IRON AGE- Articles - Matterhorns of Muscle

The Alps aren't the only place you'll find steep peaks. Try your local gym!

In the world of mountain climbing, a tall, steep peak is viewed as a symbol of majesty. The diehard mountaineer looks to names like Everest, K2, Kilamanjaro, and the Matterhorn when seeking inspiration in his often underappreciated and misunderstood athletic endeavor of choice. Likewise, the diehard bodybuilder looks to names like Robinson, Schwarzenegger, Ortiz, and Beckles when seeking inspiration in his often underappreciated and misunderstood athletic endeavor of choice. For these names too are synonomous with breathtaking peaks in their own right; the peaks of biceps.

It would seem that for as long as people have been building their bodies, they've heard the request "show me your muscle." And rather than pull up a pant leg, the object of admiration would, almost instinctively, roll up his (or her) shirt sleeve and flex their bicep. The higher the peak, the greater the ooh's and ah's. The lower the peak, the more embarrassing the silence.

So, when judging bicep development, it goes without saying that a higher peak, more than any other attribute, equates a powerful arm. But how does one go about developing a tall bicep as opposed to a long or wide one? Is this an attribute which can be altered at will? Or is it something the bodybuilder has little, if any, control over; a qualification that was determined long before they picked up their first dumbbell?

According to the old school of thought, up until the mid-1980's or so, the general consensus was that one can, indeed, alter the shape of their bicep by varying hand grip and supinating the wrists during various curling exercises. In fact, specific exercises were considered to be optimal for 'peaking', such as concentration curls, while others, like preacher curls, were thought to be best for lengthening the muscle.

Now, however, convention tells us that trying to alter the shape of oneís muscles is like trying to change eye color or height. They are all predetermined by one's genetic inheritance, and while it may be possible to stress different heads of a muscle group to make minor contour changes, it is impossible to effect change on the distribution of muscle cells and fibers within the aggregate of a muscle, which is what would be required to alter its shape dramatically. In other words, you're either born with it or you're not.

By taking even a cursory look at the anecdotal and photographic evidence bodybuilding supplies us, it stands to reason that the latter rationale is probably closer to truth. For if building thighs like Tom Platz's was just a matter of following his leg routine, why has no one ever been able to duplicate his success? Despite thousands of men doing millions af crunches and leg raises, how come only one has been able to achieve the development, separation, and density Serge Nubret displayed in his abdominal region? And why arenít there hundreds af men in every city with a Sergio Oliva-like physique when they follow a routine of the same basic exercises Sergio performed?

The same would logically hold true for the development of biceps peak. Certain bodybuilders were given the hereditary gift of mountainous biceps while others have had to settle with rolling hills. In our attempt to discover bodybuilding's greatest peak, the Matterhorn of biceps development, weíve compiled a list from which we will let you, the Iron Age reader, decide a winner.

Remember, this contest is to determine only the greatest peak, not the most massive, or even best developed bicep. This is not a popularity contest and overall arm size should not be factored in.

1. Albert Beckles
With a nickname like "Peak" Albert's presence here really needs no explanation. I've had the honor of being able to watch Albert train in person on several occasions and was awed by his biceps in person. Sharp, peaked slabs of muscle with a discernible split. Most amazing may be that he kept that peak, in fact his entire physique, into his 60's and, from what I've heard, doesn't look very different today at 72!

2. Joe Bucci
Joe was a guy known almost exclusively for his bicep development. He was featured as a model in Muscle & Fitness frequently but never even competed in the pro ranks. Still, his biceps rank as some of the best ever.

Freddy may have been the first great short bodybuilder. But despite only being 5'5" he possessed one of the largest, most defined pair of arms in the world during the 1960ís. Relative to his triceps, his bi's were somewhat small, but the dramatic dropoff at their points of insertion qualify him for this list in a big way.

4. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Rating Arnold's biceps is an interesting task because each is different. His left was flatter and longer; his right, higher and shorter. He also posed with enough of a twist to emphasize his right armís peak. But what a peak it was! The shot captured on the cover of ARNOLD: The Education of a Bodybuilder is considered by many to be the most incredible single example of peak ever.

So, we've presented our nominees for greatest bicep peak. Now it's your turn. Tell us who you think has the best. We'll tally the votes and finish this piece after we've received 100 votes, letting the world know the winner.

Well, the voting is over and we have a winner. According to Iron Age's Official Unofficial Best Peak Poll the best bicep peak belongs to...

No real surprise here as that shot from "Education of a Bodybuilder" still leaves many of us agog. Here's how the voting went:

Thanks to everyone who voted and be sure to check back for a new poll each month!