What to do if one side is stronger than the other?

CaraBeth · 05-19-2009, 12:54 PM

This is kind of weird for me. I've always been a very dominant righty - so much that my right shoulder has always been a bit bigger/higher than my left. I'm in stage 5 right now and I'm noticing that my left side seems stronger. When I do bent-over rows facing the mirror, I see myself lifting higher on the left side. And in the one-arm dumbbell snatch, I can do heavier weight with my left arm. Should I try to even this out by doing extra exercises on my right side? Or should I not really worry about it?

missjane · 05-19-2009, 01:17 PM

I think this is pretty common. I always go with highest weight that my weakest side can handle for unilateral lifts and proceed up from there. I don't do anything extra.

Then, I try to use my bilateral lifting to even things out.

(And, with the snatch, keep in mind that this isn't an arm exercise....it's all about hip drive and power with the snatch.)

CaraBeth · 05-19-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

(And, with the snatch, keep in mind that this isn't an arm exercise....it's all about hip drive and power with the snatch.)

Thanks. I definitely try to keep that in mind when doing this exercise and really focus on using the power from my lower body, it's one of those things I really have to think about. Hopefully right side will catch up soon!