Top 5 Biggest Biceps in the World
From Synthon Giants to Muscle Legends
In the world of bodybuilding and extreme physique enhancement, "biggest biceps" often refers to sheer circumference measurements, but it's a controversial topic. Many record holders achieved their massive sizes through synthol injections—a dangerous oil-based substance that inflates muscle appearance without building actual strength. This can lead to severe health risks like infections, tissue death, and even amputation. Natural bodybuilders, on the other hand, rely on years of intense training, nutrition, and sometimes performance-enhancing drugs. As of late 2025, Guinness no longer tracks this record due to verification issues, but based on verified claims and reports, here are the top 5 biggest biceps ever recorded. We'll cover how they got there and tips on sustaining such gains (with a strong emphasis on safety).
1. Moustafa Ismail – 31 Inches
Moustafa Ismail, often called the "Egyptian Popeye," holds the unofficial title for the largest biceps ever measured at a staggering 31 inches. Born in Egypt and now based in the US, Ismail earned a Guinness World Record in 2012, but it was later retired amid suspicions of synthol use. His arms are cartoonishly proportioned, drawing global attention.
How He Achieved It: Ismail claims his size comes from a high-protein diet (up to 7 pounds of chicken, steak, and fish daily) combined with rigorous weight training sessions lasting hours. However, experts widely believe synthol injections played a major role, as his arms lack the vascularity and definition of natural muscle. He started bodybuilding in his teens and moved to the US for better opportunities.
How to Sustain It: Ismail maintains his size through consistent heavy lifting (focusing on curls, pull-ups, and rows) and a calorie-surplus diet. For anyone inspired, sustainability means avoiding synthol—focus on progressive overload in training and balanced nutrition to prevent injury or deflation over time. Health risks from injections make this unsustainable long-term.
2. Romario Dos Santos Alves – 30 Inches
Brazilian bodybuilder Romario Dos Santos Alves, nicknamed the "Brazilian Hulk," boasts 30-inch arms filled with synthol, making him a close second. His journey from aspiring bodybuilder to viral sensation highlights the dark side of quick gains.
How He Achieved It: Starting in his early 20s, Alves injected synthol (a mix of oil, alcohol, and lidocaine) directly into his biceps and triceps for instant size. He combined this with steroids and intense gym sessions, but the injections were the primary driver. Unfortunately, this led to his muscles hardening into "rock-like" tissue, nearly requiring amputation.
How to Sustain It: Alves has since stopped injections and focuses on natural training to maintain what's left. Sustainability involves detoxing from enhancements, regular medical check-ups, and lighter weights to avoid further damage. For readers, true sustainability comes from natural methods: eat in a surplus (3,000-5,000 calories/day with high protein), train 4-5 days/week, and rest to allow recovery.
3. Arlindo De Souza – 29 Inches
Another Brazilian, Arlindo De Souza (also known as the "Brazilian Hulk"), claims 29-inch arms achieved through extreme measures. His story is a cautionary tale of obsession with size over health.
How He Achieved It: De Souza began injecting synthol in his late 20s, inspired by local gym culture. He mixed it with alcohol for cheaper results, leading to rapid inflation but also infections and pain. Prior to injections, he trained with weights, but synthol skyrocketed his measurements overnight.
How to Sustain It: After health scares, De Souza reduced injections and shifted to maintenance workouts like low-rep curls and a protein-rich diet. To sustain safely, prioritize natural growth: use compound exercises (deadlifts, chin-ups), track progress weekly, and incorporate mobility work to prevent imbalances.
4. Gregg Valentino – 28 Inches
Gregg Valentino, an American bodybuilder, is infamous for his 28-inch arms, which he openly admits were enhanced. His biceps "exploded" due to complications, making him a symbol of the risks involved.
How He Achieved It: Valentino used a cocktail of steroids, synthol, and intense training over decades. Starting in the 1970s, he built a base naturally before turning to injections for extra size. His arms peaked in the 1990s, but an infection caused one to burst, requiring surgery.
How to Sustain It: Post-incident, Valentino sustains through lighter training and clean eating, avoiding further enhancements. For longevity, focus on recovery: sleep 7-9 hours/night, use supplements like BCAAs, and periodize training (e.g., 8-12 weeks of bulking followed by maintenance).
5. Kirill Tereshin – 27 Inches (Peak)
Russian influencer Kirill Tereshin, dubbed "Russian Popeye" or "Bazooka Arms," reached around 27 inches through massive synthol use. His arms became a social media phenomenon but led to life-threatening issues.
How He Achieved It: In his early 20s, Tereshin injected homemade synthol mixtures repeatedly, ignoring warnings. He started with basic workouts but relied on injections for the balloon-like effect, gaining millions of followers online.
How to Sustain It: Tereshin underwent surgeries to remove dead tissue (over 3 pounds) and now maintains with minimal training. Sustainability requires quitting injections entirely; instead, build naturally with progressive routines (e.g., 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps on bicep exercises) and monitor for overtraining.
Legendary Biceps in Bodybuilding: Visual Highlights
Here are some impressive photos showcasing the biggest and most iconic biceps from the bodybuilders we discussed:
Roelly Winklaar – Massive, peaked arms
Ronnie Coleman – The King's monster guns
Big Ramy (Mamdouh Elssbiay) – Giant proportions
Phil Heath – Perfect peaks and symmetry
Arnold Schwarzenegger – The classic iconic peak
Markus Rühl – Freaky mass
These images capture the incredible arm development that has inspired generations in bodybuilding!
While these titans push human limits, most relied on unsafe methods. For natural growth, train biceps 2-3 times/week with exercises like barbell curls, hammer curls, and concentration curls. Aim for 1.6-2.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight, stay hydrated, and track measurements monthly. Sustainability is about consistency—avoid shortcuts, listen to your body, and consult professionals to prevent injury. Remember, health trumps size every time.
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