Does anyone else have a stronger side

lady_ghost
lady_ghost Posts: 175 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm struggling with my left side it's just weaker than my right. How do I fix this? I try working out more on my weaker side but still my soreness the next day is always on my right and my right side looks more toned. I'm talking arms butt and thighs.

Replies

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I think everyone will have a naturally dominant side, and a side that fatigues more quickly.

    For exercises where I have an option of working sides individually, say dumbbell bicep curls, I'll start with the weak side and work to that side (so stop when that side is completely fatigued, use weights that suit that side etc). I'm not sure if that's the right way to go about things, but I think it would help with symmetry?
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    edited January 2017
    Everyone does. It's really noticable in rank beginner lifters. I just keep hitting both sides as evenly as possible when lifting. It will eventually balance out, but it takes time. Most of us spend a lifetime using the hell out of our dominant side, even when we don't realize it. It takes a while to counteract that.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    I'm right hand dominant, but stronger on my left side. As said above, you can balance out, but it takes time.
  • bionicdiver
    bionicdiver Posts: 198 Member
    If you have integrated weights into your workouts, i recommend the use of dumbbells. They tend to allow the weak side to 'catch up' with the strong side. At least, that is my experience.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Another vote for dumbbells. I used to experience my right side as stronger, but no longer.

    During yoga, I experience my left side as more flexible.
  • AmandaDanceMore
    AmandaDanceMore Posts: 298 Member
    Yep. Everyone will have a dominant side and it will show up in different ways. My balance is better one side than the other. I'm also extremely tight in my upper back and it pulls me a little crooked. The issues is on my left side, through my left scapula. I try to work things evenly, not focus more on one side than the other, and for yoga and my dancing, I try to stay very aware of where my body is and try to correct when I get out of alignment. Definitely helps.
  • firef1y72
    firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
    edited January 2017
    \Although I'm left-handed my left arm is definitely weaker than my right, to the point where I can feel the imbalance when benching, OHP and deadlifting. Not much I can do I guess other than work at strengthening it, so I still do all those lifts plus I do dumbell presses (overhead, flat/incline bench) so that arm/shoulder is doing the work without my stronger side over-compensating.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Definitely my left is weaker. I use freeweights and am currently not adding more to the right until the left catches up. Also, do your lifting in front of a mirror and focus on form.
  • robdowns1300
    robdowns1300 Posts: 152 Member
    I use mostly free weights. I grip the bar just a little off center til it feels right.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Everyone has a dominant side. Try single leg squats and lunges with dumbbells. Same weight both sides, so the weaker side sets the limit. You don't want to encourage further imbalance by favoring the dominant side even more, which can lead to injuries and other problems.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    I'm very right-hand dominant, and I've had multiple injuries/surgeries on my left side (hip, knee, ankle). I concentrate on symmetry in my exercises as much as possible-- trying not to favor one side or the other. I want my left to work as hard as my right, and because I don't want my right to do all the work and my left to get weak. Swimming works wonders!
  • SeagalDeeDee
    SeagalDeeDee Posts: 153 Member
    Same. Left side due to injuries and some sciatica pain is just slowing me down
  • H_Ock12
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
    I have a dominant side and a weaker, lop-sided side from having scoliosis and dislocating my sternum. I have always made both sides do the same weight and reps and over time, the weaker side gets stronger. I would definitely recommend using dumbbells to isolate the weaker side and not allow the stronger side to compensate.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    I have scoliosis, and my non-dominant side is also the side that ends up on the short side of my curvature. Thanks to the twist in my back/hips there are some moves/lifts I even have difficulty performing or performing through the full ROM (step ups, one-arm rows).

    I train mainly with dumbbells, and always start with my left side and let whatever that side can do dictate what my "strong" side does. I have been lifting for two years and show no sign of evening out in terms of strength on both sides of my body. I'm not sure, due to the scoliosis, that I will.
  • lady_ghost
    lady_ghost Posts: 175 Member
    successgal1 wrote: »
    Definitely my left is weaker. I use freeweights and am currently not adding more to the right until the left catches up. Also, do your lifting in front of a mirror and focus on form.

    I use weights I should use my fill length mirror. My form is better on my right because it's stronger on my left it just feels off. Thanks for advice
  • Cylphin60
    Cylphin60 Posts: 863 Member
    Another vote for dumbbells and proper form.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories