One side bigger than the other

[mjmitchell1207]

Hey guys I need some input and help.
I had a nasty right shoulder injury playing hockey about 10 years ago. Torn rotator cuff, torn tendons and muscle. Everything has been repaired and did physical therapy.
Now that I’ve been lifting again for the past 5 years my left bi & tricep, trap and lat are bigger than my right side. I tried isolating and focusing on the right more. A friend of mine who’s a power lifter told me to get back to the basics and stop isolating. I stopped curls one arm pulls right side shrugs. I’m doing deadlifts, bent over rows more bench presses with wide, normal and close grips. Squats are rough because of my knees I can not go heavy. His logic was basics and heavy create growth and it’s working but the right side is still behind.
Should I add isolating my right side back in to my workout or do you think it will catch up using his method?
I’m definitely stronger now but I want symmetry back!!
What do you guys think?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Unknown348]

I’m still going through this after having acl surgery on my right knee. My legs are still alittle disproportional but are starting to get close. In my training I always start with heavy compound excerices then start doing single side isolation workouts and it’s seemed to help me pretty good. One thing I noticed is no matter what my stronger leg always does more work on the compound workouts which is why I also isolate each leg as well.

[mjmitchell1207]

I’m still going through this after having acl surgery on my right knee. My legs are still alittle disproportional but are starting to get close. In my training I always start with heavy compound excerices then start doing single side isolation workouts and it’s seemed to help me pretty good. One thing I noticed is no matter what my stronger leg always does more work on the compound workouts which is why I also isolate each leg as well.

That’s what I was noticing too!! My left was definitely doing more work than the right. So I dropped the curl bar and went dumbbells. More weight, reps and sets on my right side.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Unknown348]

That’s what I was noticing too!! My left was definitely doing more work than the right. So I dropped the curl bar and went dumbbells. More weight, reps and sets on my right side.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Im also alittle off with my biceps due to two broken collarbones and I notice if I do bar curls. Then try and do single arm dB curls. My stronger arm is struggling to do the reps where my weaker arm feels more fresh. That’s why I do the same and pretty much all my arm workouts are single side. It takes alittle longer in the gym but it defiantly makes a big difference

[Exo-Gen]

My educated guess/thought wld be to train with different weight through dumbbells , machines , for legs id do machines. Do you have access to still talk to your PT never know how deep their knowledge gos. Injuries suck..suck bad. Always a set back. Can really mess with your motivation. The fact your in there putting in the work shows strength in it self

[mjmitchell1207]

My educated guess/thought wld be to train with different weight through dumbbells , machines , for legs id do machines. Do you have access to still talk to your PT never know how deep their knowledge gos. Injuries suck..suck bad. Always a set back. Can really mess with your motivation. The fact your in there putting in the work shows strength in it self

I took your advice talked with a PT who knows my wife, benefit of having a spouse who is supervisor of X-ray, CT & MRI! Lol
They did a scan found tons of scar tissue. So I go everyday for therapy to loosen and break it up. Well SOB!!! I was doing shoulders and isolating each side and I had a grinding and popping happening then a pop like a crack and part of my delt that was flat bulged. I felt a little pain that immediately went away. I looked in the mirror, which I hate doing. Lol
The delt looked like my left side!!! Since isolating again and therapy I’m feeling more positive and I think some symmetry is happening. I’m pushing hard but avoiding injury. If I’m struggling for the last few reps I don’t move the weight up I just keep at it till it’s smooth then I’ll move up.
I wanna say thanks for the advice and encouragement!!!
The only way I’ll drop the iron is when I’m dead, I love this life!!!
Thanks guys!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk