How big are your arms?

[IronCharles]

When it comes to bodybuilding, arms are certainly one of the more visible and most discussed and compared body parts. I thought it would be interesting to see where most of us are at with our upper arm development. The poll is private, and no one will know how you voted, so no need to e-stat!

I know there's a lot of differing opinion on how to measure: flexed vs. relaxed, cold vs. pumped, etc. For the sake of this survey, let's use the method recommended by bodybuilding.com. Go to your BodySpace, and click on "Manage Body Stats". Under the heading "Enter Your Body Stats", go down to the entry for "Arms", and to the right there is a link that says, "Watch Video". This is a quick clip that shows the proper way to measure your upper arms. It's a Flash video, so I can't embed it here directly.




What do I measure my arms with, you might ask? The best thing I've found for this purpose is a body measuring tape, like the Myo-Tape, or the OrbiTape which you can buy here in the store:



Or, you can use a cloth sewing tape, like one of these:



Or, you can wrap a piece of string around your bicep and tricep, mark where the string meets itself, and lay the string out and measure with a ruler or tape measure. This example is obviously too short, but you get the idea:



Feel free to post any pics, if you like. And the reason there are less options for the ladies, is because I'm limited to 10 poll choices, and there seems to be a larger range between men than there is women. I apologize if there aren't any ideal options for anyone. If you fall in between two choices, just go with whichever size you are closest to, or round up if you're exactly in between sizes.

[cowboybiker]

Theres no half sizes

[pvsampson]

Jeez,in the lowest range.......



One day I WILL rival Clive!!!!



(I have reached 13" from around 12 1/2" though)

[Karl_Hungus]

I know there's a lot of differing opinion on how to measure: flexed vs. relaxed, cold vs. pumped, etc. For the sake of this survey, let's use the method recommended by bodybuilding.com. Go to your BodySpace, and click on "Manage Body Stats". Under the heading "Enter Your Body Stats", go down to the entry for "Arms", and to the right there is a link that says, "Watch Video". This is a quick clip that shows the proper way to measure your upper arms. It's a Flash video, so I can't embed it here directly.

That vid shows upper arm straight at side and unflexed. I'd wager that virtually nobody here measures their arms that way. So, you are probably going to get a skewed poll (assuming, probably correctly, that many will respond without watching the vid).

Edit: Half of the respondents so far are 18+. Do you really think that half them actually have 18+ arms relaxed and hanging straight? You should redo the poll flexed because my guess is that is how they were responding.

[IronCharles]

Edit: Half of the respondents so far are 18+. Do you really think that half them actually have 18+ arms relaxed and hanging straight? You should redo the poll flexed because my guess is that is how they were responding.

It's not on me if people don't follow the recommended method. And I'm also considering that some measurements may actually be fatceps, as opposed to mostly lean muscle mass.

I will say this, though. I thought the same as you, Karl, that there would be some difference in how the measurements are made. And you know what? I tested this myself, and I discovered that in my case, my arm measures larger flexed in a straight position, than it does flexed in a 90 degree position. And it makes sense, when you think about it. The triceps makes up (ideally) 2/3 of the mass of the upper arm. I get a bigger measurement when it's my tri that's flexing, not so much my bicep. Plus, when the both the bicep and tricep are flexed in a straight position, it moves the width higher up on the arm. Try it for yourself, and see. I can see how it wouldn't work as well for somebody with high bis and nonexistent tris though, and I've seen quite a few folks like that.

[Bando]

In on fatceps thread. I prefer "beerceps" in my case though...

[Karl_Hungus]

I will say this, though. I thought the same as you, Karl, that there would be some difference in how the measurements are made. And you know what? I tested this myself, and I discovered that in my case, my arm measures larger flexed in a straight position, than it does flexed in a 90 degree position.

^^ That is interesting (srs). I'm gonna have to dig out the myotape and give that a try!

[2nd_chance]

It's not on me if people don't follow the recommended method. And I'm also considering that some measurements may actually be fatceps, as opposed to mostly lean muscle mass.

Personally, I think that the method is flawed and I don't follow it. And yes, bodyfat % plays a BIG role in size.

[clive]

What a daft thread!
Just numbers! If everyone was roughly the same height/weight it would perhaps be interesting in knowing arm sizes.
But we’re not, it’s how good your arms look in relation to the rest of your body that’s more important.

[IronCharles]

Personally, I think that the method is flawed and I don't follow it.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter, as long as you measure the same way every time. I guess it would be important if you were gambling on bicep size, or something! Here's a couple more links on measuring methodology:


http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/liftrite5.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/46...sure-arm-size/

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson207.htm (Don't ask why they chose an emaciated child for this.... I have no clue....)

What a daft thread!
Just numbers! If everyone was roughly the same height/weight it would perhaps be interesting in knowing arm sizes.
But we’re not, it’s how good your arms look in relation to the rest of your body that’s more important.

Well, the poll isn't "Whose biceps are largest, when compared to the rest of their body?" We all know you'd win that contest hands down (or up), Clive!

[clive]

[mellie369]

13.75 when super duper pumped!

[discdoggie]

Personally, I think that the method is flawed and I don't follow it. And yes, bodyfat % plays a BIG role in size.

Amen!


I think I have a pretty decent amount of lean mass, and my arms aren't all that shabby. And while not ripped at ATM, I'm also definitely not fat. My arms measured 10 1/2

Except for a gifted few (Kimm, mainly and the poster above) I'm betting that most of the women who measured 13-14 are...um...fat.










Oh, and in after Clive.

[ljimd]

And you know what? I tested this myself, and I discovered that in my case, my arm measures larger flexed in a straight position, than it does flexed in a 90 degree position. And it makes sense, when you think about it. The triceps makes up (ideally) 2/3 of the mass of the upper arm. I get a bigger measurement when it's my tri that's flexing, not so much my bicep. Plus, when the both the bicep and tricep are flexed in a straight position, it moves the width higher up on the arm. Try it for yourself, and see. I can see how it wouldn't work as well for somebody with high bis and nonexistent tris though, and I've seen quite a few folks like that.

Thanks Charles, I just tried this and found almost 1/2" larger measurement. I've always done the 90 degree flexed style. I know it means nothing but somehow it made me feel good.

[-=FLEX=-]

inafterClive

Cold and flexed 18"

Measured them once recently after I got home from the gym after an arm workout and they were 18.5".

[cowboybiker]

[Karl_Hungus]

^^ Clive's biceps never rest brah. Ever.

[billb7581]

When I measure that way I get 15.25 inches. One thing I have noticed is I am starting to get a bigger muscle out the bottom of my arm than the top LOL. I think the theory behind the program I am doing is the armwork is "included with" OH pressing benching and rowing... I do some curls at the end that are part of the program, but no other direct arm work.

[-=FLEX=-]

it’s how good your arms look in relation to the rest of your body that’s more important.

LMAO!

asdf

[plumher]

sorry Charles. didnt read the 'how to measure' section. Mine are 18+ flexed cold and 19 pumped/flexed. Not super lean either!! so.....semi-fatcepts ,k?

[mslman71]

Measuring your arms cold and unflexed is like measuring your penis ....


wait..

What was the question?

[Minotaur]

16" cold flexed. Before my 1 1/2 year gym hiatus, they got up to 17", then dropped to 15" flabby. Now on the way up again and solid, though I don't know if I'll ever hit 17" again. Still, 16" is still pretty good for a 5'5" manlet.

[latebloomingmom]

Amen!


I think I have a pretty decent amount of lean mass, and my arms aren't all that shabby. And while not ripped at ATM, I'm also definitely not fat. My arms measured 10 1/2

Except for a gifted few (Kimm, mainly and the poster above) I'm betting that most of the women who measured 13-14 are...um...fat.










Oh, and in after Clive.

I would tend to agree^^^
unless you have a very low bodyfat percentage(like DD)...how much of that is muscle, how much fat?

[trev71]

16 and change... (flexed & 90.. no voodoo measuring techniques applied )

Working on that 17.... working freaking hard on it

[llahhsoj]

Mine are just a little over 14.5

[bodyhard]

<--------- 18 flexed. High peak

[paolo59]

Not big enough!!!

[jack4403]

I've lost 30 pounds recently, which took a bit off my arms. I come in at about 15 1/2".

[2nd_chance]

<--------- 18 flexed. High peak

Awesome peak John.

[bodyhard]

Awesome peak John.

Thanks man, some people think I use Synthol LOL