Unilateral Exercises

March 11, 2024

A jagged dark mass curves beneath a bright, white background.

A unilateral exercise is resistance training or weight bearing exercise when you only

work one limb at a time (one arm or one leg). Examples of unilateral exercises for your

lower body include step-ups, split squats, or lunges. Upper-body exercises include 1

arm dumbbell or cable row, and a 1 arm dumbbell or cable press.

Unilateral exercises are great to include in your workout routine because they improve

stabilization and reduce the risk of injury. When you are only working one side at a

time, your body is forced to use the muscles that keep you stable and balanced. This

translates into better balance in everyday life.

These exercises are also great to improve muscle imbalances. We all have a dominant

side or one arm and leg that is stronger than the other. When doing exercises that

involve both sides at once, your dominant side can carry more of the workload without

you realizing it. If it is a squat or bench press, your stronger side can actually be lifting

more than half the weight. Unilateral exercises ensure both your strong and weak side

are getting equal work and help to balance out any differences in strength.

For more understanding of the proper ways to exercise for your health and your goals,

contact Axio Fitness today!

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