One arm @ a time shoulder work

[annie2867]

Hi Cathe,
Could you tell me if I will get the same benefit if I do one arm at a time when possible. e.g. Front raises (right arm then left/lateral raises/overhead press, same thing? Would this also apply to doing one bodypart per day. In other words, am I building and toning more by doing all upperbody same day since it brings other muscles into play. Or, can I do shoulders/triceps/back different days and still get the same rewards as doing all in the same session?

Thanks,

Annabel

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Annabel! Yes you will definitely still get the benefits training unilaterally. In fact exposing your muscle to a variety of training techniques and approaches (ie: bilateral, splits, total body, negatives, pyramid, just to name a few) will give you even greater benefits. Changing how you lift recruits muscle fibers in different ways and helps to avoid training plateus.

Happy Lifting!

 

[kathryn]

I like to occasionally do shoulder presses, or even lateral raises or rear delt flyes, one arm at a time. It allows me to stabilize the rest of my body so I can lift a bit heavier with good form. I also much prefer doing lat rows one arm at a time so I can stabilize my lower back by putting my knee and other hand on my step---set to about 16" or 18"--when I want to go for strength.