Why do we like so much to see a house, a desk, a drawer, a building all beautifully square and tidy when life is asymmetrical by its nature?
Probably because the order outside of us gives us a sense of security, as if it made things right within us too, and so far nothing bad.
But we must remember, especially in the field of movement, that symmetry is subordinate to asymmetry, the bipodalic to the monopodalic, there is a hierarchy at the level of the nervous system and the correct biomechanics that is fundamental to keep our motor patterns correct and to avoid compensations that, even if small, will become important dysfunctions over time.
On the other hand, if you notice it, in everyday life there is almost never a moment in which we are perfectly symmetrical, resting on both lower limbs, with shoulders straight, arms at the sides, head at center of the shoulders.
Instead, we are constantly looking for balance within the gravitational field by alternating forces, compressions and loads from one muscle chain to another, from one fascial chain to another.
From this it is easy to understand that starting a training path and focusing mainly on symmetrical exercises is not the best choice, otherwise learning the correct single-sided patterns will also bring benefits to symmetrical exercises.
Let's take an example.
Learn the single leg deadlift before the bipodalic deadlift, rather than the one arm press before the military press.
Think of the athletic movements.
Running, javelin throwing, combat sports, golf, baseball, alternating use of muscle chains, shoulders that go up and down as well as the hips, in a continuous and harmonic dance of activation and deactivation.
Balances that constantly change, triggering myofascial responses and allowing more natural contractions and decontractions and in line with the fact that, let's face it, we are not made to have a military attitude.
Athletes like Usain Bolt have now taught us that the maximum expression of physical quality is given precisely by knowing how to manage our continuous search for balance, and experts like David Weck have also given us the tools to be able to move back in a natural way, expressing our potential to the fullest.
So, good asymmetry everyone!