2 dumbbells and 5 exercises are all you need to build big biceps at home

Try this quick dumbbell arm workout for faster biceps growth

Young fit men working out with dumbbells in front of an electric fireplace
(Image credit: JAXJOX)

🎵 Who wants big arms? WE WANT BIG ARMS! 🎵 Even if they don't admit it, most men wouldn't mind having bigger arms, big biceps in particular. As small as it might be compared to other muscles, the biceps is very visible not just to you but also others, so many are drawn to working on this area of their bodies. This 5-move biceps workout is an excellent finisher or can be used as a standalone pump workout before hitting the beach.

The biceps is more than just an accessory muscle, though. A strong biceps can help you perform everyday tasks easier, not to mention specific exercises such as pull-ups, barbell/dumbbell rows, etc. Given its position, weak biceps are prone to injuries, so even if you aren't planning on growing arms as big as Chris Hemsworth or Henry Cavill, it's worth spending some time strengthening your upper arm.

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The only thing you need to complete this biceps workout is a pair of dumbbells, and if you haven't got one, check out T3's best dumbbells and best adjustable dumbbell guides. ⁣Focus on slow, controlled movements; when performing the exercises, imagine your biceps contracting and releasing (more on this topic: what's the mind-muscle connection?). This is meant to be a giant set, so try doing all five exercises in a row with minimal rest in between the movements (around 20 seconds)⁣⁣. T⁣ake 60-90 seconds of rest after each round.⁣⁣ ⁣Try doing four sets⁣⁣. The exercises are as follows:

  • Single squeeze hammer curl (10⁣ reps)
  • Hammer to outer curls (8 reps)
  • 1.5 curls (6 reps)
  • Cheat curls (4 reps, heavy weight if possible⁣/available)
  • Iso hold (20-sec hold )

Do you want to know how to get big arms fast? Well, you can't, at least not instantly. However, there are plenty of different workouts you can try to target the muscles in your upper arm from different angles. Here are the best biceps and triceps home exercises and workout tips to get you started. You must also read a dumbbell expert's best home workout tips for quicker growth. For something less intense, try the best arm exercises for beginners

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt looks after T3's Active vertical, which incorporates all things fitness, outdoors and transportation – anything that gets you moving and out of the door will go through his hands. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar (opens in new tab) and Fit&Well (opens in new tab), and more. Matt collaborated with other content creators, like Garage Gym Reviews (opens in new tab), and judged many awards, such as European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards in 2022. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment, as he's a keen content creator.