One slightly weaker leg

[Abs811]

I was wondering if the strength of our legs are equal or whether one tends to be stronger. I've noticed my left leg is weaker than my right, I.e. when I exercise, my left leg gets tired first and I find it harder to do equal amounts of leg exercises on both sides. I can still use my left leg as normal, but it's definitely weaker. I'm therefore worried. I have now started obsessively looking at my left leg and I am sure the thigh muscle is slightly smaller on my left than on my right.

I'm going to see a Dr about this, but thought I'd ask is anyone has experienced the same thing? Not sure if it's relevant but I carry my 2 year old on my left hip alot, and have done so for over a year now. Do do this, I stick my hip out, not sure if that's caused any damage.

It’s usual for your dominant leg to be slightly stronger, same as arms. It’s only a concern if the difference is dramatic, I would think.

Not damage, just weakness, as you're taking more of your weight on your right all the time instead.

If you switch sides, you'll find it feels much harder because of this.

However, left to carry on and the weakness will eventually affect your back/hip/knee/ankle as you're putting uneven stresses on everything and making your posture wonky. A decent programme of strength and flexibility/core training will help you remember what straight/upright feels like and make everything much more balanced.

Thanks, I'm just not sure the cause is carrying the toddler.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Bump

It's totally normal, no one is perfectly equal both sides. I have one bigger leg, and one higher shoulder. Connstantly carrying a toddler on one side will cause some imbalances, but nothing that can't be fixed. Try and swap sides equally, same with heavy bags if you carry on one shoulder.

Wouldn't see a doctor for it, but if you're want to sort it then a personal trainer or physio would be your best bet to give you some advice on exercising the weaker one.

Thank you for your responses. I have also noticed that when I squat, my left hip bends lower and more at an angle. I'm worried that there's something going on there, could it really be due to carrying a heavy toddler for so long on one side?

Could be, could be just the way you're built. It's totally normal to be slightly uneven from left to right. Throw in a weighty child and you've effectively been training an imbalance for a year or two. Nothing to worry about, and nothing that couldn't be fixed. A physio would probably recommend some things like single leg exercises, rather than squats etc, to allow things to even out.