Balance out over time?

mcwilliams

Ok well I've started going gym alot and I've noticed that my right arm and right pec are bugger than the equivalent on my left side.

No huge difference but it is noticeable when you stop and examine. I was just wondering if this just balances out over time or should I start doing alot more on my left?

Thanks guys

colman1212

I'd try and get this sorted asap before you progress really. I had this problem about a year ago and never took any notice. After doing a session with a physio and a strength and conditioning coach recently they pointed out that my right pec was quite a bit larger then my left. I hadnt noticed but when I looked at it properly there is a considerable difference

I can currently bench about 90kgs but if I go any higher my left side is able for it but my right side isnt and it causes my arm to come in on my right side and totally messes up my bench. This can in turn lead to other imbalance in your upper back, shoulder etc.

The S & C coach is working out a program for me to sort this out but it means taking a step back from barbell benching for a while....

mcwilliams

So you'd recommend consulting someone about this and not going any further?

colman1212

Yeah even have a chat to one of the coaches in they gym about it, they'll be able to help you out. Its not a major issue or anything but just something you shouldnt ignore longterm. Working with dumbells as opposed to barbells can help.

Lantus

As per above poster would agree that DB's are the way forward for a good proportion of your sets. Why?

You have to work each arm individually while a BB allows the strong arm to compensate for the weak.

Sea Sharp

I've got a similar problem but it's in my lower back & glutes. The left is stronger than the right.
Doing exercises that involve both arms or both legs will only make the problem worse. You need to work the left and right individually. It's a pain in the a$$ [no pun intended] and it seriously halts progress.

Edwardius

Lantus wrote: »

You have to work each arm individually while a BB allows the strong arm to compensate for the weak.

Let's think about this for a minute. Let's imagine your left side is weaker than your right side. On a limit rep on the press or bench, if your right arm exerts more force on the barbell then it'll rise unevenly and tilt to the left making the left side actually work harder if the rep is to be completed.

Now a smith machine might be a different story but with a barbell the force exerted on each side of the barbell must be equal to make it rise evenly (unless of course your grip is uneven).

arybvtcw0eolkf

You'll catch up, having an uneven muscle imbalance or strength difference is very common with newbies to weight training.

Benching with a barbell won't make the slightest bit of different to your development, however if it makes you feel better just bench with dumbells.

Red Cortina

I started strength training with a PT about a year and a half ago. When I started, my left side was definitely weaker than my right side. When you are doing unilateral work you always work the weaker side first. What ever weight you can lift for whatever number of reps on the weaker side must be replicated on the stronger side. So for example if you can do a single arm DB push press with 8kgs for only 8reps on the left side then when it comes to working the right side you use the 8kg DB and only do 8 reps, even if you are able to do more than that. I think that any imbalances will eventually work themselves out, at least they have for me anyway:)