Bis

[anthrax]

Do you think direct biceps exercises are necessary?
(for both strength and esthetic purposes)

 

[Guinness5.0]

I was all gung-ho when I started 5x5 that I would not do direct arm work, but then my arms seemed to get smaller. I started throwing in bb curls here and there (but certainly not more than 4 sets/week) and they seem to have gotten bigger. So I think some is good but less is better than more. Let the compound movements be the focal point of any program.

 

[H_T_]

yes. the bicep is one of the most functional muscles in the body. i'm not sayin' dedicate an hour to them, but some sets of heavy barbell curls won't hurt.

 

[blut wump]

No, unless the aesthetics matter to you.

My biceps shrink slightly when I ignore them, which is most of the time. They come back so quickly, though, when I work them that it's completely irrelevant to me that they shrink slightly. I can have them back within a couple of weeks and for what? Just so that I can ignore them again?

I haven't done direct biceps work since March and that was just during some time between programs and switching gyms. It's a small muscle group which gets all it needs from the other exercises. I'd rather work forearms than spend time on biceps.

 

[BOOEY]

For aesthetic - definitely.

For strength - In terms of what? Obviously if you want a stronger curl, you'll need to do curls. As far as bi to back strength - probably individual, but for most not completely necessary. Couldn't hurt though.

 

[calebdonnellyusmc]

I do arms at least once a week

 

[string_bean00]

I've never noticed a difference in growth between two sets, and 12 sets.



A couple good sets is beneficial though, I'm sure.

 

[ortiz34]

My buddy calls them "curls for the girls"

I tend to do no more than 2 sets every week and I am happy.

 

[jcastyo]

I read in a little booklet that you don't need to much work on the bi's/tri's because you get enough stimulation from big pushing/pulling movements, so if you work them out to much directly, you can actually see negative results.

So in short one day out of the week working them 2 sets for 7-9. I have followed that since I read it 2 months ago and have been seeing some decent gains.

jc

 

[JL_204]

The only time i really do bi's is in the summer for the beach. There not really a priority.

What is the fascination with bi's anyway??? Im curious. In my gym all I see is people doing different variations of curls.
Are the biceps a measure of a man???