large versus small muscle groups

[edhunter112]

Which muscle groups are considered large, and which are considered small? Most say chest, back, shoulders and legs are large and tris and bis are small. Is this correct? And are all muscles of the legs (ie. calves, quads, and hams) considered large?

Cheers.

[KarateChris]

Which muscle groups are considered large, and which are considered small? Most say chest, back, shoulders and legs are large and tris and bis are small. Is this correct? And are all muscles of the legs (ie. calves, quads, and hams) considered large?

Cheers.

Most would say this I think:
Large: Chest, Back, Shoulders, Quads, Hamstrings
Small: Biceps, Triceps, Forearms, Abs, Traps, Calves

[DiamondDelts]

Most would say this I think:
Large: Chest, Back, Shoulders, Quads, Hamstrings, Mr Goodbar & the combustion-bustion brothas
Small: Biceps, Triceps, Forearms, Abs, Traps, Calves

Well said.

[Kiknskreem]

Most would say this I think:
Large: Chest, Back, Shoulders, Quads, Hamstrings
Small: Biceps, Triceps, Forearms, Abs, Traps, Calves

Traps are a large muscle, far larger than the deltoids.

In general, as a muscle's distance increases from the center of your body its size decreases.

[Ecap]

I would say deltoids are a small muscle group, and include traps with 'back muscles'.

large: quads (4 rectus muscles), hams (bi femoris and its partners), pecs, back (traps/lats/rhoms/teres), glutes
Small: bi/tri brachii, brachialis/flexors of the forearm, gastro/soleus (calves), muscles of head/neck/etc

This is actually a tough question because a lot of the 'larger muscles' are actually system composites of many smaller (but in some cases still relatively large) muscles

[KarateChris]

Traps are a large muscle, far larger than the deltoids.

In general, as a muscle's distance increases from the center of your body its size decreases.

I understand the size of the traps is larger than the delts, but in making my list, I based it on not only size but how many exercises/sets are "normally" (i.e. the trend from other lifters and myself over the years of training) done for that given muscle group. I do 5 exercises for my delts, but only 2 for my traps (traps also get hit on back day and certain shoulder exercises). I have yet to see someone do 5+ exercises for their traps SPECIFICALLY (not including deadlifts and other rows that hit traps on back day) and only 2-3 exercises for delts. Thus the reason why I put traps in the small muscle group.

Again, my list is my opinion. Many will differ and that's fine.

[FunkLord]

It depends on the person too. I think my tiny calves are bigger than my tinier chest.

[khajja]

IMO

large: back, chest, shoulders, quads,hams, abs
small: biceps, triceps, calves, forearms, everything else

[strawser9]

Large are mine



small are yours.

[Shylock]

How can some say delts are large and traps small? wtf!!

I think people are confusing types of exerices you use for muscle groups with types of muscle groups. Just because people do 3 types of shoulder exericse does not mean they are large, far from it.


Large - Back, legs, Abs


Anything else is not large. And besides, why is their no middle ground? Chest is medium not large. Unless of course we are not talking about size anymore.

[Defiant1]

Most would say this I think:
Large: Chest, Back, Shoulders, Quads, Hamstrings
Small: Biceps, Triceps, Forearms, Abs, Traps, Calves

Pretty good list.

I understand the size of the traps is larger than the delts, but in making my list, I based it on not only size but how many exercises/sets are "normally" (i.e. the trend from other lifters and myself over the years of training) done for that given muscle group. I do 5 exercises for my delts, but only 2 for my traps (traps also get hit on back day and certain shoulder exercises). I have yet to see someone do 5+ exercises for their traps SPECIFICALLY (not including deadlifts and other rows that hit traps on back day) and only 2-3 exercises for delts. Thus the reason why I put traps in the small muscle group.

Again, my list is my opinion. Many will differ and that's fine.

I agree with your logic. Notice the guy said BACK, not LATS.

Plus, most people train "traps" as traps 1 and 2. Most people train the lower parts with their general BACK routine.

I took the question from a bodybuilding perspective. What a concept on bb.com!!

[lesterarin]

My mother is a big lady, and big boned. Luckily i got her genes for the large muscle groups.

got my dads small arms and calves.

I guess im still happy. However it would be nice to have her arms.

[Kiknskreem]

My mother is a big lady, and big boned. Luckily i got her genes for the large muscle groups.

got my dads small arms and calves.

I guess im still happy. However it would be nice to have her arms.

Bio 101, buddy.