Peak human movement requires a balance of muscles that are both strong and flexible. Typically, a muscle imbalance is when a muscle is strong and the opposing muscle is too weak. The stronger muscle always takes over and the weaker muscle will “disengage”, allowing the stronger muscle to be overworked. Over a period of time this creates a perfect storm for an injury. However, all muscles work together so sometimes it’s not the opposing muscle that’s too weak or too strong it’s a muscle in another part of the body.
Practically everyone on this planet has muscle imbalances of one sort or another, even the best of the best. I was privileged to participate in the physical therapy session of a basketball legend. His physical therapist told me they had to be careful because if they fix one thing that’s wrong, it may cause something else to go out of whack. This is true for all of us. We have our muscle imbalances for a good reason.
What to do then? Make sure all muscles are strong and flexible. The body works as a complete whole. Typically men will work on upper body and women will work on legs and butt. We need upper, lower, front, back and side to side strength. We need to stretch our bodies, all the time and in all directions. If a muscle isn’t flexible it limits it’s ability to get stronger. Work on one arm/leg at a time. We all have one side that’s stronger than the other.
Change your workouts as well. Try different exercises, and different type of exercises. If you just lift weights, try using a cable system or TRX. Try doing only body weight exercises. Mix things up. Do static stretches, AI stretches and foam roll.
Work the body as an entire whole, rather than body parts then you are well on the way to correcting muscle imbalances.
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