We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Needing help with strength gain for left arm

Crystal_Pistol
Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Situation:

My left arm is WEAK. I am doing dumbell presses to isolate it, but it keeps fatiguing so I don't know how much of a gain I am making. The strength discrepancy between my arms is HUGE. Pressing 20lbs per arm, can do 15+ reps with right (I always end up stopping so I don't end up with a tennis player one arm bigger problem-LOL), and can BARELY get to 8 with left. The 8th is UGLY!! Same thing with curls. I'm curling 15lbs per arm.

What advice do you have on increasing strength in the weak arm? Should I just continue at the same weight to wait for it to catch up with the right, work it more often than the right? Ideas?

Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated!!

Replies

  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Do you have lower weights so you can push the sets up in reps a bit? Or maybe just do more sets with the weak arm?

    When I injured my right arm I had to go all the way back down to 10lb weights. I did the same reps / weight with the left even though I knew it could do much more. It's taken about 2 months to get the right back up to where it was before I hurt it.
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    Yes, I have dumbells from 2lbs to 50lbs. So, take my R down to what my L can handle?
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Short answer:
    Stick to DB's, get your weak side to catch up and let weak side determine lb and rep ranges.

    See here for good reading:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/correcting-a-strength-imbalance-qa.html
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    So, take my R down to what my L can handle?

    Sadly, I think so.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    My left is stronger, mostly in the wrist for some reason.


    *ahem*
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    LOL at your crazy *kitten* Sidesteal.
  • stubsy1968
    stubsy1968 Posts: 165 Member
    My left is stronger, mostly in the wrist for some reason.


    *ahem*

    Same as my hubby - weird huh? :laugh:

    Kathy
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    So, take my R down to what my L can handle?

    Sadly, I think so.

    Yes.
This discussion has been closed.