And because muscles work in chains, imbalance-related issues can become a chain reaction, affecting other parts of the body. When it comes to unilateral strength training, dumbbells are the perfect equalizing tool, demanding matching effort from both sides. Leverage science for corrective exerciseOne of the significant differences of unilateral training compared with standard bilateral training is its unique effectiveness as a rehabilitation tool. Research has found that when you train one side of the body with unilateral training, the other side is also stimulated, and this indirect stimulation actually strengthens the nonworking side. No need for an exhaustive focus on the weaker side; by practicing unilateral exercises with equal effort, cross-education training supports the creation of balanced strength and stability.

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Persons: Dana Santas, CNN —, sidedness, Maskot Organizations: Pain, CNN, Major League Baseball, UCL