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About Tim Vagen
Expertise
I can answer any questions on strength training, general exercise, sport specific training. I can also answer questions on training with injuries.

Experience
I have 25 years of professional training experience and have combined a physical therapy background with training and exercise. I have worked in the NFL and LPGA along with recreational and elite level athletes from around the world. I have over 40,000 training hours and have trained thousands of individuals over the years.

Organizations
NSCA, American Swim Coaches Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the International Youth Conditioning Association.

Publications
Local Magazines, television, sports radio, web sites

Education/Credentials
I have a BS in Exercise science and graduate courses in anatomy, physiology and human movement. I'm certified as a Strength and Conditioning Speciialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Awards and Honors
I have competed sucessfully on the international level in the sport of rowing and have coached internationally as well.

Past/Present Clients
NFL, MLB, LPGA, US National Figure Skating Champion, US National Swim Champions.

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Bodybuilding > Strength Training > left side vs right side, football

Strength Training - left side vs right side, football

Expert: Tim Vagen - 11/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: whats goin on man, got a couple questions for you.

the left side of my upper body, pec, bi, tri, lat and delt are all a bit smaller and weaker than the right side of my upper body, any suggestions about what can do to balance them out.

also, i'm about to start lifting weights again, i was suspended from school for a semester and played on the football team while i was at school. before i was at school i never lifted that much, i guess i was just have good genes, i'm 6'1 and 180 lbs and about 6-8 % body fat. at school my friends made me lift pretty much haha. so i was wondering what some good exercises i can do for football that would improve my strength and size and keep me lookin good and cut for the ladies. i just want to add, if its any help at all, i cant do deadlifts or any types of cleans because i fucked my lower back up deadlifting wayyyyyy to much for me at school. any help would be great brotha.

ANSWER: I normally don't answer questions with f-bombs in it.

Lifting for football is going to entail Olympic Lifts and deadlifts. You may want to get your back checked. If you hurt it doing those lifts then you were lifting wrong.

As for the left sided weakness, this is not uncommon. We saw this in the NFL a lot. Concentrate on performing all you lifts with dumbbells. Add in a few extra reps on the left side and you should balance out.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok....sorry about the "f-bomb" but you didnt really answer my question about what are some good lifts for me to do to get in shape before i go back to school. any suggestions

Answer
No worries...not like I haven't heard it before.

For strength I would suggest the following: 4 sets 8 reps

Dumbbell bench
Single leg squat
Single leg straight leg deadlift
Seated Rows
Pull ups
Planks
Horizontal pullups (pull ups on a smith machine with feet elevated#
Push ups #feet elevated#

For Power and speed: 5 sets 5 reps
Box jumps
Med Ball throws #6# med ball for max speed)
Single leg hops

For conditioning:

10 x 20 yard sprints starting every 20 seconds. Repeated 3 times

Strength work should be done 3 times per week.

Power work 2 times per week

Conditioning 5 times per week

Hope that helps, good luck

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