Thread: One sides bigger...

Originally Posted by tryn2getbig

Stats:

Age: 27
Height: 5'10"
Weight: Varies Between 158lbs - 165lbs
Workout Period: Very intense this last full year, but before on and off since 1998

Here is my problem, I have made (what I think) some great gains this last year. I have lost 30lbs of fat and replaced it all with muscle. I look and feel better than I ever have. But there is one problem, I can't seem to get my left arm to catch up to my right. Meaning, my right arm is bigger. I can push the same weight with my left, and sometimes more, but it still lacks the size of my right. Is there anything that I can do to fix this or is it something that will catch up with in just a little time?

Thanks in advance--

J

if you are doing more or same weight, it is genetics, you do same weight on extensions and curls, or just curls?

My advice is to always walk around sideways, never let anyone see the smaller side, ever.

Originally Posted by Valias

My advice is to always walk around sideways, never let anyone see the smaller side, ever.

Leave that in open chat...
Alot of people do have one arm smaller than the other. Its just how things work, kinda like how women have one breast bigger than the other.

Are you right handed? If so this will explain why it might be slightly larger than your left arm. If you are right handed, start doing everything physical with your left hand.. and i mean everything! I had exactly the same problem a year or so ago and I started lifting stuff on a day to day basis where i would usually use my right arm and used my left arm instead, try to get into the routine of doing this, obviously it wont catch up with the other arm over night, but in the space of a few months or maybe a year it should equal out.

Everyone has some degree of asymmetry, nature actually prefers slight asymmetry to perfect symmetry.

From doing massive amounts of DIY, stripping wall paper and painting over the years, my right arm is stronger and bigger as well.

I do most of my workouts with dumbells now, or hammerstrength machines that have independent working bits.

This is a good question, as while my left arm is smaller and not as strong, it often looks more muscular, it does get the 'harder workout' with dumbells.

Does anyone recommend doing more reps with the weaker arm/leg?

x
x
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T

One thing i've thought about is, if some side is weaker and you're going hard out with dumbells or even a barbell, the weaker side will reach failure and you may even go passed the weak sides failure by compensation of the strong side.

now, would this be beneficial in making the weak side catch up? or would it going to failure moreso than the other one (more often) cause negative effects?

No one is symmetrical. Look at pictures of professional bodybuilders like Arnold and Ronnie Coleman. Their arms aren't symmetrical either. If there is no strength difference, don't worry about it.

My left thigh is about .5" larger than my right... My left arm is about .25" larger than my right... It's normal. And I'm right handed.

I used to have one arm bigger than the other. It finally just naturally caught up. My left is still about a centimeter smaller than the right, but for some reason looks slightly more cut up. I don't care though.

its natural.

Originally Posted by TheCurse

its natural.

Whoah, where did you come from? Long time no see!

whats up pimp, yea ive been out, two hernias
but im back in the gym as of last week

Originally Posted by TheCurse

whats up pimp, yea ive been out, two hernias
but im back in the gym as of last week

Damn, that's rough.... What happened?

Originally Posted by TheCurse

whats up pimp, yea ive been out, two hernias
but im back in the gym as of last week

That sucks, but it's cool you're back in action. Welcome back.

Hey everyone... Thanks for the advice and the info!

StanUK, I have been thinking about the whole right handed thing, and I have actually changed, as of a couple weeks ago, the everydays uses of my arms. I now carry and attempt to do everything with my left arm in hopes it will catch up! But as mike456 said, it is genetics also! That seems to be an answer I get from a lot of people in the gym!

Good stuff, admittedly genetics do play a large part in your physique, however making changes such as using your other arm for everyday activities will help your slightly smaller arm to catch up with your other one, it worked for me anyway

thanks guys, well to make a long story shorter seanp i herniated down my left inguinal tract when i was moving someone, and when i finally got to the surgeon they found i had an umbilical hernia too. so i had two surgeries, about 2 months ago, and just now am able to start working out again. i now have a 3 inch piece of mylar mesh in my abdomen that i will probably feel for the rest of my life.
so, let this be a lesson to everyone, dont try and move a sofa by putting it on your back and walking down six flights of stairs .

Originally Posted by TheCurse

thanks guys, well to make a long story shorter seanp i herniated down my left inguinal tract when i was moving someone, and when i finally got to the surgeon they found i had an umbilical hernia too. so i had two surgeries, about 2 months ago, and just now am able to start working out again. i now have a 3 inch piece of mylar mesh in my abdomen that i will probably feel for the rest of my life.
so, let this be a lesson to everyone, dont try and move a sofa by putting it on your back and walking down six flights of stairs .

Wow, that sucks big time! At least you're okay now. Lesson learned, heh.

Hey curse... I found that moving your friends is just a bad idea on a whole! I moved one of my buddies and permanentely injured my back. The doc says it a reoccuring back injury... So I guess that means that it comes back once or twice a year, or it will! I still have constant back pains, but not nearly as much as it is when it really hurts! But nevertheless... I still work it out like theres no tomorrow... Is that a good thing? I don't know, but it seems to work right now! With all that being said, when a friend requests my assistance in moving... I offer my services by helping him find him a mover!

If only all furniture had bars attached. If there were two chairs, one either side of a barbell itd be no problem.

Or maybe sofas that you can attach to a farmer's walk bar...