4 WAYS TO FIX MUSCLE IMBALANCE - A POTENTIAL PROBLEM LEADING TO INJURY
Why is my right bicep bigger than the other?
Why is my one shoulder higher than the other?
If you have these questions when looking at yourself in the mirror, you probably have Muscle Imbalance. Don't worry, muscle imbalance is normal and can be gradually treated if you know how to do it correctly. In this blog, we’ll help you by identifying the causes as well as showing you 4 simple ways “How to fix muscle imbalance".
Types of Muscle Imbalance
Before getting to know “How to fix Muscle Imbalance", you need to know about two main types of this problem, which are:
Body muscular imbalance: The muscles on each side of your body should be symmetrical with each other in size and strength. When a muscle (or muscles) on one side of your body is larger, smaller, stronger, or weaker than the corresponding muscle(s) on the other side, you have a muscle imbalance.
Joint muscular imbalance: Each of the muscles that surround a joint work together with an opposing force that keeps the bones of the joint centered for optimum movement. If one or more of these muscles becomes weaker, stronger, looser, or tighter than normal, you have a muscle imbalance and joint movement can be limited.
Types of Muscle Imbalance
Which type of Muscle Imbalance do you have? If you do not know, feel free to send us a message to have a consultation.
2. Causes
A muscle imbalance is often the result of:
Natural development
Certain activities of daily life
Inactivity
Bad posture
An unbalanced exercise program
Exercising with improper form
Usually doing daily things with your dominant side (For example the right side) might be a major factor resulting in Muscle Imbalance in many cases.
Another “Muscle Imbalance” factor is that when working out, you usually think that your dominant side is pulling more weight than the other. That Mind-Muscle Connection will lead to the other side performing less effectively.
3. What may be caused due to muscle imbalance?
Muscle Imbalance will not only lead to an unfulfilled appearance but also potential injuries in the future.
Here are the 3 main repercussions of Muscle Imbalance:
Limited mobility
Pain
Unbalanced appearance
4. How to fix Muscle Imbalance?
Here are 4 ways to fix Muscle Imbalance that you can apply to your workout routine:
Perform light “pre-activation" exercises for your weaker side
For example: Before doing a Bicep Barbell Curls, you can flex your weaker bicep for 10 seconds, or you can do a Unilateral fly before a Machine pec flies
This will act as a “pre-activation", which can stimulate your weaker side in order to perform better during the main sets.
How to fix Muscle Imbalance: Pre-activation exercises
2. Include Unilateral Movements in your Training program
Here are some alternatives that you can consider integrating into your routine:
How to fix Muscle Imbalance: Unilateral Movements 1
How to fix Muscle Imbalance: Unilateral Movements 2
3. Do additional work on the weaker/smaller side
You can increase the reps, or have a separate additional exercise for your weaker/smaller size
For example, you can have the Isolated Bicep Cable Curls for your weaker/smaller bicep at the end of you workout
4. Film yourself and get feedback from Trainers
The easiest way is to get someone who is experienced (a coach, trainer,...) to observe your movements and give feedback on your form.
If you can't find anyone who can directly do this, you can film yourself and send it to Reece - MMM Coach, so he can identify your problem better.
Hope that with these tips on “How to fix muscle imbalance”, you can have a general look at this matter and improve it for better performance and appearance. If you have any questions or want to work on this problem more properly, leave us a message.
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