ReproMan

When I was a young teenager I had aspirations of being a professional bowler. I worked at the bowling alley and in addition to my pay I was allowed to bowl as much as I wanted. Well for a good stretch I was bowling in upwards of 20 games a day which brings me to this problem. Because of this activity, my right forearm (15") is litterally 1 1/4 inches bigger than my left forearm (13 3/4"). Does anyone think it would be ok to train my left forearm for a while to help it catch up? It's not extremely noticable but when I measured it I was shocked to see the size difference. Thanks for your responses in advance.

Gazhole

Thats a strange problem, but kudos on the bowling!

I guess you could do some one armed gorrila hangs or forearm curls, or get one of those forearm thingys that you squeeze.

The only problem i guess would be that with extra work on one forearm, your grip in that hand might suffer. Just do a few sets at the end of the workout?

http://sdatrainingprograms.blogspot.com - Updated 25/04/08

ReproMan

Yeah, and I kinda think it's a permanent problem really. I mean it litterally took years of that volume of bowling with a 16lb. ball to develop my right forearm like that. 1 1/4" is a big gap to make up and I'm sure it would take years. But I was curious anyway.

Gazhole

Take up bowling again but learn to use the other hand :P.

http://sdatrainingprograms.blogspot.com - Updated 25/04/08

AKIRA

Hah! I was actually doing that at my friend's work 2 weeks ago. Surprisingly, I wasnt THAT bad.

This might be one of those things that in time with, say, Double Overhand Deadlifts, that your forearm size will eventually catch up. Everyone has a particuliar arm that has more benefits than the other. For example, my left arm has terrible grip strength as opposed to my right, but I can arm wrestle better with my left.

It kind of makes me wonder about curling heavy weight or deadlifting heavy weight. One side will be dominate sure, but the other is working harder to move its side of the weight, yes? Which in turn gives that side more work...which makes me wonder if its almost the same thing as if you gave that side direct grip exercises...(?)

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ReproMan

I actually can bowl very well with my left hand, unfortunately my grip and my motion are different. With my right hand I throw a big hook and with my left hand I'm more of a down-and-in bowler. I'm about a 220 avg with my right and I would estimate in the 170's-180's with my left.

ReproMan

It's not the strength that's different beleive it or not, they are pretty equal in that reguard. It's just the size difference is ridic.

CowPimp

If it bothers you that much you could try doing some extra volume for that side. I usually don't recommend it, but that is a pretty damned big difference. If the visual difference doesn't bother you much then don't worry about it.

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ReproMan

Yeah, that's what I kinda figured. If it took years to create the imbalance, I'm sure it will take years to correct... Thanks.

JordanMang

Hmmm, you could just beat it with the left arm for the next couple years and it'll probably balance out. That was crude.

ReproMan

Well unfortunately I thought of that years ago....

Gazhole

Thats a good average, man!

I'm nowhere near that. Still, kicking my friends' asses is enough . Theyve actually closed the bowling alley we went to, which is annoying since i think its the only one ive ever been in.

In fact you probably score more than me with your left than i do with my right. I think the best game i played was a pitiful 150 something. 160 at most.

http://sdatrainingprograms.blogspot.com - Updated 25/04/08

Duncans Donuts

I honestly don't believe anybody on this forum knows how to accurately measure a body part.

"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

ReproMan

If you saw my arms, you wouldn't need a tape to notice the difference...

Duncans Donuts

Don't take it personally. 15 inch forearm is absolutely ridiculously massive, especially gauging from your weight and height and lifts (it's obvious you're lean).

Don't take it personally, again.

"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

ReproMan

Then I have an absolutely ridiculously massive forearm. It litterally looks like a racquetball under my skin and my other arm, well, doesn't.

ReproMan

I just took a pic of it, post in in 5 min.

ReproMan

That's a 13 3/4 forearm. Edit: I stand corrected. Hehe.

Attached Files

Forearm.pdf (20.7 KB, 19 views)

ReproMan

So as it turns out (and you all probably knew) my forearm is not 15". I got my bf% and all my measurements done at the gym tonite. I'm at 18%bf, my right forearm is 13 3/4 inches while my left is 12 3/4 (still a big difference).

So in conclusion: I'll live with it.

BraveUlysses

Thats a pretty big forearm...

The Dude abides.

Duncans Donuts

Yah man that's a big forearm, don't get me wrong. But measured accurately in the 80s a huge forearm was like 15 inches.

"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."