LGD 4033, also known as Ligandrol, is one of the most talked-about SARMs for building muscle and boosting strength.
If you’re serious about adding lean mass, breaking through plateaus, and improving your gym performance, this compound is likely on your radar.
In this in-depth review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about LGD 4033: its benefits, potential side effects, dosage, where to buy quality products, and what kind of results you can expect. Let’s get started.
What is LGD 4033?
LGD 4033, also known as Ligandrol, is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM).
It was developed to treat muscle-wasting diseases like osteoporosis and age-related muscle loss, but it quickly gained popularity in the fitness community for its ability to promote muscle growth.
Unlike anabolic steroids, SARMs like LGD 4033 selectively target androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue, which makes it highly effective for building muscle without the extreme side effects of steroids.
Benefits of LGD 4033
1. Massive Muscle Growth
LGD 4033 is known for its ability to pack on lean muscle mass quickly. Most people report gains of 10-15 pounds of muscle in just one 8-12 week cycle, assuming they follow a strict diet and training plan. The muscle gains from LGD 4033 tend to be clean and dry, meaning you’re not retaining a lot of water weight.
This makes it perfect for people looking to bulk up without getting bloated or puffy.
2. Significant Strength Increases
If you’re struggling to increase your lifts, LGD 4033 can help you push past those plateaus. Users consistently report dramatic increases in strength within just a few weeks of starting their cycle. Whether you’re a powerlifter or just want to boost your gym performance, the strength gains you get from LGD 4033 are undeniable.
3. Improved Recovery
One of the most underrated benefits of LGD 4033 is its impact on recovery. Faster recovery times mean less soreness after intense workouts, allowing you to train more frequently without sacrificing performance. This benefit is especially helpful for those who train several times a week and want to push their limits without overtraining.
4. Enhanced Bone Density
LGD 4033 also improves bone density, which reduces the risk of injury, especially for those who lift heavy. This is an excellent benefit for both younger and older lifters, or anyone who wants to avoid the long-term impact of lifting on their joints and bones.
5. Better Endurance
While Ligandrol is not primarily known as an endurance booster, many users report increased stamina during workouts. Whether it’s more reps, longer sessions, or shorter rest periods between sets, LGD 4033 can help you maximize your time in the gym.
Side Effects of LGD 4033
Like any SARM, LGD 4033 comes with potential side effects. While many users report minimal issues, there are a few things you should be aware of before starting a cycle.
1. Testosterone Suppression
LGD 4033 can suppress your natural testosterone production. While it doesn’t shut you down completely like anabolic steroids, it can still cause symptoms such as decreased libido, fatigue, and mood swings. This is why a post-cycle therapy (PCT) is recommended after finishing a cycle to help restore your natural hormone levels.
2. Cholesterol Imbalance
LGD 4033 can negatively impact cholesterol levels. Most notably, it tends to lower HDL (good cholesterol) and raise LDL (bad cholesterol). Monitoring your blood work is essential to ensure that your cholesterol remains within a healthy range, especially if you’re using LGD 4033 for an extended period.
3. Liver Toxicity
Although LGD 4033 is not as liver toxic as oral steroids, it can still cause elevated liver enzymes, especially at higher doses. If you plan to run long cycles or higher doses, it’s wise to use liver support supplements like milk thistle or N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to protect your liver.
4. LGD Flu
One of the lesser-known side effects of LGD 4033 is the so-called LGD Flu. Some users experience flu-like symptoms—such as body aches, mild fever, and fatigue—during the first few days of their cycle. This “LGD Flu” usually lasts 3-5 days and clears up on its own. If you experience these symptoms, stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and know that it will pass soon.
5. Mild Water Retention
While LGD 4033 is not known for causing extreme water retention, some users report mild bloating during their cycle. However, this is usually minimal and should subside after the cycle ends, leaving you with clean, lean muscle gains.
Half-Life
Ligandrol has a relatively long half-life of around 24 to 36 hours, meaning you only need to take it once a day.
This is one of the reasons people prefer it—convenience without needing to dose multiple times daily.
Dosage
For most, the recommended dosage of LGD 4033 falls between 2.5 to 10 mg per day.
Beginners should start on the lower end, around 5 mg, while more experienced users may go up to 10 mg.
Higher doses are not a good idea because they increase the risk of side effects without offering much in terms of additional muscle growth.
Cycle Length
An ideal LGD 4033 cycle lasts about 8 weeks.
It’s tempting to push it longer, but extending beyond 8 weeks increases your risk of side effects, particularly testosterone suppression.
To minimize risks, stick to the recommended cycle length and follow up with proper post-cycle therapy (PCT).
LGD 4033 Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)
After finishing an LGD 4033 cycle, you will need to undergo post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restore your natural testosterone levels.
Since LGD 4033 causes mild to moderate testosterone suppression, a proper PCT is crucial to avoid side effects like lethargy, loss of muscle mass, and decreased libido.
1. What to Include in Your PCT
Most people use selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like Nolvadex or Clomid for PCT after an LGD 4033 cycle.
These compounds help restart your body’s natural testosterone production by blocking estrogen receptors and stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
A typical PCT protocol for LGD 4033 might look like this:
- Nolvadex: 20 mg per day for 4 weeks
- Clomid: 25-50 mg per day for 4 weeks
You can choose either Nolvadex or Clomid based on availability and personal preference, but both work well to kickstart testosterone production.
2. When to Start PCT
You should begin PCT the day after your LGD 4033 cycle ends.
Waiting too long to start PCT can lead to a more significant drop in testosterone levels, making it harder for your body to recover.
Stacking LGD 4033 with Other SARMs
LGD 4033 can be stacked with other SARMs to maximize results, depending on your goals.
For bulking, many people stack LGD 4033 with MK-677 (Ibutamoren) to enhance muscle growth and recovery.
For cutting, it can be combined with Cardarine (GW-501516) to help preserve muscle while shedding fat.
When stacking SARMs, it’s important to be mindful of the increased potential for side effects, particularly testosterone suppression.
Always follow up any SARMs stack with a proper PCT.
Where to Buy LGD 4033
Buying high-quality LGD 4033 is crucial to getting the results you want without unnecessary side effects. Unfortunately, the SARM market is flooded with low-quality and bunk products that don’t deliver on their promises.
How to Avoid Bunk Products
To avoid fake or under-dosed products, always buy from a reputable supplier that provides third-party lab testing. These tests confirm that the product contains what it says on the label and that it’s free from contaminants.
Trusted Sources
Look for sellers who are transparent about their testing procedures and can provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each batch. This ensures that the LGD 4033 you’re buying is pure and properly dosed.
Avoid buying from random online stores or eBay sellers—it’s just not worth the risk of getting a bunk product or something potentially harmful.
Results from an LGD 4033 Cycle
What kind of results can you expect from running an LGD 4033 cycle?
- 10-15 pounds of lean muscle gain: This is the most common result for users who combine LGD 4033 with a proper diet and workout regimen.
- Increased strength and power: Expect to see significant improvements in your lifts within the first few weeks. Many people experience strength gains that carry over well after the cycle is completed.
- Faster recovery: You’ll be able to hit the gym more often without feeling as sore or fatigued, allowing you to maximize your training.
- Improved endurance and stamina: LGD 4033 isn’t just about strength—it helps you perform better during longer, more intense workouts too.
Remember, results vary based on factors like diet, training intensity, and genetics. However, most users find LGD 4033 to be one of the most effective SARMs for packing on quality muscle.
Conclusion
LGD 4033 is one of the most effective and popular SARMs on the market. Its selective targeting of muscle and bone tissues makes it a safer alternative to traditional anabolic steroids. However, you should still be mindful of side effects like testosterone suppression and cholesterol imbalance.
While LGD 4033 is highly effective, make sure you follow proper dosing guidelines and always run a PCT after your cycle to restore your natural testosterone levels. When buying LGD 4033, stick to reputable suppliers that offer third-party lab tests to ensure you’re getting a quality product.
With the right cycle, diet, and training plan, LGD 4033 can help you achieve significant gains in muscle mass and strength in a relatively short period. Just remember, SARMs are powerful tools, but you need to use them responsibly.