31 Days To Bigger Arms

31 Days To Bigger Arms.
Dear Friend,
I’m not kidding!
You can have significantly bigger arms in only 31 days!
How much bigger?
That depends on a lot of factors. You weren’t able to select your
parents so you’re stuck with your genetic potential to build muscles.
You may have a good potential or you may be like many of the rest of
us who have average (or worse than average) potential.
My bet is if you’ve been training for any length of time and are the
proverbial easy-gainer (good genetics) then you probably wouldn’t
even be reading this article. If you’re an easy-gainer just about
anything you do works to build bigger muscles. (I’ve always hated
those guys!)
If you’re like the rest of us, you’ve had to practically sweat blood
for every single ounce of muscle you’ve built. Don’t feel bad, you’re
not alone, my friend!
So let’s get back to my original question. How much can you
increase your arm size in 31 days?
If you follow a practical arm specialization program and do
everything else correctly (diet, rest, supplements, etc.) I think it is
realistic for a person of average genetics to gain 1” on your arms.
Can I guarantee that?
No, it might be more and it might be less. But even ½” gain on
your upper arms can make a fairly impressive change in your
physique.
So how are we going to get you started?
First of all, when following any kind of specialization program,
you’ll need to cut back on the volume and frequency of training for the
rest of your body. You want to simply maintain the rest of your
physique while specializing on arms. We’ll be stressing your recovery
abilities by more frequent training for the arms, along with increased
volume and intensity so we need to keep that delicate balance in your
recovery ability.
Here’s a routine that I suggest you follow (this excludes your arm
routine which we’ll get to in a minute):
Monday & Friday
Squats 3 sets 8 to 12 reps
Bench press 3 sets 6 to 10 reps
Chins 3 sets 8 to 12 reps
Seated dumbbell press 2 sets 8 to 12 reps
Standing calf raises 2 sets 12 to 20 reps
The first thing most people think is that this routine is pretty basic
and simple. That’s exactly right! Like I said before, we’re simply
trying to maintain your physique while focusing on arm development.
If you’ve been doing a lot more volume than this for a while and
your gains have been stagnant, you might find yourself starting to
gain strength and size on other body parts.
That’s great! It’s probably an indication that you’ve been overtraining
and not recovering enough to make gains. This abbreviated
program is finally giving your body the chance to recover and over
compensate which causes muscle growth.
Just a few pointers on the above routine:
§ Do NOT go to absolute muscular failure on each set. Your last
rep should be pretty hard but not to total muscular failure.
As a gauge, you should physically be able to do about one
more rep if you pushed to failure.
§ Use the same weight for each set. Let’s take squats for
example. If you can do all 3 sets for 12 reps it’s time to
increase the weight. If you do set 1 for 12 reps, set 2 for 10,
and set 3 for 8, then the next workout stick with the same
weight.
§ If you find your strength increasing on these other exercises
during your 31-day arm specialization program, then by all
means, go ahead and increase the weight.
§ Only rest 1½ to 2 minutes between each set.
Arm Specialization
Now comes the fun part. We’re going to start with your new 31-
day arm routine.
You’re going to work arms three days a week. I’d suggest Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday.
On Monday you will work your arms after you do the whole body
routine I described above.
Here’s our plan of attack on Monday:
Monday Arm Specialization
Standing Dumbbell Curls (supersetted
with…)
5 sets 12 to 15 reps
Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extension 5 sets 12 to 15 reps
Some guidelines:
§ The Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extension is done by
grabbing one “bell” of the dumbbell with both hands and
lowering it behind your head while keeping your elbows
pointed toward the ceiling.
§ The Standing Dumbbell Curls can be done in an
alternating fashion or both dumbbells can be curled at the
same time, whichever you prefer. I like to do them
alternating style because it feels like I can direct more
concentration and contractile power to the muscle that way.
§ These 2 exercises are done in a super-set fashion. Do a set
of the standing dumbbell curls and then immediately do a set
of the seated dumbbell tricep extensions. This is considered
one super-set.
§ Never go below 12 reps on these exercises. If you have to
lower the weight to get the reps in then do it.
§ Do NOT go to absolute muscular failure on each set. Your last
rep should be pretty difficult but not to total muscular failure.
As a gauge, you should physically be able to do about one
more rep if you pushed to failure.
§ Only rest 45 seconds to 1 minute between each super-set.
Wednesday Arm Specialization
Standing Barbell Curls 5 sets 5 to 8 reps
Lying EZ bar Tricep Extension 5 sets 6 to 8 reps
Some guidelines:
§ This is your “heavy day”. Try to use as heavy a weight as
possible while maintaining good form. It’s OK to cheat just a
little on the last rep.
§ Rest periods will be longer than your Monday workout. Rest
as long as necessary to recoup your strength so you can go
all out on the next set.
§ Each Wednesday try to use a little more weight than you did
the previous Wednesday’s workout.
Friday Arm Specialization
Scott Dumbbell or Barbell Curls 3 sets 8 to 12 reps
Overhead Pulley Tricep Extension 3 sets 8 to 12 reps
Some guidelines:
§ The Scott Curls are done on the “Scott” bench (made famous
by Larry Scott) or “Preacher” bench. Feel free to use either a
barbell or dumbbells, whichever you prefer.
§ These sets are all done to temporary muscular failure. In
other words, keep going until you can no longer physically
complete a rep in good form.
§ Only rest 90 seconds between sets.
§ On Fridays, do your arm workout first before the workout
rest of your body.
Nutrition
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You’ll never make any
significant gains if you aren’t eating plenty of high quality food with an
emphasis on lots of protein…preferably at least 2 grams of high quality
complete protein per each pound of bodyweight.
What is a “complete” protein? That is a protein source that contains
all the essential amino acids (protein is composed of amino acids) that
are required by your body to support growth. These sources are: red
meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Other foods like beans
and nuts have protein, but it is an incomplete protein. They do not
contain all the essential amino acids to support growth, so don’t
depend on those to supply your protein needs. Just eat plenty of good
wholesome food and try to avoid the sugary junk. A little now and
then won’t hurt you, though.
If you’re going to follow a specialization routine and try to build as
much arm size as possible in 31 days, then I wouldn’t be too worried
about “bulking up” a little and adding a few pounds of body fat. It’s
nearly impossible to add significant muscle mass without putting on a
little bulk.
I am including the type of diet you should follow to gain some good
muscular bodyweight. Diet is very important, both myself and a lot of
my trainees didn’t gain until we started eating a very large amount of
protein, it makes a big difference. I don't expect you to dive in and eat
all this the first day, I want you to eat progressively (just like you will
train progressively) try to eat a bit more each week.
You don't have to use protein powder, it's not totally necessary. You
can drink milk, or you can use powdered milk instead. Any protein
drink can be made with powdered milk instead of commercial protein
powder.
BREAKFAST
Meat 1/4 lb
3 eggs
2 slices wheat toast
Milk or protein drink
SNACK
Cottage cheese 1/4 lb
Fruit
Milk or protein drink
LUNCH
Tuna Sandwich (6 oz tuna)
Cottage cheese 1/4 lb
Salad
Milk or protein drink
SNACK
Cheese sandwich 2 oz cheese
Milk or protein drink
DINNER
Chicken 8 oz
Baked potato
Cooked vegetable
Salad
Milk or protein drink
SNACK
2 eggs hardboiled
Fruit
Milk or protein drink
This is also very convenient because most of this food can be prepared
and taken to work or school in a lunchbox or “Lil Playmate” type of
cooler.
I learned a secret that many successful bodybuilders know to keep
their bodies in a positive nitrogen state for growth. A positive nitrogen
state means that there is always complete protein (protein is the only
nutrient containing nitrogen) available in the bloodstream for growth
and repair. The secret is to never let more than three hours go by
without consuming some kind of quality complete protein. Constantly
sipping on a protein drink throughout the day should take care of that.
Conclusion
I’m sure if you follow this program and constantly strive to increase
your training weights, while eating plenty of good food, you can’t help
but make gains.
I wish you success in your training and hope to hear that you gained
that magical extra inch on your guns over the next 31 days.