Different grip strength/endurance

[Mark Jakabcsin]

First off. Clubbells....love 'em.

There is a noticable difference in the grip strength and endurance between might right and left hand. When doing dual exercises (using both clubbells at the same time) I have been gripping the clubbell in the same place for both hands. Basically this means my right arm/grip doesn't get as good of a workout because the left wears out way faster. I could grip the Clubbells in different places to equalize the workout but I am afraid that a) this will cause me to be unbalanced and possibly create an accident (Clubbell going through a wall or TV) and b) my strength and endurance on my left side will never catch up if I train my right side just as hard. Since the right shoulder would also become much stronger than my left could it cause problems with my neck or back?

What is the prevailing theory on different grips? Plus & minuses. Thanks in advance.

mark j.

[Coach Jones]

Mark,
Remember that in addition to building strength/endurance with the CB's your also refining your movement and grooving your technique. Most likely the strength/endurance disparity is being amplified by the fact that your dominant side is also more "coordinated" and therefore moves the Clubbell more efficiently. If you stick to working both sides equally while concentrating on technique (essentially maintaining the strong side while improving the weak side) it shouldn't be long at all before your off side catches up enough to get where you want to go. I can't think of anyone I know that doesn't have a predominant side but you can get them close enough.

Good luck,
-Brandon Jones, CST

[Scott Sonnon]

I agree with Brandon. Work both sides equally to the point where you can maintain proper form. There's about a 25% carry-over from one side to the next, so as long as your challenging your non-dominant side, you benefit both.

As an aside, handedness is really a myth. We're all "mixed" dominance to degree. Take that from a dyslexic. :wink: