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Can the biceps peak be improved?

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Posted by: Mudge

Some believe it can, some say no. This is the difference between only one workout to the next, arms are cold in both shots. Basically I included 2 sets of bent over concentration curls this time, where usually I don't do any movements to increase 'peak' (or at least peak contraction strength for those that believe that this cannot be improved upon).

These pictures are from June 16th





Posted by: Mudge

June 16th





Posted by: Mudge

June 19th





Posted by: Mudge

June 19th




Posted by: Robboe

Dude, as far as i can see, the muscle shape and peak is just the same, but there is a slight difference in size - and since it's only a few days between it'll be due to water and glycogen and muscle inflamation from the workout.



Posted by: Robboe

And when i said "size" i meant size of the entire muscle, not one portion of it.



Posted by: ZECH

I believe the peak on the bicep is mostly genetic. You can improve the overall size and fullness, but the peak is determined when you are conceived!



Posted by: bigss75

I think it is gentic too. It depends on the lenght of your bicep. I have short biceps making my peak look larger.



Posted by: Scotty the Body

I agree with all the above, just make it bigger!



Posted by: Robboe

If you all agree, then how come there's 6 votes for yes and only 2 votes for no?



Posted by: Scotty the Body

I forgot to vote there, its at 3 for no.



Posted by: nikegurl

4 for no. my biceps are long and i don't believe the shape can change. i do believe i can make them bigger and i can lower my bodyfat more. that will make my biceps look better but i don't believe i can get a great peak - just better arms.



Posted by: mick01

I think I’m going to increase the "peak" on my hamstring.........

Then I’m going to change the symmetry of my pecs, and I thought I might elongate my gastroc so my calves don’t look so skinny.



Posted by: Mudge

Looks like the tide is slowly turning. Maybe I am well being stubborn.

If nothing else, I think the strength of the contraction in the bent over concentration curl is making some kind of effect in my bi's.



Posted by: nikegurl

hey mudge - i voted no and said i think i can imrove my arms but never have a great peak. but i still have been focussing on exercises that really cramp my bicep at the top of the movement just in case i'm wrong! i'm liking hammer curls, lying cable curls and concentration curls done standing up.

i hadn't done the lying cable curls in ages. you lay on a flat bench and curl the bar to your head (from high pulley/cable). they're awesome.

i also like to finish with concentration curls standing up where i just hang my arm straight down from the shoulder and am super strict.

so i don't believe i'll have great peak....but i'm doing all i can just in case i'm wrong. lol



Posted by: Mudge

Hammer curls wont achieve the same effect/"feeling" as regular bent over concentration curls. If you haven't tried them, give them a shot, hold at the top and you get a pretty mean contraction the last few reps!



Posted by: nikegurl

i finish with concentration curls - standing up instead of sitting and i don't brace the arm against the inside of my leg. i just bend over and hang the arm straight down. is that what you mean?



Posted by: Mudge

Basically yes, I have done it your way as well, but I find it easier with some bracing to keep me from changing the angle of my arm and cheating. All I have to do is contract the bicep as hard as I can, no balancing act or straightening out my arm required that way.



Posted by: Scotty the Body

Hammer curls, concentration curls, preacher curls can help build up your Brachialis, and because they lie under your Biceps Brachii, building them up will push the brachii up giving the illusion of a larger bi peak.



Posted by: Mudge

Bent overs doint seem to work it for me at all, its all bicep. Hammers though yes, but those are one of the heavier movements, not my finisher.



Posted by: LAM

Originally posted by mick01
I think I’m going to increase the "peak" on my hamstring.........

Then I’m going to change the symmetry of my pecs, and I thought I might elongate my gastroc so my calves don’t look so skinny.
LMAO !



Posted by: TriZZle305

well an illusion is good enough for me i voted yes... only 2 people that voted yes have actually posted... i agree that its genetic to an extent (short arms/long arms) but what scotty said actually in a way supports our claim of yes.... if building the muscles under the Bicep brachii or whatever you call it causes the bicep brachii to be pushed up and cause an "illusion" of a bigger peak then you are in essence getting what youre working out for... a bigger peak



Posted by: nikegurl

i think we may all be thinking different things when we say improve peak. i think you can improve arm shape and size and definition. but have you ever seen someone with a really tight high peak like they have a softball there? i don't believe there is any exercise that will make my long biceps pop like that into a tight high ball shape. (i'd love to be wrong though)

so i work with what i've got determined to make it better. but i don't think anyone will ever say "what a great peak you have"



Posted by: Robboe

I just gotta ask, who has voted and not replied saying what they voted for?



Posted by: TriZZle305

thats what im trying to figure out... so far only mudge and i have "admitted" that we voted for yes... where are the other 4



Posted by: Mudge

Albert Beckles, his biceps were so peaky that they looked pretty freaky IMO.

At least 2 or 3 voted yes this morning not posting.



Posted by: Prince

the question/poll can be misinterpreted. If you have a peak, then it can be improved, but you cannot build a peak if you do not have the genetics. You can make the muscle larger, hence if you have a peak it will also improve, but you cannot change the shape of the muscle.



Posted by: Snake_Eyes

Add me to "no." I don't see any difference whatsoever in the shape.



Posted by: TriZZle305

i voted this morning but didnt post til this afternoon



Posted by: Mudge

Prince, your right, it wasn't worded very well.



Posted by: nikegurl

thanks prince! i was trying to say that and it took me lots more words to be way less clear. my arm can get better but it's not gonna "pop"



Posted by: TriZZle305

well i wasnt using mudges pictures to judge i was using personal experience and watching friends. etc... i think ill agree with Prince on that because maybe some people have the genetics for a peak and it just doesnt show and they may appear to have long arms/biceps but then once they start working out it shows up...



Posted by: Mudge

A bent over concentration curl has its greatest emphasis at the ending portion of the rep, the contraction. What effect does this have in the bicep then?

Anyone with the MRI book?



Posted by: gopro

YES and NO...

-No...you can't "build" a peak into your biceps muscle...although the "shape" of certain complex muscle groups can appear to be altered through certain training methods, the biceps cannot...

-Yes...your biceps can be made "higher" through the development of the brachialis muscle. This muscle lies underneath the bicep, and when fully developed, will "push" the bicep up higher giving an "appearance" of more "peak."



Posted by: Mudge

Ok, I think I'm coming around to reality here...

Any comments on my last question?



Posted by: TriZZle305

mudge they pulled you over to the dark side... well i just think the "illusion" or "appearance is the same thing because it looks close enough to the same... it was a close poll even tho only 2 people posted that voted yes and 2 people posted why its yes and no (gopro and prince) i dont know which way the voted...



Posted by: gopro

Originally posted by Mudge
A bent over concentration curl has its greatest emphasis at the ending portion of the rep, the contraction. What effect does this have in the bicep then?

Anyone with the MRI book?
The fact that the concentration curl gives you a great peak contraction does not mean it will "peak" the bicep. Different angles and grips may slightly change the fiber recruitment in the biceps, especially between the inner and outer head and/or the area near origin or insertion, but this muscle group is not complex enough to see a major change from one exercise to the next. It is still important to change exercises from time to time in order to foster the best overall development that your genetics will allow you.

Work the brachialis for bicep "height!"



Posted by: LAM

I voted NO !!!!



Posted by: Mudge

Yep, I think its clear the experienced folk say no. I am here to learn from those that know more than myself, so on with the learnin'

I do remember in high school though really noticing a difference when using bent over concentrations in my routine, it is a really strong contraction and definately does something to my arm.



Posted by: Robboe

Just one thing: MRI may show where the most tension is placed, but they don't show that grow occurs in these areas more so than other areas, so really wouldn't stand up in a court of law and thus, are quite futile to use in an argument.



Posted by: TJohn

I'm improving mine be cutting. By dropping some bf it looks like I've got a higher peak on my bi's.

TJohn



Posted by: MyK

If you trimmed a little hair outta those pits the efficacy of your deodorant will be improved you won't sweat as much!

and I say NO on the peak thing!



Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote Originally Posted by MyK
If you trimmed a little hair outta those pits the efficacy of your deodorant will be improved you won't sweat as much!

and I say NO on the peak thing!
Old topic son...nice work







Posted by: MyK

Quote Originally Posted by ForemanRules
...

a) it was bumped by a troll who took the poll
b) I was simply giving mudge some grooming advice
c) shouldn't you be busy cuting and pasting articles from anouther site?





Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote Originally Posted by MyK
a) it was bumped by a troll who took the poll
b) I was simply giving mudge some grooming advice
c) shouldn't you be busy cuting and pasting articles from anouther site?





Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote Originally Posted by MyK
a) it was bumped by a troll who took the poll
b) I was simply giving mudge some grooming advice
c) shouldn't you be busy cuting and pasting articles from anouther site?





Posted by: MyK

Quote Originally Posted by ForemanRules
dude, no one wants to see vids of you banging the chicks you pick up!



Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote Originally Posted by MyK
dude, no one wants to see vids of you banging the chicks you pick up!
You can admit it.....you got wood from that



Posted by: MyK

Quote Originally Posted by ForemanRules
oh, thats right, your American! thats the proper way to spell it!



Posted by: MyK

Quote Originally Posted by ForemanRules
You can admit it.....you got wood from that
not so much!



Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote Originally Posted by MyK
not so much!




Posted by: MyK

Quote Originally Posted by ForemanRules





Posted by: aceshigh

i voted ask konan he is the only guy i listen too on here now



Posted by: MJH

Absolutely not.



Posted by: DiGiTaL

one hairy armpits...lol



Posted by: fufu

I'm not sure. I was leaning towards 'no' but that is because I just heard others say 'no'. Who knows, maybe you can, I wouldn't be suprised.



Posted by: CowPimp

No.



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Can the biceps peak be improved?


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