Muscle distribution.

Question
Hi,

Just a quickie; I've been rowing intensively for the last two years, only ever on bow side. I've noticed a distinct imbalance between my right side and left side muscles (mainly in my chest), the right side being more developed (larger). Is this normal? I'm quite worried about it and shall spend the next two years rowing on stroke just to even it out!

Any tips/advice would be welcome!  

Answer
Hi Ant: When I rowed competitvely, I did note my feathering (right) wrist (I preferred Port side, though I could row both) was a bit bigger and better defined than my left one.  It makes sense that muscles may get a bit more work if you row sweeps from one side only.  However, I never knew anyone who complained of an assymetrical body from rowing exclusively on starboard side.  I would think your weight training would offset that.  Rowing is a strength building exercise, but I never gained much mass from rowing miles every day (if anything, I lost mass if I didn't augment my rowing with weights). I'm also surprised that your right pec is getting so well developed.  The chest isn't the most major muscle involved in the rowing stroke.

The easiest solution would be to spend some time on Port side as you suggest.  But that's easier said than done.  Once you have a preferred side, you really don't like to switch.  I used to hate starboard, but one coach forced me to row it for a whole summer and I actually had one of my best seasons ever.

My recommendation would be to try some sculling this summer and to augment your sweep workouts this fall with sculling.  The CII Erg replicates the sculling motion and may help a bit.  But actual on-water time in a well set double or gig, may do wonders for your symmetry.

Hope this helps/AP