The biceps and triceps are the major muscles in your upper arm, responsible for flexion (bending) and extension (straightening) of the elbow. They work antagonistically – when one contracts, the other relaxes.
Biceps: The "Bending" Muscle
- Location: Front of the upper arm.
- Function: Primarily flexes the elbow (brings your forearm towards your shoulder) and supinates the forearm (turns your palm upwards).
- Anatomy: The name "biceps" means "two heads," referring to its two muscle heads that originate from different points on the shoulder blade.
- Example: Lifting a weight towards your shoulder.
Triceps: The "Straightening" Muscle
- Location: Back of the upper arm.
- Function: Primarily extends the elbow (straightens your arm).
- Anatomy: The name "triceps" means "three heads," referring to its three muscle heads.
- Example: Pushing a weight away from your shoulder.
Size and Strength Differences
- Triceps comprise approximately two-thirds of the upper arm's mass, while biceps make up about one-third. Therefore, well-developed triceps are crucial for overall arm size.
- While triceps are generally stronger than biceps, this is largely due to their size and function in stabilizing the elbow joint.
Practical Implications
Understanding the differences between biceps and triceps is crucial for effective arm workouts. To build balanced and strong arms, it's essential to train both muscle groups equally, focusing on exercises that target each effectively. Ignoring triceps training will result in less impressive overall arm development, even with large biceps.
