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Hi,

I have a concern regarding my pectoral muscles. I had worked out for a little while - maybe 6 months - using, basically, a machine. Part of the reason I used the machine was because first, this was the first time I was hitting the gym, and second, I didn't have a spotter, and was too worried about dropping the weights on myself!

In any case, I moved to a new city, and stopped going to the gym for probably 9 months. About 1 month ago. Since I go with a friend now, I'm working on freeweights. However, at this point, the only exercise I do with my pectorals is the freeweight bar.

I noticed tonight to my horror that the right side of my chest is bigger than the left side (and yes, I am a righty). When I was working out with the machine benchpress, I didn't notice any size difference.

I'm not sure why this is the case - maybe in fact there was a difference in muscle size / strength from the bench machine? Or maybe in the time I didn't work out, as I'm a righty, the left side atrophed more?

When working out, I do notice I am a bit weaker on my left side. But, if I'm doing, say, 6 reps, I "droop" more on my left side - but only when I'm struggling to get the bar up in the last one or two reps.

Regardless, my question is this: if I continue on the freeweight bench, will this "autocorrect", or do I have to work specifically to build up that left side, otherwise it will either stay smaller? As this is freeweights, I can't imagine the difference will get any bigger....

Thanks a ton for any advice on this!!!

I'm sorry, part of my message was incoherent and I can't seem to edit it...:

- Using basically a *benchpress* machine.
- About 1 month ago *I joined a gym in the new city where I'm now living.*
- I can't imagine the difference *in muscle size* will get any greater.

Thanks.

Stats?

I'm 5'11", about 165 lbs. I can't lift that much at all yet, as you can probably tell from my post and the stats! Benchpress, for example, I can lift only 45 on each side. I've noticed a little muscle gain already (at least some!), which is pretty cool. It's also nice to think how, just 4 or 5 weeks ago, I could barely keep my balance with the bar!

In any case, as for the size of my right vs. left side, there's not a huge difference between the two, and actually my brother insisted today that it's not even noticeable unless I point it out and he really stares at it. One thing I have noticed from the time that I started working out is that I'm definitely getting stronger on me left side - the bar doesn't droop in the same way. Tonight, in fact, I think I only got it up slower on the left side on two reps. In all, this makes me think that my body will build sufficient muscle on my left side to eventually make parity with my right side....

In any case, I should also get your feedback: when I do benchpress, I do something like:

12 reps: 25 lbs
8: 35 lbs
6: 40 lbs
4: 45 lbs
3: 45 lbs
3: 45 lbs

Just this last time, I decided to take a bit of a rest, and then threw on 35 lbs and did about 6, then stopped.

Thanks for any feedback!

Get stronger. Stop worrying about such inconsistencies. Focus on getting stronger. The unevenness will even itself out.