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Weight Training Paul
Mar 10, 2008 - 3:57PM
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Why did I get muscle imbalances
I'm pretty sure I got my muscle imbalances ( hight right hip ) due to weight training
But why?
I always used a balanced training program
Do you think I must have favoured one side of my body on certain lifts like squats and deadlifts perhaps?
Paul
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Ann
Mar 12, 2008 - 3:47PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi there Paul,
I dont know much about weight training, except my husband used to do it. I was just looking at articles on this site though and noticed this one which may be of some help/interest to you?
"Body Building and Back Pain"
What do you think?
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 12, 2008 - 5:33PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Thanks Ann that's just what I was looking for, something like that
It makes sense, and that's what I thought the guys from the LTBP would say
However from my training prgram I certinly shouldn't have got any imbalances - but I have
My chest stands out compared to my upper back, I've always struggled with putting mass on my upper back,
even though I trained it just as hard as my chest
Also I know my quads / thighs are quite big, but to be honest so is my glutes and hamstrings - this was though squats
When I first started training at 17, 5 years ago I realised balance and wanted a balance body
I never set out and overworked any specific muscle, my program was balanced
The only thing I can think of is that some parts of my body simply grows better that other parts, even though my program was balanced, therefor my chest and quads should be focused on less, when I train again
Thanks
Paul
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Dan Monahan
Mar 12, 2008 - 8:03PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Paul
Don't forget that a balanced body is not just strength, it is a flexibility issue as well!!
If for instance you have a all round balanced body building program, you still have to look into the fact you may be seated alot during the day, or standing, or performing certain movements or NON movements during your day, that is countering your work in the gym!
Also when bodybuilding, the main objectives are to build muscle mass and strength, the strength when it comes to posture is a different type of strength then that compared to muscle building, it is more a tensile strength, muscular endurance!
For example when performing an upper back exercise, you are working the muscles of the upper back and in time these muscles will gain in size, but your not training them to be able to hold your posture correctly when sitting for example are you??
The exercises have to mimic the movement...
Have you possibly looked into "Functional Bodybuilding"?? Look into some articles by Paul Chek.
I'll leave you with a few definitions:
Local muscular endurance:
Muscular Endurance is the measure of how well muscles can repeatedly generate force, and the amount of time they can maintain activity.
Muscular strength:
Muscular strength is the capacity of your body's muscles to generate extreme amounts of force in a short period of time utilizing anaerobic energy.
Hope this helps some how
Dan
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 13, 2008 - 6:16PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Thanks Dan
Some fantastic reading on Paul Chek, thanks for telling me about him, some good reading t -nation
I know what your saying about weight training is anaerobic and it's strength and size which you gain
I think you hit the nail on the head, it's holding posture correctly where I'm probably weak with my back, it's isometric endurance which need to be addressed and the flexibility as well
Paul
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Rich Lauro
Mar 14, 2008 - 8:18PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Paul, I specialize in identifying and correcting muscular imbalances. Paul the reason our bodies become imbalanced is due to our muscles becoming inhibited.
When a muscle is inhibited, it means the muscle does not have a proper neurological connection. Therefore, it cannot be strengthened through regular strength training exercises or stretching until the muscle is activated or “jumpstarted.”
When a muscle is inhibited, it means that the connection between the brain and the muscle is impaired.
By using Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) Therapy and/or corrective isometric exercises that are designed to “jumpstart” or activate the relationship between the muscle and the brain you will correct the imbalances and reduce your pain.
It’s like tightening the battery cables on your car. The goal is to utilize all of the electrical impulses being transmitted to the muscle.
By “tightening the cable” or “jumpstarting” the muscle, the end result is increased contraction of the muscle. When performing strength training exercises with a neurologically weak muscle, you will only reinforce the imbalance.
It is very possible for someone to have inhibited muscles for years and not even know it. Each time a muscle moves the joint into a position of vulnerability, it’s asking your body to re-visit the trauma.
We want to avoid this trauma at all cost, So instead of moving the joint into its vulnerable position we place the muscle in shortened position and perform isometric contractions. These contractions strengthen the neurological connection.
Isometric exercise are not about strengthening muscles, there about restoring the neurological connection to each muscle so it can be properly strengthened with conventional exercises. This is why isometrics exercises are so important to perform before starting an exercise or rehabilitation program.
Sorry it took so long to explain!!
Thanks
Rich
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 15, 2008 - 5:27PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Rich, thanks for taking the time to help me out, it's appreciate
Why did my muscle or muscles become inhibited though?
From the video's I've see and the tests I've done the LTBP guys think I have a high right hip, which means my right glute and also the right hamstring is weak - the glute in the main though which is weak, and an over developed right quad - adductor in the main
I understand what your saying, I guess it could be compared to the mind muscle connection for example
So, if my right glute is weak or inhibited or ( my brain has lost the connection/feeling of this muscle )
why did that happen ???
Did I favour my left side when squating / was my mind muscle connection weak when driving up on the squat?
I guess if you have a muscle which is inhibited I would be making compound moves like deadlifts, cleans, squats, ect less compound as I would using less muscles in the lift ????????
If my right glute is the problem what do you think to this link for reactivating the glute
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=495189
I look forward to your relpy if you have time mate
Thanks
Paul
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Rich Lauro
Mar 15, 2008 - 6:20PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Paul, muscles become inhibited for many reasons.
STRESS, TRAUMA, overuse and believe it or not stretching could all cause muscle to become inhibited.
It does not matter if you have one hip higher than the other. I have scoliosis and one hip higher but don't have any pain ot problems.
Here's how to activate your glute lie on your stomach bend the leg of the glute you think is inhibited(I would do both sides).
Now try to lift your leg and hold for 6 seconds. Make sure your not compemsating by shifting your body concentrate on just lifting that leg without any help from other muscles. perform this 6 times and hold for 6 seconds each time.
Quick Note:I work with people who have muscle imbalances everyday just because you feel pain or discomfort in one area does not mean that is the problem.
I have people coming to me with shoulder pain and it due to imbalances in their lower leg. Back pain could be caused from many different areas.
Hope this helps
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 16, 2008 - 12:57PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
I'm in England, I'm not sure if theres any of those specialist here
That sounds a little bit like the back part of a " superman "
You say only hold for 6 seconds each time, when I'm doing the " Floor Bridge " with one leg held in the air and other holding my bodyweight, I hold and contract the glute really hard for 60 - 90 seconds
Why not use isometric contraction for longer and make it harder?
Thanks
Paul
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Rich Lauro
Mar 16, 2008 - 4:49PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Paul, just hold it for 6 seconds repeat it 6 times that's all that's needed to get the neurological connection back. Then you can do the movement for reps.
Each time you perform the movement it should get easier then you can perform any regular strengthening exercises you feel are helping.
Remember your just guessing that it's your glute. To know for sure you needIt could be one or many muscles that are the problem.
Rich
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 16, 2008 - 5:06PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
From the videos I've see on the LTBP program they say it's a weak right glute and hamstring
weather thats a guess or an educated guess, but since using the program I can tell I am making slow steady progress
How do you test or what tests do you do to pinpoint the weakest link or imbalance?
Thanks mate
Paul
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Andrew Jarvis
Mar 19, 2008 - 4:09PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Paul, I have low back pain due to bodybuilding aswell. I think the imbalances may have been caused by the grip i was using doing deadlifts ( left hand facing the opposite direction from the right hand). If you have found out any good tips to help my back i would be greatful.
Thanks
Andy
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Weight Training Paul
Mar 19, 2008 - 5:19PM
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Re: Why did I get muscle imbalances
Hi Andy
If you haven't already done so, use the LTBP program and find out which imbalances you have
It's the best decision I have made for my back problem
I know what you mean with deads, didn't you change the grip from one hand overhand and the other to underhand for each rep
I never did that style, I always just used both hands overhand on the bar and used straps
My best lift was 160kg / 360 pounds for 6 reps at 15 stone / 210 pound at 6 ' 2 tall
I would look into Al meilus as well, this guy has helped many top athletes, he's in the US though
www.meilus.com
Have fun
Paul
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