free weights VS machines to fix chest imbalance

[jsr2188]

left side of chest and front delt is stronger than the right side, and also noticeably bigger (probably only to me) when benching with barbell the left side always seems to be favored more and gets a pump and the right side doesn't. i even try to concentrate on the right side more but it's starting to piss me off. was wondering if the hammer strength machines would be a good way to correct this. not really machines per say, you put plates on each side and each side goes up independently while benching but the weight is supported and it's impossible to favor one side more then the other. was thinkikng about using a similiar machine for front delts on shoulder days. would this be a good idea or would dumbbells be better.

 

[M21SL]

bump for this. id really like to hear some vets answer this, as I too feel like I have the exact same problem. My left pec has ALWAYS been quite a bit bigger than my right, even back before i started lifting, and now the left has grown more than the right. Any advice on how to even out this imbalance would be awesome!

 

[Dave_19]

the bottom line with this is the only way to over come the imbalance is to over train the under developed area. This is not easy to do with out UNDER training the developed area, and in that sense you're just training less, which should not be your goal. A lot of this is genetics and will be near impossible to over come.

 

[oldfella]

Me personally I would go with dumbell work. It makes each side work independantly of the other. It also brings key stabilizers into play which you will not get with any machine. It is the stabilizers that help with the movements. I find I can really concentrate on the feel through my chest with D/bells. When you lift, do it in a very deliberate controlled manner and focus on working them to meet at the same time. You can get more peak contraction with d/bells also.

 

[M21SL]

ya I definitely agree Dave, I realize genetics plays a huge role, since there has always been an imbalance there. I guess I just need to find how much more i can train my underdeveloped side without undertraining the bigger side. I need to find a nice balance. I also agree with OldFella, I think a big reason why my chest grew imbalanced was because for the first couple years i lifted (high school weight room) I did primarily all barbell work, so I didnt use dumbbells enough which require each side to work independently. Yo Jsr i wasnt tryin to hijack the thread, hope some of this answered your questions!

 

[Dave_19]

its simple though, if you train that under developed muscle more, it will grow, just put more focus on it consistently and it will grow. symmetry is only for the judges below the stage, no one else will notice or judge you.

 

[Pekkerwood]

It is really odd, I have had the same issue, left side, little better. I am right handed, what are you guys? BTW, Dumbells seem to help the problem for me. I no longer do barbell bench (Shoulder issues).

PWood

 

[M21SL]

I am right handed as well, but my left side is much bigger. I will just train the underdeveloped side more, and if it doesnt really help much, then oh well. Im not gonna lose sleep over it.

 

[Ashop]

left side of chest and front delt is stronger than the right side, and also noticeably bigger (probably only to me) when benching with barbell the left side always seems to be favored more and gets a pump and the right side doesn't. i even try to concentrate on the right side more but it's starting to piss me off. was wondering if the hammer strength machines would be a good way to correct this. not really machines per say, you put plates on each side and each side goes up independently while benching but the weight is supported and it's impossible to favor one side more then the other. was thinkikng about using a similiar machine for front delts on shoulder days. would this be a good idea or would dumbbells be better.

Try using a dumbbell routine for awhile,,,they will help.

 

[emeric delczeg]

left side of chest and front delt is stronger than the right side, and also noticeably bigger (probably only to me) when benching with barbell the left side always seems to be favored more and gets a pump and the right side doesn't. i even try to concentrate on the right side more but it's starting to piss me off. was wondering if the hammer strength machines would be a good way to correct this. not really machines per say, you put plates on each side and each side goes up independently while benching but the weight is supported and it's impossible to favor one side more then the other. was thinkikng about using a similiar machine for front delts on shoulder days. would this be a good idea or would dumbbells be better.

Use the flat banch hammer machine, if you train your chest once per week add on extra chest day, but do 5 sets of 10 reps only for your left side.

 

[emeric delczeg]

Use the flat banch hammer machine, if you train your chest once per week add on extra chest day, but do 5 sets of 10 reps only for your left side.

Sorry use the right side

 

[emeric delczeg]

Sorry use the right side

If your Gym has no flat hammer, than use flat bench dumbbell press right side only, you must have in bouth hand the same amount wights for the balance but you will press up only the right side.

Don`t use seated hummer it dozn`t hit the chest corectly.