Short answer: ostarine is the only SARM with human data that looks like a recomp, and the effect was small. In 120 older men and postmenopausal women, 3 mg/day for 86 days added about 1.3 kg of lean mass and trimmed about 0.6 kg of fat compared with placebo, with no change in body weight. It also lowered total testosterone by about 6–7 nmol/L and HDL cholesterol by up to 27%. The compounds most marketed for recomposition, such as RAD-140 and YK-11, have never been tested in people.
Recomp compounds compared
| Ostarine | LGD-4033 | RAD-140 | YK-11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), nonsteroidal | Selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), nonsteroidal | Selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), nonsteroidal | Steroidal androgen receptor partial agonist (sold and listed as a SARM) |
| Approval | Not approved; furthest stage: Phase 3 | Not approved; furthest stage: Phase 2 | Not approved; furthest stage: Phase 1/2 | Not approved; furthest stage: None (no registered human trials) |
| Human studies (counted in our records) | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Half-life | ~14–24 h | 24–36 h | ~45 h | Not established in humans |
| Testosterone suppression score | 2/3 | 3/3 | 2/3 | Not established |
| Liver risk score | 2/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Not established |
| Evidence score | 3/3 | 2/3 | 1/3 | 0/3 |
| WADA | Prohibited at all times (S1.2 Other anabolic agents) | Prohibited at all times (S1.2 Other anabolic agents) | Prohibited at all times (S1.2 Other anabolic agents) | Prohibited at all times (S1.2 Other anabolic agents) |
| Lean mass in humans | +1.3 kg vs placebo (86 days) | +1.21 kg (21 days, 1 mg/day) | Not studied | Not studied |
| Fat mass in humans | About −0.6 kg vs placebo | No significant change | Not studied | Not studied |
| SwissChems product | Ostarine (MK-2866), (10mg/capsule), 60 Capsules | Ligandrol (LGD-4033), (5mg/capsule) 60 Capsules | RAD-140 (Testolone), (10mg/capsule) 60 Capsules | YK-11 (5mg/capsule), 60 Capsules |
Scores run from 0 (none) to 3 (high); see our methodology. Data from the SARMs database.
Source: Sarmguide compound database; Ostarine: The selective androgen receptor modulator GTx-024 (enobosarm) improves lean body mass and physical function in healthy elderly men and postmenopausal women: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial (2011).
1. Ostarine
The 86-day Phase 2 trial is the closest thing to a recomp study for any SARM: lean mass up, fat down a little, weight unchanged, and stair-climbing speed and insulin resistance improved on 3 mg/day. In older adults on Wegovy, a company-reported trial found 71% less lean-mass loss than on Wegovy alone. The trade-offs: lower total testosterone and SHBG, HDL down 17–27%, dose-dependent ALT rises in a Phase 1 study and case reports of serious liver injury. See the ostarine fact sheet and ostarine before and after.
2. LGD-4033
In healthy young men, LGD-4033 at 1 mg/day for 21 days raised lean mass by 1.21 kg, but fat mass did not change significantly, and testosterone, FSH and HDL fell. That is lean gain without measured fat loss. See the LGD-4033 fact sheet.
3. RAD-140 and YK-11
Both are popular for “dry” recomp gains in user logs. Neither has a human trial of muscle or fat. RAD-140 raised liver enzymes in about half the patients in its only trial; YK-11 has only cell and rodent studies. See RAD-140 and YK-11.
What about cardarine and MK-677?
Neither is a SARM. Cardarine improved blood fats in short trials but was never tested for fat loss, and caused cancers in long-term animal studies. MK-677 added fat-free mass over a year but did not reduce total or belly fat and raised appetite and blood sugar, which works against a recomp.
What actually drives a recomp
Recomposition happens most easily in people new to training, returning after a break, or carrying more body fat. The basics are progressive resistance training, enough protein (a 2018 review suggests at least 1.6 g per kg of body weight a day, spread over several meals) and intake around maintenance or a small deficit. Among legal supplements, creatine monohydrate has the strongest evidence for lean mass and training performance. See best supplements to build muscle.
Before considering any of these
Every SARM tested in people lowered testosterone and HDL, and products are often mislabeled: in a 2017 test of 44 SARM products, only 52% contained a SARM. Read safest SARMs, check the stack checker before combining anything, and see the bloodwork guide. All SARMs are banned in sport and not approved anywhere.
Verdict
On human evidence, ostarine is the only SARM that has shown a small recomp-like effect, at the cost of suppression and lower HDL. LGD-4033 adds lean mass without measured fat loss, and RAD-140 and YK-11 are untested in people. Training, protein and patience do most of the work. Related: best SARMs for cutting · best SARMs for bulking · ostarine stacks
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SARM for recomp?
Ostarine, with a small effectEvidence: Trial
In an 86-day trial, ostarine at 3 mg/day added about 1.3 kg of lean mass and trimmed about 0.6 kg of fat vs placebo with no change in weight. It lowered testosterone and HDL.
Is RAD-140 good for recomp?
Untested in peopleEvidence: Limited
It is popular for recomp in user logs, but it has never been tested for muscle or fat in people. It raised liver enzymes in about half the patients in its only trial.
Can you recomp with ostarine?
A small effect in one trialEvidence: Trial
The trial data look like a small recomp: lean mass up, fat slightly down, weight unchanged. The effects were modest and came with lower testosterone and HDL.
What is the best SARM stack for recomp?
Not studiedEvidence: Limited
No SARM stack has been studied. The only human data on a combination (LGD-4033 plus MK-677) showed large drops in testosterone and HDL.
Can you recomp without SARMs?
YesEvidence: Human data
Progressive training, enough protein and eating around maintenance drive recomposition, especially in beginners and people returning to training.
Sources
- The selective androgen receptor modulator GTx-024 (enobosarm) improves lean body mass and physical function in healthy elderly men and postmenopausal women: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial
- Veru Announces Positive Topline Data from Phase 2b QUALITY Clinical Study: Enobosarm Preserved Lean Mass in Patients Receiving WEGOVY (Semaglutide) for Weight Reduction (press release, 27 January 2025)
- EMERALD study protocol (ISRCTN12213700, University of Liverpool, version 6.0, 2021): a window of opportunity study of enobosarm in ER+/AR+ early breast cancer
- Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Enobosarm (Ostarine), a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator
- The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men
- A First-in-Human Phase 1 Study of a Novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), RAD140, in ER+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Selective androgen receptor modulator, YK11, regulates myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts by follistatin expression
- Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial
- How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine
- Chemical Composition and Labeling of Substances Marketed as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and Sold via the Internet
- LGD-4033 and MK-677 use impacts body composition, circulating biomarkers, and skeletal muscle androgenic hormone and receptor content: A case report
