Thread: Issue with increasing size difference in arms

Do you make sure to start all DB exercises with your off hand? And never do more reps with your on hand that your off?

Yep. I also do forced reps with the "off" arm once the "on" arm is dead...

Is there something that you're doing, perhaps on the job?, that is working your on arm outside of your workouts?

How recently did you switch?

how precise are you with your measurements? What anatomical landmarks are you using to base your measurements off of? If you aren't specific, measurements are always going to come out really weird. And, there is always some differences as no one is totally symetrical.

I think I put something about this in the FAQ thread. That should cover the basics at least.

Is there a strength difference?

Doms; I work as a translator...so perhaps my right hand types out a few more letters when compared to my left LOL Seriously tho, nothing that would impact arm size.

Xfatman; I started tweaking arm workouts almost 9 weeks ago

Pfunk; What we usually do is measure 1.5 inch from the shoulder tie in and take the measurement there. Like I said, theres always been a difference, more or less 1/4 inch...But its getting to a point where I can see the difference and if I can, so will judges

witch; I believe I do experience a tad of a strenght difference... Or perhaps its more of an endurance thing.

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I think I put something about this in the FAQ thread. That should cover the basics at least.

Is there a strength difference?

This would be it right?

"General
Q: My left biceps is bigger than my right. How can I fix this?
A: As noted in the FAQ about unilateral training, you should incorporate unilateral movements in your program to balance your limbs. However, this only refers to the strength of the limbs, not the size. If your right biceps is as strong as your left, there is nothing to worry about. Asymmestry is perfectly normal. In fact, this is a common issue because theoretically right-handed people tend to have better neural efficiency in their right arms so the body puts on extra size on the left arm to compensate. That's just one theory though, don't sweat it if your left side is smaller."

Ive been doing that... I always included unilateral moves in my arms training and they get one hell of a whooling during back and chest... Yet I have not found an answer to this issue.

Have you ever had an injury to that arm?

Do you have pain in that arm or in your neck on that side?

What about your activities of daily living? Would they potentially warrent an asymetry?

Figure out why the arm is smaller.

Originally Posted by P-funk

Have you ever had an injury to that arm?

Do you have pain in that arm or in your neck on that side?

What about your activities of daily living? Would they potentially warrent an asymetry?

Figure out why the arm is smaller.

If it came down to it, and symmetry was important enough, should she drop (or greatly decrease) the DB reps that she does with her primary hand (while still doing bilateral exercises)?

Originally Posted by DOMS

If it came down to it, and symmetry was important enough, should she drop (or greatly decrease) the DB reps that she does with her primary hand (while still doing bilateral exercises)?

I don't normally recommend something like that. I would go that route if it were a therapy/clinical setting and this was a real problem.

What I want to know is why the arm is smaller and is getting smaller. Maybe it is a neural thing and she has injured some nerve roots. Maybe it is a lifestyle thing and she just needs to adjust the way she is doing things. Body parts don't just get smaller for no reason.

Its not actualy getting smaller...It has always been a little more reluctant to grow than the right arm, however both triceps appear to be fairly equal in size, while biceps seem to be affected most by the size difference.

Its mostly that the right keeps on growing at a steady rate, while the left is now "seriously" behind.

I had a small rotator cuff issue on that side about 1.5 yrs ago. My job is also quite sedentary, id be surprised if it were the problem...But I dont want to rule anything out. Thats why Im asking, Im at a loss here

Looking at this from a COMPLETELY different angle, is there a chance the off arm is being over trained? Seems the harder you try to overcome the difference, the greater the difference becomes. That tells me the off arm is being over worked and not being given enough chance to recover and grow.