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What is a Bicep Workout

A biceps workout is a workout which isolates the biceps muscles in the upper arm and also works out the triceps as well.  To have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the biceps will help you to utilize exercises outside of the traditional curls in order to work your biceps as well. 

The three main muscles which are worked out during a biceps workout are the biceps brachii, brachialis, and the brachioradialis.   The Latin for biceps means two heads.  The heads of the biceps originate in the shoulder area and merge partway between the shoulder and the elbow to link by a tendon to the radius which is the smaller of the two bones which make up the forearm. 

When the biceps contract or you curl your forearm to your shoulder, the biceps and the tendon is pulled toward those heads and you are able to bend your elbow.  Because of this bending motion, your biceps are considered flexors.  The biceps work with the triceps brachii, which are extensors.  The biceps also handle rotating the forearm palm up as when you turn anything with your hand. 

The shorter head of the biceps attaches to the shoulder blade and the tendon of the longer head of the biceps passes into the joint at the head of the humerus which is the larger of the two bones which make up the arm.  The biceps also have several muscles underneath it including the coracobrachialis muscle and the brachialis.

The biceps connects across three joints.  These are important to both flexing the elbow and supinating the forearm.  The shoulder joint brings the arm up in a forward motion; the elbow bends the forearm to the upper arm.  This action is a biceps curls and uses not only the biceps brachii but also the brachialis muscle and the brachioradialis muscle as well.  Lastly, the proximal radioulnar joint supinates the forearm which allows the forearm and palm to turn.

It is important to note the triceps as well as the biceps in any biceps workout.  The triceps have three heads; one is attached to the shoulder blade and the other two to the humerus.   The triceps are extensor muscles while the biceps are flexor muscles.  These muscles are around the back of the upper arm.  It is common to see this area become flabby over time especially with older women.  The triceps are used to lower, or extend, the arm from the elbow. 

There are many ways to build up both the triceps and biceps during an exercise routine.  You can not only use weights but you can perform many exercises without the use of external weights by using the weight of your own body to build up these muscles.  Many of us are familiar with pushups and pull-ups, both which are excellent ways to build up the biceps and triceps.  However, this may be something you need to work up to instead of just quickly launching into various workouts.

Why is it so important to increase the size of the biceps?  Simply put, the larger the biceps, the more physically strong a person looks both male and female.

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