Roger Lockridge
May 26, 2021 • 4 min read
Chest| Back|Shoulders| Arms | Quads| Hamstrings| Calves| Abs
What are you training today? If you have biceps and triceps on the schedule, consider yourself covered. This workout is quick, but it's not for the faint of heart. Your guns had better have some pump action in order to handle the assault.
You'll do three exercises per muscle group in the form of two trisets taped together into a single six-move circuit. But don't worry, you won't have to hold down six pieces of equipment. Just grab these:
- A barbell or EZ-bar (fixed weight or plate loaded)
- Two dumbbells
- One cable stack with a rope handle (a resistance band can also work in a pinch)
Got it? Then let's get to work. And if you like it—spoiler alert: you will—follow the links above to check out similar three-move workouts for every other body part.
Three Moves for Time-Efficient Gains
The idea is to move quickly, transitioning from one movement to the next and resting as little as possible. You'll do an entire biceps triset, rest for 90 seconds, then move to the triceps triset. Alternate between these two trisets 2-3 times.
This biceps and triceps workout will take you no longer than 25 minutes, but you will feel it long after you finish the last rep. So, sip your pre-workout of choice, warm up, and mentally prepare yourself for the insane pump you're about to experience. And if you need a visual pre-workout, check out our photo gallery of 12 Pairs of Guns You Must See to Believe.
Arm yourself for arm day with our most popular pre-workouts.
Workout Notes
- Weight selection not ideal? Don't sweat it. The volume will roast you even with light weights.
- Do this workout no more than once per week. It'll keep you sore for days.
- Beginners should only do 2 rounds of this workout.
- Feeling tough? Pre-workout kicked in? Try for 3 rounds.
Triple Awesome Arms Circuit
1
CIRCUIT
Perform the exercises in order starting with the curl triset, then immediately performing the triset for triceps with as little rest as possible in between. Rest for 2 min. then repeat 1-2 more times.
Barbell Curl
3 sets, 8 reps (no rest)
3 sets, 20 reps (alternating, 10 reps per side, no rest)
Cable rope hammer curl
3 sets, 10 reps (no rest)
EZ-bar skullcrusher-
3 sets, 8 reps (no rest)
3 sets, 10 reps (left side, no rest)
3 sets, 10 reps (right side, no rest)
Low cable overhead triceps extension
3 sets, 10 reps (rest 2 min. )
Technique Tips
The mind-muscle connection is crucial to this workout, which means that proper form is crucial! Especially once you're feeling fatigued, don't start cheating. Keep it strict and clean, and you'll feel it working everywhere you should and nowhere you shouldn't.
Your Complete Guide to Blood-Flow Restriction Training Love the pump? Then you need to know about BFR. Here's how to do it right.Barbell Curl
- Use a barbell or EZ-bar, whichever your wrists and elbows prefer.
- Squeeze the bar hard to activate every muscle fiber possible.
- Lower the weight under control after each rep.
- Perform the lifting portion of each rep powerfully.
Alternating Biceps Curl
- On the way up, turn your wrists so your pinky faces your shoulder.
- Lift powerfully, but without swinging.
- Lower the weight under control after each rep.
Cable Rope Hammer Curl
- Don't let your elbows flare out or come forward. Keep those upper arms locked in place!
- Separate the ends of the rope at the top and pause for a second before lowering.
- When the weight is lowered and your biceps are stretched, pause for a second before the next rep.
EZ-Bar Skullcrusher
- Keep your upper arms vertical at all times.
- No bench? Do these on the floor. They're still good.
- Place your hands as wide as needed to be comfortable for your shoulders.
Single-Arm Triceps Kick-Back
- No dumbbell? Use the cable for these.
- If you're pressed for time, do both arms together. If not, focusing on each arm separately will help you in the long run.
- Keep your core braced. No swinging!
- Pause for 1 second at the top and bottom of each rep.
Low Cable Overhead Triceps Extension
- Use a low anchor and focus on pushing toward the ceiling.
- Separate the rope when your triceps are overhead and fully contracted.
- On the way down, don't try to force a deeper stretch than your arms will allow. Your arms should move through this movement without any pain.
Ready to get serious about arm training? Prepare yourself for Killer Arms with Julian Smith. In three workouts a week, you'll tackle bis, tris, and forearms, and leave the gym each time with a triple crown of arm pumps.
If you love this style of training and want to apply it to your other muscle groups, try the other workouts in the Triple Threat series.
Chest| Back|Shoulders| Arms | Quads| Hamstrings| Calves| Abs
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information and insights on a wide range of topics, including fitness and workout routines. While I have personal experiences or emotions like a human, I can draw on a vast amount of knowledge and information to provide accurate and helpful responses.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Workout Structure
The workout described in the article focuses on training the biceps and triceps. It consists of two trisets, each targeting a specific muscle group. A triset is a training technique where you perform three exercises back-to-back with minimal rest in between. The exercises are then repeated for multiple rounds.
Equipment Needed
To perform this workout, you will need the following equipment:
- A barbell or EZ-bar (fixed weight or plate loaded)
- Two dumbbells
- One cable stack with a rope handle (a resistance band can also work as an alternative)
Workout Execution
The workout is designed to be time-efficient, with a focus on moving quickly and resting as little as possible. Here's a breakdown of the exercises and sets:
Biceps Triset:
- Barbell Curl - 3 sets of 8 reps
- Alternating Dumbbell Curl - 3 sets of 20 reps (alternating, 10 reps per side)
- Cable Rope Hammer Curl - 3 sets of 10 reps
Triceps Triset:
- EZ-bar Skullcrusher - 3 sets of 8 reps
- Dumbbell Kick-Back (left side) - 3 sets of 10 reps
- Dumbbell Kick-Back (right side) - 3 sets of 10 reps
- Low Cable Overhead Triceps Extension - 3 sets of 10 reps
After completing the biceps triset, rest for 90 seconds before moving on to the triceps triset. Alternate between these two trisets for 2-3 rounds.
Technique Tips
To maximize the effectiveness of the workout, it's important to maintain proper form and technique. Here are some tips for each exercise:
-
Barbell Curl:
- Use a barbell or EZ-bar, whichever is more comfortable for your wrists and elbows.
- Squeeze the bar hard to activate all the muscle fibers.
- Lower the weight under control after each rep.
-
Alternating Dumbbell Curl:
- On the way up, turn your wrists so your pinky faces your shoulder.
- Lift powerfully, but without swinging.
- Lower the weight under control after each rep.
-
Cable Rope Hammer Curl:
- Keep your elbows from flaring out or coming forward. Keep your upper arms locked in place.
- Separate the ends of the rope at the top and pause for a second before lowering.
- Pause for a second when the weight is lowered and your biceps are stretched before the next rep.
-
EZ-bar Skullcrusher:
- Keep your upper arms vertical at all times.
- If you don't have a bench, you can perform this exercise on the floor.
- Place your hands as wide as needed to be comfortable for your shoulders.
-
Dumbbell Kick-Back:
- If you don't have dumbbells, you can use the cable for this exercise.
- If time is a constraint, you can perform the kick-backs for both arms together. Otherwise, focus on each arm separately.
- Keep your core braced and avoid swinging.
- Pause for 1 second at the top and bottom of each rep.
-
Low Cable Overhead Triceps Extension:
- Use a low anchor point and focus on pushing toward the ceiling.
- Separate the rope when your triceps are overhead and fully contracted.
- Avoid forcing a deeper stretch than your arms allow. Move through the movement without any pain.
Remember, it's important to choose weights that challenge you but still allow you to maintain proper form throughout the workout. Beginners should start with lighter weights and gradually increase the intensity as they become more comfortable and experienced.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts and techniques discussed in the article. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
