Remember that feeling of effortless movement? Perhaps it was keeping up with the kids, excelling in your favourite sport, or simply moving through your day without a second thought. As we journey through our 40s, 50s, and beyond, many of us start to notice subtle – or sometimes, not-so-subtle – shifts. Maybe one side feels a bit weaker, an old injury whispers a reminder, or those familiar “niggles” seem to crop up more often, holding you back from the activities you love.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people describe this as a “muscle imbalance”. At iNform, we delve deeper into this common concern, looking at what’s known as strength asymmetry – a measurable difference in strength between your limbs. Understanding this is a crucial first step to training smarter, not just harder, and proactively building a body that lets you continue to do the things you love. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new iNform SymmetryCheck, designed to give you the precise insights you need.

What Exactly is Strength Asymmetry (and Why Does it Matter After 40)?

Strength asymmetry refers to one limb or side of your body being stronger than the other. While a small degree of difference is normal (we all have a dominant side!), a significant muscle imbalance can be a hidden factor contributing to:

• Those persistent aches and pains.
• Reduced performance in activities you enjoy.
• An increased risk of injury.
• Difficulties with balance and stability.

Bouncing Back Stronger & Moving with Confidence

As we age, addressing muscle imbalance becomes even more important for maintaining an active, independent, and fulfilling life.

Few things are more frustrating than an injury or a recurring niggle that stops you from doing what you enjoy. Whether it’s keeping you from your morning run or putting your golf game on hold, muscle imbalance often plays a role. Often, after an injury, the affected limb naturally becomes weaker. For example, significant quadriceps (thigh muscle) weakness is very common after ACL knee surgery and can persist if not specifically addressed.

Understanding your strength symmetry is crucial for a truly effective recovery. Our iNform SymmetryCheck can establish a baseline and track your progress. Research shows that achieving good strength symmetry – often aiming for less than a 10% difference between limbs – is a vital milestone for a safe return to your activities and can lead to better long-term outcomes. (7) It’s about ensuring your body is ready to handle the demands you place on it, reducing the chances of frustrating re-injury.

Your Solution: iNform SymmetryCheck – Quick, Safe, and Insightful

“Train smarter, not harder” isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a strategy we passionately believe in. Instead of a generic approach to exercise, what if you could pinpoint exactly where your body needs targeted attention? That’s the power of the iNform SymmetryCheck.

What does the iNform SymmetryCheck involve? It’s simpler and quicker than you might think!

• Quick & Efficient: The process typically requires only a few minutes of your focused effort for each area tested.
• Safe & Controlled: We use a specialized device from VALD called a dynamometer. This allows us to accurately measure your maximum strength in a specific, controlled position (this is called an isometric contraction) without requiring you to perform strenuous, full-range movements. It’s a safe way to get powerful data.
• Precise & Objective: This method gives us objective numbers, taking the guesswork out of understanding your body’s unique strength profile.

This isn’t about striving for perfect, identical strength on both sides – life and sport often create natural, functional differences. It’s about identifying those muscle imbalances that might be silently holding you back, contributing to aches, or making you less efficient.

Your Personalized Path to Moving Better and Feeling Stronger

Imagine knowing that every exercise in your program is directly addressing a specific need, highlighted by objective data from your iNform SymmetryCheck. We don’t just give you a generic plan; we use your unique results to create your personalized roadmap to:

• Targeted exercises that feel like they’re waking up muscles you didn’t even know were underperforming.
• Functional movements that translate directly into making everyday activities feel easier and more secure.
• Strategies that build overall strength and confidence, helping you feel more capable and energetic.

This personalized approach means your efforts are focused, efficient, and directly aligned with getting you back to feeling your best, taking into consideration your unique body, your history, and what you want to achieve.

Take the Next Step: Address Your Muscle Imbalance and Embrace a Fuller Life

If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, and you’re ready to be proactive about your physical well-being – to move beyond those “niggles,” feel stronger, and keep doing the things that bring you joy – then understanding your body’s strength and muscle imbalance is a powerful and insightful first step.

Our new iNform SymmetryCheck service provides the clear, research-backed roadmap you need. It’s quick, safe, and provides invaluable knowledge to train smarter, and embrace your activities and exercise with confidence.

Ready to find your balance? Book your SymmetryCheck

Have Questions? Contact us for a no-obligation chat about how our iNform SymmetryCheck can help you.

Further Reading:

1. Parkinson AO, Apps CL, Morris JG, Barnett CT, Lewis MGC. (2021). The Calculation, Thresholds and Reporting of Inter-Limb Strength Asymmetry: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 20(4), 594–617. 
2. Sun, W., Li, H., Qu, L., Zhou, Y., Cao, X., Wang, K., & Li, K. (2025). Unilateral plyometric training effectively reduces lower limb asymmetry in athletes: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology,16, 1551523.
3. Schmitt, L. C., Paterno, M. V., & Hewett, T. E. (2012). The Impact of Quadriceps Femoris Strength Asymmetry on Functional Performance at Return to Sport Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(9), 750-758. 
4. McGrath, R., Vincent, B. M., Jurivich, D. A., Hackney, K. J., Tomkinson, G. R., Dahl, L. J., & Clark, B. C. (2021). Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Together Are Associated With Functional Disability in Aging Americans. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 75(4), 726–731. 
5. McGrath R, Lang JJ, Clark BC, Cawthon PM, Black K, Kieser J, Fraser BJ, Tomkinson GR. (2023). Prevalence and Trends of Handgrip Strength Asymmetry in the United States. Advanced Geriatric Medicine and Research, 5(2), e230006. 
6. Egoyan, A., Parulava, G., Baker, S., Gilhen-Baker, M., & Roviello, G. N. (2023). Movement Asymmetries: From Their Molecular Origin to the Analysis of Movement Asymmetries in Athletes. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 13(11), 2127.
7. Read, P. J., McAuliffe, S., Bishop, C., Oliver, J. L., Graham-Smith, P., & Farooq, M. A. (2021). Asymmetry Thresholds for Common Screening Tests and Their Effects on Jump Performance in Professional Soccer Players. Journal of athletic training, 56(1), 46–53.