Chest muscle imbalance

[Savagesteve]

Okay so I got some great advice on here for building traps in another thread so here I go again. In right handed and pay close attention to form when doing chest exercises due to my left pec being significantly smaller than my right. Just curious if anyone has had the same issue and what are some of the best ways to get it to be symmetrical to my right. (I've tried higher reps on the left side with db's and even heavier weight on the left side with both db and bb)

 

[Savagesteve]

Guess I'm the only one ever trying to overcome a muscle imbalance? Lol cmon guys

 

[MindlessWork]

I have the same problem but with my right pec (and right side) being somewhat weaker. Do you tend to favor your left side more?

I try to work my right side more on exercises as the weakness was from sustaining serious head injury.

 

[Savagesteve]

I have the same problem but with my right pec (and right side) being somewhat weaker. Do you tend to favor your left side more?

I try to work my right side more on exercises as the weakness was from sustaining serious head injury.

I do try to do more reps with my left side and have also tried going heavier on the left side to get it to grow. Even switched to using db's just in case the bb was me using more effort from the right side to help move the weight. It's weird because I'm right handed but yet my left bicep is slightly bigger than my right

 

[MindlessWork]

I do try to do more reps with my left side and have also tried going heavier on the left side to get it to grow. Even switched to using db's just in case the bb was me using more effort from the right side to help move the weight. It's weird because I'm right handed but yet my left bicep is slightly bigger than my right

You try barbells to see if you notice any imbalance like in the bar tilting to the left?

 

[canadian mutant]

Its pretty normal pretty much all of us have imbalances. Most of the time its obvious to us but other people dont really see it unless looking closely, or if you tell them. Best thing to do is an extra rep or two on the weak side at the end of each set if youre using dumbbells. Or even do a little bit of a pre exhaust warm up before hitting your set

 

[Murphthedon]

Take barebells out of chest training for 12 weeks see if it helps, a lot harder to train 1 side more with Dumbbells

 

[Savagesteve]

I'll definitely try not using bb for 12 weeks and I'm also gonna try pre exhausting the left side some to see how it pans out. Thanks guys.

 

[technik]

Does your left side feel any different than your right when lifting?

I'm just curious, I've been trying to correct imbalance as well. Even when I'm doing dumbbell exercises my left side never feels the same as my right. It's hard to describe but my right gets a good pump and a nice fatigue feeling that makes me feel like it's getting a good workout. My left side fatigues but it just doesn't feel the same and I never get much of a pump on the left side, unless I'm really trying to with higher reps.

Idk if that makes sense but it's something that really bothers me.

 

[Savagesteve]

Does your left side feel any different than your right when lifting?

I'm just curious, I've been trying to correct imbalance as well. Even when I'm doing dumbbell exercises my left side never feels the same as my right. It's hard to describe but my right gets a good pump and a nice fatigue feeling that makes me feel like it's getting a good workout. My left side fatigues but it just doesn't feel the same and I never get much of a pump on the left side, unless I'm really trying to with higher reps.

Idk if that makes sense but it's something that really bothers me.

I know exactly what your talking about. I noticed that when doing the stretching part of the db press I feel it more in my right side compared to the left. I like you also notice the right side gets a lot better pump. The gym I go to is small and mostly free weight so I don't know if there is different equipment that could put more emphasis on one side.

 

[technik]

I know exactly what your talking about. I noticed that when doing the stretching part of the db press I feel it more in my right side compared to the left. I like you also notice the right side gets a lot better pump. The gym I go to is small and mostly free weight so I don't know if there is different equipment that could put more emphasis on one side.

There used to be a half inch difference between my arms but I've been training my left arm only for months now and they're finally even, according to the tape. The right has a much nicer shape though. But I can't imagine applying something like that to chest lol.

I wish I had some proper advice but I'm in the same boat and have just been trying to accept it. I keep telling myself it's normal and nobody notices. Damn those Olypmians giving me unrealistic expectations! lol

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Savagesteve]

Will do brother. I've noticed even some of the pros have imbalances but I'm gonna try some of the advice here and preexhaust the left side and go more reps after doing so.

 

[Just Fish]

I used to have muscle imbalances myself. My left side used to be bigger than my right. I began doing mostly isolateral exercises so my muscles would be worked evenly. It took 3 years but my muscles are very close to even now. I think I get a better range of motion that way anyhow.

 

[Savagesteve]

I used to have muscle imbalances myself. My left side used to be bigger than my right. I began doing mostly isolateral exercises so my muscles would be worked evenly. It took 3 years but my muscles are very close to even now. I think I get a better range of motion that way anyhow.

Chest or other muscles? Just asking as to what exercises you did to correct it

 

[AnTabolic73]

my left side is bigger, but my right side is stronger

 

[Savagesteve]

my left side is bigger, but my right side is stronger

Strength wise mine are about the same. Just difference in shape and size

 

[AnTabolic73]

Strength wise mine are about the same. Just difference in shape and size

what I meant is I'm right handed. but I always thought it had something to do with my shoulder. when I raise my arm it snaps regularly, with no pain. but then I realized it's common, and I'm probably my own worst critic.

 

[Just Fish]

Chest or other muscles? Just asking as to what exercises you did to correct it

My whole left side was bigger. Trap, Lat, delt, bicep, tricep, chest. I changed up my whole routine. I very rarely use barbell anymore. I use Dumbbells or isolateral machines. It definitely evened out my physique. It wasn't that off but when I was pumped up I could tell the difference. In reality the difference was only say 1/4 in difference in biceps. The worst imbalance was my Lat, chest and trap on left were bigger.

 

[Just Fish]

I feel that I get a better workout with Dumbbells anyway. You definitely get a better range of motion with Dumbbells. I still use barbells occasionally but most of my workout is isolateral.

 

[MindlessWork]

I feel that I get a better workout with Dumbbells anyway. You definitely get a better range of motion with Dumbbells. I still use barbells occasionally but most of my workout is isolateral.

I myself been using dumbbells more than barbell nowadays as barbell work tends to kill my shoulders more.