Evaluating Biceps Potential

It’s long been considered that the gap between the biceps and the elbow joint could be measured to determine ones potential for success in competitive bodybuilding. The great champions always seemed to have full biceps heads, which flowed, neatly into the elbow joints. If they possess this attribute, it meant their muscle bellies flowed equally well in the other parts of the body. Their calves, quads, and pecs would tie in just as gracefully. These genetically blessed men were destined to win trophies. Those of us without these fine connections were doomed to a lifetime of training hard and just looking smaller.

In the 1970s, this changed. As bodybuilding conditioning improved, and men started dieting to become ripped for a bodybuilding show, the sheer bulk that used to win shows no longer mattered. Suddenly you had smaller, less genetically blessed bodybuilders able to win shows because of superior conditioning. A bicep that is physically smaller could suddenly beat a larger bodybuilder, if he had lower body fat, was holding less water, and could present his physique more effectively. Suddenly, there was a way for men with smaller arms to have better arms. Let’s check out the two kinds of biceps tie-ins, and evaluate the best way to present them.

High-peak, short head

Reminiscent of bodybuilders like Robby Robinson, these biceps are short and tall. They often have the peak, or the split biceps head muscle, which can look tremendous onstage when the bodybuilder is able to achieve the right conditioning. Bodybuilders with this type of biceps tie-in must come into shows completely diced, holding very little water. When posing, the bodybuilder should work to emphasize this peak to the judges, and avoid taking on competitors in direct front double biceps shots, where the lack of overall width is exposed. Rather, focus upon showcasing the split biceps head as a freaky body part on display individually.

Long head, lacking peak

Top bodybuilders, especially in this age of 260-pound mass monsters, typically have these long biceps heads. They flow all the way to the elbow, and look full from every angle. When presented onstage, they can look downright ordinary, however, against a freaky peaked biceps. But, in standing front double biceps poses, their fullness becomes obvious, since they are simply larger than the biceps muscles of the men with higher peaks and short heads.

Whatever your strength in the biceps head, use it to your advantage when posing. Evaluate the competition before pose down, and determine the best way to present your overall package to highlight your strengths and downplay your weaknesses.

Source: www.BodybuildingToday.com