Finding the Right Arm Machine
Biceps and triceps sit on opposite sides of the upper arm and respond to different movements. Each has its own page below with the specific buying criteria that apply to it.
Bicep Curl Machines
Bicep curl machines guide the arm through a fixed curling path, and some also handle triceps from the same station. See the Bicep Curl Machines page for the difference between selectorized and plate loaded resistance, and standalone versus combo units.
Tricep Machines
Tricep machines cover a few genuinely different movements, overhead extension, pushdown, and assisted dip, each loading the muscle from a different angle. See the Tricep Machines page for how those movements compare and when a dip machine makes more sense than a dedicated extension machine.
Free Weight Support Equipment
Some arm equipment isn't a resistance machine at all, like a preacher curl bench or a fixed curl bar set, which support free weight training rather than providing their own adjustable resistance. These are worth having alongside machines rather than instead of them.
Arm Machine FAQs
The questions people usually have when building out an arm training area.
Should I get separate bicep and tricep machines, or a combo unit?
A combo unit saves floor space and matches how most arm-day routines are structured. Separate machines make more sense in a larger facility where you want members training both muscle groups at the same time rather than sharing one station.
Do I need machines if I already have free weight curl equipment?
Machines and free weight support equipment serve different purposes. A machine isolates the muscle with a fixed path and adjustable resistance built in. A preacher bench or fixed bar set supports free weight training, which adds a stabilizer demand a machine doesn't. Most programs benefit from having both available.
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