Weight training questions

a0akley
a0akley Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi oh wise mfp friends. I have a couple of questions, I am new to weight training and LOVING it. I started a 3 day per week full body program and I am lifting heavier than I ever thought I would. I have new muscle definition and feel strong. It's been 5 weeks. My questions are:
1) I have gained 4 lbs but my measurements are exactly the same..... does that mean I have gained muscle if I am heavier but same size?
2) Is it normal to have one bicep that looks/feels stronger than the other and any tips to even them out?

Thanks. I am 5'4" and 144 lbs if that is useful .

=)

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    1. you hold onto more water in your muscles when you lift
    2. it would be normal that your dominant arm would be stronger
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Congrats on starting strength training!

    1. No you would not have gained 4lbs of muscle in 5 wks. Unlikely you've gained more than 1lbs. It's most likely a combo of water retention and fat. Women can not build muscle that quickly. Think maybe .5 lbs per month is the number for women. It's pretty low.
    2. Yes. We all have that one side that is stronger/dominant. My left arm looks more defined than my right. Yet, oddly, my right arm is actually stronger in some areas (when my shoulder injury isn't involved).
  • JanTee19
    JanTee19 Posts: 3 Member
    1. Dont dwell too much on weight. Take weekly progress pics. Try and take them first thing in the morn and use one of the pic collage apps to compare.

    2. Yes, my right hand side is def more dominant than my left.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    As others said, it's not possible that you gained 4 lbs of muscle in 5 weeks, and water weight is the likely culprit.
    As far as being dominant on one side, in response to your question about evening out, if you're doing any isolation exercises, make sure you exercise your non-dominant/strong side first. Then only do that number of reps on your stronger side, even if you feel like you could do more.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Congratulations on starting to lift weights.

    First thing any woman should do if they start lifting is throw out the scale. ;)

    Everyone has a weak side. Just continue to put weight on the bar and don't worry about it.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    edited December 2016
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    1. you hold onto more water in your muscles when you lift
    2. it would be normal that your dominant arm would be stronger

    This, except I found after having 3 babies my NON-dominant arm was stronger. I'd hold babies with my left so I could do things (cook, open doors, help another kid, etc) with my right. To even them out keep lifting the same weight and the same reps on both sides. I actually do a lot more dumbbell work than some people due to the unevenness.
  • Lindsey_Ross
    Lindsey_Ross Posts: 17 Member
    BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    1. you hold onto more water in your muscles when you lift
    2. it would be normal that your dominant arm would be stronger

    This, except I found after having 3 babies my NON-dominant arm was stronger. I'd hold babies with my left so I could do things (cook, open doors, help another kid, etc) with my right. To even them out keep lifting the same weight and the same reps on both sides. I actually do a lot more dumbbell work than some people due to the unevenness.

    So... In other words you COULD even it out by having three babies. :)

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