[debaser12]

I don't really exercise, never properly have. I've played the guitar for 6 years and I always play sat down, leaning on the guitar.

This has built up a pretty large peck on my right side from all the strumming with nothing on the left side.

I was wondering if anyone knew the best way I could even them out. I've got a set of dumb bells that go up to 4.5kg and something I can use as a bench.

My idea is to get some protein powder stuff (while it's half price) and do as many chest strengthening exercises after taking it but I don't know a thing about fitness really.

Cheers if anyone can help!

[Theo M. Whittington]

Hey there,

I have no idea how you've done that.. I suspect it is a case of a muscular imbalance making your chest appear bigger on one side from how you are standing. I may be wrong but I would be very surprised if playing guitar could develop one pectoral muscle over the other to a point that it was obvious. Stand up straight in front of a mirror, with your ears level and your weight centred and see if you still notice it.

If it is noticeable, I would advise you to do 3 sets of as many push ups as you can do every other day and keep an eye on posture in day to day life. The amount of muscle mass that can be gained from playing guitar can't be that significant, so pushups should easily balance out the chest. You do not need to work the weak side more than the strong side, work them both equally.

That's all I can suggest, doesnt come up very often lol. Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

Theo

[debaser12]

Theo M. Whittington, on 20 February 2012 - 08:25 PM, said:

Hey there,

I have no idea how you've done that.. I suspect it is a case of a muscular imbalance making your chest appear bigger on one side from how you are standing. I may be wrong but I would be very surprised if playing guitar could develop one pectoral muscle over the other to a point that it was obvious. Stand up straight in front of a mirror, with your ears level and your weight centred and see if you still notice it.

If it is noticeable, I would advise you to do 3 sets of as many push ups as you can do every other day and keep an eye on posture in day to day life. The amount of muscle mass that can be gained from playing guitar can't be that significant, so pushups should easily balance out the chest. You do not need to work the weak side more than the strong side, work them both equally.

That's all I can suggest, doesnt come up very often lol. Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

Theo

Thanks for your reply, I'll give your advice a try. It is noticeable when I stand up straight. You could split me down the middle and assume it's two different guys! It's like a strong looking guy on one side and a normal weedy-ish guy on the other. I can tense the right one fully and the other I can only tense it near the shoulder.

I should also mention my right shoulder (with the peck) is about an inch lower than my left. I've also asked my doctor about this and he said it's like how a tennis player will have a larger arm on they're batting arm.

Josh

[debaser12]

Also, you'd be surprised what playing guitar can do. Your fore arms get pretty big and the muscle on your hand between your index finger and thumb becomes huge after using thick gauge strings. After playing for a few hours you get pretty achy in your left and hand and right chest and arm muscles. Not that it's counted as exercise but still...

[fitnessman]

Well thats interesting i wouldn't have thought you could build muscles in the chest from guitar playing. Definitely press ups is the way to go, do it 3-4 times a week and check the mirror every now and again, hope you notice a balance appearing soon.