My right leg is 1-1/4" bigger than my left. (23-1/2" vs. 22-1/4") The difference is noticeable, ugly, and I can tell it negatively affects my form when doing squats, so that probably means it’s unsafe too.
My training is as follows:
Monday:
Deadlift 5/3/1
Deadlift 6x10
Clean 5x6
Breakdancing practice (a little)
Tuesday:
OHP 5/3/1
DB OHP 6x6
Dips 5x6
Pull-ups
Breakdancing practice (a little)
Wednesday
Breakdancing practice
Grip work
Thursday
Squats 5/3/1
Squats 6x10
Front squat 5x6
Pull-ups
Breakdancing practice (a little)
Friday
Bench press 5/3/1
Bent-over row 5x10
DB BP 6x6
Grip work
Breakdancing practice (a little)
Saturday
Breakdancing practice
Sunday
Rest
What can I do and when to put some meat on my left leg? I’m fine if a size increase in my left leg makes my right leg get smaller, I just care about being strong, safe, and symmetrical. I thought about doing bulgarian split squats and lunges but these challenge my stronger leg to some extent. My gym has a leg press, leg extension, leg curl, smith machine, along with the basic DBs and BBs and a rack. So I’m open to any ideas for exercises and where to put them.
I would have thought your best bet, as you said, would be to incorporate split squats. Do equal weight and reps on both legs, though it will undoubtedly feel like you can do more on your stronger leg.
As for where to put them in your routine, I’d add them on your squat day. If you find your workout is long enough as it is you could replace front squats with them until the balance is sorted out and then switch back.
I’m wondering what the difference tolerance should be for somebody without bodybuilding goals.
My left quad a little over an inch larger than my right.
MY left calf is about 3/4" larger than my right.
MY calves are a little over 2" larger than my upper arms.
What’s weird about the legs is that I’m right-handed, so you’d expect the opposite, wouldn’t you?
[quote]1 Man Island wrote:
So i busted out the tape and read the article…
I’m wondering what the difference tolerance should be for somebody without bodybuilding goals.
My left quad a little over an inch larger than my right.
MY left calf is about 3/4" larger than my right.
MY calves are a little over 2" larger than my upper arms.
What’s weird about the legs is that I’m right-handed, so you’d expect the opposite, wouldn’t you?[/quote]
I’m right handed also, but my my left quad/hamstring/calf are all bigger and I favor them in leg exercises, but I think this is mostly because I’ve played basketball my whole life and naturally you’ll shoot alot more right handed layups (jumping off your left leg) than left handed ones.
[quote]1 Man Island wrote:
I’m wondering what the difference tolerance should be for somebody without bodybuilding goals.
My left quad a little over an inch larger than my right.
MY left calf is about 3/4" larger than my right.
MY calves are a little over 2" larger than my upper arms.[/quote]
If your goals aren’t physique-based, then it almost doesn’t matter how they look to the naked eye (different from measurements) as long as it isn’t impacting your performance.
I’d make sure there’s no significant strength discrepancy, but other than that, if you don’t have bodybuilding goals, you don’t have to “match up” to bodybuilding ideals so you’ve got more leeway.