Long or short biceps?

[OutOfStep]

That's what I expected too,but mine don't pop at all. Very short attachments, and very flat.

Well, I think joint size plays a role in how they appear. I believe I have fairly small joints for a guy, 7" wrists w/ 16" forearms.

[gympunk]

Short here. Great for baseball peaks, tuff gaining overall mass.

[BJE]

Flex your biceps; see if there's a gap between the bottom of your biceps and the crook of your elbow. If you can fit more than one finger's width in there, you'd have what I would consider "short biceps." If there's little or no gap, you're genetically blessed with "long biceps."

It appears I have short biceps. I can fit 2 fingers in that gap.

Thanks to all!

Two finger gap here!

[BergMuscle]

Mine are short and I've never seen it as a disadvantage. I like the way they look. When I flex them it looks like I have a baseball forming under the skin.

Same thing for me - got a set of baseballs forming. Just starting to see a peak.
Check the gap on this shot from just over a year ago.

[bamaster]

I never really understood the difference. Everyone has a different shape, it seems.

Here's me. Are they short or long?

[OZBB]

I think my biceps are long, I can just squeeze a finger in the gap between muscle and forearm.... I've had someone actually come to me on the gym and compliment me for my long biceps, but I dont know... the shorter bicep does tend to show a nice peak when flexed and seems to maintain a more defined apearance when not flexed.... I guess in the end both have their pro's and con's and of course we always want what we cant have.... I'd like to be 6'2" and 250lbs of solid muscle..... but its never gonna happen in this lifetime LOL

OZBB

[BergMuscle]

I never really understood the difference. Everyone has a different shape, it seems.

Here's me. Are they short or long?

I'd say short based on this photo. Looks like one or two fingers could fit between the end of your flexed bicep and your forearm.

[bodyhard]

I never really understood the difference. Everyone has a different shape, it seems.

Here's me. Are they short or long?

Flex the bicep so we can see it

LOL I would say you have a long bicep, short biceps are extremely short and the gap is very noticeable, yours has only a slight gap.

[bamaster]

Flex the bicep so we can see it

LOL I would say you have a long bicep, short biceps are extremely short and the gap is very noticeable, yours has only a slight gap.

Only a slight gap... just like my womenz!

[bodyhard]

Only a slight gap... just like my womenz!

Oh hell no you did not just say that LMFAO!!!!!

Look at the gaps on my biceps. Very short.

[ardsranger]

If you have short bi's you'll wish you had long........... if you have long bi's you'll wish you had short.........

I'm with DM, long bi's here and I don't think I'll ever have a decent peak.

That is so TRUE,, i have LONG ones. they take a huge amout of effort to make them look bigger flexed. But i do like the LONG ones arms look great hanging down.

rep ya for that

[namtrag]

I am just glad I have biceps.

[paolo59]

From what I understand, the longer the "muscle belly" of the bicep, the larger your arm can be developed. There is simply more muscle there to work and eventually grow. Think of a rubber band, a short one will bow, and produce quite a peak, but a longer rubber band when bowed will produce a much larger peak. It may seem overly simplistic, but I suspect that it's not an incorrect analogy. Not that individuals with short biceps can't produce some incredibly impressive results!

[namtrag]

In reality, I am very dubious of this stuff, I find it hard to believe a 1/4-1/2" space can make that much difference in the overall scheme of things. I know I am wrong, but it seems too much is made of this. Just work your ass off with what you've been given, and you will be fine.

[1devil]

From what I understand, the longer the "muscle belly" of the bicep, the larger your arm can be developed. There is simply more muscle there to work and eventually grow. Think of a rubber band, a short one will bow, and produce quite a peak, but a longer rubber band when bowed will produce a much larger peak. It may seem overly simplistic, but I suspect that it's not an incorrect analogy. Not that individuals with short biceps can't produce some incredibly impressive results!

Although, a short bicep only has upward to grow, resulting in a large peak. Long biceps rarely seem to ge the same peak. When it's all said and done the illusion of size is more important than the actual size.

[paolo59]

Although, a short bicep only has upward to grow, resulting in a large peak. Long biceps rarely seem to ge the same peak. When it's all said and done the illusion of size is more important than the actual size.

I think you may be right with the "illusion of size." A long bicep when flexed does appear to be much larger, when in reality, it might not be. In my minds eye, a longer bicep is much more impressive, but as one poster stated, that might be because I have short, stubby ones! LOL

[1devil]

I think you may be right with the "illusion of size." A long bicep when flexed does appear to be much larger, when in reality, it might not be. In my minds eye, a longer bicep is much more impressive, but as one poster stated, that might be because I have short, stubby ones! LOL

Additionally short biceps always seem to expand more in size than long biceps when flexed. My bi's are very long but just kind of sit there like big blobs.

[BJE]

I find it hard to believe a 1/4-1/2" space can make that much difference in the overall scheme of things.

I have a good inch and a half space, not just 1/4-1/2".

When it's all said and done the illusion of size is more important than the actual size.

For me size would have to be an illusion!

[1devil]

I have a good inch and a half space, not just 1/4-1/2".



For me size would have to be an illusion!

The shape is good. The space creates a contrast against the muscle. If the muscle was longer it would look smaller

[namtrag]

He's right BJE.

But the people in the know say 1 finger gap makes it a short insert. 1/2"

[BergMuscle]

BJE, I say you have a high (short) bicep and the beginning of a nice peak. You've got the base of a great set of guns.

[clive]

There are so many variables involved when deciding if your biceps are short or long, and where's the cut off point?
Is it possible to have a "normal" bicep length were it isn't one or the other!

My biceps are quite big, some have said there're short, but I'm not so sure, looking at other guys pictures.
It also depends on your pose too, particularly the angle of the forearm to the upper arm.
I have an inch gap if it's 90% and it's almost none at 45%, it's all so vague!

[Old-Time-Lifter]

There are so many variables involved when deciding if your biceps are short or long, and where's the cut off point?
Is it possible to have a "normal" bicep length were it isn't one or the other!

My biceps are quite big, some have said there're short, but I'm not so sure, looking at other guys pictures.
It also depends on your pose too, particularly the angle of the forearm to the upper arm.
I have an inch gap if it's 90% and it's almost none at 45%, it's all so vague!

Absolutely short........ nothing vague about it.

[clive]

Absolutely short........ nothing vague about it.

Ok fair enough, can someone now show me what a long bicep looks like then, in the same pose!
I'm convinced when people say there've got a long bicep it's usually because it's not peaked and visually looks longer.
I bet 9 times out of 10 it’s actually no longer than mine.

[Zaxxxon]

Mine are short (just to add to the growing stats), but they ball up nice n round. I'm happy with that. :-)

[namtrag]

it's funny how about 80-90% of the people on here have short biceps. Seems like it should be 50/50

[bodyhard]

There are so many variables involved when deciding if your biceps are short or long, and where's the cut off point?
Is it possible to have a "normal" bicep length were it isn't one or the other!

My biceps are quite big, some have said there're short, but I'm not so sure, looking at other guys pictures.
It also depends on your pose too, particularly the angle of the forearm to the upper arm.
I have an inch gap if it's 90% and it's almost none at 45%, it's all so vague!

Full bicep + high peak

[1devil]

Ok fair enough, can someone now show me what a long bicep looks like then, in the same pose!
I'm convinced when people say there've got a long bicep it's usually because it's not peaked and visually looks longer.
I bet 9 times out of 10 it?s actually no longer than mine.

Different pose, but clearly an example of a biceps..with little to no peak:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/photo/...&ppuser=187565

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Different pose, but clearly an example of a biceps..with little to no peak:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/photo/...&ppuser=187565

Big arse guns!! Dang!

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Ok fair enough, can someone now show me what a long bicep looks like then, in the same pose!
I'm convinced when people say there've got a long bicep it's usually because it's not peaked and visually looks longer.
I bet 9 times out of 10 it?s actually no longer than mine.

I'm afraid you're wrong again........... is this a trend?