The Bicep Muscle as an Image of Power
The bicep muscle is the predominant representation of strength and power in today’s society that highly values ones image and appearance. It is the muscle all men would choose to show off without even contemplating when the opportunity presents itself. It seems almost like a natural reaction to clench your hand in a fist and flex your elbow if you wanted to boast about your masculinity. Thousands of people spend hours at the gym trying to find the best bicep workout that will help them build a massive arm to impress others. But what is so special about this specific muscle that seems to appeal to so many?
The answer lies right in front of our eyes and it is actually quite simple when you think about it. What part of our body do we use most often each and every day? You can clearly argue that the arms and legs are utilized in every facet of our daily lives. However, the arms are the most visible because they are closer to our faces which are the focus points of our eyes when we interact with others. To go along with the idea of interaction, we definitely use our hands and arms more often when we are in a social environment. These physical interactions range from handshakes to high fives and even a simple pat on the back. That is why someone who has a firm handshake appears to be more confident, dominant, and in control.
Therefore, the hands and arms are an almost subtle symbol of one’s strength and power. Since the bicep muscle is the largest muscle on your arms, this in turn makes them the symbol of brawn and manliness. This concept appears to be embedded subconsciously in the social mindset and has been firmly established over the thousands of years of human evolution.