Next to six-pack abs, the one muscle group that almost every man and woman wants the most is arms. So, instead of boring you with a ton of arm-training physiology and long words like capillarization and coracobrachialis (yawn), and instead of giving you a single arm routine (gets old too fast), I'm going to skip the science and theory and go straight to the good stuff!
I am simply going to give you a master list—an "anthology"—of the most result-producing arm routines in bodybuilding history!
Here's how I compiled this list: I went back into my old training journals looking for 5-star workouts. What's a 5-star workout? It's simply part of my Workout Rating System. I rate the productivity and intensity of all my workouts on a scale from 1-10 and log it in my training journal. After a training cycle of at least 4-6 workouts, I also rate the routine itself on a scale from 1-5. My ultimate goal is to have 10 workouts using 5-star routines!
If a new routine ranks a 1 or 2, it gets tossed into the garbage immediately. If it ranks a 3 or 4 it goes back onto the drawing board and I rework it to see if it can be modified and boosted to a 5. If the second variation doesn't get a 5, goodbye, it's dumped into the trash bin too.
If it ranks a 5, then the program goes into my book of 5-star workouts and I come back to it many times over the years when I need arm specialization. For a routine to make it into my 5-star workout book, it has to be a tested and proven growth producer.
I can't take credit for inventing most of these routines—they were inspired by or borrowed from some of the best trainers and bodybuilders in history, and I will give the credit where it's due.
Most of these programs will surely make your arms as strong as they are going to look, but make no mistake—this is a collection of bodybuildingroutines. If you're hung up exclusively on functionality, you can just skip this info (and go back to your medicine balls, bungee cords and wobble boards). If, on the other hand, you want a set of biceps and triceps that make you look good sleeveless, then this is going to be the most exciting training article you have ever read!
Now, a few important details before you start.

TRAINING FREQUENCY

I recommend repeating these routines no more than twice per week and no less than once per week. Your frequency depends on the split routine you're using. For most of these programs, I recommend a 3- or 4-day split with a two-on/one-off schedule.
If you feel you need more recovery, use a two-on/one-off, one-on/one-off, or even an every other day routine. Just make sure you hit your arms at least once per week.

TEMPO

Tempo is the speed of your repetitions. Tempo is noted in several of these routines with a 4-count prescription. For example, a 4020 tempo is performed as follows:
  • Eccentric (negative/lowering the weight) 4
  • Stretch/Pause between eccentric and concentric 0
  • Concentric (positive/lifting the weight) 2
  • Contraction/pause between concentric and eccentric 0
If tempo is not noted, then you should simply use a "controlled tempo" with the eccentric (lowering weight) slightly slower than the concentric (lifting weight).

PROGRESSION

These routines must be performed with diligent progression from one workout to the next. You must add weight with every workout. Because the arms are a small body part, you may need to use "micro-loading," which simply means you patiently increase the weight every workout, but in small increments.
For example, most clubs have dumbbells with 5-pound jumps in weight. I like to use 1.25-pound "plate mates" which are magnetic mini weights you can stick on the ends of each dumbbell (they work for barbells too), allowing you to increase in small, 2.5-pound increments (effectively giving you a 22.5-pound dumbbell, etc).

ANTAGONIST PAIR SUPERSETS

Supersets are an extremely effective technique for arm training. An antagonistic superset for arms is the pairing of a biceps and triceps exercise with little or no rest between exercises.
Antagonistic supersets are noted with A1 and A2, with A1 being the first exercise, and A2 being the second exercise with no rest in between (if the two exercises were performed in straight set fashion, they would be noted as A1 and B1; three exercises A1, B1, C1, etc)

SAME MUSCLE GROUP SUPERSETS

Same muscle group supersets are self-explanatory: Two exercises for the same muscle are performed back to back with no rest in between. They are written the same way as antagonistic supersets. For example, A1 is first biceps exercise in superset, A2 is second biceps exercise in superset (no rest between A1 and A2, then regular rest interval after A2 before repeating superset).
Personally, I believe same muscle group supersets are better than antagonistic supersets for bodybuilding purposes (arm size), while antagonistic supersets are better for strength. I recommend using both.

TRISETS

A triset is three exercises for the same muscle group performed one after another with little or no rest in between. Trisets are a step beyond supersets in intensity and difficulty, allowing you to perform a large volume of work in a short period of time.
Trisets are a superb method for bodybuilding—especially for arm training. Many great bodybuilders such as Larry Scott and trainers such as Vince Gironda have promoted the use of trisets and supersets almost exclusively for arm specialization. Why? Because they work! (Trisets are noted as A1, A2, A3).