Prioritzing weak muscles for a balanced body.

Posted by bodybuilder

Posted: November 7, 2008 - 3:00 pm

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We all have parts of our body that we love and other parts... not so much. If you are training for competitive body building purposes you are likely striving for an asthetically pleasing, balanced body to present onstage. Even if you aren't competing, it's important to train your body for symmetry and proportion to also maintain balance in your physique in an effort to avoid injury and make sure you are at the top of your game in your sport of choice.

Strive for a proportioned physique

Now what exactly does it mean to have a symmetrical body? Well, in body building terms it basically means that the whole body matches. The back of the body is equally developed to the front of the body in terms of size, definition and muscularity and the bottom matches the top in the same respect.

Having quadriceps muscles that are well developed and strong, for example, will throw off the balance of the lower body if the hamstrings, glutes and calves are underdeveloped and weak. This also puts stress on the knee and ankle joints and leaves them more susceptible to injury. Not only that, but if you are in competition- you will be marked down for an unbalanced body no matter how much muscle you carry or how low your body fat.

Does the bottom match the top?

We've all seen those folks at the gym with the large upper body and pencil thin legs strutting around without the slightest idea of their glaring weaknesses. Or maybe they do see them and just don't care because training that particular area is too painful and they just can't handle the discomfort. Don't let this happen to you. Take pictures of yourself from different angles to better assess the completeness of your body and don't live in denial about your weaknesses.

Prioritzing them in the gym at the beginning of your workout when you have the most energy will help, as will giving them a little more attention with extra sets/reps, different exercises and varying the poundages you use will boost the growth of those lagging body parts in no time. If your intentions are geared more towards fat loss, prioritizing your cardio and diet should be at the top of your list as well.

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