One arm stronger than the other on single-arm dumbbell tricep extension?

[afterbluegreen]

On the single-arm dumbbell overhead tricep extension, my right arm is stronger / can do more reps than my left (eg R 10reps, L 8reps). Is this a problem? Should I be able to do the same amount of reps with each arm?

[SuffolkPunch]

No

Everyone has asymmetries. I wouldn't worry about it.

[BeginnerGainz]

Do your strong arm first, then match reps with the weaker arm. Even if this means you have to rest/pause it. Example: 10 reps with your right, than 8 reps with your left then chill in the bottom position for 15 seconds than go for the last 2.

[EliKoehn]

Do your strong arm first, then match reps with the weaker arm. Even if this means you have to rest/pause it. Example: 10 reps with your right, than 8 reps with your left then chill in the bottom position for 15 seconds than go for the last 2.

Wouldn't that only serve to reinforce the imbalance? Did you mean to say to do the weak arm first?

[air2fakie]

Just do a two-handed overhead rope extension. You'll never know how weak your left arm is again.

[paulinkansas]

On all single dumb bell exercises, I can do more reps to failure with my left arm than my right arm. My left testicle is also larger than my right. I've been told this by several members of the opposite sex. But my brain is right hemisphere dominant (that means I'm good with numbers for you 'tards that don't know about hemisphere dominance). How do you explain that?

[TolerantLactose]

I'm northern hemisphere dominant. I think that's good because the southern hemisphere is full of venomous animals and penguins.

[paulinkansas]

the southern hemisphere is full of venomous animals and penguins.

There's a lot of pachyderms in the southern hemisphere too. I wouldn't want to tangle with a hippo. They can swim underwater and bite your boat in half.

[BeginnerGainz]

Wouldn't that only serve to reinforce the imbalance? Did you mean to say to do the weak arm first?

Not if the difference is a couple reps.

[EliKoehn]

Not if the difference is a couple reps.

But why imbalance it further even slightly?

[jaxqen]

I would have done my weaker arm first.

Or, better yet, hide my imbalances, by only doing bilateral movements, while yelling in the gym "Unilateral movements are for weirdos"
Then find some articles and youtube vids about why bilateral movements are better, to strenghten my opinions.

And, secretly, use the weaker arm to do all the other stuff you did with your strong arm: carry a bag, throw something, use a hammer, masturbation.
In 15-20 years, there will be balance again in your life.

[BeginnerGainz]

But why imbalance it further even slightly?

How do you figure that would happen?

If he is 2 reps short with his weaker arm, but rest in the bottom position of a movement, then finishes, how is that making it worse?

Over time, the problem corrects itself. 15 seconds becomes 5 seconds rest, then instead of resting to get 2 reps, he only has to rest a little to get 1 more rep to match. Then next thing you know, both arms are equaled out.

Or he could do bilateral movements and not worry about being similarly strong on each side of his body. Which is NOT a good thing as you get stronger at different movements. Compensatory movement patterns are a thing. The stronger side will take up the slack for the weaker side to complete a lift.

Spoiler: This is why I use dumbbells and/or single limb movements a lot more now.

[EliKoehn]

How do you figure that would happen?

If he is 2 reps short with his weaker arm, but rest in the bottom position of a movement, then finishes, how is that making it worse?

Over time, the problem corrects itself. 15 seconds becomes 5 seconds rest, then instead of resting to get 2 reps, he only has to rest a little to get 1 more rep to match. Then next thing you know, both arms are equaled out.

Or he could do bilateral movements and not worry about being similarly strong on each side of his body. Which is NOT a good thing as you get stronger at different movements. Compensatory movement patterns are a thing. The stronger side will take up the slack for the weaker side to complete a lift.

Spoiler: This is why I use dumbbells and/or single limb movements a lot more now.

Hmm, I guess that makes sense. I just think that if the right side is stronger, pre-fatiguing it only gives it still more stimulation than the weaker one, even if they're exhausted at more or less the same time by the end of the set. I don't really think it's all that important in the grand scheme of things, though.

[air2fakie]

Maybe not everyone wants to be symmetrical or held back by their weak side. brb, doing db bench with different weights in each hand.