HOW TO KNOW IF SOMETHING IS OFF

OBVIOUS SIGNS OF MUSCLE

mismatches include pain or visible differences between the two sides of your body when exercising, says Simone Tchouke, a functional strength coach. If it hurts to squat, or you can do extra reps of single-leg deadlifts on one side, that’s a clue.

Other imbalances, such as weakness around the neck and shoulder blade, may be less obvious. If the shoulders are imbalanced, the pain may be in one of the blades, which can create tension in the iliotibial (IT) band (which runs along the outer thigh) and is an issue for runners in particular.

In addition to differences between the left and right of your body, you could also have muscle group strength imbalances, such as your posterior-chain (backside) muscles being stronger than the anterior (front) ones. Or your lower body could be disproportionately stronger than your upper body.

During your next workout, mirrors or videos – and total focus on form – should be your best friends. Tchouke noticed an imbalance when a friend videoed her doing a bench press and she could see the bar was uneven at the top of the movement. The more you learn…