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I have been working out for about a year and a half now... Got a good work out routine down, excellent nutrition plan and all that good stuff. I have been seeing results practically everywhere. But now when I'm at the gym I'll notice that one part of my body is developing a little better than the other.. I.E. my right bicep seems to be stronger than the left, I was doing pushups today and noticed that my right lat is bigger than my left.

Is this something normal that will kinda filter its way out as i progress through my routines? or should I be looking for something that im doing wrong?... maybe the lift is the actual thing that im doing wrong.

Also i noticed that when doing bicep curls while standing, my left shoulder seems to rotate upwards about a half an inch (i don't know why im noticing these, call me O.C.D. lol)

anyone have any advice or gone through the same thing?? thanks!

RE: your right bicep - are you right handed? Perhaps from overuse of your right hand?

It's very easy to develop muscle assymmetries due to differences in how you use muscles during normal life. For instance, if you sleep on your stomach, you'll probably find that your neck is more flexible turning in one direction than the other. In the fitness realm, swimmers who consistent breath to one side only will develop definite imbalances, and it's common in racquet sports to end up with one arm substantially stronger than the other. You could also be recruiting other muscles to help your weaker side, which explains why that side isn't developing as much or as rapidly. If things like that don't jump out at you, think about things like when you're carrying around a single dumbbell, or moving a weight plate, is it generally in your right hand?

As for dealing with it, awareness is the crucial first step. Now that you've noticed it, you can try to balance things out by challenging your weaker side more--extra reps, higher weights, whatever. Most important, focus on maintaining exact form, even if it calls for using a lighter weight than you had been using. The short term sacrifice will result in much greater long-term gains, and lower probability of injury.

I would suggest using machines and cables, or even free weights, the work each arm independently. It sounds like your right is doing the work and you have not corrected for this bad form.

Also, get a personal trainer...it's what they do!

It's very common to have slight imbalances like you're mentioning. Some of it will even out over time. Other times you need to examine how you're lifting.

For almost every lift, make sure your shoulder blades are pinched together when performing the motion. If they aren't, you'll have a much higher tendency to cheat for your weak side. Also, develop a mind-muscle connection. It could be that you just aren't engaging the correct muscles when lifting.

Very, very rarely do bodybuilders or trainers suggest training anything differently then the other. In my opinion, you should watch for your form, and lift according to your weakest arm, eventually that arm will catch up and the other will be at the same place. When you train the arms differently you can actually exacerbate the problem. Unless there is an injury, rarely is training one side differently ever called for.

Thanks everyone, ill def be watching how i lift a lot more closely..

We're not perfectly symmetrical beings. And sometimes range of motion can affect your ability to perform the same movements with both limbs.

Why don't you post some pics of you so we can see what you're talking about.



Not that I think this is your case but in extreme examples sometimes smaller body parts like arms or legs compared to the other one which is noticeably bigger could also be an indication of nerve damage to that area of the body.

I see some people in the gym that must have a similar concern like you do because I will see them lift 20lb with one arm and then 30 for the other. That makes me cringe. From what I've seen they don't look oddly proportionate. Imbalances with muscle strength can cause harm in the long run.

ill try to get some pics and put them up. i think it may just be my O.C.D. kicking in, i just measured my arms and my left is .1 inches smaller... not sure if thats a large amount lol

I have an arm that is .5" larger than the other one. So I have more of a discrepancy than you do. I just accepted it a long time ago. And no one ever comments one being bigger or smaller than the other one.

I'm sure you're just being overly critical of yourself.