Arms Won't Grow (Not Your Average Case)

Training Bodybuilding
41

[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
jehovasfitness wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
TheGatekeeper wrote:
jehovasfitness wrote:
pics or it didn’t happen.

I’m sorry, who the hell doesn’t have a digi cam, web cam or camera on their phone these days?

Granted, you are 17, but I’ve seen 10 yr olds with camera phones.

I call troll until pics are posted.

like said 5’8 245 is thick, even at 20% BF that’s darn muscular.

  1. because i dont take pics of myself in a mirror doesnt mean im a troll
  2. Regardless of what you think I am and always will be bigger and have more potential then you do at any age, I have what you never will and all your internet comments wont change that :).

haha

Yeah, he’s clever.

If he doesn’t like to take pics of himself in a mirror perhaps he can take his shirt off and go ask his mom to take a pic.
Cause I still say that would clear this thread right up

I understand that those stats are hard to beleive. But you’ve been here long enough to be able to tell who’s a troll and who’s not based on the rhetoric. I personally don’t give a shit what another man looks like. And you have no pictures yourself. So maybe it’s time to do a little less posting because frankly, you just sound jealous. [/quote]

I’ve posted pics on here, I know I’m nothing special.

42

[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

Fair enough. But numbers don’t really matter much if the person doesn’t know how to target the muscles he wants to. That is the actual point of this thread. He’s already said that he doesn’t get a pump in his triceps and that his chest is proportionally big. Odds are that someone with a huge bench press is going to have big triceps. But maybe they’re not up to par. That was what my advice was geared to. Bringing the arms up to par with everything else. [/quote]

I didn’t mean your general advice was wrong, just that there seemed to have been a change in interpretation along the way from 315x8 to simply benching 315.

Maybe there’s the person out there who can do 315 by 8 whose triceps are, as WestCoast7 put it, not “decent-sized” – maybe but it seems odd to me.

Whereas 315 for a single with triceps that are nothing to mention, that’s pretty common.

43

OP, here is an article dedicated pretty much to your exact problem, look it over:

44

additionally, going heavy on preachers helps the tendon strength i believe, lowering heavy weight, negatives, builds strength which in turn translates to increasing your #'s overall. mixing heavy movements w/ lighter movements helps, on the lighter work really squeeze and connect to what you are doing. the top 2/3’s of the preacher are key when heavy, going all the way down(straightening the arm will fuck up your elbow). on lighter sets a straighter arm is more plausible and a good idea. using the opposite arm to support the working arm is great for forced reps as well.

45

[quote]TheGatekeeper wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

^understand where your coming from, honestly im not a show off. The reason i like the training portion of bodybuilding is its you vs yourself. And pose downs/ competitions are with people all for the same passion as you. In many other competition/ sports especially in Highschool people do not want to be there, just want a varsity letter, to show off, etc.

An old friend of mine always told me, the guys who wear tight shirts have to prove they have a built, people who make shirts tight are truely built.
[/quote]

Dude like I said if you can good job, I’m not saying you can or can’t, it doesn’t matter to me. That’s a nice quote about the shirts, I agree.

46

[quote]TheGatekeeper wrote:
An old friend of mine always told me, the guys who wear tight shirts have to prove they have a built, people who make shirts tight are truely built.
[/quote]

haha I like that one man.

47

TheGatekeeper wrote:
Since this is my first time, and it might help anyone posting, ill give you some info about me and my problem, which I believe is different from the average “arms wont grow” plight.

Im 17, I have been bodybuilding/ powerlifting for 4 years and I am very large and strong. I have beaten several state records in powerlifting, yet my body has always been built for bodybuilding and my personal preference is bodybuilding. Im 5’8 and weigh 245 pounds off season. Here is a picture of me:

48

[quote]austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone. [/quote]

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with very nearly 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

49

[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with virtually 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

[/quote]

Agreed, and with numbers like that I find it hard to at the very very least have average sized arms for the listed height and weight.

OP, have you ever had any bad injuries or tears?

50

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with virtually 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

Agreed, and with numbers like that I find it hard to at the very very least have average sized arms for the listed height and weight.

OP, have you ever had any bad injuries or tears?[/quote]

currently have a herniated disc, i have dislocated my shoulders several times in football and i tore my AC tendon in my right shoulder

51

[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with virtually 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

[/quote]

What’s your max and how many times can you do 315? I just know from personal experience as well as seeing a number of dudes benching a 315 x 8 and know non of them can hit 425. Waylander can probably rep 315 for 15 reps or so and he’s not quite at 475 yet, close but not yet. And the bench calculator on critical bench, god damn me for using that, says a 315 x 8 should be a 391 bench. Don’t want to argue but for the very very large majority you’re wrong. But it doesn’t even matter anyways lol.

52

[quote]austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with virtually 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

What’s your max and how many times can you do 315? I just know from personal experience as well as seeing a number of dudes benching a 315 x 8 and know non of them can hit 425. Waylander can probably rep 315 for 15 reps or so and he’s not quite at 475 yet, close but not yet. And the bench calculator on critical bench, god damn me for using that, says a 315 x 8 should be a 391 bench. Don’t want to argue but for the very very large majority you’re wrong. But it doesn’t even matter anyways lol. [/quote]

^ never said my max was in the 400s, other posters estimated or trolled that. My max is 395

53

Sounds like you have some fairly serious shoulder problems that you might want to address. When you tore your acromioclavicular ligament (as there is no AC tendon) did you tear any part of your RC or have any effects on your biceps tendon? And how did you get it repaired? An improperly rehab injury like the ones you have mentioned could lead to imbalances and possibly the problems that you are having. Just a thought.

54

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
Sounds like you have some fairly serious shoulder problems that you might want to address. When you tore your acromioclavicular ligament (as there is no AC tendon) did you tear any part of your RC or have any effects on your biceps tendon? And how did you get it repaired? An improperly rehab injury like the ones you have mentioned could lead to imbalances and possibly the problems that you are having. Just a thought.[/quote]

Honestly i was reluctant to go to Physical therapy i just rested it for 8 weeks.

55

[quote]TheGatekeeper wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
austin_bicep wrote:
Bill Roberts wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person.

The claim wasn’t a 315 lb 1RM, but 315 lb for 8 reps.

Which ordinarily would mean a 425 lb or better, maybe as much as 475 lb, 1RM.

And I would agree that no one who can bench that raw has non-decent-looking triceps that “won’t grow.”

(I am assuming the 315 for 8 claim is not in a bench shirt.)

I think you’re a little off bill but I agree with your sentiment, 315 x 8 is closer to a 400 pound bench rather a 425-475. I never saw anyone do that in high school however, yet there are some freaks, but if I was a freak I’d be proud to show everyone.

Well, of course it’s going to vary considerably with the person.

Let’s look at it: if someone had a 400 lb 1RM but could do 315 for 8, that would be getting 8 reps with 79% 1RM. That would be quite good rep endurance. Not impossible, but most can’t get 8 reps with virtually 80% 1RM.

The 425 figure would work out to 315 for 8 being at 74% 1RM. Much more average I think.

If someone did not have any particular rep endurance and was good at putting up a single, a 475 lb 1RM might indeed yield “only” 315 for 8. Works out to 66%. Hardly unknown.

What’s your max and how many times can you do 315? I just know from personal experience as well as seeing a number of dudes benching a 315 x 8 and know non of them can hit 425. Waylander can probably rep 315 for 15 reps or so and he’s not quite at 475 yet, close but not yet. And the bench calculator on critical bench, god damn me for using that, says a 315 x 8 should be a 391 bench. Don’t want to argue but for the very very large majority you’re wrong. But it doesn’t even matter anyways lol.

^ never said my max was in the 400s, other posters estimated or trolled that. My max is 395[/quote]

I know what yousaid, I’m talking about something bill said…

56

As to the greg valentino video - that’s very true, and probably the most important lesson many people will never learn… listen to your body and do what’s right for you.

OP, what is your arm measurements? You may have already posted it, but I only read the first page or so then skimmed over looking to see if you’d posted a pic. Honestly interested to see what you look like if everything you said is true. 5’8" at 245 with those lifts, you’d either have to be a wicked strong lardass or a jacked caveman.

57

[quote]SSVegeta wrote:
As to the greg valentino video - that’s very true, and probably the most important lesson many people will never learn… listen to your body and do what’s right for you.

OP, what is your arm measurements? You may have already posted it, but I only read the first page or so then skimmed over looking to see if you’d posted a pic. Honestly interested to see what you look like if everything you said is true. 5’8" at 245 with those lifts, you’d either have to be a wicked strong lardass or a jacked caveman.[/quote]

Last arm measurement was 18.5 a few months ago, in off season, obviously smaller when at competition weight which i havent been at since april.

58

[quote]TheGatekeeper wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Sounds like you have some fairly serious shoulder problems that you might want to address. When you tore your acromioclavicular ligament (as there is no AC tendon) did you tear any part of your RC or have any effects on your biceps tendon? And how did you get it repaired? An improperly rehab injury like the ones you have mentioned could lead to imbalances and possibly the problems that you are having. Just a thought.

Honestly i was reluctant to go to Physical therapy i just rested it for 8 weeks.[/quote]

You should help yourself first before you ask for ours.

59

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
BONEZ217 wrote:
WestCoast7 wrote:
Somehow I find it hard to believe that you are benching 315 and pressing 225 and don’t have decent sized arms since your triceps are extremely involved in these heavy motions.

If your not trolling, I would suggest cutting out your arms day, because you are probably over working them and not allowing enough time for recovery and growth. Personally I do not include an arms day in my regiment because I feel that my bis/tris get good enough work on my back and chest days.

If your 5’8" 245 lbs at age 17 you should be getting your pro card soon with stats like that, or you should be going back to your troll cave.

You got pics?

This is a stupid post. Bench pressing 315 is no huge feat (it is impressive for a 17 yr old good job OP) and certainly not for a 245lb person. Some people actually have arms that don’t grow from compound movements, crazy huh? So instead of asking how big the OPs arms are currently along with a chest measurement for comparison you call troll. You don’t even know the bodyfat percentage and you’re talking about ‘pro cards’. Come on man.

Cutting out the arms day for someone whos arms arent growing is the single worst piece of advice you can possibly give. His arms aren’t being over trained. That’s rediculous. Someone who trains their back properly should get nothing more than a small pump in their biceps, definitely not enough stimulation to build 19" arms. Same goes for chest and triceps.

How do you say benching 315 is no huge feat and then say that is impressive? That is a complete contradiction. Also, how do you know he’s not over training? It was a simple suggestion for someone who is stuck, not a diagnosis, and there is no way that you can discredit that idea.

Saying that you cannot get a great arm workout through chest and back workouts is also false. Biceps and triceps are major movers in most compound exercises that are used to build your chest and your back, and you can definitely get more than just a pump, even with proper form.

I would agree though with your comment that maybe his arms just aren’t growing to match, as the OP also mentioned.[/quote]

To me all huge feats are impressive. But not all impressive feats are huge. That’s all. It’s not a contradiction but I don’t really care if you think otherwise. It was a silly attempt to discredit a portion of my post to make it seem as if the rest of my post that disagrees with your belief is also wrong. It was a poor attempt.

I hope you have a good time in your fantasy world where people build muscular 19" arms by doing rows and bench press.

If that works for you, great. But the overwhelming majority of humans can not develop impressive arms without training them. I think that is especially obvious in this particular case. The kid has never effectively trained his arms. According to him theyre lagging. That makes perfect sense to me.

60

My arms aren’t very big maybe 16" @ 190, but even when I was 240+ they weren’t better than 17.5. So what you are working with is pretty impressive. (sidenote I don’t think I was built for massive arms and havent given them much attention, my father-lifter as well- never had better than 19 at 285). So i’d say work on mind muscle like everyone else has said, keep eating and give it time. You havent been in this game for too long so 19-20 inches mite take awhile.