How do you measure your arms?

[Mad_Gerbil]

I know this is a total noob question, but I wonder how people measure their arms.

Do you hold your arm out straight?
Do you flex your bicep and measure it where it is thickest?
Do you measure after a workout, early morning, on Tuesdays only?

I'd like to take some measurements to gauge progress but I want to make sure I do it correctly.

[RoscoPico]

Flexed before workout.

[Capt_Lou]

I know this is a total noob question, but I wonder how people measure their arms.

Do you hold your arm out straight?
Do you flex your bicep and measure it where it is thickest?
Do you measure after a workout, early morning, on Tuesdays only?

I'd like to take some measurements to gauge progress but I want to make sure I do it correctly.

Flexed then I add 2 inches to pad my E-stats

[ntrllftr]

as long as you do it exactly the same way each time it does not matter.
I prefer to flex and take at the peak.

I like capt_lou advice of adding 2". though.

[Marius_Ursus]

I use a micrometer because I like the looks when I tell people that my arms are 764-million nanometers.

[SP1966]

Not flexed, but I run the tape around twice!

[alec_braithwait]

If you go into your bodyspace, scroll down to the body stats section.

Click on the edit as if you are going to enter your stats.

Bodybuilding.com have provided a video of how they believe each muscle group should be measured.

[SP1966]

If you go into your bodyspace, scroll down to the body stats section.

Click on the edit as if you are going to enter your stats.

Bodybuilding.com have provided a video of how they believe each muscle group should be measured.

You're one of those guys who asks for directions aren't you!!

[HeavyAssault]

as long as you do it exactly the same way each time it does not matter.
I prefer to flex and take at the peak.

x's 2.

[Steve_T]

If you're measuring it consistently yourself, you'll still be able to chart the progress. That being said, better to do it the "approved" way so that you're taking measurements similarly to others around here.

[Husky Bob]

Flexed in the am when cold for any changes in recorded stats.

Flexed AFTER workout to see how much the pump increases the stats (just for kicks).

[Captain Crunch]

Flexed then I add 2 inches to pad my E-stats

I knew it!!

[gbg]

How do you measure your shoulders??

[DNG]

If you go into your bodyspace, scroll down to the body stats section.

Click on the edit as if you are going to enter your stats.

Bodybuilding.com have provided a video of how they believe each muscle group should be measured.

And that specifically says "UN-flexed"...

[KimberleyRN]

Flexed then I add 2 inches to pad my E-stats

That explains the pickle size too I bet...

I knew it!!

Me too... Hello Captain!

[Valkinator]

Lol Lol Lol

[IdahoViking]

...flexed, with a micrometer.

[snoack]

Flexed then I add a potato to pad my pants

you don't say!

[SP1966]

you don't say!

Baby potatos to go with his baby dill!

[Steve_T]

The video actually shows that you're not supposed to flex, but I (and I believe many others) took their measurements flexed. Ahh, what to do?

[Tyrbolift]

What I do is you wrap it around flexed over the peak perpindicular to the arm, then slide the bottom towards the elbow. THEN add the two inches.

[j. ViLLA]

The video actually shows that you're not supposed to flex, but I (and I believe many others) took their measurements flexed. Ahh, what to do?

I did my measurements the way the video shows you to which is all in a relaxed state. Sucks for my ego because my arm measures 15 inches at bicep peak and 14 inches relaxed.

[Joe Go]

And that specifically says "UN-flexed"...

Yep, I take my measurments like bb.com suggests.

[asmolenski]

I am coming to believe that the only measurement that actually means anything is the waist :-) A lean 16 inch arm looks better than a fat 18 incher...

[alec_braithwait]

I am coming to believe that the only measurement that actually means anything is the waist :-) A lean 16 inch arm looks better than a fat 18 incher...

This is precisely the reason why I don't measure muscle size.

I measure my weight and my trainer takes the caliper measurements for body fat.

If you look good and in proportion for your height it does not matter that your arms are 3/4" smaller than the guy next to you.

I don't see the benefits of getting obsessed with how big your chest is or how big your arms are, unless you want to hear some one else tell you their stats and make you feel good because you are bigger.

Look at a bodybuilding competition. If it came down to stats they'd measure us all in the morning and the winner would go collect their trophy in the evening. In reality they need to know our weight just so they can group us together.

A smaller guy will win because he is in better condition.

Go by what you look like, not what the tape measure is telling you.

[Joe Go]

This is precisely the reason why I don't measure muscle size.

I measure my weight and my trainer takes the caliper measurements for body fat.

If you look good and in proportion for your height it does not matter that your arms are 3/4" smaller than the guy next to you.

I don't see the benefits of getting obsessed with how big your chest is or how big your arms are, unless you want to hear some one else tell you their stats and make you feel good because you are bigger.

Look at a bodybuilding competition. If it came down to stats they'd measure us all in the morning and the winner would go collect their trophy in the evening. In reality they need to know our weight just so they can group us together.

A smaller guy will win because he is in better condition.

Go by what you look like, not what the tape measure is telling you.

I do it so I know if my muscles are growing from year to year. If I'm the same size year in and year out I know my training or diet programs need some work.

[Taichichuan]

I know this is a total noob question, but I wonder how people measure their arms.

Do you hold your arm out straight?
Do you flex your bicep and measure it where it is thickest?
Do you measure after a workout, early morning, on Tuesdays only?

I'd like to take some measurements to gauge progress but I want to make sure I do it correctly.

IMO measure your arms flexed. This the second thing you do in the morning right after you take a piss! LOL