The ONLY 2 Biceps Exercises You Need (NO, SERIOUSLY!) – ATHLEAN-X™

by YouTube Team

What would you say if I told you that there are only two biceps exercises you need to do? In this video, I am going to show you the two biceps exercises that should make up the bare minimum of your biceps workouts. Not only are these two exercises great for building big biceps, but they are the two exercises that created the foundation of my biceps training.

Some might tell you that you only need two exercises total in order to build a muscle group. I disagree. I don’t think anyone should be limited to picking just two exercises for a muscle group because each one often has multiple muscle heads as well as multiple functions that can be targeted individually through exercise selection.

The chest is a great example of this; it has three heads as well as two separate functions. Some might tell you that all you need is a flat bench press and an incline bench press. You are only hitting two of the three heads of the chest with this selection and while you are pressing, you are not getting any adduction – another major function of the chest.

With the biceps, you have three major functions: supination of the forearm, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion. However, you are able to attack all three functions with just about any biceps exercise you do, since they are all a version of a curl. This means that you are not required to have a whole range of exercises, unless you are ready to take you biceps training to the next level.

But in the case of needing two exercises to build big biceps, this is simply what the absolute foundation of your biceps training should include. Not every single biceps workout needs to include both of these exercises, but a complete training plan will at least build off or include them at some point. As a matter of fact, these two biceps exercises were staples in my early training that helped me to build the big arms that I have today.

The first exercise up is the strict curl / cheat curl drop set. This is simple, stand with your back, butt, and head against the wall and curl the weight up without losing contact with the wall at any of these points of contact. Perform these curls to failure and then immediately step away from the wall. Here, you are to perform a set of cheat curls, allowing for a little momentum and cheat to get the weight up. Be mindful of the eccentric portion of the lift, however. You will want to lower the weight slow and controlled to get the most benefits out of the exercise.

This drop set combination is great for building big biceps because you are able to overload the muscles with heavier weight in both portions of the lift. Not only that, but the ability to take an exercise to and through failure is a key component to new muscle growth.

The next exercise requires nothing but a pullup bar and your own bodyweight. This is something I did fro ma very young age and I think was a major factor in the development of my biceps. The exercise is simply to flex your arms while holding the bar and sticking your head forward so that the back of your head is in front of the pullup bar. This will make sure that you are not only in elbow flexion and forearm supination, but you are getting shoulder flexion as well.

So what do you do from this position? Well, in order to build bigger biceps you can simply flex and hold there as long as possible and fight the negative. Fight the descent of your body through the entirety of the movement. The key here is to make sure that you are keeping an open angle, about 90 degrees, on your arms while holding the bar.

Similar to performing a chin-up, you don’t want to close the gap between your biceps and your forearms as you will start to activate your lats, which is something you want to avoid if you are looking to isolate and build big biceps.

Now, if you want to take your biceps training to the next level that hits every function of the biceps as well as targets the muscle from different angles, there are many exercises to choose from. I don’t think we should ever be limited to just two exercises for a muscle group, the biceps included. But you should at least start with these two exercises to build the foundation of your biceps growth.

If you are looking for a complete step-by-step training program that will take your workouts to the next level, be sure to head over to athleanx.com and find the workout program that matches your goals.

For more videos on how to get big biceps and the best exercises to do just that, make sure you to subscribe to this channel here on YouTube and remember to turn on notifications so that you never miss a new video when it’s published.

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45 comments

ATHLEAN-X™ March 9, 2023 - 11:10 pm

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If you don’t win, no worries, you’re not going away empty handed. Just be sure you have your notifications turned on so you can get to my next video quickly and try again. Good luck and thanks for being a loyal subscriber…

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me5atworld March 10, 2023 - 11:41 am

I just do waiter curls and regular curls…🐴

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Mike K March 10, 2023 - 12:16 pm

If you are training from home and don’t have a sturdy brick wall, can you just sit down on the bench with a back support and do the same thing?

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gindante March 10, 2023 - 12:31 pm

For his size those biceps are massive. I follow his advice to the T and i always achieve the greatest pumps.

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Dodi Mahoney March 10, 2023 - 12:36 pm

Great information! Thanks for sharing your deep knowledge!

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cHeeeseEggs 💚 March 10, 2023 - 12:50 pm

hope your arm heals ASAP so you can feel at your best! 💪💚

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Rocky Dhar March 10, 2023 - 12:53 pm

♥♥♥

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Alas March 10, 2023 - 1:03 pm

I'm sick of having 12.5 inch size arms💔

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lightbeast March 10, 2023 - 1:04 pm

Jeff, when the hell did you tear your bicep? I have been watching for years, and this is the first time I noticed it, or the first time I hear it mentioned.

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George Savino March 10, 2023 - 1:14 pm

Hey are you supposed to have your head down when youre curling?

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raipe Aviator March 10, 2023 - 1:19 pm

I've asked before and do get that with the amount of answers you don't have The Time to answer alla of them. If you have a chance here's my question. I've Brooken my arm as a young kid and lack the ability rotate my wrist. Hence supination is out of question. Is there a way to work aroud this? 20 yrs and my right hand is still weaker than my left… THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO!

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Jimmy Joe March 10, 2023 - 1:20 pm

But what about the days and weeks ahead?

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Sienna Parocha March 10, 2023 - 1:26 pm

100lb Strict Curl with a torn bicep?
You GO Jeff! 💪

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Guitar Insight March 10, 2023 - 1:27 pm

oh too bad there wasn't only two- simplicity is nice.

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SPLIF GOTMUSIC March 10, 2023 - 1:52 pm

Did these today after I did deadlift barbell squats and bench press. Major pump. Thank you !

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Jason robb March 10, 2023 - 1:59 pm

What I love about this channel, his programs, and just the Athlean community is that even this brief video is something that is going to significantly impact someone and get them back on the road to their own physical health. It is not an overnight trip, but it's those first steps that turn it into a journey. I cannot thank you enough for everything you put out there. I think more videos like this, baby steps to ease back in would help more people feel less overwhelmed in the beginning or just getting back into it. I appreciate the chair videos…the blunt and honest approach you bring every day. Keep it coming!

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Esteban March 10, 2023 - 2:01 pm

Video title: ONLY 2 EXERCISES YOU NEED
Actual video: I don't mean only 2

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champagne March 10, 2023 - 2:15 pm

"When I say these 2 exercises, I mean AT LEAST these 2, as the bare minimum"

Meanwhile the title: THE ONLY BICEP WORKOUT (NO SERIOUSLY!)

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Jay Heredia March 10, 2023 - 2:18 pm

This guy is my middle Nd high school social media trainer while powerlifting. Good times.

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Étudiant Français March 10, 2023 - 2:19 pm

100 pounds (45KG) Z bar?

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paulpo999 March 10, 2023 - 2:23 pm

How’d you tear that bicep? I really want to avoid that.

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D F March 10, 2023 - 2:28 pm

You just baitin' now.

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Dave P March 10, 2023 - 2:31 pm

Thanks, Jeff!

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YEP March 10, 2023 - 2:33 pm

Thanks

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ECR-9 March 10, 2023 - 2:42 pm

Quite possibly,
The most Legit & Knowledgeable,
Fitness Authority,
On the Internet…🇺🇸

Reply
sindahir March 10, 2023 - 2:52 pm

i love cable curls. i can focus so good on the bizep with it and can do many grip variations on it.

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Josh Targo March 10, 2023 - 2:57 pm

What seems to be missing from these two is something like a reclined curl, where the elbows are behind the centerline of the body. This imposes elongation on the biceps from the start position through the full curl. elbows at or in front of the body centerline reduce the activity of the long head of the biceps.

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ScubaPro March 10, 2023 - 3:00 pm

Bicep blasters are great for arm days

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Gabriel Ortiz March 10, 2023 - 3:06 pm

Torn bicep situations are common. Can you do a video about rehab exercises and expections post surgery or opting out of surgery? I personally opted out of surgery and have lost 10% of strength in the affected arm. Besides aesthetics, this route worked for me. Arm still works great.

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ShadowLord3220 March 10, 2023 - 3:08 pm

When did Jeff tore his bicep?

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zedzanzibar March 10, 2023 - 3:09 pm

Jeff, we're still waiting for a video on the best body-hair removal techniques to show off the physiques you're helping us build.

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Mike Rausch March 10, 2023 - 3:12 pm

Jeff literally curled till his bicep burst. Dedicated! Unlike Jesse…

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JSU's n Bhdjnfj March 10, 2023 - 3:17 pm

The NFL lies were hard to stomach. But I think I’m over the coverup.

Otherwise perfect content.

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Marta Waterman Fitness Coach March 10, 2023 - 3:19 pm

Thanks, Jeff. I'm a personal trainer, and I love the strict curl idea. It will help me in working with people who swing the torso backwards as they curl. This will correct that. I love your channel.

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x3LPh0r March 10, 2023 - 3:22 pm

Thx boss. Always speaking wisdom I can keep applying and working out without hurting myself (again) and recovering and getting stronger 💪🏼

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SeductionByKamal March 10, 2023 - 3:30 pm

Can we get the triceps edition?

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MrBean34 March 10, 2023 - 3:38 pm

Chin ups are my favorite.

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Aaron Gundersen March 10, 2023 - 3:40 pm

Thank you Jeff!
Since you have this new video up, might as well tell everyone who is reading this that I am going to do it. I am going to eat better and train harder. I am going to get a six pack and become super fit. I will return to this comment one year from now (March 10th 2024) and I will tell you guys if I fail or succeed.

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Jesus Guzman March 10, 2023 - 3:50 pm

I think you are a master!!! XDDD Great demonstration!

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John Wyman March 10, 2023 - 4:05 pm

Sweet ideas!!🇺🇸💪💪👍👍

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J G March 10, 2023 - 4:57 pm

What about doing that last exercise on rings?

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Dustin Jackson March 10, 2023 - 5:08 pm

Get rid of the background music. Its a mood killer

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Panos K. March 10, 2023 - 5:15 pm

Thanks!! Make the same theme of video for Triceps please!!

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VY Karnataka Foodies March 10, 2023 - 5:15 pm

😍😍😍

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Nitish Bhardwaj March 10, 2023 - 5:30 pm

omg
his face turns like an apple..
some sort of Anime Power

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