Right arm noticeably less tone than the right -- what to do?

brits111383

I am really excited to be lifting again, but my right arm is looking waaay better than my left. I have a feeling this will only get worse if I don't do something! I use free weights, so it's not like I'm compensating and redistributing weight -- perhaps my form on the left isn't as good? I'm hoping this is a common thing and I'm not some sort of freak in the works ... thoughts?

xraychick77

a lot of times we arent using the weights the same. meaning we arent being symmetrical or as you mentioned doing improper form on the weak side.

if you use free weights, use dumb bells so you know you are using the same weight. and watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you are doing the lift properly. eventually you may want to use barbells, or ez curl bars, and watch your form again so you know one side isnt lagging behind and if it is try to make sure you keep the bar even.

also, this could be a sign of other complementory muscles lacking. meaning your triceps, delts or pecs are weak or imbalanced.

or you could try lifting more weight on the weak side. to try to build more strength and catch up. you could also try the machines, as they force your body into a fixed position so you know you are doing 'proper' form. we all have a weak side. i am right handed, but my left seems to have more endurance, it can lift more reps at the same weight as my right. so i've switched to rope hammer curls, and i do the ez bar and the straight bar reverse curls. so i know i'm lifting the same weight for each side the same amount of times. if any of this made sense..

susanloveszumba

i am noticing the same thing!!!

Rayman79

I was hoping this thread was from a woman :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Most people have a dominant arm which is stronger than the other, the best thing to do is make sure you continue to do the same reps with the same weight on each arm. Always start with your non-dominant arm for any single arm exercises, and then do the same amount with your other arm. Your strength will build and even out over time.

petreebird

OP...let me guess, you're right handed?? We tend to use our dominate arm more than the other. It has always probably been slightly larger than your left but is just now becoming noticeable because you are toning up!! As another poster said...add a bit more weight to the left to start balancing it out.

SoulNeedsBeauty

my right atm is also more muscular. I play tennis and i'm right-handed, so that's mostly why. What i'm trying now is doing more curls for my left arm. some days i just do my left arm. I hope they get same size sometime soon!!!=)

lumberjacks94

If your right arm is noticeably less tone than the right, I would say use your right arm more than your right arm and everything should even out there.

brits111383

Thanks, all! It's a smart idea to start with my left hand! I'll also watch my form and perhaps bump up the weight if I can -- I already try to use the max weight I can, but I do have 1 lb gloves for kickboxing, so that might be a small enough increment to make a difference. I also have 5-lb leg weights for kickboxing that *might* not slide off on my wrists if I tighten then a lot, but 5 lbs is too much of a differential if I want to keep lifting by max -- some of the weight might be removable, though.