Average Bicep size?

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Replies

  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Not sure what exact average your looking for exactly.

    Mine are 17" but I don't train them directly on purpose. They get ridiculously big even for a 6'3" 240lb male. I have had them a little over 20" when I played football for a living.
  • 1morris_muscle
    1morris_muscle Posts: 4 Member
    jenandjoon wrote: »
    I’ve gained 7lbs. I also haven’t measured my BF for about a month so it’s possible that it went up 2%.

    I’m doing low reps and heavy weight

    Ok so first. Not all muscle groups respond the same to low reps heavy weight. Some people have different ratios between fast and slow twitch fibres within givin muscle groups. Therefore since your not making the progress you want try changing it up. Hit your arms with say a set of 20-25, then a set of 10-15 and maybe one heavy set of 6-8. I know may people (myself included) that spent years doing heavy bench press but never got real good pec gains til i switched to a bit higher reps and consentrated on feeling the muscle and squeezing. Its worth a shot.
  • RC4655
    RC4655 Posts: 61 Member
    I think for an average size woman who is fairly fit, a 12" bicep is pretty good. A lot of men are around 14"-15", 18" is big for a man. Mine are currently 19 3/4", they were 20 1/2" last year. They generally run around the 20" mark. My goal is a 21" bicep this year.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    You are all making me feel tiny and wimpy! :'(
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    You are all making me feel tiny and wimpy! :'(

    Answer me honestly. Do you want to be big? You MUST enjoy being and staying lean, even with the amount of food you get to eat. Being fluffy and working hard not to be fat, sucks.

    I want to be more muscular, yes. This is why me bulks. Do I want to be huge, no, am I going to get huge, no. Do I think you are huge, no way. You look amazing, but I could never look like you even if I spent at least a decade bulking, just the way my body composition and distribution is. Even when I am at my heaviest from pregnancy about to give birth, my arms stay the same, it's like fat doesn't hang out there. When I gain fat/weight it goes all to my lower body and love handles.
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    You are all making me feel tiny and wimpy! :'(
    sardelsa wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    You are all making me feel tiny and wimpy! :'(

    Answer me honestly. Do you want to be big? You MUST enjoy being and staying lean, even with the amount of food you get to eat. Being fluffy and working hard not to be fat, sucks.

    I want to be more muscular, yes. This is why me bulks. Do I want to be huge, no, am I going to get huge, no. Do I think you are huge, no way. You look amazing, but I could never look like you even if I spent at least a decade bulking, just the way my body composition and distribution is. Even when I am at my heaviest from pregnancy about to give birth, my arms stay the same, it's like fat doesn't hang out there. When I gain fat/weight it goes all to my lower body and love handles.

    But you're bulking...do you do much direct arm work?

    Whatever is written in my program (3x per week) plus an extra upper day. It is not a focus though because my lower body is. I don't dislike my upper body, yes it could be bigger but it isn't like I look in the mirror and get sad about it

    Unless you mean direct isolation work, bicep curls? No

    Yeah, that's what I meant. Then you must be happy having slim arms. I get it.

    Mine grew when I was doing a ton of bro isolation work while injured. I don't LOVE them but it's also become addictive. Like..I'm afraid not to do all my bicep work and I love the pump too. Who am I?

    Haha nothing wrong with chasing the pump ;)

    See I'm happy until I take measurements, so that's why I typically hate measuring. It's just disappointing all around.
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    9? That's like my wrist
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    9.5 is awesome. Great growing.

    Cheers, h.
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    Keep working, you're doing great!
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    edited March 2018
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    It can take awhile but the guns will grow!

    I'm also sorry about the "my wrist" thing. I thought I was joking around but I wasn't really thinking straight.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    You are doing so amazing. I know how hard you work and how far you have come.. keep up the great work
  • amandaeve
    amandaeve Posts: 723 Member
    My biceps are above average, I only know this because I can't fit my arms into a lot of women's shirts. I think it's mostly genetics, because I am not actively trying to make my arms huge. My calves also don't fit into many boots. I am not all that muscular (I mostly do cardio), and I'm not overweight (size 6-8). That being said, I can't say size alone means all that much.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited March 2018
    amandaeve wrote: »
    My biceps are above average, I only know this because I can't fit my arms into a lot of women's shirts. I think it's mostly genetics, because I am not actively trying to make my arms huge. My calves also don't fit into many boots. I am not all that muscular (I mostly do cardio), and I'm not overweight (size 6-8). That being said, I can't say size alone means all that much.

    Athletic women definitely have it much harder than athletic men for clothing fit. Designers still haven't come around to the fact that many women actually have decent muscle.
  • jenandjoon
    jenandjoon Posts: 86 Member
    I don’t know about anyone else, but once I started a new program for my arms doing pyramid sets, I noticed growth and I was able to lift an additional 10 pds in 2 weeks. I’m finally up to 30 lb dumbbells per arm. Woot woot! What does everyone else do?
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    jenandjoon wrote: »
    I don’t know about anyone else, but once I started a new program for my arms doing pyramid sets, I noticed growth and I was able to lift an additional 10 pds in 2 weeks. I’m finally up to 30 lb dumbbells per arm. Woot woot! What does everyone else do?

    Pyramid sets are the staple of my program.
  • billkansas
    billkansas Posts: 267 Member
    edited March 2018
    I need to up my game because I work "arms" once a week and have to force myself through it.

    My right arm flexed was 14.8" back in 2015. :/ I guess I need to measure again sometime.
  • Hypertrophy/size is not a great gauge of strength really, and women's size is going to be on average a little less anyways even for a similar strength for a guy's. Also, your triceps are going to influence the measurement of circumference too remember, sometimes more depending on what you do...
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    It can take awhile but the guns will grow!

    I'm also sorry about the "my wrist" thing. I thought I was joking around but I wasn't really thinking straight.

    Awwwww don't feel bad! I was joking too because we're the complete opppsites. I thought your comment was funny because my sister (who is my best friend and biggest supporter) makes comments like that often. :)
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    Keep working, you're doing great!
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    You are doing so amazing. I know how hard you work and how far you have come.. keep up the great work

    Thanks so much to all of you! I have learned a lot from MFP, especially on this board. Even though I don't post often, I read tons, and you all helped tremendously.

    I'm much healthier, but the vain side of me expected them to be bigger by now. I suppose I'm the odd non competitive woman that initially wanted more on arms/upper body first before anywhere else. :D i will keep going, that's for sure!
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    kaizaku wrote: »
    16% bf is high. You said, you on a bulk. Go on the cut. Once bf% goes to 10 at least you would be ready. Single digit bf% ideal. Not too low unless you competing plus it won't look good. It will be toned, with definition.

    OP is female
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    The OP is female. I believe she is fine for bf%. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it around ~20%?
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    The OP is female. I believe she is fine for bf%. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it around ~20%?

    Yea 16% is very lean, I usually start bulking at 17-18% (estimated).
  • bioklutz
    bioklutz Posts: 1,365 Member
    Eeeeep! I am feeling a little inadequate. I have always thought my uper body looks amazing. Even when I am a higher weight that I would like I look in the mirror and feel proud of myself. My shoulders, arms, back look awesome. When I start to trim a little of the fat I see lines coming out in my arms and feel like my hard work has paid off.

    I just measured and I am 10.5 unflexed, 11 flexed. Maybe it isn't that bad cause I am only 5 feet tall?
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    edited March 2018
    I am 43, 5 foot 5, not small framed and 172 lbs at the moment. My biceps are 13 - 13.5 inches.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    It can take awhile but the guns will grow!

    I'm also sorry about the "my wrist" thing. I thought I was joking around but I wasn't really thinking straight.

    Awwwww don't feel bad! I was joking too because we're the complete opppsites. I thought your comment was funny because my sister (who is my best friend and biggest supporter) makes comments like that often. :)
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    Keep working, you're doing great!
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Ugh. You ladies are making me feel fat. 10?? I've never had a 10 inch arm in my life.

    After 3 months of being at 9, today my biceps are at a whopping 9.5. :s

    Can I borrow some of yours?

    You are doing so amazing. I know how hard you work and how far you have come.. keep up the great work

    Thanks so much to all of you! I have learned a lot from MFP, especially on this board. Even though I don't post often, I read tons, and you all helped tremendously.

    I'm much healthier, but the vain side of me expected them to be bigger by now. I suppose I'm the odd non competitive woman that initially wanted more on arms/upper body first before anywhere else. :D i will keep going, that's for sure!

    Okay thanks. Sometimes my real life personality comes off wrong via the internet.
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Geeze, no one's arms look bad. I started that insecure vibe because I was literally surprised mine were a whole inch or two bigger than some. It made me feel a little beefy. But we are sexy with sexy arms.
  • jenandjoon
    jenandjoon Posts: 86 Member
    16% isn’t high for a woman. I don’t think I’ll ever get down to 10% unless I was in a competition. Even then...I have boobs. That makes up for like 5% right? :D
    kaizaku wrote: »
    16% bf is high. You said, you on a bulk. Go on the cut. Once bf% goes to 10 at least you would be ready. Single digit bf% ideal. Not too low unless you competing plus it won't look good. It will be toned, with definition.

  • BNY721
    BNY721 Posts: 125 Member
    When I flex it’s 12..but I also am currently in a deficit to cut down some body fat. I would say the true number is around 11 if I was leaner.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    jenandjoon wrote: »
    No. My arms have no tone when they’re at rest. I think that has to do with not cutting yet? I’m not sure. I’m new to this. I’m not looking for someone to make me feel good, just information so I can progress correctly.
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    jenandjoon wrote: »
    Well my bf is 16% and my muscle is 36.4%.
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Think it depends on how muscular they are. I cut down to 11 inches and bulked back to 12. I think 12 is on the larger side but it is going to look way different depending on the amount of muscle vs. fat AND how lean you are, if you are muscular.

    What do you want me to say? Are you happy with your biceps?
    If you're 16% bodyfat, that's near bodybuilding competitive percentages. Pretty lean for a female so you should be showing a lot of definition. How are you measuring the bodyfat %?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • SuzanneC1l9zz
    SuzanneC1l9zz Posts: 456 Member
    Umm... this is from early 2018 😉
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,225 Member
    Umm... this is from early 2018 😉

    Reawakened by a spammer whose post has now gone bye-bye to the spamarama bit bucket.