Interview With A Muscle (Myology)

c. Good evening Biceps Brachii. Thank you for taking time out of your busy flexing schedule to talk with me.

BB: My pleasure, c. My pleasure.

c. First I wanted to get your take on the rumors out there that your rival (who should be your friend), Brachialis, is indeed, the strongest flexor of the elbow.

BB: Hey, just because he lies deeper than me and flexes the dang elbow in all positions, does not make him stronger. Ok, stronger. But not as important. Afterall, I am the one with 2, count them, 2, heads. And pass over 3 joints. And don't forget, I not only flex the elbow, but the arm too, due to where my long head originates.

c. ok, ok, don't get so defensive. Speaking of origins, can you tell me a bit about your roots, where your from, etc?

BB: Well, starting with my short head, I originate at the Caracoid Process of the Scapula. Most people can't pronounce that place. My long head originates just over in the next town at the Supraglenoid Tubricle of the Scapula. We both however, insert at the Radial Tuberosity which is how we cover 3 joints. Brachialis by the way, can not participate in supination or pronation of the forearm because it does NOT insert on the Radius. Or for that matter, wrap around the medial ulna, allowing me to supinate the forearm.

c. Ok, I'm bored with all that technical talk. Lets go back to another rumor I heard. Is it true your love for body builders is greater than powerlifters?

BB: Of course. I won't hide that fact. BodyBuilders are obsessed with elbow flexing and piling on the weight with insane amounts of reps. When I am fully ripped, you can see the split between my heads. Powerlifters never bother to work their Biceps Brachii or, as you call them, my other friends, Brachialis and even that little guy Brachioradialis which lies on the lateral Supracondylar Ridge of the Humerus, and inserts at the Styloid Process of the Radius.

c. Going out a limb here, but maybe powerlifters don't bother much with their Bicep Brachii because their main concern is squatting, benching and deadlifting. Neither of those lifts require any real Brachii strength or elbow flexion.

BB: Point taken, but.....you powerlifters spend so much time training my opposing muscle, Tricep Brachii and Alconeus, for a strong bench, that the muscle tends to get shortened and can cause problems.

c. No comment.

BB: Your not allowed "no comment". Your interviewing ME.

c. Sorry. Sore subject with me right now. What then is your advice for our readers?

BB: You seem to be wrapping this up awfully fast. You must have reached your "1 page" mark. I would ask everyone to think of me as their strongest, I'm sorry...most important, elbow flexor. And to not neglect strengthening me. Whether you are lifting up a small baby, raising a cup of coffee to your lips, flexing on stage, or deadlifting 300lbs, I am there, and helping, to some degree.

c. Thank you Biceps Brachii for taking the time to educate us.

c.