Fixing muscle imbalances

emmab0902

I am just getting into strength training, primarily for my swimming but also in general. I have noticed a significant difference in strength especially in the shoulders. For example, on my right side I can do only just over HALF of the external shoulder rotation exercises that I can on my left side - and I am right handed! To address this, should I focus on doing more reps on the weaker side, heavier weights or both?

Lifting_Knitter

Bump, curious what people say.

neacail

I was in similar condition. My physiotherapist had me working my weak side appropriately, but both sides the same. I didn't increase the weight or reps until my weak side was very close in strength to my strong side.

Kickinkim418

Hi there! I've been diagnosed with a SI joint/external hip rotator issue and from what my PT and Chiropractor both said, my right leg/hip is significantly weaker than my left side. My chiropractor suggested that I should focus on strengthening my right side over the left side. He said the issue isnt that I'm weak in my right side. It's just that my there is a muscle imbalance which caused my injury.

What I would suggest is that you stop doing exercises on your stronger side for a couple of weeks. Only do strength training on your weaker side for a couple weeks. Then test both sides again. Good luck!HTH!

GiddyupTim

I had knee surgery about a year ago and, as you might imagine, had some hypertrophy and strength imbalance in that leg when I started rehabilitating.
I have found that the discrepancy evens out naturally, over time, when you work out, with weights. I expect it is because the side that is weaker gets worked harder. But, I don't know.
I have sometimes done dumbbell work, and individual limb exercises, like lunges and step-ups, to make sure the stronger leg was not helping the weaker leg. But I don't think I have needed to do that.
The strength and size in my legs got pretty even fairly rapidly.