Why Is One Side of Your Body Stronger? Understanding Muscle Imbalances

“Why is my right/left side so much stronger?”

This question comes up frequently at the studio. And it’s actually quite normal to have one side of your body be a little stronger and more coordinated than the other.

This difference happens as we unconsciously use our dominant side to do many daily activities involving carrying, lifting, pushing, stepping, reaching, etc. The more we practice and repeat these movements with our dominant side, the stronger and more coordinated it is.

How Unilateral Exercises Help Address Muscle Imbalances

While natural side preference is not cause for concern, people that have a career or hobby that puts too much repeated demand on one side could experience pain and increase the chances of an injury. Think golf, tennis or pickleball, where you repeatedly swing with the same side of your body, or a job that involves carrying or lifting on one side. It’s important to have awareness about how you’re moving to keep your whole body strong and correct any muscle imbalances that may occur.

One way your personal trainer addresses this is by incorporating unilateral exercises, where emphasis is on one side of the body at a time, into your workouts. Programming single limb exercises like split squats, single leg glute bridges, single arm dumbbell presses and single arm rows are examples of how we work together to balance strength and coordination on both sides of the body.

How to Strengthen Your Non-Dominant Side Outside the Gym

You can practice strengthening your non-dominant side in your daily activities outside of the gym too. Change which side you open your doors and cupboards with. Lead with your non-dominant leg when walking up stairs, stepping off curbs or even putting on your pants. Use your non-dominant arm to carry the trash out or push the vacuum. Find ways throughout the day to use the other side of your body and you will start to become aware of just how many movements you repeat every day and how all that practice contributes to one side being a bit stronger.

This trainer tip brought to you by Michelle Antosiewicz, CPT