FIT What to do about uneven muscle?

[Daveee]

Standard left arm is weaker than the right one. Legs are even, etc., but my arms are about 5lbs apart. I was always told that you should just continue training and it will even itself out, but I'd like a second opinion. Should I be thinking about adding another set in on my left arm until it evens out or just keep putting the iron in the air until it works out?

 

[Stilgar]

I've got the same problem with my quads - left quad is so much stronger / larger than right quad. But I find it hard to do exercises that isolate only 1 leg, so I simply just keep going and hope that it evens out. What I wondered at first was how it happened - then I realised I always jump off of my left.

 

[Daveee]

See my quads seem to be damned near even, and it's not even my entire arm that is uneven. My tri's are on point, it's really when I go to do isolated bicep exercises that I notice a difference.

 

[Stilgar]

Why not just do more sets on your weaker arm then? Seems isolating it will help bring it up to the size of your right arm, but if you are not yet at your ideal size, or goal, then I wouldn't bother with it just yet. I'd reach the point where I was happy first, and then see about addressing symmetry.

However, I'm not sure if you plan on ever doing shows or the like, where symmetry counts - but in normal everyday life, it is not something that would hugely worry me.

 

[Daveee]

Why not just do more sets on your weaker arm then? Seems isolating it will help bring it up to the size of your right arm, but if you are not yet at your ideal size, or goal, then I wouldn't bother with it just yet. I'd reach the point where I was happy first, and then see about addressing symmetry.

However, I'm not sure if you plan on ever doing shows or the like, where symmetry counts - but in normal everyday life, it is not something that would hugely worry me.

Well my first instinct is to do more sets, but like I said, I've been told by some pretty knowledgeable people not to isolate and to simply keep working on compound exercises that require both arms at once (i.e. preacher curls with barbells, barbell curls, etc.) and it will even out on its own. I just wanted to see what the general consensus here was on the issue

 

[Ferrari430]

Lol my chest is uneven and it's pretty annoying. My left pec is noticeably bigger than my right one, but strength wise they are about the same. I'm only using dumbbells for now though, maybe switching to barbell will even it out..

 

[timberwolf]

Include uni lateral exercises. How long have you been training for?
Personally with my arms, it only evened out or closed the gap when I made an effort to correct it with a few more sets for the smaller side.

 

[4cd-Air]

I've got the same problem with my quads - left quad is so much stronger / larger than right quad. But I find it hard to do exercises that isolate only 1 leg, so I simply just keep going and hope that it evens out. What I wondered at first was how it happened - then I realised I always jump off of my left.

single leg quad extention
single leg hamstring curl
pisol squats (single leg squats)
single leg SLDL's
single leg glute bridges


If it is only a small discrepency and you aren't training for a competition (strength or BB) then it may never really be a factor... you could throw in an additional set for the weak side if you wanted, extra volume will burn more calories at least. Helps with the neurological connection to work unilaterally too...

 

[Daveee]

Include uni lateral exercises. How long have you been training for?
Personally with my arms, it only evened out or closed the gap when I made an effort to correct it with a few more sets for the smaller side.

I've been "lifting weights" without any real direction on and off for years now, but I haven't actually started really training and getting proper rest/nutrition until about 2 months ago. Am I expecting too much in too short a time?

 

[ToastyMcFckface]

Asymmetry is usually the result of one muscle being longer than the other. This is genetic and cannot be corrected.

 

[evh]

Include uni lateral exercises. How long have you been training for?
Personally with my arms, it only evened out or closed the gap when I made an effort to correct it with a few more sets for the smaller side.

what are unilateral exercises?

 

[x3 anything xo]

Asymmetry is usually the result of one muscle being longer than the other. This is genetic and cannot be corrected.

yeah mine aren't the same shape, but are close in size.

 

[Pen Is Mightier]

My pecs are different size. What would I do in this case? One armed DB press.....

 

[noogles]

start with the weaker limb

 

[ices]

My pecs are different size. What would I do in this case? One armed DB press.....

yes

 

[4cd-Air]

Asymmetry is usually the result of one muscle being longer than the other. This is genetic and cannot be corrected.

wrong

 

[ToastyMcFckface]

wrong

well, offer a counterargument, if you can

 

[4cd-Air]

Asymmetry is usually the result of one muscle being longer than the other. This is genetic and cannot be corrected.

saying that it can not be corrected, with no room for other options, is not true. With proper physical therapy and training, many muscular imbalances can be overcome. Extreme cases may be the exemption, but somebody with a 14" left bicep and a 15" right bicep may just be right handed.

 

[Uglybob69]

well, offer a counterargument, if you can

All things being equal you're probably right.

However, during bilateral movement one side often is used more and you end up with strength imbalances that lead to size imbalances. Obviously "perfect" form will stop this but for the rest of us that can't get it just peachyperfect you'll have to do some unilateral work.