Archived Posts » 59,699,509
Non-dominant arm is more toned
4/7/2012 5:12:31 AM
The last few weeks I've been getting more into lifting and I've been adding more weight to my workouts. Recently I've have noticed a troubling trend, for some reason my left (non-dominant) bicep and triceps are getting noticeably more toned than on the right. I've been lifting regularly since highschool, never to get huge or be in
crazy shape but just for regular maintenance, I've never noticed a
real difference in the tone before. The strength is about equal but the difference is becoming more apparent despite doing extra reps in an attempt to catch my right arm up.
Is this somehow a form issue or am I just a lopsided tard?
If it has any relevance at all, I had shoulder surgery years ago, could it be like unconscious favoritism because of that?
Yes, for the most part, I'm a fitness noob
Is this somehow a form issue or am I just a lopsided tard?
If it has any relevance at all, I had shoulder surgery years ago, could it be like unconscious favoritism because of that?
Yes, for the most part, I'm a fitness noob
4/7/2012 7:32:51 AM
not sure if there's truth to it or not, but have heard since the left arm is closer to the heart, it gets better supplies and can show results faster. That may be an old wives' tale too though.
i'm surprised if they're equal strength, one looks more tone. are you always looking in the same mirror where lighting could be biased? is one arm tattooed and skewing the perception? i have a different vein patter on left vs. right which can give that image as well?
as far as symmetry, i've had times where one arm is stronger than the other, primarily when i start lifting 25 years ago (dang i'm old). muscles grow from stimulation (lifting), rest, and feeding. the more you stimulate, the more they'll develop. So i wouldn't exercise one arm more than the other. if they're at 15% and 10% their potential now, and you work them equally for a year, they'll be say 55% and 50% their potential then, i.e. less noticeable difference.
also, if one arm does get stronger, do the weak arm first, then the same reps on the other arm. The weak arm will go to failure, get more growth stimulation, and catch up eventually since the strong arm isn't being pushed to failure.
i'm surprised if they're equal strength, one looks more tone. are you always looking in the same mirror where lighting could be biased? is one arm tattooed and skewing the perception? i have a different vein patter on left vs. right which can give that image as well?
as far as symmetry, i've had times where one arm is stronger than the other, primarily when i start lifting 25 years ago (dang i'm old). muscles grow from stimulation (lifting), rest, and feeding. the more you stimulate, the more they'll develop. So i wouldn't exercise one arm more than the other. if they're at 15% and 10% their potential now, and you work them equally for a year, they'll be say 55% and 50% their potential then, i.e. less noticeable difference.
also, if one arm does get stronger, do the weak arm first, then the same reps on the other arm. The weak arm will go to failure, get more growth stimulation, and catch up eventually since the strong arm isn't being pushed to failure.
4/7/2012 8:14:25 AM
My left arm as well is stronger and more defined I dont know why. but for some reason my right wrist and forearm are stronger.
4/7/2012 8:20:26 AM
Originally Posted By CornDogg723a:
My left arm as well is stronger and more defined I dont know why. but for some reason my right wrist and forearm are stronger.
My left arm as well is stronger and more defined I dont know why. but for some reason my right wrist and forearm are stronger.
"a little butter on that popcorn?" - PW Herman
4/7/2012 11:57:29 AM
I'm like CornDogg. Its not very much of a difference but its there. I know why I'm the way that I am and if you look at what you do day to day you'll probably figure it out. If I don't think about it I carry most things on my left side. Briefcase, bag from the store, arm load of fire wood, etc, etc. My right arm and hand are what I use to load my left side and then have free to use my keys, operate door knobs and handles, unload my left side, etc, etc. So after decades of this my left side is a little stronger from the load carrying and my right side is a little more defined from being used for more refined motion.
As an aside, when doing a more extensive task like splitting or stacking a large amount of wood, doing a lot of digging or shoveling, or moving hay, I consciously alternate grips or motions to try to work my body evenly. Partly for a better workout and partly to last longer and not strain something.
As an aside, when doing a more extensive task like splitting or stacking a large amount of wood, doing a lot of digging or shoveling, or moving hay, I consciously alternate grips or motions to try to work my body evenly. Partly for a better workout and partly to last longer and not strain something.
4/7/2012 4:56:07 PM
Originally Posted By axesar:
not sure if there's truth to it or not, but have heard since the left arm is closer to the heart, it gets better supplies and can show results faster. That may be an old wives' tale too though.
i'm surprised if they're equal strength, one looks more tone. are you always looking in the same mirror where lighting could be biased? is one arm tattooed and skewing the perception? i have a different vein patter on left vs. right which can give that image as well?
as far as symmetry, i've had times where one arm is stronger than the other, primarily when i start lifting 25 years ago (dang i'm old). muscles grow from stimulation (lifting), rest, and feeding. the more you stimulate, the more they'll develop. So i wouldn't exercise one arm more than the other. if they're at 15% and 10% their potential now, and you work them equally for a year, they'll be say 55% and 50% their potential then, i.e. less noticeable difference.
also, if one arm does get stronger, do the weak arm first, then the same reps on the other arm. The weak arm will go to failure, get more growth stimulation, and catch up eventually since the strong arm isn't being pushed to failure.
not sure if there's truth to it or not, but have heard since the left arm is closer to the heart, it gets better supplies and can show results faster. That may be an old wives' tale too though.
i'm surprised if they're equal strength, one looks more tone. are you always looking in the same mirror where lighting could be biased? is one arm tattooed and skewing the perception? i have a different vein patter on left vs. right which can give that image as well?
as far as symmetry, i've had times where one arm is stronger than the other, primarily when i start lifting 25 years ago (dang i'm old). muscles grow from stimulation (lifting), rest, and feeding. the more you stimulate, the more they'll develop. So i wouldn't exercise one arm more than the other. if they're at 15% and 10% their potential now, and you work them equally for a year, they'll be say 55% and 50% their potential then, i.e. less noticeable difference.
also, if one arm does get stronger, do the weak arm first, then the same reps on the other arm. The weak arm will go to failure, get more growth stimulation, and catch up eventually since the strong arm isn't being pushed to failure.
I've looked in several different mirrors and it's still pretty clear the left arm is more toned. Even just looking down and flexing, the asymmetry is fairly apparent. I also don't have any tattoos on my arms for an optical illusion though.....but perhaps I should look into one to even out
Originally Posted By Bonz23:
I'm like CornDogg. Its not very much of a difference but its there. I know why I'm the way that I am and if you look at what you do day to day you'll probably figure it out. If I don't think about it I carry most things on my left side. Briefcase, bag from the store, arm load of fire wood, etc, etc. My right arm and hand are what I use to load my left side and then have free to use my keys, operate door knobs and handles, unload my left side, etc, etc. So after decades of this my left side is a little stronger from the load carrying and my right side is a little more defined from being used for more refined motion.
As an aside, when doing a more extensive task like splitting or stacking a large amount of wood, doing a lot of digging or shoveling, or moving hay, I consciously alternate grips or motions to try to work my body evenly. Partly for a better workout and partly to last longer and not strain something.
I'm like CornDogg. Its not very much of a difference but its there. I know why I'm the way that I am and if you look at what you do day to day you'll probably figure it out. If I don't think about it I carry most things on my left side. Briefcase, bag from the store, arm load of fire wood, etc, etc. My right arm and hand are what I use to load my left side and then have free to use my keys, operate door knobs and handles, unload my left side, etc, etc. So after decades of this my left side is a little stronger from the load carrying and my right side is a little more defined from being used for more refined motion.
As an aside, when doing a more extensive task like splitting or stacking a large amount of wood, doing a lot of digging or shoveling, or moving hay, I consciously alternate grips or motions to try to work my body evenly. Partly for a better workout and partly to last longer and not strain something.
That could definitely be the root of my problem. My left arm typically holds groceries, books, my laptop, weight of rifle, etc. so that would make sense. I really hadn't even considered that possibility before, I figured if anything my right arm would be more toned because it gets used for more than just holding.
I'll start trying to switch off a bit more and see if it helps.
4/8/2012 12:58:26 AM
Muscle growth does not happen during weight training, it happens during the recovery after weight training. And since the non-dominant hand sees less day-to-day use it is better able to recover and will have better results.
That's what I've always been told, at any rate.
That's what I've always been told, at any rate.
