Developing biceps more than triceps or chest more than back

[knib]

I've been told that you should lift the exact same lbs for chest that you do for back, likewise for biceps and triceps. I am currently benching with 60lbs dumbbells and doing bent-over dumbbell row with a 65lbs dumbbell. My training buddy advised that I should lift the same weight for both these exercises otherwise I will have posture issues and develop a hunch back. Similarly he said I should use the same weight for bicep curls as I do for skull crushers otherwise it'll be out of balance and my arm will be messed up.

I was wondering if there is any truth to this or if it's just bro-science. To me it does not make sense as the back is a bigger muscle, so naturally I can move more weight with it. Thanks!

 

[halfwit]

You want a balance, but no way can you really follow that unless you restrict the weight on smaller muscle groups. Not to mention, you're not just using your lats for example in many back exercises; you're also usually using your delts/rhomboids/biceps/triceps/traps. Same with just about any exercise. Bench uses delts/triceps/serratus/and abdominals. It's not really a fair comparison in my humble opinion. I do think it's bad if you don't train each opposing muscle group, but I don't think that's realistic.

My .02c

 

[knib]

Thanks for the reply halfwit Yes you're right it's not as simple as comparing dumbbell rows to bench press 1:1 since muscles work in chains.

Of course, I don't skip back day if I've done chest that week. I will just continue pushing the max I can for each exercise. I don't think there's any point holding back on dumbbell rows because I can only lift a certain lbs for bench press.

 

[joliver]

That is bro-science. The benching and rowing muscles don't have the same origins, insertions, sizes, or leverages. To think that one should be identical to another is a misnomer, to say the least.

As long as you train with equal intensity and occasionally use unilateral work, you shouldn't have to worry about inequalities or asymetry.

 

[DreDay187]

Your friend should research his end more before doling out advice, no offense to him. Does he honestly believe a 5lb difference will create imbalance issues? I'm pretty sure all the Oly lifters who back squat more than they front squat have no posture or imbalance issues...they are mean SOB's lol. You must consider the different weights for different lifts can still be the same intensity and volume, the reason for differences in weights is bc of the different muscle groups being worked in different patterns. Both joliver and Halfwit are spot on...to bad I can't rep either of them