5 Tips for Bigger Biceps

By Nick Tumminello

Here’s your step-by-step guide through 5 battle-tested biceps workout tips and training strategies we've used with athletes and bodybuilders to help them pump up their arms and build bigger biceps

1. Mix up your Force Angles to target the Biceps Peak

We all know that using a variety of exercises helps make our arm workouts (and all other weight training workouts for that matter) more versatile and more effective. But, it’s important to understand that simply changing the exercises doesn’t always mean you’re hitting your biceps in a different way.

You see, to thoroughly hit your biceps (or any other muscle group you’re training) you need to mix up the force angles, which changes the point of exercise (within the range of motion) where the muscle(s) is being maximally loaded, within a given workout.

Many lifters are under the impression that each time you change the exercise you’re changing the force angle. But this is not so, as many biceps curl exercises may look different - Example: Barbell biceps curls, EZ-bar curls and dumbbell biceps curls – but they may create the same force angle, which, therefore, hits your biceps in basically the same way.

Here’s a quick lesson on Biomechanics to help you better understand force angles:

All exercises that involve free weights and cables have a point within the range of motion (ROM) where the exercise is hardest on the muscle(s) involved, and where the exercise is the easiest. The point at which the exercise is most difficult is where the lever arm becomes the longest, which makes the muscles involved work the hardest.

During any style of biceps curl with a free weight (dumbbell, barbell or EZ-bar) the point at which your biceps is being maximally loaded (stimulated) is the point in the ROM in which your forearm is at a 90-degree angle with the load vector, which in the case of free-weights, gravity is your load vector.

In other words, when using free weights the point of maximal loading on your biceps (during a biceps curl) is when your elbow reaches 90 degrees of flexion or when your forearm is parallel to the floor.

When doing biceps curls using a cable column, the cable itself is the load vector and the point of maximal loading to your biceps here is when your forearm makes a 90-degree angle with the cable.

The nice thing about the cable column is that you can manipulate the force vector to make your biceps work the hardest in ranges of motion (of the biceps curl) that free weights miss.

Here’s a way we use a cable column to create a maximal force angle at the top point in the range of motion. In this video you’ll see how the 90-degree angle is created much higher in the ROM, which we use to maximally stimulate the biceps at the "peak" of the contraction.

Now, don’t get it twisted as I'm not saying you can isolate out any particular portion of your biceps (upper, middle or lower) when doing curls; you can't do that with any exercise for any muscle. But, as I’ve demonstrated in the video above, you certainly can manipulate the force angles during exercises to cause the point of maximal loading (on the biceps) to be at different points within the range of motion of a biceps curl.

2. Use an Offset Grip

Basic anatomy tells us that our biceps are not only elbow flexors, but they’re also forearm supinators. Based on this, we’ve found the best way to ensure maximal biceps recruitment when doing dumbbell biceps curls is to hit both (resisted) elbow flexion and forearm supination by holding the handle in a unique way.

Here’s a new gripping strategy we use, which I can promise will give you a much better biceps pump!

Instead of gripping the dumbbell from the middle (in the traditional manner), grip toward the thumb side with your hand as far to this side as possible.

Doing this will force you to resist forearm pronation by using more of your biceps as supinators while you perform the biceps dumbbell curl exercise as long as you perform them in the manner.

3. 60/30 Biceps Blaster

This biceps protocol has been one our favorites because it only takes 30 seconds to get your biceps swollen and pumped. And, its effectiveness surprises many lifters who when they first see it think it’s “gimmicky” because it’s so different than any biceps training methods they’ve seen before. We then explain to them A) if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. And, we also teach them that B) there are three ways to increase muscle: Lift heavy (max effort), lift fast  (dynamic effort) or lift a lot (repetitive effort) – Our 30/60 Biceps protocol combines both moving fast (to create high intensity) and moving a lot (to create high work volume).

You're going to need a heavy-duty band for this workout.

Coaching Tips:

• We use a band because it allows you to move fast without gaining its own momentum
   
• We recommend using a 1/2-inch band for weaker individuals and a 1-inch band for stronger folks
   
• Perform 60 reps in 30 seconds x 2- 4 sets with 1-2 minute rest

If you can't complete all 60 reps in the given time frame of 30 seconds, the band is too heavy.

4. Biceps 28s

Most lifters are already familiar with the classic biceps training method of using biceps curl 21s, which was popularized by bodybuilding legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger and adopted by virtually every young lifter looking to get bigger biceps. We developed our Performance U 28s rep protocol as a way to take 21s concept to create more time under-tension, a better biceps pump and add a new twist to classic method.

If you don’t already know: Biceps 21’s are where you perform 7 reps of partial range biceps curls going halfway down. Then you do 7 partial reps only going halfway up. Then, you finish with 7 more reps using a full range of motion. Totaling 21 reps.

How to Do the Performance U Biceps 28s Protocol

Perform the following four biceps curl variations seated, standing, or on a preacher bench (using either a barbell, dumbbell or EZ-bar) back-to-back, without rest:

1. Perform 7 partial reps in the most difficult 1/3-1/2 of the range of motion
    
2. Perform 7 full-range of motion reps
    
3. Perform an isometric hold (pause) in the mid-range for 7 seconds
    
4. Perform 7 partial reps in the easiest 1/3-1/2 of the range of motion

Now, there IS a method to the madness behind the way we perform our Biceps 28s protocol, which is based on the Force Vector concepts I shared earlier.

Here’s the thought process we used to designed our Biceps 28s protocol:

We begin with the most difficult part of the range when you’re most fresh.

The first 7 reps serve as a nice pre-fatigue before we hit 7 full range of motion reps. Plus, getting some movement started from the bottom can help you power through the end range you just focused on in the first 7 reps.

Muscle mechanics dictate that our muscles are strongest in their mid-range. That’s why we do an isometric hold in this range for 7 seconds. Plus, isometrics are a great way to increase time under tension. And, help bodybuilders better hold flexed positions, which is what they have to do when they pose in competition.

We finish with the easiest part of the exercise at the end, when you’re at your weakest and most fatigued from the previous 21 reps.

Now, what I've just explained is certainly not the one and only “magic order.” Occasionally, to create training variety, we’ll mix up the order a bit and perform our Biceps 28s like this:

• 7 reps half way down curls w/ Pronated (palm down) grip
   
• 7 reps half way up curls w/ Neutral grip (palms facing each other)
   
• 7 reps full ROM supinated grip (palms up)
   
• 7 seconds midrange isometric hold (any grip you wish)

Of course, these are all done in the same manner as the above, back-to-back, without putting the weight down.

5. Constant Tension, Mid-Range Biceps Curls

One of the fundamental concepts in muscle physiology is the length-tension relationship, which is: how much force a muscle can generate relative to its length.

Muscles tend to have the lowest potential to generate force when they're either fully elongated (stretched) or fully shortened (contracted). And, as I stated above, muscles tend to generate the highest possible force in the middle — halfway through the range of motion (aka. The mid-range).

Not only are muscles able to produce the most force in the midrange, they also have the potential to activate the highest percentage of motor units. (A motor unit is a nerve cell and the set of muscle fibers it's responsible for activating).

Put simply, more motor unit recruitment means you’re able to bring more muscle into the game on each rep, provided the effort is high enough, as shown in the following graph.

Now that you understand that muscles produce the most force in the midrange, where they also have the potential to activate the highest percentage of motor units, you can better appreciate how to exploit these concepts and transform exercise science into practical exercise application with what we call Constant Tension Mid-Range Biceps Curls.

Instead of doing full range of motion biceps curls (standing with Dumbbells, a Barbell for an EZ-Bar), we begin from a 90 degree elbow bend (i.e. the mid-range) and perform partial rep curls in the middle of the range.

In other words, with elbows by your sides, you perform biceps curls without ever fully going to the bottom or the top of the range of motion.

We prefer to do our Constant Tension Mid-Range Biceps Curls for time instead of for reps, as it doesn't matter how fast you move because you’re always under tension and using a timed interval ensures that you get our desired time under tension, which is 40 to 60 seconds, regardless of the tempo you perform each mid-range curl at.

Closing Comments

The traditional biceps exercises we all know and love are still just as great and effective as ever before. Heck, most of the biceps training strategies I shared above are simply new twists on classic biceps building concepts. While we embrace old-school wisdom, as you've seen, we also use some new school biceps building protocols, which you can now to add to your own biceps-training toolbox.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Coach Nick Tumminello has become known as “the trainer of trainers.” He’s the owner of owner of Performance University International, which provides practical, No B.S., personal trainer continuing education.

Original Source: http://www.schwarzenegger.com/fitness/post/5-tips-for-bigger-biceps

Looking To Develop Lean Muscle? Attempt These Suggestions!

By Ginz Magindle

What's the best way to build muscle quickly? What do I've to do to develop the most muscle? There are people everywhere asking these questions every day. The answers aren't readily accessible. Study the following tricks to see what the specialists need to say about growing muscle mass within the quickest way possible with the least danger of injury.

You should not emphasize speed more than a good technique. It doesn't matter which physical exercise you carry out, slowing down your reps to ensure that your method is perfect can help you to get better leads to a shorter period of time. Take all of the time you'll need and make sure you carry out the workouts like you need to.

Warming up and stretching is essential to creating your muscles. As muscle tissues grow stronger, they're more stressed and prone to injury. In the event you spend an adequate amount of time warming up, your danger of injury will decrease. Prior to you do any severe lifting, lightly physical exercise for five to ten minutes, and then do 3 or four light and intermediate warm-up sets.

Maintain the core trio of workouts in thoughts and always have them in every of one's routines. These are big muscle group exercises like dead lifts, squats and presses. Along with adding muscle, these exercises help you enhance your strength and situation your body. You should aim to consist of these exercises in some manner regularly.

In the event you want to build stronger, larger muscles, you have to get enough protein inside your diet. A terrific method for making certain correct protein intake is to use protein supplements and drinks. These protein-rich goods are very best consumed following working out or before going to bed. You have to consume about 1 shake each day. To acquire muscle mass, try consuming about 3 per day.

Don't work on enhancing the size of your muscle tissues if you are taking part in a marathon or participating in intense cardio workouts. Although cardio can help improve your common physical health and fitness, it could negate the effects of strength coaching workouts. In case your objective is gaining muscle, you need to do strength coaching much more frequently than cardio.

Muscle developing isn't just about obtaining ripped. Plenty of different muscle developing regimens are accessible, and it's important to choose the proper type for you before you start. Adding a supplement to your routine will help you acquire muscle.

You are able to cheat when lifting weights as long as you don't do so excessively. It's okay to cheat by not totally engaging your body within the name of pumping out some bonus reps. Nevertheless, you do not want to cheat too much. Maintain a controlled rep speed. Do not compromise your form.

Whenever you exercise, it's important you train with various muscles; like, chest with back, or hamstrings together with your quads. This way, 1 muscle can get a rest whilst you are working out the other. This may permit you to bump up your workout intensity and you will not have to be in the gym as long.

Be picky of what moves you go heavy on, as some are unfavorable to excess weight. Neck work, split squats and dips sometimes consist of unfavorable joint positions that may place you at risk for severe injury. You should use heavy weights for deads, presses, rows and squats instead.

In order to effectively build stronger, larger muscles, you've to be educated on how to do so. Take the guidance from this article and apply it for your own muscle building regimen for the very best opportunity of achievement.

You are able to be of any age to advantage from obtaining into shape, and building up your muscle tissues may be just what you'll need. Hopefully, the article that you simply just read supplied you with useful information on how you can build muscle, and enhance your strength and conditioning so you can have a healthy body which will final throughout your life.

Original Source: http://kelli-sport-articles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/looking-to-develop-lean-muscle-attempt.html

How to gain muscle for skinny guys

By Ben Greenfield

I used to be skinny. Really skinny. In high school and up to my first year of college, I was a complete stick -- until I made the decision in my freshman year that I needed to put some muscle on.

Eventually, by my senior year of college, I went from just “putting on muscle” to actually becoming a bodybuilder – standing on stage and posing 35 pounds of muscle above my original starting point.

If you were born skinny, you may not have the potential to gain the bulk of an NFL lineman, but it’s completely possible for a skinny guy to put on muscle. The bonus for you is that your body fat levels are naturally low, so when you do gain muscle, you’ll be able to achieve a very ripped look, which bigger, bulky guys often envy!

Here are seven things I learned from my own journey.

Supplements

Normally, you can get from food all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that you need. But if you’re trying to put on significant size and you’re exercising at a level that is constantly stripping your body of fuel, you’ll need help from supplements.

For calories and upping your protein intake, a protein powder is important. If you don’t want the typical gut distress that comes from eating protein powders, don’t just settle for any version of protein powder. Try to choose one without added soy and corn, with no artificial sweeteners, and with added digestive aids such as digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Other supplements that can effectively help a skinny guy gain muscle are:

• Creatine: 0.3 g/kg bodyweight for 5-7 days followed by 5 g/day.
• Carnitine: 750 mg, 2,000 mg/day, in 2 doses.
• Citrulline: 6-8 g, 30-60 minutes before exercise.
• Beta-Alanine: 2-5 g, 30-60 minutes before exercise.

None of these supplements are a substitute for lifting frequently and lifting heavy, but they will certainly help to enhance results.

Eat Frequently

Strength training is very glycolytic, which means it burns a high amount of carbohydrates. Because of this, you shouldn't go into any muscle building workout without having eaten about 300-600 calories of a carbohydrate-containing meal two to three hours prior. This meal can include sweet potatoes, yams, oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice or any other healthy carbohydrate source. If you eat another similar meal after your workout, you’ll be able to put on size more quickly, as your muscles will rapidly absorb the sugars more quickly after a workout.

In addition, timing your protein intake with several small 20-25-gram portions split up through the day will be far more effective for gaining muscle, compared to a giant protein shake at the beginning and end of the day.

Ultimately, a skinny guy trying to put on muscle should be aiming to consume a pre-workout meal, a post-workout meal and at least four to five additional meals. This may seem like a lot of eating and food, but this is what it takes to build significant muscle if you’re skinny.

Use Amino Acids

A big secret among bodybuilders and strength training enthusiasts is a type of supplement called “branched chain amino acids” (BCAAs). These are special protein-building blocks that are rapidly absorbed and easily used by muscles during exercise. They’re cheap, easy to find and can be consumed without stomach distress both before, during and immediately after your workout, and can significantly increase muscle gain.

You should not train for size without amino acids in your bloodstream, and since digesting a steak can be tough during a hard workout, BCAAs are a good way to go. To gain muscle more rapidly, you should aim for 10-20 grams of BCAAs, consumed before, and then every 60-90 minutes during, your weight-training workouts.

Eat Meat

Skinny guys who are vegans or vegetarians may cringe at this advice, but meat is muscle fiber, and it’s chock full of fats, proteins and hormonal precursors that help you to put on size more quickly. While you certainly can get adequate proteins from plants, it’s far more difficult to go the vegetarian route, and the volume of food you must eat is going to be very daunting and a bit distressing to your gut.

To maintain muscle, you need to eat about 0.55 grams of protein per pound of body weight, and to build muscle, you need about 0.7 grams per pound. In addition, you’ll need to eat an extra 500-1000 calories each day over and above your basal metabolic rate. This high volume of food and protein should include foods that naturally increase testosterone, including grass-fed beef, eggs and seafood (other lower-calorie testosterone-supporting foods include garlic and broccoli).

Mix It Up

The advice to mix it up should not be misinterpreted. I don’t mean you should change up your workout every day (which is actually good for fat loss but not very effective for gaining muscle). Instead, you should stick to the same workouts each week for three to five weeks, but you should use different types of strategies during your sets to challenge your muscles. These strategies can include bouncing, explosions, quarter reps, ladder reps, stripping, supersets, super slow reps, forced reps, negatives and cheating.

Lift Heavy

Most skinny guys do not lift adequately heavy weights to build significant muscle. This is one reason why having a personal trainer or workout buddy at the gym will help you put on muscle faster -- you can lift more weight when someone is there to help you if the weight gets too heavy for you to safely handle.

While lifting with slightly higher sets (like 4-6 sets) and higher repetitions (like 10-12 reps) will help you build muscle faster than using low sets and low repetitions (which are better for power or brute strength), you still need to use weights that completely exhaust your muscles by the end of a set. For example, if you’re going to be doing 5 sets of 10 repetitions of a barbell squat, you should barely be able to stand for the last 3 repetitions. That is the kind of tough stimulus a skinny guy needs to build muscle.

Lift Frequently

Once you put it on, muscle is much easier to maintain than big lungs or good endurance. A runner begins to lose oxygen capacity within about three days of laying off workouts. But muscle only requires one workout a week for maintenance.

However, muscle is hard to put on initially, and for skinny guys typically requires 4-6 workouts per muscle group to build (you can build even faster if you lift twice a day, but if you do that, you’ll need to take a full recovery day at least once a week, and allow at least four hours between workouts).

So what does it look like to lift frequently? One popular split that works very well is to exercise your chest and back on day one, your shoulders, biceps and triceps on day two, your legs and core on day three, then take one day of rest, and repeat.

Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/20/how-to-gain-muscle-for-skinny-guys/