How to measure arms, etc

[gkkling]

Basic question for you guys if you don't mind.

When you take your measurements, do you flex the muscle or measure in a relaxed state?

Sorry for such a noob question.

[djl_ottawa]

not a newb question :>

on the upper right, you see your avatar pic. Click on it.

Then scroll down to Body Stats and click on edit on the right.

Scroll down and there are videos on how to take your measurements there ;>

[Whiskeyjack]

Basic question for you guys if you don't mind.

When you take your measurements, do you flex the muscle or measure in a relaxed state?

Sorry for such a noob question.

Flexed. The real question is whether you measure it pumped flexed or not pumped flexed.

[crazydays]

Flexed. The real question is whether you measure it pumped flexed or not pumped flexed.

This is what I was curious about also.

[namtrag]

No pump IMO

[Whiskeyjack]

No pump IMO

I've done both. When my arms were very big (ie. early '80s) they were 19" pumped and 18.5" cold.

Nowadays I doubt the importance of the thing. Yes, there will be differences, but the real key is whether it's important to look like you have big arms independent of your overall physique, or whether the overall effect is more important. If the latter, then you'd either have to be fully pumped (as in a pre contest condition) or not at all. The proportions are mostly the same (unless you're a natural Sergio Oliva).

[gkkling]

not a newb question :>

on the upper right, you see your avatar pic. Click on it.

Then scroll down to Body Stats and click on edit on the right.

Scroll down and there are videos on how to take your measurements there ;>

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Measuring consistently seems more important than whether you flex or not.
The real value is in determining change to measure improvement, but I guess I was just hoping for a flex response to make myself feel better. haha

I'll just stick with what the vids show and work harder.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

[timberwolf]

I remember an article suggesting to measure the arm both flexed and unflexed. The greater the difference between the two measurements, the lower your bodyfat. Because you can't flex fat. Anyone try this?

[Whiskeyjack]

I remember an article suggesting to measure the arm both flexed and unflexed. The greater the difference between the two measurements, the lower your bodyfat. Because you can't flex fat. Anyone try this?

This is a new idea to me and interesting.

[batteryrequired]

I remember an article suggesting to measure the arm both flexed and unflexed. The greater the difference between the two measurements, the lower your bodyfat. Because you can't flex fat. Anyone try this?

Flex fat??? Can't say that i have. Don't have much

[ColdFlex]

I think the main point is just to measure the same way every time, at the state and the same place on your arm. That way you can judge your progress accurately.

I remember an article suggesting to measure the arm both flexed and unflexed. The greater the difference between the two measurements, the lower your bodyfat. Because you can't flex fat. Anyone try this?

Interesting. Does that work? It seems like it would be governed more by how long since your last workout (how pumped your arm still is). For me after a week break my arms have the greatest difference between flexed and not because my arm is more relaxed unflexed from the layoff. So wouldn't it be a different result for people that workout their arms (indirectly) every day and people that skip a day between from the left over pump? Just curious.

[beachstoyboy]

Flexed. The real question is whether you measure it pumped flexed or not pumped flexed.

That makes me feel a LITTLE better about my arms. I have always done unflexed, and could not understand why my arms were relatively small, not to mention dwarfed by others around here. Now I just have to find that tape measure.

[Al Swearengen]

cold flexed is the standard for most i believe.

[Bronzebird]

Flexed. The real question is whether you measure it pumped flexed or not pumped flexed.

Cold Flexed...Why because when someone ask you how big are your arms you say I'm close to 16" and you flex for them. Or anyway most people have a curiosity to what they look like in a cold flexed state. After push ups or curls or both the pump is 3/4 of an inch bigger for me. I would guess that bigger arms (19") get more pump swell to 20"s?

However if your tailor ask, what size are you? It would be unflexed...(LOL)


Also there is a cool measuring tape called the Myo-Tape. It is found here at the super store for 5 bucks and is made for one handed measurements and is spring loaded so you can flex and see where is the biggest part of your arm.

[picantel]

GL gkkling. We are the same height and practically started out with the same weight. Making good progress there.