Vince Girondas Routine for Fast Arm Growth

by Paul Becker

Click here to view some Vince Gironda unusual exercises

Vince Gironda was know as the "Iron Guru". Bodybuilders who have trained at Vince's Gym over the years, have included "Body by" Jake Steinman, Lou ("The Incredible Hulk") Ferrigno, and even Arnold ("The Terminator") Schwarzenegger.

Vince also helped the studios whip their stars into shape for the movies (he could get an out of shape actor looking like a stud in a few weeks time); he helped train the likes of Cher, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, James Garner, Brian Keith, Tommy Chong (of Cheech & Chong) and Erik Estrada.

It is said that in the late 1960's, before bodybuilders started to abuse steroids, Vince's methods produced more top physique stars than any other gym in the world. Give Vince's arm routine a try and see why the champs went to him for advise.

Metabolic Stimulation (Breathing Squats):
Squats, heels about 20 inches wide, knees a comfortable width about 24 inches. In the erect position, take 2 very deep breaths and hold the second breath and squat (back straight) and return to upright position and exhale. Perform 3 sets of 15 repeats, 2 to 3 minutes rest between sets. This gets your adrenal activated for your arm program.

Biceps:
Stand in front of the dumbbell rack and pick up a pair of 15# dumbbells. and with palms facing thighs, curl left dumbbell slowly turning palm up and bending to the left. Watching dumbbell travel up to shoulder, hand should be outside deltoid at contracted position. At this point, turn your head to the right and start to curl right dumbbell simultaneously.

As you curl the right dumbbell, lower the left dumbbell back to starting position. Counting with your left hand, complete four repeats only. Next step: put dumbbells back on rack and take 2 deep breaths and shake your arms and pick up the next heavier set and do 4 repeats.

Proceed until you have curled the heaviest set of dumbbells you can handle (creative cheating is ok). Next step: work down the rack to your starting set. That's it for bicep. Don't do any other bicep work.

Triceps:
Barbell pullover and press: lie on your back on a bench with your head slightly off and end so you can lower barbell below head. Take a 12" grip (over-hand) lower barbell down and back over head and slightly below bench level, with elbows in and up, pull barbell over face to low pec line.

At this point, swing elbows out wide and press barbell up and forward to arms length over stomach (forward press). Lower barbell back down to chest and roll elbows in, parallel position (4 sets of 12 reps).

Click here to view some Vince Gironda unusual exercises