The best exercise for growing the bicep muscle is any variation of the curl. Curls are best done using a barbell and weights or a set of dumbbells. If you're training in the gym, sitting at a bench or using the preacher curl machine can help to further concentrate tension on the bicep muscle, leading to bigger gains.
To get bigger biceps, start by doing biceps-specific exercises like dumbbell curls, concentration curls, and chin-ups to build muscle. Next, build the muscles that surround your biceps by incorporating pectoral fly exercises, push-ups, and daily stretching into your exercise routine.
On average, with a dedicated training and nutrition regimen, some people might see noticeable growth in their biceps within 3 to 6 months. However, gaining a full inch in size can take longer--often around 6 months to a year--depending on the factors mentioned above.
Now, 15 inches might sound like a magic number, but remember, it looks different for everyone. Factors like height, weight, and overall body composition play a big role in how those 15 inches appear. For some, 15 inch arms might be the pinnacle of their fitness journey, while for others, it might be a stepping stone.
Years ago I developed a rep scheme for super sets known as the 5/10/20 method. In it's simplest form, this is a 3 exercise superset for a single muscle group where you do 5 reps of the first exercise, 10 of the second, then finish up with 20 reps on the final exercise.
There are two main training errors people make that keep their biceps from growing. These are overtraining the biceps (often unintentionally) and a lack of variation in training techniques. Adding additional biceps focused workouts and trying multiple biceps exercises doesn't work.
High-protein foods –– such as chicken, fish, and tofu –– provide amino acids that help your body repair muscle damage and build muscle. The best muscle-building foods may also contain other nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids and iron, that help fuel muscle growth.
Most people will tell you that they do, but push-ups really don't target the biceps at all. The biceps are a 'pulling' muscle, whilst the aforementioned triceps are for 'pushing'. To balance your workouts across your upper body, you should do an equal number of pulling and pushing exercises.
For optimal results when starting out, consider training your biceps no more than twice a week. Two sessions a week gives your muscles enough post-workout recovery to perform at their maximum capacity during the next session.
Don't Lift Too Heavy
Generally, research agrees that 8-12 repetitions with a moderate load is best for inducing a hypertrophic response. While you will still make strength gains with heavier loads and lower reps, you will be minimizing the potential for gains in muscle size.
Pull ups and chin ups are a multi-joint movement, meaning that they engage multiple muscle groups (lats, biceps, shoulders, and upper back). They promote overall upper body muscle development and can lead to some serious strength gains.
The bench press is great for building upper body strength and muscle mass. However, because no part of the movement actively targets this area, your biceps will be largely unaffected. As mentioned above, bicep curls, hammer curls, and chin-ups are all better exercises because they isolate and target the muscle group.
If you have an especially hard time gaining mass, use whole milk—it packs in more calories and protein. Animal-based protein powders contain more of the muscle-building amino acid leucine compared to plant-based powders like soy, hemp and rice proteins. So try to use whey, casein, or a blend of the two.
Bananas are an excellent source of natural carbohydrates, which are essential for muscle fuel. They are rich in potassium, which plays a significant role in muscle contraction and preventing muscle weakness.
Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Aim to do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.
In general, like all muscles, the biceps benefit from weights in the 30%-85% 1RM range, which in many people roughly translates to a weight that results in between 5 and 30 reps on a first set taken to failure.
Yes, you can definitely work out biceps and triceps together in the same workout session. In fact, training both muscle groups together can be an effective way to maximize your time in the gym and achieve better overall upper body strength and muscle development.
The 12-3-30 workout was made popular by Lauren Giraldo, a lifestyle social media influencer. The idea is to walk on a treadmill that is set to an incline of 12.0, at a speed of 3.0 mile per hour, for 30 minutes. She credits her 30 pound weight loss to doing this workout five times per week.
Through weightlifting exercises, you may be able to put an inch of muscle on your biceps in a week. You may be able to gain another inch in two weeks, but soon your body will plateau and you won't see that kind of growth every week.