How to Get Big Arms in CrossFit

CrossFit athletes are generally known for their impressive feats of muscular strength, endurance and stamina and their ability to train at very intense levels. CrossFit is not synonymous, however, with producing athletes with bulging biceps and tremendous triceps. The founder of CrossFit, Greg Glassman, notes that the system focuses on training the body as a whole rather than isolating various parts, though this doesn't mean you can't get big arms in CrossFit.

Get stronger. It may sound obvious, but stronger muscles equals bigger muscles. CrossFit incorporates Olympic lifting and powerlifting-style movements but no arm isolation exercises. Still, you can build mass, according to 2011 and 2012 CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning. He adds that you can look like a bodybuilder when doing CrossFit, provided you work on increasing your strength.

Focus on movements that work your upper body. Most CrossFit workouts work the whole body, and while training your legs is important if upper-body training is your priority, there's no harm in performing more upper-body-specific workouts. These routines include chin-ups, pushups and handstand pushups, dips on gymnastic rings, overhead presses and jerks.

Get really good at kipping pull-ups. Kipping pull-ups are CrossFit's answer to the regular pull-up. Kipping pull-ups still involve hanging from a pull-up bar and moving your body up from a straight arm position until your chin is over the bar, but they permit the use of a lot more momentum. Start each rep by swinging your legs to build up some speed, then violently pull yourself up.

Add in one or two days of isolation arm exercises each week, advises Pedro Quiros, owner of CrossFit thump. To make sure you have energy for your regular CrossFit workouts, it makes more sense to train your arms on a different day. Your session could consist of dumbbell curls, barbell curls, cable push-downs and close-grip bench presses, each performed for three to four sets of 10 to 12 reps.

Up your protein intake and start packing in the calories. You need these calories and protein, along with healthy carbs and fats, to build muscle mass. CrossFit endorses the Paleo, or caveman diet, meaning you'll be eating lots of chicken, steak, salmon, eggs, fruits, sweet potatoes, nuts and coconut.

Tips

Join a CrossFit gym or club when you get started. It is possible to follow the routines at home, but you may need help with some of the techniques. Most commercial gyms won't have the equipment needed for all the workouts either, so a CrossFit-specific gym is essential.

Warnings

Get clearance from your health care provider before starting your routine.