Joslyn's Blog Spot - Save the best 'til last...

This post isn't itself the best that I have been saving until the end of the year, it's a little more about training theory and how you should always favour your weaker side when doing unilateral work.

Take a lunge for example. For the most part, one side is always going to be easier than the other, my left side is definitely weaker than my right. This could be due to weaker muscles, instability, poor proprioception, or a past injury. Whatever makes the side more difficult is neither here nor there and will probably be being dealt with in your training programme. Which side you prioritise in the movement however, is very important. It is natural to favour your good side and wow your trainer with how efficient you are, leaving the dud side 'til last. However, your ego should be pushed aside and you should always start on your weaker side, whether it's single legged toe taps, reverse lunges, single arm snatches, turkish get ups and so on. You will always have a little extra energy in the pot if you work the weaker side first, giving it a little more opportunity to catch up with the stronger side. If you always work the stronger side first, then you will continue to widen the gap between your weak side and your strong side.

This same principle flows into the rest of your training. It makes sense to put large compound movements (squats, deadlifts, pull ups) that will require extra energy at the beginning of your programme when there is lots of fuel in the tank, rather than scraping up the energy to do them after having done smaller muscle movements like tricep dips and bicep curls.

So think, weaker muscles require more energy left in your pot in order for them to become stronger and bigger movements require more energy left in your pot in order for them to be performed efficiently!

See you in 2010!!! Have a great Christmas!!

Joslyn