5 Star Arms Work-Out

5 Star Arms Work-Out

Next to six-pack abs, the one muscle group that almost every man and woman wants the most is arms. So, instead of boring you with a ton of arm-training physiology and long words like capillarization and coracobrachialis (yawn), and instead of giving you a single arm routine (gets old too fast), I’m going to skip the science and theory and go straight to the good stuff!

I am simply going to give you a master list—an “anthology”—of the most result-producing arm routines in bodybuilding history!

Here’s how I compiled this list: I went back into my old training journals looking for 5-star workouts. What’s a 5-star workout? It’s simply part of my Workout Rating System. I rate the productivity and intensity of all my workouts on a scale from 1-10 and log it in my training journal. After a training cycle of at least 4-6 workouts, I also rate the routine itself on a scale from 1-5. My ultimate goal is to have 10 workouts using 5-star routines!

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If a new routine ranks a 1 or 2, it gets tossed into the garbage immediately. If it ranks a 3 or 4 it goes back onto the drawing board and I rework it to see if it can be modified and boosted to a 5. If the second variation doesn’t get a 5, goodbye, it’s dumped into the trash bin too.

If it ranks a 5, then the program goes into my book of 5-star workouts and I come back to it many times over the years when I need arm specialization. For a routine to make it into my 5-star workout book, it has to be a tested and proven growth producer.

I can’t take credit for inventing most of these routines—they were inspired by or borrowed from some of the best trainers and bodybuilders in history, and I will give the credit where it’s due.

Most of these programs will surely make your arms as strong as they are going to look, but make no mistake—this is a collection of bodybuildingroutines. If you’re hung up exclusively on functionality, you can just skip this info (and go back to your medicine balls, bungee cords and wobble boards). If, on the other hand, you want a set of biceps and triceps that make you look good sleeveless, then this is going to be the most exciting training article you have ever read!

Now, a few important details before you start.

TRAINING FREQUENCY

I recommend repeating these routines no more than twice per week and no less than once per week. Your frequency depends on the split routine you’re using. For most of these programs, I recommend a 3- or 4-day split with a two-on/one-off schedule.

If you feel you need more recovery, use a two-on/one-off, one-on/one-off, or even an every other day routine. Just make sure you hit your arms at least once per week.

TEMPO

Tempo is the speed of your repetitions. Tempo is noted in several of these routines with a 4-count prescription. For example, a 4020 tempo is performed as follows:

  • Eccentric (negative/lowering the weight) 4
  • Stretch/Pause between eccentric and concentric 0
  • Concentric (positive/lifting the weight) 2
  • Contraction/pause between concentric and eccentric 0

If tempo is not noted, then you should simply use a “controlled tempo” with the eccentric (lowering weight) slightly slower than the concentric (lifting weight).

PROGRESSION

These routines must be performed with diligent progression from one workout to the next. You must add weight with every workout. Because the arms are a small body part, you may need to use “micro-loading,” which simply means you patiently increase the weight every workout, but in small increments.

For example, most clubs have dumbbells with 5-pound jumps in weight. I like to use 1.25-pound “plate mates” which are magnetic mini weights you can stick on the ends of each dumbbell (they work for barbells too), allowing you to increase in small, 2.5-pound increments (effectively giving you a 22.5-pound dumbbell, etc).

ANTAGONIST PAIR SUPERSETS

Supersets are an extremely effective technique for arm training. An antagonistic superset for arms is the pairing of a biceps and triceps exercise with little or no rest between exercises.

Antagonistic supersets are noted with A1 and A2, with A1 being the first exercise, and A2 being the second exercise with no rest in between (if the two exercises were performed in straight set fashion, they would be noted as A1 and B1; three exercises A1, B1, C1, etc)

SAME MUSCLE GROUP SUPERSETS

Same muscle group supersets are self-explanatory: Two exercises for the same muscle are performed back to back with no rest in between. They are written the same way as antagonistic supersets. For example, A1 is first biceps exercise in superset, A2 is second biceps exercise in superset (no rest between A1 and A2, then regular rest interval after A2 before repeating superset).

Personally, I believe same muscle group supersets are better than antagonistic supersets for bodybuilding purposes (arm size), while antagonistic supersets are better for strength. I recommend using both.

TRISETS

A triset is three exercises for the same muscle group performed one after another with little or no rest in between. Trisets are a step beyond supersets in intensity and difficulty, allowing you to perform a large volume of work in a short period of time.

Trisets are a superb method for bodybuilding—especially for arm training. Many great bodybuilders such as Larry Scott and trainers such as Vince Gironda have promoted the use of trisets and supersets almost exclusively for arm specialization. Why? Because they work! (Trisets are noted as A1, A2, A3).

THE ROUTINES

OK, enough preliminaries, let’s dive into the best arm routines of all time:

Multigrip Triset Routine

Variations on the multigrip routine have been floating around for ages, but strength coach Charles Poliquin fine-tuned the technique and brought it back into popularity recently in his prolific writings, including “Winning the Arms Race.” (Poliquin refers to this technique as the multipathway routine).

Select three exercises, each with a different grip: pronated (palms down), neutral (palms face each other), and supinated (palms up). Generally, the weakest grip is trained first and the strongest last, but the order of the exercises may be changed for variety and balanced development. (I would recommend staying with the same sequence for the duration of each training cycle, however)

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Multiangle Triset Routine

The multiangle routine is a similar to the multigrip routine except instead of varying the hand position/grip, you vary the angle of the joint. The “multiangle” technique is very similar to the Ironman/Steve Holman “Positions of Flexion” approach, although they are not always one and the same.

For example, one popular multiangle favorite for triceps is lying EZ-bar extensions performed to the chin, forehead, and behind the head as a triset. This is multiangular, but it does not fully work all three positions of flexion, as these are only slight variations in angle.

There are two ways to perform this routine. One way is to do all three exercises in a row with zero rest between exercises. This is intense and result-producing, but will compromise your poundages. Poliquin’s solution to the problem is the simple insertion of a 10-second pause between each exercise, which allows greater loads to be used.

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Unilateral Multigrip Biceps Routine

I don’t remember where I found this routine, but I think it was the brainstorm of Australian strength coach Ian King. All I can say is that Ian or whoever originally invented this biceps killer should get a medal for it! Try it and find out why. Perform 10 reps per set, 2-3 trisets, 0-10 seconds between exercises.

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Unilateral Multigrip Biceps Routine 2

This is a slight variation I’ve successfully used on the killer combo above. All I did is flip the order of exercises two and three, substitute reverse the dumbbell curl for Zottman curl on exercise number one, and add a forced negative on the reverse curls using the opposite hand. The rep range is slightly lower; 6-8 reps per set with a little bit heavier weight. 3 trisets, 0-second rest between exercises, 0-seconds rest between switching arms.

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Gironda’s 6 X 6 Balanced Arms Routine

This is a variation on Vince Gironda’s famous “Balanced Arms” course. Like many bodybuilding gurus, Vince vociferously commanded, “No deviations.” Well, shame on me, but after I tried all his programs exactly as he instructed, I never could resist experimenting.

This routine consists of three pairs of supersets performed for 6 sets of 6 reps each. No rest is permitted between exercises. Take 90 seconds rest after each superset. Vince’s original course suggested doing this routine three times per week. I tested various frequencies and got the best results doing this routine once every 4-5 days, and I’d recommend no more than twice per week.

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Volume Training: 8 Sets Of 8—Basic

When performing the classic Vince Gironda 8 sets of 8 program, you select only one exercise per body part and you train half your body each session (approximately 5 exercises per workout) for a total of 40 sets. Perform 3-4 workouts per week, and each muscle is trained no more than twice per week.

Every rep is performed with deep concentration and intramuscular contraction; “squeeze” the muscle during every rep. Mental focus and maintenance of tempo are musts. Rest must be kept to 30 seconds or less, ultimately dropping to as low as 15 seconds between sets. On a 3021 tempo at 6 seconds per rep, each set will take only 48 seconds; by getting your rest intervals down to 20 seconds, you will finish each 8 sets of 8 reps in 9 minutes. With 5 exercises, that’s 40 sets per workout in only 45 minutes!

This is decidedly aerobic and growth-hormone-inducing, and by using compound exercises (i.e., squats on leg day, rows on back day), this routine can also burn a tremendous amount of body fat. Little or no additional cardio work is necessary on this program.

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Volume Training: 8 Sets Of 8—Advanced

This is the variation on the 8 sets of 8 routine that Vince Gironda gave to elite and genetically gifted bodybuilders like Mohammed Makkawy. This program is performed on a 3- or 4-day split, so you can concentrate on only two body parts per session.

Tempos can be a little bit faster (2020 or 2010) on this higher-volume program. This allows you to complete the workout in 40-45 minutes or so (you could also try 30-minute workouts consisting of two exercises per muscle group, 8 sets of 8 reps per exercise; experiment with the concept)

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For more info on the eight sets of 8 program check out my Ironman article here:http://www.fitren.com/res3art.cfm?compid=18&artid=90

Volume Training: 10 Sets Of 10

This program was originally promoted by Vince Gironda. It was later resurrected under the name “German Volume Training” and repopularized (with some modern improvements) by Charles Poliquin. After it was originally introduced, 10 X 10 faded out of popularity in favor of 3 sets of 3 exercises.

This was largely due to boredom and the belief that one exercise was not enough for complete development. However, 10 sets of 10 will completely “trash” an entire pool of motor units from the repeated efforts on the same exercise, resulting in tremendous muscle size gains.

Simply select one exercise per muscle group and perform 10 sets of 10 reps. It’s important to use the same weight for each set. You will not train to failure or use set extension or high-intensity techniques like negatives or forced reps. This will require that you select a weight that’s approximately 60 percent of your normal 10-rep max.

Rest 90 seconds between sets and maintain a constant tempo on every rep and a constant rest interval between every set. You will work two or three body parts per workout on a 3- or 4-day split routine. Each muscle group should be trained once every 5-6 days.

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Drop Supersets

This program combines elements of two of the best bodybuilding techniques of all time: drop sets and supersets. Select two exercises for the same muscle group and perform each for 6-8 reps with no rest in between. Quickly (less than 10 seconds rest) reduce the poundage (grab lighter set of dumbbells) and then repeat the superset two more times.

That counts as one drop-superset (2 exercises X 3 supersets = 6 sets in one drop-superset). Rest 120 seconds and repeat one more time (twice at most if you’re an overachiever).

A typical weight reduction is about 10-15 percent. Optional: A brief 10-second rest between supersets allows some recovery of strength so that you can keep your poundages up and it alleviates some of the lactic acid burn that might prevent you from doing 6 sets in a row nonstop. Perform two or three drop-supersets (the weights given are just examples).

Rest 0-10 seconds
Rest 0-10 seconds
Rest 120 seconds, then repeat 1-2 more times

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Larry Scott’s Favorite Arm Routine

Larry Scott was the first Mr. Olympia, and his claim to fame was the most mind-blowing set of biceps and triceps the bodybuilding world had ever seen up until the time Scott appeared on the scene. Larry Scott’s favorite arm-building apparatus was the preacher curl bench, which also bears his name (the Scott curl bench).

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Larry believed that triceps grow the best with supersets and biceps grow the best with trisets (and who’s gonna argue with him?) His favorite biceps routine was a triset performed on the preacher bench and a superset combo for triceps. Larry also frequently employed “burns,” which were quick quarter-reps (partials) performed after each set.

*The twin pedestal bench is a special bench for the kneeling rope triceps extension. It is simply two pads for the elbows with a space for your head in between.

It was originally built by Vince Gironda and Scott later began manufacturing his own version. If you don’t have the apparatus for this exercise, you can simply do a rope extension facing away from the weight stack from a high pulley in a lunge position.

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Pre-Exhaust Routine

Pre-exhaustion is a technique popularized by Robert Kennedy of Muscle Mag International. Pre-exhaustion supersets are performed by selecting an isolation exercise and following it with a compound exercise, with no rest in between the two. In the case of biceps, the natural choice for the compound exercise is the close-grip chin-up. Your volume can range from 3-5 sets, depending on your split routine and experience level.

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Don Ross 4-Rep System #1

There are many variations on multirep programs to be found throughout the bodybuilding literature. This one is by Don Ross from his book “Muscle Blasting” with Robert Kennedy.

Select four exercises and perform each exercise with a different repetition (RM) bracket. These exercises are not supersetted. Rest intervals between sets are 60-90 seconds. Two sets should be enough for most people, three sets max.

Note: You can easily use this same principle with only three exercises and three rep ranges or even two exercises and two rep ranges as in the 6-20 method. In either case, the heavier, lower rep sets come first and the higher rep sets last.

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Gironda 4-Rep System

Another variation of the 4-rep system is to perform four sets on each exercise with each of the four sets using a different rep range. Don Ross liked the 12, 8, 6, 20 rep protocol, while Vince Gironda’s famous variation on this system (which he wrote an entire course about) was 10, 8, 6, 15.

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Poliquin’s 3-Rep Triset System: 6-12-25

Yet another multirep program, the 6-12-25 system is favored by Charles Poliquin. Using the Poliquin method, you select three exercises, the first with stretch position emphasis, the second with mid-range emphasis, and the third a constant tension, peak contraction exercise. Unlike the Ross and Gironda method, these exercises are trisetted.

10 seconds rest
10 seconds rest
120 seconds rest

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CONCLUSION

This only scratches the surface of what I have locked in my “vault of training secrets,” but that’s all we have time and space for today. Besides, there’s enough here to keep you busy for a long, long time! In fact, I just gave you enough workouts to last you for at least the next year!

If you’re tired of the same old conventional “three sets of 8-to-12″ straight set routines and if you’re frustrated with your progress, then put some of these 5-star programs to the test. I guarantee you are going to see some of the best arm-development of your life

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