Recently I’ve been unable to lift due to a broken right hand from a fight (I’m right handed). I’ve been unable to lift since (about a month) and probably won’t be able to lift for another month and a half. I’ve seen studies done in which only one side was worked but the other side saw a percentage of the gains.
Do you guys think i can lift just my left side for a month and a half without any problems? I’m afraid of an imbalance, strength and physique wise. Thanks.
Yhea youll be fine I was just in a cast for 8 weeks with a Bicep tendon disconnect, two weeks prior to taht awaiting surgery and then/now slowly come back but its coming along fast
I wouldnt just sit it wait it out better to get one side strong the body will want balance when it can
Phill
[quote]JSopko wrote:
Do you guys think i can lift just my left side for a month and a half without any problems? I’m afraid of an imbalance, strength and physique wise. Thanks.[/quote]
You can stop training all together and have a “balanced” body that looks like shit. Or you can have some imbalances but not look like shit.
In any event, you’re in one of those, “Shit happens. Do what you can do” places. Your one-sided training is not optimal, but it’s much better than doing nothing. Many things in life are like this.
I tore off a bicep in 05 and ripped a pec in 06. Both times I did training for the good side and I can’t prove it, but I believe came back quicker for having done it. I looked ridiculously imbalanced after ~4 weeks, but it came back just fine as I built strength on the injured side.
Thanks a lot guys, I plan on starting tomorrow with unilateral work. Anyone have any good suggestions as far as upper body unilateral work goes? I was thiking dumbbell bench press, maybe dumbbell press, I need to search through the site still but any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.
get creative pull and opush a lot of things with the one arm. One arm DL’s etc your imagination is the limit
I even put a band around the elbow of the bad arm and did various raises etc for mu shoulder etc
Phill
try some sled harness stuff. i.e. through a belt.
even leg presses might be good here.
Had first workout on just the left side and got some weird looks but who the hell cares. Phill out of curiosity did you have noticable physique difference from the two sides when you worked just one side? I know it’ll be a bit different since your most likely more advanced then me i.e. don’t gain muscle mass/strength as quick but i was just curious. Thanks.
[quote]JSopko wrote:
Recently I’ve been unable to lift due to a broken right hand from a fight (I’m right handed). I’ve been unable to lift since (about a month) and probably won’t be able to lift for another month and a half. I’ve seen studies done in which only one side was worked but the other side saw a percentage of the gains.
Do you guys think i can lift just my left side for a month and a half without any problems? I’m afraid of an imbalance, strength and physique wise. Thanks.[/quote]
When you go to the gym, look for those straps that you’re supposed to put on your ankles and attach to the cable machines.
Grab one and attach it to your right arm, just above the elbow.
Now you can hit the right side of your chest, back, shoulders, etc. The only thing you’ll really be missing is right arm bicep and tricep work.
I did it for a good 3-4 months when I dislocated my elbow. There was a huge difference in the end due to atrophy, but I gained 3 inches on my right arm in a month. So Id definitely say it helped. I haven’t had any problems with strength imbalance either. My left arm is stronger, but I don’t have any problems with compensation or pushing harder. My profile pic was when it was at its worst.