Soooo, this is a weird thing to post but I guess I wonder who else has similar issues.
I've been getting into some more advanced stuff with both my boards, short and long. And I'm really, really frustrated with my left leg, which thanks to a snowboarding injury and health issues as a baby, is smaller and weaker than my right. Almost to the point where it makes me self-conscious, but not quite. Anyway, I decided that learning to ride mongo and switch would help me build the strength back and gain better balance on that leg, so that's what I've been doing. But I guess I'm just really pissed off that I feel so lopsided...and of course, the fact that I'm regular-footed, is totally screwing me because that means my right leg (pushing leg) will always be stronger than my left.
I have been skating to various degrees of seriousness for about 11 years and until recently, it never occurred to me that my left leg could be the reason that I have trouble landing tricks and basically just trusting myself enough to use both sides of my body equally. Paying for physical therapy is not really feasible since I do not have health insurance and I'm at a loss as to what to do instead. Should I just bite the bullet and learn to skate goofy-footed and hope that in another 11 years I can finally even out, or what? Gaaah. Sorry I'm so emo. I fear that my right calf will become three times the size of my left unless I switch my stance. What should I do? Calf implants are expensive...
When I get my own internet connection back I will post photos of my banged-up tattooed legs and you can tell me if it is beyond the help of leg presses and calf raises...every night I stand on my left leg until it starts to burn but I am consumed by the idea that I should have started doing this when I first got off crutches after getting hurt. Oh well, I suppose I should be thankful that I have two legs.
This may be somewhat weird, but I always thought the leg that stays on the board did the work. I am regular foot/mongo push, but my right leg is stronger than my left and if I push for a long period of time, my right leg feels sore, not my left. Is this not how it works for everyone else?
When I get my own internet connection back I will post photos of my banged-up tattooed legs and you can tell me if it is beyond the help of leg presses and calf raises...every night I stand on my left leg until it starts to burn but I am consumed by the idea that I should have started doing this when I first got off crutches after getting hurt. Oh well, I suppose I should be thankful that I have two legs.
if you had an injury with your left leg then i would not use weight training just yet. focus on variations of lunges for your left leg and calf raises, and if your active while your doing this they will soon equal out.
try out a sport like running too or biking. or any sport that uses both sides of your body equally and you'll left leg will equal out to your right. plus it will have a huge impact on how well you can skate.
Skating with no health insurance... thats hardcore man.
It's a funny thing, Often times i think i feel it more in the leg that stays on the board. Especially in the quads and buttocks. Also its true, everyone is more dominant with one foot, to varying degrees. I think you work different muscles in different legs, but overall i think the exercise gained from skating is mostly cardio and not as much strength related. Strength is gained by building muscle...lifting weights, squats, etc. Skating isnt really like that...If you ever notice, runners do not have huge strong legs, actually they are rather scrawney. This is because you burn more than you build when you run, and the same goes for skating.
I too have been plagued with injury in my career of riding and skating and at various points have been stronger one one leg than the other. Mostly I think is how you deal with it. If you are in pain thats a different issue, but if all feels normal, sticking tricks and stuff is very much mental. Your mind knows how to work your body. Controlling your board comes from practice with your body. Unless you are severely handicapped, I think focus could be just what the doctor ordered.
I think you got it right when you say that you have a hard time "trusting" one half of your body. We all go through that, and it is what makes skating the uniquely difficult sport we all know and love.
Keep practicing, and working, if you are self-conscious about your leg i think the other fishes got it right when they say 'hit the gym'. Skating is hard, and making excuses will mentally inhibit you. Stay positive, skate hard, and with time you will get better.
Peace,
G
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Thanks guys. Well I tried riding switch (or goofy, I guess, since I'm on a longboard and not a snowboard?) today as well as riding mongo and pushing with my left foot. It felt kinda weird but not as much as I'd thought. I think that will help me a lot. My new job allows me to use their gym for free so I think I got a good deal there too.
If physical therapy is not an option, weight training on your own especially unilateral movements is probably your best bet. Start light, make sure your form is good, do the same number of reps on each side and then work up.
Just learn goofy, i started trying to ride goofy today and ive already improved heaps, its not that hard, nd riding mongo is even easier, also being able to skogg is wicked.
Thanks to a broken foot and another hockey injury from my youth i have a similar problem try riding switch and learning tricks switch. You will find certain switch tricks come easier than others because of it. for example board walking and cruising tricks are easier than when learned regular but sliding is impossible.
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"And if I was brave, I'd climb up to you on the mountain,
They led you to drink from their fountain spouting lies.
And I'd slay the horrible beast they commissioned
To steer me away from my mission to your eyes.
And I'd stand there, like a soldier, with my foot upon his chest,
With my grin spread, and my arms out, in my bloodstained Sunday's best,
And you'd hold me; I'd remind you who you are under their shell."
regular-footed and lopsided :-(
