Skip to content

Primobolan vs RAD-140: side-by-side comparison

Anabolic Steroid

Primo · Methenolone · Methenolone Enanthate

A DHT-based steroid favored for its high safety profile and low side-effect burden. Often used in high doses for lean mass preservation. Long rumored in bodybuilding lore to have been Arnold Schwarzenegger's favorite steroid.

6.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →
VS
SARM

Testolone · RAD140 · Vosilasarm

Designed to provide the benefits of testosterone in muscle and bone without prostatic effects. One of the most potent SARMs available, providing significant lean mass and strength gains.

6.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →

6 / 10 natty scale / 6

Same lane

Both sit in the same class and are run for recomposition. This is a like-for-like comparison: read the gaps as real trade-offs.

The tape

Core ratings

The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.

PrimobolanRAD-140
6.0

Natty scale

1 natural · 10 heavy

6.0
3.5

Effectiveness

Documented effect · of 5Δ0.5

4.0
2.0

Side-effect severity

Documented burden · of 5Δ1.5

3.5

Cost side

Body-load fingerprint

Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.

PrimobolanRAD-140

Cardiometabolic

Organ strain

Hormonal

Systemic

Injection & site care

Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.

Logistics

The vitals

PrimobolanRAD-140
Anabolic Steroid
Class
SARM
Injectable (IM)
Route
Oral
400-800 mg/week2x/week injection
Typical dose
10-20 mg/dayOnce daily oral
10-14 days
Half-life
~45 hours
12-20 weeks
Typical run
8-10 weeks
Controlled substance
Legal status
Research chemical
ProhibitedS1. Anabolic Agents
WADAmatch
ProhibitedS1. Anabolic Agents

Benefit side

What each is for

Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.

PrimobolanRAD-140
CuttingRecompositionBulking

Run for

Lean Mass PreservationExcellent for maintaining muscle during caloric deficits and cutting phases.
Quality MuscleProvides slow but high-quality lean muscle gains without water retention.
Female UseOne of the few steroids considered relatively safe for female athletes due to low virilization risk.

Documented upside

  • No estrogen conversion (no gyno or water retention)
  • Mild on hair (compared to other DHT derivatives)
  • Good for cutting and maintaining lean mass
  • Relatively safe for long cycles
  • Suitable for women at low doses
+1 more on the full page

Run for

Lean Mass GainsProvides significant increases in lean muscle mass comparable to some steroids.
Strength IncreasesDramatic strength gains, often noticeable within the first two weeks.
RecompositionEffective for building muscle while losing fat simultaneously.

Documented upside

  • Significant lean mass gains
  • Dramatic strength increases
  • No water retention
  • No estrogen conversion
  • Oral administration (no injections)
+1 more on the full page

The downsides

Side effects, aligned

Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.

PrimobolanRAD-140

None documented

Liver
Lipids

None documented

None documented

Heart
Hair, skin & prostate

None documented

None documented

Mood, sleep & CNS
Suppression & fertility

None documented

Other documented effects

The exit

Hormonal fallout & recovery

What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.

PrimobolanRAD-140
moderate
HPTA suppression
severe
none
Aromatization
none
none
Liver toxicity
moderate
moderate
Hair-loss risk
moderate
Yes
DHT-derived
No
No
19-nor / progestogenic
No
Required
PCT
Required
Semi-permanent
What sticks
Semi-permanent

Primobolan

Standard PCT required. Due to long half-life, wait 2-3 weeks after last injection before starting PCT.

RAD-140

PCT with Enclomiphene (12.5-25mg daily) or Nolvadex (20/20/10/10mg) for 4 weeks is recommended.

Read-out

How they separate

  1. 01

    Enhancement

    They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (6/10 vs 6/10): a similar distance beyond natural.

  2. 02

    Side-effect bill

    RAD-140's documented side-effect severity is heavier (3.5/5 vs 2/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.

  3. 03

    Body load

    The widest gap at typical protocols is liver strain (RAD-140 5.5/10 vs 0/10), then cholesterol / apob (RAD-140 7.8/10 vs 2.8/10).

  4. 04

    Coming off

    Both suppress natural testosterone production: coming off either means a recovery phase, not just stopping.

  5. 05

    Logistics

    Primobolan runs as injectable (im), RAD-140 as oral; typical runs are 12-20 weeks vs 8-10 weeks.

  6. 06

    Tested athletes

    Both are WADA-prohibited: neither belongs anywhere near tested competition.

Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.