First SARM Cycle (Recomp)
Risk: ModerateThe textbook entry-level SARM cycle — ostarine drives lean tissue gain with the cleanest side-effect profile of any SARM, cardarine (PPARδ, non-suppressive) adds endurance and fat oxidation without compounding HPTA stress, and low-dose enclomiphene daily on cycle keeps LH/FSH alive so PCT is minimal. Recomp without the crash.
Composition: 2 SARMs & Research Anabolics · 1 Ancillary / PCT
Overview
This stack is the go-to entry-level SARM protocol for guys prioritizing a recomp—losing fat and building or holding high-quality lean mass, not swelling the scale with fluff and water. Ostarine remains the king of starter SARMs: well characterized, predictable, and genuinely mild compared to the more exotic options, with broad use for both men in deficit and those hovering at maintenance. Cardarine brings the endurance and visible conditioning effect (plus some mitigation for the predictable SARM lipid hit), while enclomiphene serves dual duty: keeping your HPTA responsive through the cycle and making transition to PCT almost seamless. It's a practical stack for anyone chasing a sharp look without committing to injectables or mega-dosing.
Why this stack works
Each compound is hand-picked for its role in a true recomp run:
- Ostarine (20–25 mg): Delivers reliable lean-mass retention (and some gain, even in deficit) with the lowest baggage of any SARM. The backbone of the stack, it keeps muscle on when cutting and makes fat loss look clean—no aromatization or real DHT conversion, just androgen receptor agonism in muscle/bone with weaker action in scalp/prostate.
- Cardarine (10–20 mg): Not anabolic but excellent for visible fat loss and gym/conditioning performance. Tamps down on the typical SARM-induced LDL rise, blows up endurance, and makes extended cardio feasible without burning out—the classic stacker for ostarine.
- Enclomiphene (12.5 mg): Used ON cycle here at low dose; keeps LH/FSH pulsing so your axis isn't flatlined, which means transition to full PCT is smoother and faster. Minimal estrogenic drag compared to Clomid; much lower risk of visual/mood sides.
You get real muscle retention, increased fat oxidation, strong gym performance, and reduced post-cycle suppression risk in one protocol—with each compound supporting the others' weak points for smoother, predictable results.
Protocol timeline
2 phases · 12 weeks total
Timeline shows the 12-week cycle. Bars overlap when phases run concurrently. Click a bar to jump to its detail card.
Cycle starts
2025
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2026
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2027
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
| Week | Compound | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | Ostarine | 20–25 mg | Once daily (AM) | Take with water, best absorbed on empty stomach |
| 1-8 | Cardarine | 10–20 mg | Once daily (AM) | Divide dose if >10 mg for GI comfort |
| 1-8 | Enclomiphene | 12.5 mg | Once daily (AM) | Consistent timing daily; do not skip |
- For ostarine: Cap alcohol intake; stay on top of lipids—fish oil (2–4 g/day) and low-saturated fat skew help. If using additional orals, do not add them to a first run.
- Cardarine: Expect increased cardio capacity—take advantage for fat loss via higher step count or conditioning work. Lipid improvements offset (some) SARM damage, but check labs mid-cycle if running over 8 weeks.
- Enclomiphene: Bloodwork mid-cycle (week 5–6) and pre-PCT (week 8) is ideal. Avoid high-grade SSRIs or CYP2D6 inhibitors during this protocol as they can alter effectiveness.
| Week | Compound | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-12 | Enclomiphene | 12.5 mg | Once daily (AM) | Take with water, same time every day |
- Do not add clomid or nolvadex unless there is clear evidence of incomplete recovery (e.g., no LH/FSH rise at week 2 of PCT).
- Optional: Vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium support baseline testicular recovery, but mega-dosing offers no extra edge.
- Delay any alcohol intake until at least week 10 if running hard labs—enclomiphene and post-cycle liver status can be fragile.
Compounds in this stack
3 linked · tap for full guide
How they work together
Multipliers applied to the projection above when these compounds run together. Values > 1 indicate a bonus, < 1 a penalty.
| Pair | Type | Lean | Fat loss | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| synergistic | ×1.12 | ×1.08 | ×1.20 | |
| synergistic | ×1.10 | ×1.18 | ×1.08 |
Cycle outcome projection
Projection across all phases (12 weeks total) using the same math as the stack-calculator tool. Adjust gender, cycle length, and goal to see how the numbers move.
Body Transformation Preview
Lean Mass Gain
4.3 lbs
3.3–5.4 lbs range
Fat Loss
5.4 lbs
4.0–6.7 lbs range
Lean Synergy Bonus
+23%
from compound pairing
Fat Loss Synergy
+27%
from compound pairing
Per-Compound Contribution
Fat Loss by Week
Where to buy
Swiss Chems
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Conclusion
Ostarine + cardarine + enclomiphene is the entry-level stack for recomp that actually lives up to the hype: clean, manageable, and minimal crash. Stick to protocol, don't get greedy with duration or dose, and you're set for a visible, sustainable result. Next logical jumps are dialing dose for experience or working up to more advanced SARMs or mild AAS if you want to push further.
Updated 2026-04-19