Imbalance?

[Shmegeg]

If you train with mostly compound movements and there are some muscles you dont work out, so you don't stretching them either - won't this create muscle imbalance and injury?

[UKfightfreak]

Give examples.

[mmeloon]

If you train with mostly compound movements and there are some muscles you dont work out, so you don't stretching them either - won't this create muscle imbalance and injury?

Focusing on compound exercises really isn't an excuse for having muscle imbalances. If you do bench press, then you should do a rowing movement. Both are compound exercises. Bench presses strongly work the anterior deltoid and pectorals which will tend to pull your shoulders forward. Rows work the posterior deltoid and muscles of the upper back which will pull your shoulders back. Work the two movements with equal intensity. Look around the gym and you'll find lots of muscular guys who's shoulders are slumped forward and have terrible posture. That's because those guys are going crazy on bench and neglecting their back work. It's easy to understand why: bench presses are more fun to do than rows. Also, when you look at yourself in the mirror with your shirt off you see your chest rather than your back. These are reasons -- but not good ones. Don't get in the habit of working one half of your body more than the other.

You should be able to find complimentary compound exercises for most muscle groups. Squats vs. deadlifts. Bench vs. rows. Shoulder press vs. pull-ups. If you are especially concerned with avoiding injury then perhaps a set of L-flyes for the rotator cuff. Just make sure to work opposing muscle groups with equal intensity. If your bench press is going fine but you're not making any progress in rows at all then consider holding your bench back until your rows catch up.

-Mark