T Nation

Different Sized Lats

#1

Noticed today that my right lat is visibly larger than my left.

I'm a powerlifter and I don't do much single arm training at all. In fact all I so single arm are Kroc rows and bicep curls, and if anything my right arm tends to be weaker.

So, any ideas about causes and more importantly, solutions?

I've got a slight tweak of some sort in my left upper arm which has been there for a few weeks but is getting better.

I've noticed absolutely no odd movements for barbell presses, rows, DL, etc. The bar moves smoothly and without and tilting in any weird direction. I used to sometimes come up crooked (right faster) doing pull ups but that stopped months ago.

I am flummoxed.

#2

Do you use a mixed grip when you deadlift?

#3

Do you use a mixed grip while deadlifting?

[quote]MarkKO wrote:
Noticed today that my right lat is visibly larger than my left.

I’m a powerlifter and I don’t do much single arm training at all. In fact all I so single arm are Kroc rows and bicep curls, and if anything my right arm tends to be weaker.

So, any ideas about causes and more importantly, solutions?

I’ve got a slight tweak of some sort in my left upper arm which has been there for a few weeks but is getting better.

I’ve noticed absolutely no odd movements for barbell presses, rows, DL, etc. The bar moves smoothly and without and tilting in any weird direction. I used to sometimes come up crooked (right faster) doing pull ups but that stopped months ago.

I am flummoxed. [/quote]

#4

Do a more strict DB row, focusing on lat contraction. There’s some decent isolateral row machines in most gyms that, IMHO, are good.

Whatever you do, focus on the contraction. Pretend you’re a bodybuilder.

#5

I do use mix grip for heavier sets, but only when I can’t use matched. I’m working on my grip, so happily I’m able to use matched grip more than I used to. When I use mixed grip I alternate hands pretty evenly, either each rep or each set, precisely because I didn’t want this imbalance. Apparently that didn’t work as well as I’d hoped.

Thanks for the tips, I think what I’ll do is add some isolateral machine rows at the end of every session for high-ish reps just on my left side and whenever I do Kroc rows I’ll add an extra set on my left side. When thnigs are even again I’ll just keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t go out of kilter again.

#6

Do you sleep on the smaller side?

#7

[quote]zephead4747 wrote:
Do you sleep on the smaller side?[/quote]

Sometimes, not often. More often the larger side, but not by too much.

#8

the solution is to make your lats huge. Shit like this becomes less noticeable when you’re huge

#9

I’m certain any number of life problems more pressing than this can still be solved by growing huge lats.

#10

[quote]Yogi wrote:
the solution is to make your lats huge. Shit like this becomes less noticeable when you’re huge[/quote]

I like this solution.