I noticed today that when I flex I have a large disparity between my left and right lats. My lat workout mostly consists of pullups (mid and wide grips). Any ideas on how this came about? How to fix this? My lats are already fairly small, so it shouldn’t take too much time to fix.
What sports did you play when growing up?
You don’t shoot a bow do you? That will cause all kinds of imbalances.
I have had this problem in the past myself. I did some uni-lateral work (as Ian King says "weak side first) and concentrated on the secondary movers in the actions with the lats (bicep, rear delt, middle/lower trap, etc…).
I have seen most of my imbalances get fixed this way. Also making sure that I stretch both sides of the lats allowing the body to reach a balance that way.
Travis Gordon
Growing up I played soccer, swam, ran track and field, played football, all somewhat competively (though never lifted). I never shot a bow in my life…though I do believe that’s the real man’s way of hunting! ![]()
Bowing is the real man's way of hunting? Sure thing buddy.
I think Ian King talked about using unilateral movements to correct imbalance. He said if hte imbalance is great, then do the weaker/smaller side first then do the stronger/bigger side. If the imbalance is minor, then alternate (weaker side 1 rep, stronger side 1 rep, repeat)
Continue to do pullups, but focus on forcing the weak arm to work. Your body would just as soon have your dominant side lift the entire load; it’s a imbalance you must mentally correct during the set.
Attempt to do one-arm pullups, hammer-grip on the same bar, one hand 10 inches from the other. Grip supinated and close to the body with the weak hand, pronated and away with the strong. Use the strong arm as little as possible on the concentric movement, and the weak arm alone on the eccentric.
Consider adding a few sets of unilateral dumbbell pullovers, weak side only, after you conclude with pullups.
DI
Not sure if this was what Knight was saying, but have you considered doing pullups by pulling your chin to your left hand? There’s no way in hell at my stage of development that I could do a one arm pullup (i dont think too many people can).
Thanks guys, I think that’d work, and it should improve my chins/pulls.
Now I know why you old timers are always harpin on us youngsters to do a search before we ask a bonehead question. “Ask and ye shall recieve”
Damn that bow!