Uneven muscle developement? - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

jbakerutexas · 01-12-2001, 06:32 AM

Hey guys,
I was wondering if its normal for one side to be stronger than the other (like chest, arms, back) and how I can even it out?
Ive been working out and it seems like one side is doing all the work and the other isnt benefitting...
any suggestions???

tup · 01-14-2001, 09:20 PM

The way to even it out is to work the weaker side more until it catches up. So, for example, if you do a few sets of arm curls with a barbell finish with some dumbell curls with the weaker arm. Same for bench press, overhead press, flys, etc.

I've lifted for a few years and even though both sides look the same my right arm is still stronger since I'm right-handed.

jlb_125 · 08-21-2003, 08:35 AM

i wouldnt recommend working out just one side of your body, if you continue your normal workout, they'll catch up to each other eventually. Just make sure when you're working out, try to evenly distribute the weight you're lifting between each muscle. If that made any sense...lol

[This message has been edited by jlb_125 (edited 08-21-2003).]

Evl316 · 08-21-2003, 09:33 AM

According to what my chiropractor told me some time ago if you're right handed, for example, your left arm will be around 15% weaker than your right. This is normal. Ways to increase strength in your off side is to use free weights rather than machines. You can also try to do a little extra work in your off side. Probably always going to be a little weaker on your off side, that's just the way it is for nearly everyone. If you use free weights both sides have to work to maximum potential rather than using a machine where one side may do more work than the other side.

Evl316 · 08-21-2003, 09:37 AM

Two points.

First from what I have been told your off side is generally 15% weaker than your dominate side in most people.

Second to fix the problem of feeling like your dominant side is doing all the work switch from machines to free weights so both sides have to do their own work independently of each other.