Articles + Multimedia

Training Articles

An Effective Plan to Boost the Hypertrophy of Elbow Flexors

by Charles Poliquin
1/24/2011 10:19:29 AM
Elbow flexors are comprised of four main muscles : biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis, and pronator teres. To maximize hypertrophy, you need to train all four elbow flexors.

If you use the science of biomechanics wisely, you can bolster your arm growth. Here are some principles to go by:
 
1. To maximize arm growth you must develop every single elbow flexor: This means both heads of the biceps brachii, the brachialis, brachioradialis and pronator teres.

2. To do so, you must select the exercises and training methods best suited to do the job.

To work the short head of the biceps brachii, all curls where the elbow are forward to the body, such as concentration curls or Scott curls will do the job.
In order to recruit the long head of the biceps, all exercises where the elbows are behind the body, such as all the various forms of supine incline curls will do the job. The long head of the biceps responds very well to higher velocity movements.

To effectively recruit the brachialis and the pronator teres, all pronated forms of curls such as reverse curls will do the trick. If you isometrically pause for a two second at any point before reaching 90 degrees of elbow flexion, you will further activate the brachialis. The brachialis and pronator teres, are best activated by low velocity movements and isometric pauses.

To preferentially recruit the brachioradialis, use neutral grip curls, such as incline hammer curls.

3. Varying systematically the speed of contraction of your elbow flexors exercises will boost further growth.

For more tips building up the arms in size and strength read:
 
Back to top

Online Store

Lean Legs 2.0

Try our new Lean Legs 2.0 now for women and men! Reformulated to smooth and tighten skin as it burns fat.

Post Workout Bundle

Get what you need for your post-workout shake in one convenient bundle, and save 20%! Includes three of our best workout products for optimal recovery and better results!

Wind Down 2.0

A great-tasting chocolate chewable that helps promote a feeling of calmness and relaxation during stressful times. Features a unique ingredient that has been shown in clinical studies to boost...

Mega D3 Px

Featuring 10,000 IU of vitamin D3! $32.00

Poliquin Principles

The 2nd edition of his best-selling book, The Poliquin Principles, is the definitive book on strength and mass development.

More products »

Online Store

Fenuplex

Award winning combination of Fenuplex and Insulinomics. Features concentrates of three highly valued herbs traditionally used to support healthy glucose metabolism. $0.00

Omega 3 6:1

A highly concentrated source of health promoting omega-3 essential fatty acids from cold water fish, the highest level available. $34.00

More products »

Join Our Email List Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Follow us on YouTube