Is General Symmetry a Concern When Working Out on a Machine That Uses Pulleys?

Factual Questions
1

I recently purchased a Total Gym® Pro, the one endorsed by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley on late night infomercials. I love it. It was relatively inexpensive(Compared to the BowFlex®, or Nordic Track®, @ about $130.) It gives me a full, sweaty, heartpounding, “wake up in the morning as stiff as a board” work out and it I can conveniently stow it under my bed or in the closet, as advertised. Plus, I can do it whenever I get the urge, not having to shuttle back and forth to the gym.

I have been using it pretty regularily, almost everyday for the past two months and I am starting to worry that since the machine uses a pulley system it may be giving me an asymmetrical workout. Do the pulleys allow this?

It seems that whenever I gaze vainly into the mirror it appears as if my right shoulder is bigger than my left, and my left forearm is bigger than my right. Or does the pulley system ensure that my right and left sides are receiving the same workout, since in theory they are pulling against each other? My guess would be that the workout is symmetrical, but I would like to be sure.

Any ideas?

Is it common for body builders to have to work out one side more than the other to maintain a symmetrical look?

2

I’m not familiar with that particular piece of equipment, but try an experiment. Do a press or leg lift or whatever with only one arm or leg. If the machine automatically moves the other side of the bar in concert with the side you’re pushing, then yes, you may have trouble with symmetry. That’s because the machine will let you push harder with one side than the other. If the machine somehow forces you to balance the weight with both arms or legs, then your workout should be symmetrical.

It is possible to become asymmetrical over time, but I wouldn’t sweat it (ha!) yet. Just concentrate on doing the exercises properly and in a controlled manner. And stretching before and after working out will help reduce the stiffness.