Both biceps and triceps are located on the upper arm but differ in many aspects. The biggest biceps vs. triceps difference lies in their location. Biceps are located at the front of the upper arm whereas triceps are located at the back of the upper arm.
Let’s take a closer look at biceps and triceps here:
| Location | Biceps are located at the front while triceps are at the back of the upper arm |
| Physical description | Biceps are two-headed muscles while triceps are three-headed muscles |
| Function | Biceps facilitate pull functions whereas triceps facilitate push functions |
| Size | Triceps are bigger than the biceps |
Table of Contents
What are Biceps?
These are the muscles on the upper arm originating from the shoulder blade.
What are Triceps?
Triceps are the thick muscles present on the back of the upper arm.
Biceps vs. Triceps Pros and Cons
Biceps Pros and Cons
Pros of Biceps
- Biceps facilitate movement of the forearm towards the body.
- Biceps help in elevating shoulders by raising the arms.
Cons of Biceps
- An injury to the bicep will restrict the movement of the whole shoulder.
- Overworking and performing repetitive motions over the years, like swimming and playing golf, can cause bicep problems.
Triceps Pros and Cons
Pros of Triceps
- Triceps facilitate the movement of the forearm away from the body.
- Triceps help in moving arms backward or behind the body.
- Triceps help in stabilizing the shoulders while carrying load overhead.
Cons of Triceps
- Repeated extending of the elbow, like in bench presses or throwing a baseball, can cause inflammation in the triceps.
- An injury to the triceps restricts your movement of raising hands above the shoulder level.
Examples
Examples of Biceps
- Muscles flexing the forearms
Examples of Triceps
- Three-headed muscle on the back of the upper limb
Bringing out the Similarities Between Biceps and Triceps for Better Understanding
- Both biceps and triceps play a significant role in the movement of the upper arm.
- Both work collectively for the push and pull functions performed by the arm.
How to Train the Muscles Between Biceps and Triceps?
Training brachialis, the muscle between the biceps and triceps, can be done via overhead curls, reverse curls, and double cable curls.
4 Key Points of Difference Between Biceps and Triceps that you Need to Know
| Basis | Biceps | Triceps |
|---|---|---|
| What are biceps and triceps? | The biceps are the two-headed muscles on the upper arm. | Triceps are the three-headed muscles on the upper arm. |
| Where are your biceps and triceps? | Biceps are at the front of the upper arm. | Triceps are at the back of the upper arm. |
| Full name | Biceps is short for Biceps Brachii. | The full name of triceps is Triceps Brachii. |
| Function | Biceps facilitate moving the forearm, elbows, and shoulders towards the body. | Triceps facilitate moving the forearm, elbows, and shoulders away from the body. |
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
FAQs
Which Is Better: Triceps or Biceps?
Both biceps and triceps work in tandem for smooth movement of the arm. However, biceps are the stronger muscles and hence, are trained extensively by gym-goers and athletes.
Should I Work Triceps More Than Biceps?
To make your arms perform better, you must work on your triceps. This is because most of the activities are done by extension of the arms and the triceps facilitate arm movement away from the body. Hence, contrary to the norm, triceps shouldn’t be ignored.
What do Biceps and Triceps Do?
Both biceps and triceps work together for arm movement. To bend the elbow, the triceps relax and the biceps extend and vice-versa. This further facilitates the push and pull action, respectively.
What is the Strongest Muscle in your Arm?
The biceps are the strongest muscle in your arm.
Do Biceps Or Triceps First?
Of the both, one should do triceps first as they are the longest muscles of the arm and are connected to the back as well as shoulders. Working on them first warms up the core and makes it easier for the body to do the heavy lifting by the biceps, without any injury.
Can I Train My Triceps Every Day?
No. Triceps shouldn’t be trained every day as our body muscles need 36 to 48 hours to recover and heal. Only after this, they start gaining strength from the exercise because of supercompensation. Hence, training them twice a week is enough with a gap of 3 days.
Why are Triceps Bigger than Biceps?
Triceps are made from three heads, namely; a medial, lateral, and a long one that runs from the elbow to shoulder at the back of the upper arm. This region is longer than the upper arm where the biceps are located with its two heads; outer and inner. Hence, the triceps are bigger than the biceps.
Do Push-Ups Work On biceps?
Yes, push-ups work on the biceps indirectly by strengthening the core. Push-ups work directly on the triceps and strengthening triceps would strengthen their antagonist muscles; biceps, since both work in tandem.
Is it OK to Workout Biceps and Triceps Together?
Yes, since biceps and triceps perform separate functions of pull and push respectively, they can be trained together without much exhaustion to the arm muscles.
What are 3 Exercises for the Triceps?
The three best exercises for the triceps are:
- Tricep Dips
- One-arm Overhead Extension
- Cable Rope Tricep Pushdown
Conclusion
Both biceps and triceps are an important part of the upper arm. They perform different functions of pulling and pushing respectively. Biceps or triceps or both of these muscles can be trained to build strength. Looking at the biceps and triceps picture, you will find that biceps are located at the front of the upper arm whereas triceps are located at the back of the upper arm. Triceps are bigger than the biceps because biceps are two-headed muscles while triceps are three-headed. An injury in any of these muscles will restrict the movement of your upper arm, so it is advised to strengthen them through suitable exercises.
