Lunges ?

[polishedball]

Is it common to be stronger to one side? My right leg is a lot stronger or it appears, not sure if it is the leg or the balance of the opp back leg, but the one side 225 is no problem, but the weak side 185 about tips me over. IS this normal for a newb to it; I assume it will even out with some time. Surprised i never noticed a side weaker in DL's or Squat.

[dazlittle]

I do walking lunges holding two 45Lb plates and find that when I step forward with my left leg (I'm left handed) i feel stronger than when I step forward with my rights leg. For me I think it is more of a balance thing than strength.

I'm pretty new to them though so maybe its just execution of the move rather than balance or strenght, who knows? I like them though so I continue to do them.

[cmoore]

At first. As you do them more you should even out.

[polishedball]

Thanks

[broad.stance]

Is it common to be stronger to one side? My right leg is a lot stronger or it appears, not sure if it is the leg or the balance of the opp back leg, but the one side 225 is no problem, but the weak side 185 about tips me over. IS this normal for a newb to it; I assume it will even out with some time. Surprised i never noticed a side weaker in DL's or Squat.

Your strong side was likely compensating for the weak during DLs and squats. Though imbalances are common which is why many programs include unilateral movements to iron them out. Men can develop lower body imbalances from simply crossing their legs. The ankle-on-knee position will often elongate the glutes and adductors on the raised leg as well as shortening the hip flexors, all in relation to the opposite side. This can lead to weight differences in the lunge due to a combination of strength and flexibility imbalances - like resistance during the elongation phase of the rectus femoris of the habitually raised leg translating into lack of support/balance for the leg being worked.

What has worked for me in this area was paying attention to my lower body flexibility. SMR and stretches that hit the posterior chain, the hip flexors and anything which improves overall hip mobility is really good. Once I learned to settle into a 3 minute duration per leg, the bench stretch (or wall stretch) has become my favorite for putting the psoas in check.