Weight lifting gurus: I need your advice.

[NuclearNed]

I've been in a serious weight lifting program for several months now, and I am becoming more frustrated with a problem I am having. My left arm doesn't have nearly the strength of my right arm, particularly while doing curls (most other exercises, the problem isn't as noticable). I am right-handed, and I understand that this is a problem most people have. However, I would have thought that after several months my arms would have equalized to some extent. But no, I can get out about 2 sets of dumbbell curls with both arms, no problem; but after that my left arm is spent and my right arm is still ready to go. It is such a noticible difference that I almost wonder if something is wrong with my left.

My normal upper body day is Wednesday, but on Tuesday and Thursday (my normal cardio days) I have decided to do curls with my left arm only to try to catch it up to my right. Is this a wise thing to do? I would appreciate any other advice that anyone has.

And for you jokers out there, if you post any "I bet I know why his right arm is stronger" jokes you are hereby admitting that you regularly enjoy dead barnyard animal sex. So there.

 

[Deeko]

Simple. Do barbell exercises that equally work both sides.

Ater two years of lifting every day, my right is STILL slightly stronger....but very little. That will happen when you're right handed.

 

[purbeast0]

well if you are diong your complete upper body workout in one day, you have a problem right there. there is no way in hell you could workout your entire upper body to its full potential in one workout.

and if you include your arms in your upper body workout on wednesday, and then curl again on tuesday and thursday, you aren't doing yourself any good at all. try spreading out your workouts. i do weight lifting 4 days a week and i see plenty of results off of that, and i only do each muscle 1 time a week. i have been consistantly getting stronger and gaining weight.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
well if you are diong your complete upper body workout in one day, you have a problem right there. there is no way in hell you could workout your entire upper body to its full potential in one workout.

and if you include your arms in your upper body workout on wednesday, and then curl again on tuesday and thursday, you aren't doing yourself any good at all. try spreading out your workouts. i do weight lifting 4 days a week and i see plenty of results off of that, and i only do each muscle 1 time a week. i have been consistantly getting stronger and gaining weight.

Actually, I don't do complete upper body on one day. Wednesday is for chest and arms, while Friday is for shoulders, lats, etc. And generally I work on abs MWF. This schedule was put together for me by my personal trainer (who moved away and I haven't worked with for about a month).

 

[alexeikgb]

try to lift more with ur left than the right... like 5lb diff in time you left should be able to catch up ....

 

[SchrodingersDog]

Your left may never be close in strength to your right, most people are not symetrical in appearance or strength. As long as you don't look like Hellboy don't worry about it. Are you doing mass building sets with your left?

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: SchrodingersDog
Your left may never be close in strength to your right, most people are not symetrical in appearance or strength. As long as you don't look like Hellboy don't worry about it. Are you doing mass building sets with your left?

Yes.

 

[Kev]

just start wacking with your left from now on.

oh and yes i regularly enjoy dead barnyard animal sex

 

[edro]

I can't tell much difference between my arm strengths, but I hear it is natural to. When doing one handed exercises, do the exact same amount on both sides. Don't say "My right arm is stronger, so I will do an extra set with it." Just do the exact same amount for both and it will eventually even out.

 

[classy]

Its normal for one side to stronger than the other. Just like usually one arm is slightly larger than the other. Just continue working out reguarly. After awhile you'll get a balance. But that will always be the case.

 

[SchrodingersDog]

It'll probably just take a while to get more evened out. Remember that your right arm has been used more than left for a few decades, it's a big adjustment for your body to become symetrical, and that's one of the biggest challenges of pro bodybuilders.

 

[Amused]

Keys for gaining some balance:

Always start isolateral exercises with your weak arm, and never do more reps or sets with your strong arm than you do with your weak arm.

Do all day to day lifting and carrying with your weak arm. Especially the racking and loading of your weights at the gym.

It takes time, but follow these tips and you will gain some signifigant balance between your weak and strong sides.

 

[MBony]

Originally posted by: Amused
Keys for gaining some balance:

Always start isolateral exercises with your weak arm, and never do more reps or sets with your strong arm than you do with your weak arm.

Do all day to day lifting and carrying with your weak arm. Especially the racking and loading of your weights at the gym.

It takes time, but follow these tips and you will gain some signifigant balance between your weak and strong sides.

Check out Amused signature link.