world records & unbelievable-facts

Don't tell Popeye. It turns out you don't need to eat your spinach to get the world's biggest arms.

Massachusetts bodybuilder Moustafa Ismail eats seven pounds of protein, nine pounds of carbohydrates and three gallons of water each day to help maintain upper arms that measure 31 inches around — as big as a small man's waist.

Skeptics say there must also be steroids or some other artificial means behind Ismail's beyond-bulging biceps and triceps, and Guinness World Records is wavering on whether to recognize him.

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Egyptian Body builder: Moustafa Ismail lifts free weights during his daily workout at World Gym in Milford, Massachussettes - his biceps measure 31 inches

Workout: Ismail has been given the title of world's biggest arms, biceps and triceps, by the Guinness Book of World Records. He can lift up to 600 pounds

Diet: Moustafa Ismail eats lunch at his favorite Mexican restaurant after his daily workout. He eats generous amounts of poultry, seafood, beef and protein shakes - but no spinach

But he insists they are all-natural, the result of a punishing workout regimen he started after a guest at his uncle's wedding in his native Egypt mocked his overweight frame.

'They call me Popeye, the Egyptian Popeye,' Ismail, 24, said while working out in the Boston suburb of Milford. But unlike the cartoon character, 'I like chicken, beef, anything but spinach.'

It's not easy having the world's biggest arms.

Generous amounts of poultry, seafood and shakes provide the protein he needs to fuel daily two-hour workouts in which he lifts as much as 600 pounds. He also takes mineral and vitamin supplements and drinks plenty of water to flush out his system.

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Then there's clothes shopping. The rest of Ismail's body is average, so it's a challenge finding shirts that fit his arms without making him look like a little kid playing dress-up.

Not to mention the controversy that ensued when Guinness decided to recognize him as having the largest upper arm muscles on earth and critics accused him of using steroids or other artificial methods.

He lost a night of sleep but then decided the criticism 'is motivation for me — it's not something that's gonna put me down.'

Give us a lift: Model Jessica Jerrard gets a lift from Moustafa Ismail, 24, who has the largest biceps in the world

Dedication: Ismail started building his muscles in his Egyptian hometown of Alexandria before moving to the United States in 2007 and settling in Franklin, southwest of Boston

'They call me Popeye, the Egyptian Popeye,' Ismail, 24, said while working out in the Boston suburb of Milford. But unlike the cartoon character, 'I like chicken, beef, anything but spinach'

Mr Ismail says he began bodybuilding to get fit and realised he enjoyed his arms getting bigger as he received more and more compliments

Ismail started building his muscles in his Egyptian hometown of Alexandria before moving to the United States in 2007 and settling in Franklin, southwest of Boston. 

To pay for his gym membership and dietary requirements, he worked two jobs as a gas station attendant, but gave up one after his wife complained that he was pushing himself too hard.

Then Guinness called last Fall, offering him an all-expenses-paid trip to London for a signature appearance with the world's shortest woman and others.

He went, but then the controversy started. Strangers claimed online that he used steroids or had implants in his arms. 

Others speculated that he might have injected his muscles with a synthetic oil substance, synthol, used by bodybuilders to fluff muscle tissues.

'It is hurtful,' Ismail said, noting that he has no scars that would have resulted from surgery and that supporting a wife in the U.S. and family members in Egypt doesn't leave him with spare cash to buy pricey synthetic oils.

He even went to Tokyo to appear in a Fuji TV documentary program in which independent doctors collected blood samples and X-rayed his muscles. They found nothing abnormal, he said.

Still, Guinness hastily removed references to Ismail from its website. Spokeswoman Sara Wilcox said in October that Guinness was conducting research with medical specialists and reviewing Ismail's category. 

She did not respond to emailed questions later seeking details about when Guinness would conclude the review and what it entails.

Some fellow amateur bodybuilders at his gym, however, support Ismail and say they believe his arms are natural.

'When I first saw him I thought "Oh my God, he's a freak" — the big Popeye arms, he's incredible, but he works out hard, so good luck to him,' said Janice Vincuilla.

Ismail has lifted as much as 600 pounds but said he doesn't typically focus on how much weight he is hoisting.

'It's not about me lifting heavy weights,' he said. 'It's about me making the right techniques, even with the light weights, but getting good results out of that.'

Namesake: But unlike the original Popeye (right) 'Big Mo' says he hates spinach, preferring his high protein, high carbohydrate diet. He can now lift an incredible 600lbs

He has a daily exercise regime of 5am until 8am during which he concentrates on cardio, strength-training and body sculpting, using heavy and light isolated weights.

'Working out makes my mood better. You’re just focusing. 

'And I like that in this type of sport you can see your improvement in your shape,' he says.

'I know they are growing, my chest, my shoulders, my arms. I love weights.