We’re all a little bit wonky….
Do you feel like one side is stronger than the other?
The truth is we're all like this. Slightly wonky.
We all have dominant sides, and it's not always consistent down the body either.
For example, I'm right handed but I'm left leg lead for a lot of activities like snowboarding and kicking a ball. Even after the skiing accident, where I ruptured my ACL and damaged my meniscus on my left knee.
It's not all about strength either.
Your coordination, motor control and proprioception (or body awareness) varies from side to side.
If you use one side more than the other in everyday life activities (such as writing) then that side develops all of those practical skills and dexterity much more so than the other, as well as the muscles themselves becoming stronger.
The tennis player Nadal is a great example. He's naturally right handed, but taught himself through repetition and hard work to play as a leftie to get a competitive advantage.
How does it affect your running?
When one side of the body is stronger, more stable or more flexible than the other, it has a detrimental impact on your running form.
Running is a repetitive, symmetrical motion so it requires balanced engagement from the muscles on both sides.
When one side is weaker, less stable or less flexible, it can cause a ripple effect through your body, leading to compensation patterns that affect how you move. Reducing your efficiency and power, and potentially increasing risk of injury as certain muscle groups work harder to compensate.
In short, the best thing you can do for your running is to reduce the muscle imbalances through your body as much as possible.
What can you do about it?
The first step is awareness. Improving your proprioception/body awareness so you notice the differences side to side.
Lots of PfR members have fed back that this was an unexpected advantage of doing Pilates sessions. They were suddenly aware of areas of their running form that could benefit from more strength or mobility to even out their stride and form.
I wouldn't worry about having a stronger or weaker side. Like I said at the start, we're all a bit wonky. The key is to know where the imbalances exist, and to close the gap as much as possible.
Top Tip
Work your "weaker" side first when you do exercises. Our concentration is then at its best, which helps to improve your motor control on that side.
If you're beginner level on that side then work at the same level on the other side for the same length of time or reps. Even if you feel the stronger side could work harder or for longer.
Don't be worried about apparent "weaknesses". The fact that you're aware of them means you can work on them and that is a huge advantage.
Not sure where to start?
Take the guess work out of your exercises and sessions.
Just follow along on the PfR calendar each day. There is a short session to do each day, and by the end of the week you will have hit all the key areas you need to work on through the body, improving your strength, stability and mobility.
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