and developing a new class of designer androgenic/anabolic steroid muscle compounds called selective androgen receptor modulators—SARMs, for short. SARMs are touted as being even more effective than testosterone in promoting advanced muscle growth.

So how do they work—and how are they any different from anabolic steroids?

Steroids and Side Effects
Steroids are prescription-only drugs that trigger muscle growth by binding to androgen receptors on muscle tissue, where they then enter the cell nucleus and stimulate protein synthesis. The problem is that androgen receptors are not exclusive to muscle tissue; they’re also found on tissues and organs such as the prostate, heart, and liver. So when steroids bind to these androgen receptors, an action termed random androgen receptor binding, they’re likely to cause harmful side effects such as liver failure and cancer, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Men are at risk for, in some cases, sterility, as well as violent outbursts typically referred to as “’roid rage.” Women can grow body and facial hair, as well as put themselves at risk for menstrual problems and even miscarriage—all sobering reasons to stay away from steroids.

How SARMs Work
SARMs, however, target solely the androgen receptors in the muscle tissue, a process called selective bioactivity. Because of this selectivity, SARMs are actually more effective than anabolic steroids in stimulating muscle growth, while presenting significantly less risk of side effects.

A Legal Shot in the Arm
According to its manufacturer, MHP, SARM-X is the first product on the market to implement SARM technology. Its ability to selectively target muscle androgen receptors in the muscles, thus triggering an unprecedented anabolic reaction, makes it the most advanced OTC muscle-building supplement currently available—and it’s legal.

Because of SARM-X’s potent androgenic/testosterone effects, the supplement is ideal for bodybuilders and professional athletes. More-casual fitness enthusiasts would be better off choosing less-powerful supplements, if any.

—Katie Gutierrez