Do you even lift, bro?

tgmichelleee

Oh you do?
Then help a sista out


2 words: Muscle imbalance...



So I recently started lifting and I realized that my right arm is stronger than my left; my left leg is stronger than my right; and the right half of my back (and abs) is stronger than the left... other than affecting size, this does affect how I lift (obviously) and though I'm trying to lead more with the weaker side, I can't help but wonder if I can be doing more.
How should I go about fixing this?


I assume the answer will be somewhere along the lines of drop weight or do more reps on one side? But then the question is, am I stuck at the weight I'm at until the issue is resolved or can I add more weights and sort of fix as I go?


As background info, the lifts I'm doing right now are deadlift, squat, benchpress, overhead press, machine pull downs, and machine rows. Currently not doing anything with free weights or any accessory lifts

Thanks in advance

Fitteacherc

I have balance issues as well - my left side is stronger than my right side. This has a huge impact on the mechanics of my lifts (especially my squat). Although I can do a back squat, I've been spending a lot of time working on weighted step ups, lunges, and front squats. While I do these exercises, I pay particular attention to my form. I can definitely tell I'm getting stronger on my right side. Also, part of the issue is the neurological connections your brain has with muscle tissue on your 'weak side'. Is it possible for you to get an experienced powerlifting coach for 1-2 sessions? They should be able to diagnose the issue and give you exercises.

LolBroScience

Unilateral work

JTick

What equipment are you doing those lifts with? You say you don't use free weights....does this mean they're on the smith machine?

Hadabetter

If you use machines, you need to either use the machines with one arm at a time, or use machines in which each arm is pulling its own weight, so to speak (working independently).

tgmichelleee

@fitteacherc yea I'm trying to make more neurological connections by using the weaker side more often (pretty tough, never noticed how much I used my right side for everything lol). As to can I get a coach... I've actually been debating that. I would not like to if I don't have to because of budget, but at the same time I can if I had to I can

@JTick for the other ones barbell. I guess that does technically count as free weights too doesn't it? oops lol

@hadabetter and broscience, should I do that until they're evened out or just as an accessory to what I'm doing and eventually they even out?

tgmichelleee

Thanks everyone for replying by the way

JTick

tgmichelleee wrote: »

@fitteacherc yea I'm trying to make more neurological connections by using the weaker side more often (pretty tough, never noticed how much I used my right side for everything lol). As to can I get a coach... I've actually been debating that. I would not like to if I don't have to because of budget, but at the same time I can if I had to I can

@JTick for the other ones barbell. I guess that does technically count as free weights too doesn't it? oops lol

@hadabetter and broscience, should I do that until they're evened out or just as an accessory to what I'm doing and eventually they even out?

Then I would suggest maybe adding some accessory work with dumbbells. Dumbbells make each side of your body work on its own, especially upper body, and can help even out weaknesses in the body.

LolBroScience

JTick wrote: »

tgmichelleee wrote: »

@fitteacherc yea I'm trying to make more neurological connections by using the weaker side more often (pretty tough, never noticed how much I used my right side for everything lol). As to can I get a coach... I've actually been debating that. I would not like to if I don't have to because of budget, but at the same time I can if I had to I can

@JTick for the other ones barbell. I guess that does technically count as free weights too doesn't it? oops lol

@hadabetter and broscience, should I do that until they're evened out or just as an accessory to what I'm doing and eventually they even out?

Then I would suggest maybe adding some accessory work with dumbbells. Dumbbells make each side of your body work on its own, especially upper body, and can help even out weaknesses in the body.

Yes

tgmichelleee

cool cool, thanks guys

SnuggleSmacks

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Oh you do?
Then help a sista out


2 words: Muscle imbalance...



So I recently started lifting and I realized that my right arm is stronger than my left; my left leg is stronger than my right; and the right half of my back (and abs) is stronger than the left... other than affecting size, this does affect how I lift (obviously) and though I'm trying to lead more with the weaker side, I can't help but wonder if I can be doing more.
How should I go about fixing this?


I assume the answer will be somewhere along the lines of drop weight or do more reps on one side? But then the question is, am I stuck at the weight I'm at until the issue is resolved or can I add more weights and sort of fix as I go?


As background info, the lifts I'm doing right now are deadlift, squat, benchpress, overhead press, machine pull downs, and machine rows. Currently not doing anything with free weights or any accessory lifts

Thanks in advance

The advice I read advised to do exercises which separate the sides...like various dumbbell exercises for arms, single-leg squats and lunges for legs, etc. Start with the weak side, and do them til failure...then do the strong side, but only do as many as you finished on the weak side. This will allow your weak side to catch up before enhancing your strong side.

PwrLftr82

SnuggleSmacks wrote: »

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Oh you do?
Then help a sista out


2 words: Muscle imbalance...



So I recently started lifting and I realized that my right arm is stronger than my left; my left leg is stronger than my right; and the right half of my back (and abs) is stronger than the left... other than affecting size, this does affect how I lift (obviously) and though I'm trying to lead more with the weaker side, I can't help but wonder if I can be doing more.
How should I go about fixing this?


I assume the answer will be somewhere along the lines of drop weight or do more reps on one side? But then the question is, am I stuck at the weight I'm at until the issue is resolved or can I add more weights and sort of fix as I go?


As background info, the lifts I'm doing right now are deadlift, squat, benchpress, overhead press, machine pull downs, and machine rows. Currently not doing anything with free weights or any accessory lifts

Thanks in advance

The advice I read advised to do exercises which separate the sides...like various dumbbell exercises for arms, single-leg squats and lunges for legs, etc. Start with the weak side, and do them til failure...then do the strong side, but only do as many as you finished on the weak side. This will allow your weak side to catch up before enhancing your strong side.

Yes--this is excellent advice.

SteveJWatson

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Thanks everyone for replying by the way

Everybody does seem to have been remarkably helpful and skirted the obvious onanism innuendo that the image in the OP seems to provoke.....

PwrLftr82

SteveJWatson wrote: »

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Thanks everyone for replying by the way

Everybody does seem to have been remarkably helpful and skirted the obvious onanism innuendo that the image in the OP seems to provoke.....

Well, I'm left-handed

LolBroScience

PwrLftr82 wrote: »

SteveJWatson wrote: »

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Thanks everyone for replying by the way

Everybody does seem to have been remarkably helpful and skirted the obvious onanism innuendo that the image in the OP seems to provoke.....

Well, I'm left-handed

I swit....

CoolBeans520

It's natural for one side to be stronger than the other it will get better over time. Just keep doing those compound workouts(It will also give a crazy strong core!).

tgmichelleee

SteveJWatson wrote: »

tgmichelleee wrote: »

Thanks everyone for replying by the way

Everybody does seem to have been remarkably helpful and skirted the obvious onanism innuendo that the image in the OP seems to provoke.....

tgmichelleee

CoolBeans520 wrote: »

It's natural for one side to be stronger than the other it will get better over time. Just keep doing those compound workouts(It will also give a crazy strong core!).

thanks

devenfuentes

If your imbalance is substantial, maybe go see a chiropractor and see if they can re align you. Other than that, one side of the body is normally weaker than the other