Uneven Strength

[dpunch]

Cathe or the educated crowd,

I noticed that my left arm is not as strong as my right arm x( . Of course I am right-handed and I know that is probably not uncommon. But, I feel like it is holding me back. I feel it most when working with the barbell when I am working on triceps. Sometimes I think I am going to lose control of the barbell and it is going to fall on me .

Can you suggest ways to improve the strength in that arm? Should I only work with dumbells for now? Should I do an extra rep with my left arm? Could it really be a problem in my shoulder, because when doing planks/push-ups I have to really make sure that I am in proper alignment or else I have to stop early because I feel a twinge in my shoulder.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks....Donna

 

[cmoroney]

Donna,

I am just bumping for Cathe to answer this one - I, too, have more strength in my right arm than my left arm. My biceps are much more developed on my right than my left.

I have always chalked it up to having 10 children over the last 27 years and I carry them around and hold them sometimes endlessly and it is always in my right arm and on my right hip, for some reason I find it awkward to switch sides.

Cathe, do you think that is why I am lopsided?

Donna asked a really good question - should we do more on the left or do a heavier weght - what is the best route to evening this out?

Cheryl - my youngest is 2 and I still carry him alot too.

 

[cmoroney]

Donna,

I am just bumping for Cathe to answer this one - I, too, have more strength in my right arm than my left arm. My biceps are much more developed on my right than my left.

I have always chalked it up to having 10 children over the last 27 years and I carry them around and hold them sometimes endlessly and it is always in my right arm and on my right hip, for some reason I find it awkward to switch sides.

Cathe, do you think that is why I am lopsided?

Donna asked a really good question - should we do more on the left or do a heavier weght - what is the best route to evening this out?

Cheryl - my youngest is 2 and I still carry him alot too.

 

[kathryn]

I just read somewhere that if you have uneven strength, you should work the weak side first, for as many reps as you can, then work the othe side, not going over those reps. For this, you would need to use dumbbells, so that the strong side doesn't take over for the weak side. You are trying to get the strength of your weak side up to the strength of the stronger side, then once they even out, you can work on them together.

 

[kathryn]

I just read somewhere that if you have uneven strength, you should work the weak side first, for as many reps as you can, then work the othe side, not going over those reps. For this, you would need to use dumbbells, so that the strong side doesn't take over for the weak side. You are trying to get the strength of your weak side up to the strength of the stronger side, then once they even out, you can work on them together.

 

[dpunch]

Thanks..Kathyrn

I will try to work the left side first when using dumbbells. When I use the barbell I will try to complete as many reps as possible using good form until I feel I am compensating with the right arm. Then I will switch to dumbells for whatever exercise I am doing, if it is possible.

Donna

 

[dpunch]

Thanks..Kathyrn

I will try to work the left side first when using dumbbells. When I use the barbell I will try to complete as many reps as possible using good form until I feel I am compensating with the right arm. Then I will switch to dumbells for whatever exercise I am doing, if it is possible.

Donna

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Donna! As you noted, it is not uncommon at all for one side to be a bit stronger than the other. And as already suggested, it is a good idea to use dumbbells and work the arms independently to strengthen the weaker arm. A barbell has a tendancy to allow the stronger side to compensate for the weaker side. I would actually suggest using the dumbbells BEFORE the barbell so that you strengthen your weaker arm while your muscles are fresh and ready to put out their hardest effort. Try doing three sets of slow and heavy cross body kickbacks for the left arm before you do your standard tricep workout to assist in evening out your strength(of course you need to be warmed up first too).

Also, if you have a shoulder problem, yes, it is possible that it could effect your tricep workout (possibly even effect your other workouts too). However, since you say that when you have good form, your shoulder does not bother you, then perhaps this is not a related issue. If your shoulder twinges become a problem even with good form and are causing you discomfort and effecting your workouts, then I would suggest to have your shoulder looked at.

Take Care!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Donna! As you noted, it is not uncommon at all for one side to be a bit stronger than the other. And as already suggested, it is a good idea to use dumbbells and work the arms independently to strengthen the weaker arm. A barbell has a tendancy to allow the stronger side to compensate for the weaker side. I would actually suggest using the dumbbells BEFORE the barbell so that you strengthen your weaker arm while your muscles are fresh and ready to put out their hardest effort. Try doing three sets of slow and heavy cross body kickbacks for the left arm before you do your standard tricep workout to assist in evening out your strength(of course you need to be warmed up first too).

Also, if you have a shoulder problem, yes, it is possible that it could effect your tricep workout (possibly even effect your other workouts too). However, since you say that when you have good form, your shoulder does not bother you, then perhaps this is not a related issue. If your shoulder twinges become a problem even with good form and are causing you discomfort and effecting your workouts, then I would suggest to have your shoulder looked at.

Take Care!

 

[dpunch]

Thanks...Cathe,

I will give your suggestion a try.

Thanks again for keeping working out at home challenging!

Donna