introduction + muscle imbalance

[Sam]

Hey guys,

New here at the forum. Reader from the beginning of Stronglifts.com (couldn't miss it back then - got linked from sosuave.com, zenhabits.net and dutchbodybuilding.com).
Stronglifts 5 x 5 is the only program I was ever consistent on, and that's quite something for me
My compliments on your site Mehdi, it's been a considerable influence for me...seeing actual progress in strength carried over in confidence and determination in other projects I've been slacking on for...well, forever. Thanks for that.

More on topic, I'm going to a commercial gym. Unfortunately not geared towards stronglifts, or most axial training routines for that matter.
Atleast people don't look funny at me anymore for using their "empty barbell storage holder" as a squatrack, but although I'm only hovering around beginner stats according to
http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLifti ... dards.html
safety is becoming an issue without a decent squatrack or powercage. Not to mention deadlifting and squatting heavily seems frowned upon by the monitors, I can't "drop" the weight on deadlifts should the need arise, I have to lower it down gently.

I'm building my own homegym in the soon to be finished garage in the backyard, that's not before april this year however.
Since my gym account still runs untill March 1st, I decided to focus mostly on proper form on the program, and increasing workload by manipulating rest time.

Now my problem:
I've noticed the right side of my body is actually a bit bigger then the left, for example: my right upper leg circumference is half an inch more then the left.
Also when watching my deadlift from the front (mirror or person) there's a noticeable pelvis imbalance, the right side is tilted more upwards, no matter how much I try to correct it.

Possible actions I'm pondering upon:
- introduce unilateral exercises like the single leg deadlift.
- visit my families ostheopath and see what he can do (spelling? Sorry, flemish/dutch word is ostheopaat, guessing this is the english counterpart). He mentioned a slight pelvis imbalance couple years ago, but the ortopedist (spelling again! "footdoctor" )said there was nothing off it
- Oh, and I'm reading Pete Egoscue's book right now.

Any idea's? Would be appreciated.

[Young Athlete]

Go see a medical professoinal specialized in that area of the body! It seems you have a problem(I have no idea how bad it is though sorry) and definitely seeking out professional advice would be the best idea.
I wish I knew three languages. Damn the school systems in America I do very well in school and I would only be average compared to kids across the seas.

[Alex Pullman]

I say just do what you want to and don't care if you get kicked out or not, if you do it will be a great story. I mean don't slam the deadlifts down on purpose, but if you're going heavier and you can't manage to place it down like a nice pet, oh well they will just have to deal with that. Don't be reactive to the "monitors". Remember, if you act with authority you can get away with ANYTHING.

[Mehdi]

Welcome Sam. You're from Belgium too then? Which region?
Osteopath is correct. Check egoscue method starting chapter 4, page 54, self-diagnose. See what pelvis imbalance you have. Desk jockey? Plaid sports before?
Bad posture takes years happen, will take several months before you fix it completely, depending on the severity of your misalignment. Persistence is, like with everything, key. Not only the rehab, but also prevention: if you have bad postural habits, you'll need to address them too to make sure it doesn't come back.
I wouldn't waste much time with unilateral exercises, just focus on the posture.

[Sam]

@young athlete
It's not a problem in the sense that I can't run, jump or lift weights.
However when I do overexert myself or feel jointaches it's 80¨of the time my right leg, so I foresee it becoming a problem when weights and age go up.

@Alex Pullman
Good call. I'm building my homegym though, so it won't be a problem either way.

@Mehdi
Thanks for the welcome. Yes, Belgium, Antwerp. Kapellen to be exact.
Typical type 1 condition diagnosis comes up with Egoscue method. I'll introduce the exercises for the coming 3 weeks, evaluate and plan further after that and consult with my osteopath.
I'm hoping it will simply be fixed by doing the Egoscue Dlux routine from now on.
Desk jockey? Too much internet and games in the past. Work was labor and horeca though.
Sports. Squash with friends. Two years eskrima, on a 6 month break now. Planning on trying out wrestling this year.

@Mehdi again
Much like zenhabits.net, I'm fond of stronglifts.com. I like the focus.
I bought some books on amazon through the site.
Though I shun sites that require membership fees, I don't mind at all donating a small ammount of money for a site I frequent daily, and I'm sure others think the same.
The stronglifts.com/donate link doesn't work however, or maybe an amazon wishlist?

[Mehdi]

Condition 1 is easy. Condition 2 & 3 are much more tricky. I had never heared of eskrima before. You worked in a night club?

No need for donations/wishlist. I'll introduce soon a way to help me out for free on the forum.
Thanks for the motivating words on the blog Sam.

[Sam]

No nightclub. Restaurants and catering.
Eskrima is a Philippine martial art, mostly known for it's stickfighting, but depending on stule includes empty hand techniques. It can be a rather elaborate system, but the basic premise is pretty much hit the adversary with what you have. The first movie in the Jason Bourne trilogy supposedly contains Kali/eskrima moves.

"I'll introduce soon a way to help me out for free on the forum."
Sounds good.

[Mehdi]

No nightclub. Restaurants and catering. Eskrima is a Philippine martial art, mostly known for it's stickfighting, but depending on stule includes empty hand techniques. It can be a rather elaborate system, but the basic premise is pretty much hit the adversary with what you have. The first movie in the Jason Bourne trilogy supposedly contains Kali/eskrima moves. "I'll introduce soon a way to help me out for free on the forum." Sounds good.

I just checked the wikipedia page on Eskrima. Interesting