The Ultimate Cutting Guide: When to Start, How Long to Cut, and Best SARMs for Fat Loss

Cutting for Bodybuilders: Timing, Duration & Strategy

Cutting is one of the most crucial phases in any serious lifter’s journey. While bulking builds mass, cutting reveals it. If you’re aiming for that lean, chiseled look, timing your cut properly and aligning it with your goals is key.

Unlike bulking—which focuses on caloric surplus and muscle gain—cutting requires a careful calorie deficit, macronutrient tracking, and supplements that help retain lean muscle while stripping away fat. Let’s break down how to time your cut, how long it should last, and which MuscleChem SARMs can give your efforts a serious boost.

When Should You Start Your Cutting Phase?

The right time to start cutting depends on how much muscle mass you’ve already added during your bulking phase. If you haven’t put on a significant amount of muscle yet, cutting too early may leave you looking smaller rather than shredded.

As a general rule, cutting should begin:

• 8–20 weeks before a target event or date, depending on how much fat you need to lose.
• Once your bulking phase is complete and your body fat percentage is creeping above your aesthetic goal.
• When your physique goals shift from size to definition.

If you’re prepping for a competition, photoshoot, or summer shred, plan your cut well in advance based on how much weight you intend to drop.

How Long Should You Cut?

The length of your cutting phase is based on your current body composition and fat loss goals. Use tools like body fat percentage calculators or DEXA scans to get an accurate estimate of how much fat you need to lose.

Here’s a general timeline:

Pounds to Lose	Recommended Cutting Duration
10 lbs	6–8 weeks
15 lbs	10–12 weeks
20 lbs	14–16 weeks

Aim to lose 1–1.5 lbs per week to preserve muscle. Avoid aggressive calorie deficits that may cause muscle breakdown.

Designing a Cutting Diet: What to Eat & What to Skip

Your cutting nutrition should prioritize protein, moderate carbohydrates, and low to moderate fat. Stick to lean meats, whole grains, fibrous vegetables, and fruits with low glycemic indexes.

Macro Breakdown for Cutting:

• Protein: 1–1.2g per pound of body weight
• Carbs: Adjust based on activity level (typically 1–1.5g/lb)
• Fats: 0.3–0.4g per pound of body weight

Foods to Emphasize:

• Chicken breast, turkey, white fish
• Egg whites
• Brown rice, oats, quinoa
• Spinach, broccoli, asparagus
• Berries, apples, bananas

Foods to Avoid:

• Fried and fatty foods
• Sugary snacks and drinks
• Alcohol
• Refined carbs and fast food

Planning variety in your meals and rotating recipes can help combat diet fatigue and reduce the temptation to binge.

Best Oral SARMs for Cutting – Available at MuscleChem

To maintain lean muscle and accelerate fat loss during cutting, many bodybuilders turn to oral SARMs. These compounds are known for promoting muscle retention while enhancing endurance and thermogenesis.

Here are the top SARMs for cutting, available at MuscleChem:

1. Ostarine (MK-2866)

• Benefits: Preserves muscle during calorie deficit, improves recovery
• Recommended Oral Dose: 10–20mg daily for 8–12 weeks
• Shop Ostarine – MuscleChem

2. Cardarine (GW-501516)

• Benefits: Boosts endurance, supports fat metabolism
• Recommended Oral Dose: 10–20mg daily for 6–10 weeks
• Buy Cardarine – MuscleChem

3. Stenabolic (SR9009)

• Benefits: Enhances fat oxidation, improves stamina
• Recommended Oral Dose: 20–30mg daily, split into 2–3 servings
• Order SR9009 – MuscleChem

What About Bulking After Cutting?

Once you’ve cut down to a 12% body fat or lower (for men) or around 18–20% (for women), you can begin your bulk again. Starting a bulk at lean levels ensures minimal fat gain while maximizing lean mass growth.

Plan your bulk with clean eating and regular workouts, and consider SARMs designed for mass building for optimal gains.

Top SARMs for Lean Bulking – From MuscleChem

If you’re transitioning into a bulking phase post-cut, here are some stacks and compounds to consider:

1. Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

• Benefits: Increases muscle size and strength with minimal water retention
• Recommended Oral Dose: 5–10mg daily for 8–10 weeks
• Get Ligandrol – MuscleChem

2. RAD-140 (Testolone)

• Benefits: Promotes aggressive muscle gains and enhances endurance
• Recommended Oral Dose: 10–20mg daily for 8–10 weeks
• Shop RAD-140 – MuscleChem

3. YK-11

• Benefits: Acts as a myostatin inhibitor to maximize muscle growth
• Recommended Oral Dose: 5–10mg daily for 6–8 weeks
• Buy YK-11 – MuscleChem

4. MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

• Benefits: Boosts growth hormone levels naturally to aid in recovery and lean gains
• Recommended Oral Dose: 15–25mg daily, ideal for long-term use (12+ weeks)
• Order MK-677 – MuscleChem

Final Thoughts: Master Your Cutting Phase for a Shredded Physique

Cutting is more than just reducing calories—it’s about timing, strategy, consistency, and using the right tools to preserve your hard-earned muscle. With support from MuscleChem’s SARMs, structured training, and a smart nutrition plan, you’ll carve out a leaner, more defined physique with less guesswork.

Explore the full range of SARMs, stacks, and combos at MuscleChem.com to support your cutting or bulking cycle, and start working toward the physique you’ve always envisioned.