Go Back   Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum > Main Forums > Training


Now that I remember



Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-21-2008, 12:40 PM
john917v john917v is offline
Rank: Bantamweight
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 604
Default Now that I remember

In high school, (and even these days in the gym), I have seen people with pretty impressive biceps. I generally ask them what has worked for them, and what hasn't, to help formulate my own program, and the responses have always been encouraging, and helpful, but pretty much everyone (in person) recommends that I do concentration curls, and other types of Iso. exercises, but they don't know they are Iso's. I read 0311's thread on The Death of Bodybuilding, and it makes perfect sense. I wonder though: how have these other people built up their arms using senseless iso. lifts? Roids?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-21-2008, 01:34 PM
EricT EricT is offline
Rank: Heavyweight
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,314
Default

Everybody's different. And not matter how many curls they recommend you don't need to assume that there aren't many other factors that contribute to their arm growth. They just aren't really aware of them. It's really important to realize that people can and do get results despite not really understanding what they are doing and what may be more efficient. Just because a guy has big arms are is really big in general does not mean that they can really give you good info...even if they DID do it naturally.

Also I think it is important to think about the difference between immediate gratification and long term results. I don't think it is really true that most people will bring their arms in particular up to their true size limit by JUST using compound movements. Although you can grow them quite a lot. But those iso's early on have much less impact than the big movements. And those iso's later on will be able to be done with much more weight and they simply will do more than they would when you are a beginner and using tiny little weights for curls and such.

There is a big difference between starting out and doing some curls with, say 10 pounds in each hand for high reps rather than paying your dues with the big movements, building up your strength (including core strength) and then when you decide to specialize with biceps (or whatever) you are rocking 70 pounds or even more barbell curls for reps.

It really depends on the person how big their arms get without a lot of isolations. For some it may be the difference between 16 inches and 18 inches and for others it could be 18 inches and above.

It's not like most people do NO isolations. There are actual reasons to do an isolation other than size, for instance. If you do a lot of tricep isolation for bench assistance, for instance it can help do do some curls to balance things at the elbow.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
or
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-22-2008, 09:47 AM
widdoes2504's Avatar
widdoes2504 widdoes2504 is offline
Rank: Lightweight
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,357
Default

Eric really hit the nail on the head with this one. For myself, I used a lot of heavy compound movements which not only built overall strength, but gave me size as well.

I do use some isolations (curls, etc) but that is used as an accessory to the compounds and mainly to ensure I do not develop imbalances.

Good luck.
__________________
Height: 6 foot
Weight: 240 pounds

Bench: 415 (1x1)
Deads: 565 (1x1)
A2G Squat: 425 (1x1)

Cardio sucks
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-22-2008, 11:01 AM
hrdgain81's Avatar
hrdgain81 hrdgain81 is offline
Rank: Light Heavyweight
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,713
Default

just to add some personal experience in here. I used to blast my arms with isolations when i was younger. Even through college my arms didnt grow much, went from 16.25" to around 17" or so in 4 years.

It wasnt until I dropped most of the isolations that they got bigger. They are now slightly over 18".
__________________
I don't do this for my family, my friends, women, accolades, pride, or ego. I do it for me and no one else, its just part of who I am.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-22-2008, 11:27 AM
john917v john917v is offline
Rank: Bantamweight
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 604
Default

Well, I take part of it back. Iso. exercises aren't senseless. They are just MUCH better suited to pro/advanced lifters/BBers.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-22-2008, 11:29 AM
EricT EricT is offline
Rank: Heavyweight
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,314
Default

I don't think anything is ever completely senseless. It's just either overused, underused, or misused depending on the person, there level of training, and their particular goals.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-22-2008, 12:40 PM
john917v john917v is offline
Rank: Bantamweight
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 604
Default

Yeah, there you go.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum > Main Forums > Training


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes



 



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.