Best Arm Workouts for Mass (7 Exercises for Bulk & Growth)

Barbell curls are a simple isolation exercise that allows you to target the brachialis, biceps brachii and brachioradialis.

Tips:

• Remember to keep your back straight throughout the exercise to avoid injury.
• Raise and lower the bar in a slow, controlled manner to get the most out of this exercise [3].
• Maintain close proximity of your elbow to the side of your body.
• Don’t engage the shoulders and torso throughout this exercise.
• Do not allow your hips to hinge.

How to perform barbell curls:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bent knees.
2. Grasp the barbell with an underhand grip, ensuring your elbows remain close to your sides.
3. Slowly lift the bar towards your torso, engaging your biceps and focusing on the contraction.
4. Lower the bar to its initial position and repeat for the desired reps.

“The position of your elbows should remain close to the side of your body, and only the lower arm should move until the top end of the movement when your elbows will rise so that you can complete the full range of motion. If you notice your elbows moving away from your torso or swinging behind the body, you are probably lifting too much weight.”

- Paul Rogers, Personal Trainer

3. Incline Bench Preacher Curl

Incline bench preacher curls are a great way to focus on your bicep muscle and develop more defined arms.

Tips:

• Maintain a straight back, and avoid using momentum to lift the weight.
• Be cautious with the weight you choose, and ensure proper positioning to avoid straining the front side of your elbow.
• Aim for a full range of motion by lowering the weights until your arms are nearly straight to maximize the effectiveness of the exercise.

To perform this exercise:

1. Choose an appropriate weight and adjust the seat so your elbows can rest on the pad.
2. Begin with your arms fully extended and slowly curl the weight upwards, squeezing your biceps at the top of the movement.
3. Lower the weight back down with control.
4. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

This compound exercise targets the lateral head of your triceps and can increase your upper body pushing strength [4].

Tips:

• Maintain proper form throughout the exercise by keeping your back flat on the bench and your shoulders back and down.
• Start with a lighter weight until you're comfortable with the movement, and gradually increase the weight as you build strength.
• Use a spotter or Smith machine to ensure safety during the exercise.
• Avoid bouncing the bar off your torso, which can lead to injury.
• Inhale as you lower the bar towards your torso, and exhale during the upward push to return to the starting position.
• Use a full standard grip on the bar, with your thumb and fingers wrapped around it, to prevent dropping the bar during the exercise [5].

To perform this exercise:

1. Lie on a bench and grip the bar with your hands closer than in a traditional bench press.
2. Gradually lower the bar towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
3. Push it back up to return to the starting position.
4. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

“Maintain proper body position on the bench for safe and effective execution of the movement. Lifting hips off the bench during a press may be an indicator the weight is too heavy. Reduce the weight as needed and pay attention to good body mechanics.”

- Darla Leal, Fitness Trainer

5. Triceps Pushdown

Triceps pushdowns are a great triceps cable exercise to add to your routine if you’re looking to get bigger triceps.

These muscles, situated on the backside of the upper arm, hold significant value for gym enthusiasts who want to enhance their aesthetics, especially bodybuilders. 

Tips:

• Ensure that your upper arms remain stationary to ensure optimal triceps engagement. Avoid letting your elbows flare outward, as this can place unwanted stress on your shoulders [6].
• Apply even pressure on both arms. If you experience difficulty, it may indicate a strength imbalance between your sides. Consider doing more one-armed tricep pushdowns on your weaker side to promote symmetry.
• Lean forward slightly and allow a slight bend in your knees as you push down.

To perform a triceps pushdown:

1. Connect a rope or straight bar to a high cable pulley.
2. Stand facing the cable machine, maintain a shoulder-width stance, and keep your elbows close to your sides.
3. Hold the rope or bar with an overhand grip and extend your arms downwards, contracting your triceps muscles.
4. Gradually release to return to the starting position.
5. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

This exercise, also known as the lying triceps extension or French press, is an excellent isolation exercise targeting the triceps muscle group.

Tips:

• Start with a lower weight and progressively add more as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
• Keep a firm grip and maintain a slow and controlled movement to prevent injury [7].
• It's essential to keep your elbows steady and close to your head throughout the movement to fully engage the triceps.

To perform this exercise:

1. Lay on a bench or floor while holding a barbell or dumbbell above your torso.
2. Flex your elbows to lower the weight towards your forehead.
3. Reverse the movement until the weight is back above your chest
4. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

7. Overhead Triceps Extensions

The overhead triceps extensions are an isolation dumbbell exercise for your triceps muscle that can significantly enhance its strength and definition.

Tips:

• Maintain a tight core and a straight back to avoid strain on your lower back.
• Keep the elbows tucked in so that this exercise targets the triceps [8].

To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with one dumbbell cupped in both hands.
2. Extend your arms to raise the dumbbell above your head.
3. Flex your elbows to lower the dumbbell behind your head while keeping your elbows in close proximity to your ears.
4. Once your reach a 90-degree angle, return to the starting position and repeat for several repetitions.

“If you haven't worked the triceps often, you may notice that they are weaker than some other muscles in the body. As a result, you might try to make the range of motion smaller than it should be. That is, you drop the weight just a few inches and then lift it back to the starting position.”

- Malia Frey, Certified Health Coach

Adding biceps and triceps exercises will help you support your shoulders and upper back, improving posture.

This reduces the risk of developing back pain or strains.

Enhanced Heart Health

Research suggests that maintaining muscle tissue volume could serve as an effective method of preventing the occurrence of heart attacks in the future [9].

Bilateral biceps curls have significantly raised heart rates compared to exercises like bilateral knee extension and barbell rows [10].

Prevented Injury

Insufficient upper body strength increases the risk of injuries and unexplained pain, especially in the lower back.

The arms play a critical role in providing overall stability and support. Strengthening them helps prevent such issues.

Compound exercises like pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, dips, and rows are excellent for developing overall strength and mass in the arms [12].

To further target specific arm muscles, include isolation exercises such as bicep curls and tricep extensions.

This combination ensures a well-rounded approach to arm training.

3. Use Proper Form:

Maintaining proper form during your exercises is crucial for effectively targeting the intended muscle groups and minimizing the risk of injury.

Allowing your muscles ample time to recover and rebuild after a workout is essential [13].

This involves prioritizing sufficient sleep, consuming a well-balanced protein-rich diet rich, and incorporating rest days between workout sessions.

By adopting these practices, you support the rejuvenation and growth of your muscles.

5. Varying Your Routine

Your muscles quickly adapt to the same exercises, so incorporating variety is vital to keep your workouts challenging and effective.

Research has demonstrated that incorporating different exercises that vary the position of the upper arm and shoulder can train the arm muscles in unique ways, helping to prevent muscle imbalances [14].