Q&A for How to Get Better Biceps

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  • Question
    Do calisthenics help you build muscle?
    Monica Morris
    ACE Certified Personal Trainer
    Monica Morris is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of fitness training experience, Monica started her own physical training practice and gained her ACE Certification in 2017. Her workouts emphasize proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching techniques.
    ACE Certified Personal Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Any exercise that involves lifting your body weight will help you build muscle, especially if you pair calisthenic exercises with weight training.
  • Question
    Should I start with push ups and lifts if I am a preteen, or should I wait until I am older?
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Yes, it's a great idea to get started with push-ups and pull-ups. They're the best option for preteens.
  • Question
    I am only 11-years-old, and I am wondering if this will affect my health if I do it too much. I am also wondering if I am old enough for the gym.
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    At your age, the best workout is a body weight workout. That means you should not do the exercises above that include weights, as they could hurt you. You may be able to find a gym that will allow you to join, but usually they have age restrictions that allow you to join at 13 if you have passed a course on weight training or 16 if you haven't.
  • Question
    I am a 60-year-old female who would like to tone up my biceps. I am five foot tall. What weight dumbbell would you recommend for me please, and how many daily reps. Thank you.
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Start off with 5 lb dumbbells. Do 1-3 sets of 10-15 reps. As the exercises become easier, gradually increase the weight of your dumbbells until you are able to do 3 or more sets or 8-10 reps. You should do a full-body strength training workout 2-3 times per week, with at least 48 hrs rest in between. As you age, your body will take longer to repair itself after a workout.
  • Question
    Can I get hurt trying to get better biceps?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Yes. If you push yourself too far too fast, you can get hurt. Muscles can tear, tendons can tear, or inflammations can occur.
  • Question
    What is the fastest way to get better biceps?
    Community Answer
    It is important to lift heavy weights with good form, and increase your protein intake.
  • Question
    I am 15 years old. Is it safe to start lifting weights at my age? Will it affect my height?
    Community Answer
    It does not affect your height -- that is a myth. It's certainly safe to begin lifting weights, but make sure you start with lighter weights and work your way up.
  • Question
    What can I do if I don't have weights or a chin-up bar?
    Community Answer
    Practice doing pushups and planks.
  • Question
    Are there bicep workouts that do not require weights?
    Community Answer
    You can try chin-ups and pull-ups. Start at a dead hang and slowly pull yourself up.
  • Question
    Is there a set time to increase weights or just when you get a bit stronger?
    Community Answer
    When your usual weights no longer feel heavy to lift, that's when you'll know it's time to increase them.
  • Question
    What is the best dumbbell weight? I currently use the 15-lb. weight, and wonder if I should stick with it or increase the weight.
    Community Answer
    If it's easy or semi easy to lift, then increase the weight. If you have a hard time doing 20 reps, stay with the weight you're at.
  • Question
    What age do I need to be to start weights?
    Community Answer
    Technically, there is no age you have to be. Just start with smaller weights, and work your way up as you get older or stronger.
  • Question
    Let's say I work my biceps effectively today, how long does it take to get bigger?
    Community Answer
    Be patient, your biceps don't grow noticeably in one session. In a month-3 months if you stay consistent you will have noticeable growth.
  • Question
    What is the proper nutrition for lean bulking?
    Community Answer
    Lots of protein and good fats. Track your calories to see how much you should eat per day, and aim to eat about 200-300 calories above what you do now.
  • Question
    Is it important to adhere to a certain number of reps in each set? Like, if I did 15 reps in the first set and I intend to do 3 sets, will it be harmful for me to reduce or increase the reps in the other 2?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely not. Modify as you need to. Longer rest times between sets will probably enable you to power through the second two.
  • Question
    What is the best source of protein?
    Community Answer
    Meats are the best source of protein. Many bodybuilders get the best results from these.
  • Question
    I am 6 feet and 71 kgs and I have been working out for roughly 2 months with a goal of building muscle. Should I focus more on compound exercises?
    Community Answer
    If you're looking to bulk, squats and deadlifts with proper dieting and rest should have you packing on mass in no time.
  • Question
    I'm a vegetarian. Will I be able to develop my body?
    Community Answer
    It will be hard, as you will be limited in protein. Beans, soy and vegan protein supplements are your friend.
  • Question
    What are the best weights to use to build a body, heavy or semi-heavy?
    Community Answer
    Use heavy weights like 450 or 500 hundred pounds.
  • Question
    I am 18 and I do free-hand exercises every day along with pull-ups, push ups and chin ups. I do not have bars, so I do it of my window sunshade outside my room. Am I doing it right?
    Community Answer
    That sounds great, but if you want your biceps to get bigger, you should rest in between days; it's the periods of rest during which your muscle tissue grows. If you're working out every day, you're continually tearing down the old muscle tissue without giving it the opportunity to regrow stronger.
  • Question
    At what age can I start lifting weights?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the exercises, but you can start working out at 16 while not putting huge loads on big compound movements like squat, deadlift and bench press because it is proven that can stunt your growth and destroy your posture. Bodyweight exercises are the best choice to start with until you are 18-19 years old.
  • Question
    I'm 17 and 5'2. I do exercises for improving my arms and abs. Can I grow taller?
    Community Answer
    Height is mainly based on genetics, so it will be nearly impossible to grow from exercise. At age 17, you may still get a little bit taller, but there's nothing you can do to make it happen.
  • Question
    How do I lose some fat but keep making my biceps bigger?
    Community Answer
    Do cardio exercises to lose weight and weight training exercises to make your biceps bigger. The cardio will not cause you to lose the muscle you are gaining.
  • Question
    I train very well on Monday, but then on Tuesday I become very weak so that I can't train. What's the problem?
    Community Answer
    You may need more time for your muscles to recover from Monday's workout. Work out every other day until your muscles adjust.
  • Question
    I have been lifting weights for one year and have had no noticeable changes. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    If you are looking to add mass, do fewer repetitions with heavier weights. If you are looking to add tone, do more repetitions with less weight and focus on your diet. Push yourself. If you don't feel challenged, you won't see results.
  • Question
    How many reps of dumbbell and barbell exercises should I be doing in each set?
    Community Answer
    Start off with a low number, like 15, then work your way up so it is still challenging.
  • Question
    How will I know if my muscles are getting bigger?
    Community Answer
    Take a "before" picture of yourself and then take another picture a few months into your workout routine.
  • Question
    I am 15 and have been working out a lot lately, but was wondering how many reps I should do for each workout?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Try three sets of 12 reps. A rep, short for repetition, is one execution of any move, a set is any number of reps. So one rep of a push-up is down and up. There are no rules, you can do any number of reps and sets you like. You want your muscles to feel a bit burning, but never to hurt. Always stop before it hurts. Pick a number you like, and stick with it for a week. Whether it's easy or hard, do that amount of reps and sets for one week and see how it feels over time. Always finish the amount of sets and reps you set out to do.
  • Question
    Is it safe to do weights if I am 46 years old?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it should be unless you have any physical problems with your body or taking medication. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.
  • Question
    Will I get big biceps if I do pullups?
    Community Answer
    That depends on your weight. For someone who is very heavy, being able to do consecutive pull ups is a great achievement and will lead to bigger biceps. However, pull ups are not the only exercise you should focus on.
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