If you’ve been grinding in the gym for months, stacking on muscle and pushing your reps, but you’ve got a bit of extra chub you want to trim—Cardarine will’ve caught your eye. Known as a top-notch fat burner, Cardarine (GW-501516) is a research favourite, but will it mess with your hard-earned gains? Let’s debunk the myths with science, explore how it works, and show you how to keep your muscle while shredding fat.
What Is Cardarine?
Cardarine (GW-501516) is a PPARδ modulator, not a SARM, developed in the 1990s by GlaxoSmithKline for metabolic health. Taken at 20 mg daily for 8-12 weeks, it’s studied for ramping up fat metabolism and endurance without hormonal effects. Unlike anabolic compounds, it skips the need for Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT).
How Does Cardarine Work?
Cardarine flips on PPARδ receptors, boosting genes like CPT1A and PDK4 to ramp up fatty acid oxidation. This makes your body burn fat for energy instead of dipping into glycogen or muscle protein. Rodent studies show a 50-70% endurance spike, letting you train harder and torch more calories. Since it’s non-hormonal, it doesn’t mess with testosterone or trigger muscle breakdown.
Does Cardarine Burn Muscle?
Good news: Cardarine is unlikely to burn your muscle gains if used right. Here’s why:
- Fat-First Fuel: Cardarine prioritises fat for energy, sparing muscle protein. Preclinical trials show muscle retention in calorie deficits.
- No Hormonal Impact: Unlike steroids or some SARMs, Cardarine doesn’t suppress hormones or cause catabolism.
- Workout Support: Its endurance boost helps you keep up intense training, which signals your body to hold onto muscle.
That said, a steep calorie deficit can still risk muscle loss, Cardarine or not. Pairing it with a muscle-sparing compound like MK-677 can help lock in your gains.
Benefits of Cardarine for Cutting
Cardarine stands out in research for:
- Fat Loss: Animal studies show 5-7% body fat drops over 8 weeks, with similar human reports.
- Endurance: Boosts exercise capacity by up to 40%, upping calorie burn.
- Metabolic Edge: May increase HDL cholesterol by 15-20% and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Sustained Training: Supports high-intensity sessions without muscle fatigue.
Protecting Muscle Gains with Cardarine
To keep your muscle while cutting:
- Sensible Deficit: Stick to a 10-15% calorie cut to avoid muscle loss.
- Protein Power: Aim for 1.6-2.2 g/kg body weight to fuel muscle repair.
- Smart Stacking: Combine Cardarine with MK-677, boosting growth hormone and IGF-1 for muscle growth.
- Lift Heavy: Use Cardarine’s stamina to maintain progressive overload, telling your body to keep muscle.
Research Protocol
- Cardarine: 1-2 tablets (20 mg) daily, pre-workout.
- Cycle: 8-12 weeks.
- Stacking Option: Add MK-677 (20 mg daily) for muscle protection.
- No PCT Required: Cardarine’s non-hormonal action means no PCT needed.
Research Considerations
Human data on Cardarine is limited, and rodent studies at high doses raised long-term concerns. Stick to 20 mg daily for 8-12 weeks and monitor bloodwork. Always consult a professional, especially when stacking with compounds like MK-677.
Ready to Cut Fat Without Losing Muscle?
Wanna shred that extra chub but keep your gains jacked? Try Cardarine to fire up your fat-burning. If you’re stressing about muscle loss, check out the Monster Stack with Cardarine and MK-677 to keep your muscles swole!
Disclaimer: The products discussed in this blog are for research purposes only and not for human consumption. Do your research and consult a professional before use. APH Science is not responsible for misuse.
