The following post will detail my thoughts and experience using an arm blaster, an unconventional training tool often used in the golden era of bodybuilding. Known as the arm blaster, also referred to as a bicep blaster.
So what is an Arm Blaster?
An arm blaster is a harness with a metal plate. The harness slides over your neck, allowing you to lock your arms into the grooved sections of each side of the arm blaster’s metal plate.
How does an Arm Blaster work?
The arm blasters primary purpose is to ensure greater isolation on the biceps when performing different variations of bicep curls e.g. EZ curls and dumbbell curls. This isolation is achieved due to the grooved sections of the arm blaster holding your elbows in place. When performing a traditional bicep curl without an arm blaster when your form begins to deteriorate the natural thing to do is to begin to use momentum and swing backwards with your elbows to muscle the weight up. The arm blaster holds your elbows firmly in place, forcing your biceps to work harder to curl the weight up as they no longer have any assistance.
This is a simple yet fantastic concept as greater isolation means greater tension and stress on the muscle, greater stress and tension on the muscle will promote potential growth in your biceps.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Arm Blaster
In Arnold Schwarzenegger’s books he highlights just how affective arm blasters can be, as the arm blaster did become an essential training tool for Arnold, and the photos of Arnold going around on the internet today is in my opinion the reason they have gained popularity in modern bodybuilding.
My thoughts on the Arm Blaster
I personally first used an arm blaster in a gym while travelling through Indonesia 2 years ago, the pump I get from performing standing dumbbell curls with an arm blaster is unlike any other arm pump I have had before. Needless to say since arriving back home I ordered an arm blaster and have been using it since.
My biceps are not lagging, but I do find it harder to build the peak of the bicep in comparison to most people (which genetics do play a large role in) however since concentrating on perfect form with my curls while utilising my arm blaster I have noticed a significant increase in the development of my bicep peaks.
If you’d like to purchase an arm blaster the one I use and recommend is available on Amazon here
Features:
- Constructed with thick gauge aluminium.
- Padded elbows for comfort, support, and stability.
- Contoured design to isolate arms and shoulders while keeping the back and elbows locked in curling position.
- Adjustable belt made of webbed nylon.
- Thick, neoprene neck pad for added comfort.
Have you used an arm blaster before? If so what were your thoughts on this training tool?
Let me know in the comments below!