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Muscle imbalances/asymmetry

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enwar3

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I've asked this question before and was told to just make sure I'm doing the same thing for both sides, switch to dumbbells if necessary, and it'll eventually even itself out.

The thing is, it's been over a year and it hasn't evened itself out. I've been using dumbbells for a while now. Actually, I'd say if anything, the asymmetry is even more obvious. My left chest, trap, and shoulder are all noticeably bigger, even though I'm using the same amount of weight on both sides.

Could this be a form issue (emphasizing different body parts on each side of the body)? Should I step back in weight and watch my form more? Is it time to move to isolateral exercises and just do more sets for the lagging side? I know humans are not symmetrical but still, it's something I'd like to try to fix.
 
Post a video of your form of various exercises but it probably won't be detailed enough to see unless it's quite obvious.

It may take over a year mate.

The right side of my back is noticeably more muscular then my left. Why? 12yrs of Tennis and serving hard with my right hand, I started to correct it when I was 16 when I started weightlifting. It's even in terms of muscular strength but not in aesthetic. It does look 'more even' but it isn't even due to 12yrs of Tennis.

How is it in terms of strength compared to your right side?

Koing
 
Originally posted by: Koing
Post a video of your form of various exercises but it probably won't be detailed enough to see unless it's quite obvious.

It may take over a year mate.

The right side of my back is noticeably more muscular then my left. Why? 12yrs of Tennis and serving hard with my right hand, I started to correct it when I was 16 when I started weightlifting. It's even in terms of muscular strength but not in aesthetic. It does look 'more even' but it isn't even due to 12yrs of Tennis.

How is it in terms of strength compared to your right side?

Koing
Click to expand...

Depends, but I think on most exercises my left side (bigger side) is actually weaker. At least, I can complete more sets with "good form" with my right side. For example, I can isolate my right lat much better than on my left side, and I can complete more reps with good form on my right side. Is is possible that struggling with form is carrying over to other muscles?

For example, when I do lateral raises for my shoulder I'm definitely better at isolating my right shoulder, whereas I think my left side gives out early so I use my traps more.

How did you start to correct your imbalance? You mention you did but you don't mention how. I'd love some advice =)
 
What do you guys think of actually avoiding dumbbells to help even things out? If for example the OP switches over to barbell curls, then as soon as his left arm gives out he's done. That way his right arm won't continue to outstrip the left. I had the same problem and it seemed to go away when i stopped doing any bicep isolation exercises and did pull-ups and inverted rows instead. After a couple months of that I tried doing a set of bicep dumbbells and it turned out my strength had evened out a lot.

Otherwise if doing dumbbells, always start with the left arm so the left will fail before you do the corresponding set with the right arm, and then only do the same amount of sets with the right arm that you were able to do with the left.
 
Originally posted by: enwar3
Originally posted by: Koing
Post a video of your form of various exercises but it probably won't be detailed enough to see unless it's quite obvious.

It may take over a year mate.

The right side of my back is noticeably more muscular then my left. Why? 12yrs of Tennis and serving hard with my right hand, I started to correct it when I was 16 when I started weightlifting. It's even in terms of muscular strength but not in aesthetic. It does look 'more even' but it isn't even due to 12yrs of Tennis.

How is it in terms of strength compared to your right side?

Koing
Click to expand...

Depends, but I think on most exercises my left side (bigger side) is actually weaker. At least, I can complete more sets with "good form" with my right side. For example, I can isolate my right lat much better than on my left side, and I can complete more reps with good form on my right side. Is is possible that struggling with form is carrying over to other muscles?

For example, when I do lateral raises for my shoulder I'm definitely better at isolating my right shoulder, whereas I think my left side gives out early so I use my traps more.

How did you start to correct your imbalance? You mention you did but you don't mention how. I'd love some advice =)
Click to expand...

Did some rows with my left side to change the look of the muscle. It wasn't weak in terms of strength but mainly size.

Lateral raises I'm sure I could do more on my right hand compared to my left hand.

I rarely do any DB work now, but even when I started out I rately did single arm stuff. I do mainly barbel work.

When you do pull ups are you noticeing your left side burn out faster then your right?

Koing
 
Originally posted by: Koing
Originally posted by: enwar3
Originally posted by: Koing
Post a video of your form of various exercises but it probably won't be detailed enough to see unless it's quite obvious.

It may take over a year mate.

The right side of my back is noticeably more muscular then my left. Why? 12yrs of Tennis and serving hard with my right hand, I started to correct it when I was 16 when I started weightlifting. It's even in terms of muscular strength but not in aesthetic. It does look 'more even' but it isn't even due to 12yrs of Tennis.

How is it in terms of strength compared to your right side?

Koing
Click to expand...

Depends, but I think on most exercises my left side (bigger side) is actually weaker. At least, I can complete more sets with "good form" with my right side. For example, I can isolate my right lat much better than on my left side, and I can complete more reps with good form on my right side. Is is possible that struggling with form is carrying over to other muscles?

For example, when I do lateral raises for my shoulder I'm definitely better at isolating my right shoulder, whereas I think my left side gives out early so I use my traps more.

How did you start to correct your imbalance? You mention you did but you don't mention how. I'd love some advice =)
Click to expand...

Did some rows with my left side to change the look of the muscle. It wasn't weak in terms of strength but mainly size.

Lateral raises I'm sure I could do more on my right hand compared to my left hand.

I rarely do any DB work now, but even when I started out I rately did single arm stuff. I do mainly barbel work.

When you do pull ups are you noticeing your left side burn out faster then your right?

Koing
Click to expand...

I don't notice any difference between sides in pull-ups.. My left lat is bigger (but equal strength as right lat) and my right chest is bigger AND stronger. Should I just do more sets on the weaker/smaller side?

Also I primarily use barbells but have been using dumbbells for the last couple months because I broke my foot.
 
Do you usual barbell stuff and add in an extra 2-3sets for your left side. Cosmetically with your lat thats within boundaries imo.

HOW do you notice your right side being stronger? What exercises and weights are you using to determine your right chest is stronger?

It's probably nothing to worry about mate imo. One side of your body will be stronger to a degree in most single handed exercises.

Koing
 
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