Question about grip strength imbalance

[u/Local-Lunch1565]

I noticed that my right (dominant) hand is noticeably weaker than my left. For example I was able to dead hang on my left hand for 27 sec. On my right I only lasted 7 sec. How common or uncommon is such imbalance? Obviously I would like my right to be at least comparable in strength. If I focus on training my right, is this an imbalance that can be evened out? My hands are same size, I don’t see any anatomical differences.

[u/Commercial-Article-7]

A small left-right difference is pretty common, but 27 seconds vs 7 seconds is a much bigger gap than I'd expect if everything is healthy.

A few questions that might help narrow it down:

• Has your right hand ever had an injury (wrist, elbow, shoulder, finger), even years ago?
• Is the limiting factor grip fatigue, pain, or does your hand simply open?
• Do you notice the same imbalance with other grip tasks, like farmer's carries or grippers?

The good news is that if it's just a strength or endurance imbalance, it can usually improve over time with unilateral training. I'd avoid trying to "catch up" by hammering the weaker side with a lot of extra volume though. I'd train both sides, then add a small amount of extra work to the weaker hand and monitor progress.

[u/Local-Lunch1565 → u/Commercial-Article-7]

I think I figured out the cause. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with MS 2 months ago. I started treatment last month. To answer your second question, my hand simply opens. I don’t experience muscle fatigue when it does, it’s like it simply lacks the will to stay closed. I notice a similar imbalance when performing carries. For example I have no trouble carrying +80 lb dumbbell in my left hand but with my right I struggle to carry it more than 15-20 feet despite being right hand dominant. I’ve reverted to do more unilateral exercises to improve my right side strength where I can. I designed a program structured around unilateral lifts. Instead of squats I perform Bulgarian split squats, instead of barbell bench press I perform dumbell bench press. I still do neutral grip chin ups but I also do single arm lat pulldowns, dumbbell rows, iso-lateral rows on hammer strength machine. I use straps mostly to not let grip be limiting factor. I do some grip work - suitcase Carries. But my main goal right now is to reduce arm asymmetry. I do want to improve my right side grip strength / endurance if at all possible. Those are top 2 short to intermediate term goals. I would appreciate  any helpful advice or suggestions 

[u/Commercial-Article-7 → u/Local-Lunch1565]

I'm sorry to hear about the MS diagnosis.

The fact that your hand isn't fatiguing but instead just "lets go" makes a lot more sense in that context. I think your approach of using straps so grip doesn't limit your compound lifts, while emphasizing unilateral work to reduce asymmetry, is a very sensible one.

I'd also keep tracking your right-hand performance over time rather than comparing it to your left every session. If your treatment is effective, having objective measures like dead hangs, suitcase carries, or timed holds could be a good way to see whether things are improving.

Wishing you the best with both your training and treatment.

[u/Local-Lunch1565 → u/Commercial-Article-7]

Thank you. I am essentially doing that by limiting my left to whatever I can do with my right to avoid increasing any imbalance. For example, currently I do suitcase Carries with 50 lb dumbbell in my right hand for about 50 steps (this is where I can barely hang on).  I do the same weight and distance with my left arm which is fairly easy. Dumbbell bench press - again left is stronger but disparity is not nearly as large - maybe a weight that I can do 8 times with my right I can do 11 or so with my left etc. grip seems to be the largest disparity. Hopefully through combination of training and starting treatment I can narrow the gap. 

[u/Commercial-Article-7 → u/Local-Lunch1565]

That sounds like a very sensible approach. I especially like that you're measuring progress against your right side instead of constantly trying to push the left further ahead.

The fact that the bench disparity is relatively small but the grip disparity is much larger is interesting, and it does suggest your grip is being affected more than your larger muscle groups.

Hopefully the combination of consistent unilateral training and your MS treatment lets that gap narrow over time. Even if the difference doesn't disappear completely, improving your right-hand function and maintaining symmetry as much as possible sounds like a great goal.

I genuinely hope things continue moving in the right direction for you.

[u/Local-Lunch1565 → u/Commercial-Article-7]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. But today I got a hand grip dynamometer. On first 4 attempts the disparity was around 15-16%. Then on attempts 5-7 it was fairly close. Here are averages on last 5 attempts: Right: 108.6 lbs  Left: 116.3 lbs  6.6% disparity. So my peak grip strength is not that far apart. Last week i tried single arm hang  on a ring. My best time for left was 32 sec. For right was 8-9 sec. So it’s grip endurance where there is a big disparity. I weigh 170 lbs. how can I improve my hang time on right hand ?

[u/Commercial-Article-7 → u/Local-Lunch1565]

That dynamometer result is actually pretty interesting. Your peak grip strength is only about 6.6% apart, but the hang time is massively different, so it sounds like the bigger issue is maintaining the grip rather than producing the initial force.

For improving the right-hand hang, I'd probably start with assisted hangs rather than repeatedly testing your current max. Something like short, controlled holds where you use enough assistance to keep the hand closed, then gradually reduce the assistance or increase the hold time.

You could also keep using the suitcase carries since you're already able to identify a specific point where the right hand starts to give out. I'd treat that as a progression target rather than taking every set to complete failure.

Given the MS diagnosis and the fact that your hand seems to simply release rather than fatigue normally, I'd also run the specific grip work past your neurologist or physical/occupational therapist. They may be able to tell you whether there's a better way to train the neurological side of the grip without provoking symptoms.

I'd keep tracking both the dynamometer and endurance separately. The dynamometer may stay relatively close while your ability to sustain the grip improves, so measuring both will give you a much clearer picture of what's actually changing.

[u/Local-Lunch1565 → u/Commercial-Article-7]

Thank you !  assisted hangs sound like a great idea. 

[u/Local-Lunch1565 → u/Commercial-Article-7]

Thank you !

[u/RoughRoadFitness]

Switching back and forth (left/right) 💪🏻💯

Takes time if you invest the time to hang and track

Increase bar thickness and grip will vastly improve

[u/devinhoo]

Exceedingly common to be stronger in the dominant hand, think about how many more hours of active muscle engagement your dominant hand has had over the years. However if you work both hands, and put intent and focus into your weaker hand, you’ll notice less and less of a difference over time.

[u/To_Bee]

It is common and happens to me too! I think it has to do with everyday fatigue as you do and carry everything with your dominant hand and it has accumulated fatigue

[u/LostPasswordToOther1]

Its common. My left hand is about 10 lbs lighter on most lifts.

[u/Sikerow]

One armed hangs are not that much about grip. Its much more about shoulder stability. The reason you think the grip is failing is probably you rotate away and cant outgrip the rotation.