The brachialis is a muscle located in your upper arm, specifically situated beneath the biceps muscle. Its primary role is to flex the elbow, which is the action of bending the arm at the elbow joint. Unlike the biceps, which can also rotate your forearm, the brachialis exclusively focuses on this flexion. This muscle starts from the lower half of the front of your humerus, which is the long bone in your upper arm, and it attaches to the ulna, one of the main bones in the forearm.
The brachialis is an important muscle for arm strength because it provides a significant amount of the force needed to bend the elbow. Because of its position and function, strengthening the brachialis can enhance the overall appearance of your upper arms and contribute to better performance in activities that require elbow flexion, such as lifting weights or performing certain sports activities.
To specifically target and strengthen the brachialis, exercises that focus on elbow flexion with a neutral or pronated grip (where the palms face down or towards the body) can be particularly effective. This includes exercises like hammer curls and reverse curls. These exercises help in building a more defined arm and supporting the biceps for more comprehensive arm strength and development.
In summary, the brachialis is a key muscle in the upper arm that assists in powerful elbow bending motions. Focusing on this muscle during workouts can enhance arm strength and contribute to a more muscular and toned appearance of the arms.