Nobody wants to look like a cartoon, so make sure you’re building your body in proportion and take a good, hard look in the mirror. Then, follow our 5 easy steps to better muscle balance! You know the guy…the one with the bulging biceps, pecs and delts, hunched over as he walks. And you think, “What’s up with the Incredible Hulk? Doesn’t he know to train his other side, too?” Well of course you do. But, actually he probably trains alone at home or with a few friends at the gym. He definitely doesn’t use a personal trainer. He trains the muscles groups he enjoys training. And he doesn’t see himself in profile or from the back and doesn’t notice the bad posture (YET). Nobody wants to look cartoon-ish, so, how can you pinpoint the weaknesses in your workout and achieve better body balance in your own physique?

A good first step is to face yourself squarely in the mirror on all four sides and tell yourself the truth! Then follow our top 5 steps to a better body balance in your workout and in your physique: Be your own best personal trainer (or get one) Tell yourself what you see in the mirror with the objectiveness of a trainer. Are your calves skinny, but your quads are bulging? Identify spots that look odd, overly bulky, un-toned or areas you want to build on. You might need a notebook, you might not! Switch it up Don’t get in an exercise rut! Experts agree that varying your workout regimen is a plus for muscle breakdown and recovery, balanced results and workout motivation. Ask friends and forums for ideas, and hire a trainer once in a while just to stir things up. Muscles respond best to different types of usage for the best all-around result. Work opposing muscle groups at all times It seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget on a daily basis just because some muscle groups are weaker than others, some muscles groups are more fun to work, and some muscle groups show results faster than others. Experts agree: To attain body balance, you have to force yourself to work the back if you work the front! Add cardio like never before Aerobic exercises utilize large muscle mass areas and it takes both sides of the opposing muscle groups to accomplish the activity, so adding new cardio is an easy way to accomplish body balance without having to think about it. Some target only certain muscle groups like stair-stepping, spinning and recumbent bike riding while other cardio activities really target total body balance like swimming, rowing and dance aerobics. Added benefit: The leaner you are, the more muscles pop! Always be on the lookout for new moves. Watch what other people do, pick up body building magazines for secrets, visit forums and be sure you’ve covered and rotated all the basic moves regularly by checking out the Exercise Library from the American Council on Exercise.