Mark OttobreFounder, Enterprise Fitness · Results Driven Coaching

The Biggest Biceps Belong To…

14 Apr 2026 · 0 min

Watch on YouTube

0:28

In this segment, Mark Ottobre explains that gymnasts possess the largest biceps and brachialis because, during static strength moves like the iron cross, the biceps serve a critical biomechanical function: they prevent the elbow joint from snapping while the arms are locked overhead. This functional demand forces the biceps to develop massive size. Ottobre argues that incorporating training that mimics these locked‑arm, stability‑focused positions can indirectly stimulate biceps growth, a perspective most lifters overlook.

You know who has the best biceps in the world? Gymnasts. The reason why gymnasts have the best biceps in the world is because the biceps are functioned to prevent the elbow from snapping, because like an iron cross, the biceps, they're completely functional in that position. If your arms are locked like this, the bicep has to prevent the elbow from snapping. That's why they have such gigantic bicep brachialis, because they have to. So including some of this work is going to help with bicep development as well, indirectly. Most people wouldn't think of it like that, but because it's forcing that position where you have to stay stable, and the function of that bicep in this position is preventing that elbow from snapping.