DB Press hurts in the start position - BB press does not

[YouCrazyDiamond]

I'm not sure if this goes here or in exercises so forgive me if it's in the wrong section...

I have been dealing with an injured rotator cuff (probably) for what seems like forever - it is slowly getting better.

I thought that DB presses were supposed to be better on your shoulders than BB presses but I noticed that - with a DB Incline Press - the first position my shoulders are in when you kick the DBs back off of your legs they go next to your chest/nipples causes some pain and discomfort. I also noticed what may either be pain or fatigue on the same shoulder when doing flyes. It is harder to differentiate between the two with flyes for some reason.

Has anyone else with a rotator cuff injury noticed this in terms of DM vs. BB?

I can create pain by reaching my arm across my lower back with my palm facing my spine, also if I put my hand on my hip and sort of internally 'shrug' my shoulder, and sometimes reaching across my body and up.

I do rotator cuff strengthening exercises (internal/external) with cables and sometimes do broomstick stretches (although I think they may do more harm than good for me.)

Thanks for the input guys.

[2MuChBoDyFaT]

Originally Posted by YouCrazyDiamond

I'm not sure if this goes here or in exercises so forgive me if it's in the wrong section...

Ummmm .... ok, first off, this is the exercises forum

Secondly, I would suggest that if you have been doing RC exercises for "forever" and you still have noticeable pain in the joint, then go and see a physio and try and get it sorted out properly

As for your question, you will activate more stabilizer muscles/tendons by using DB's than you will with a BB. This pain you are feeling in your shoulder from using DB's is normal in my opinion, if you are carrying a pre-existing RC injury

Hope you get better soon mate. Cheers ~

- 2much

[Tucdaddy]

Sounds like your main problem is with internal rotation of the humerus. The simple answer would be to not do DB presses, just stick with the BB. But if you must use dumbells, dont allow your upper arms to go below parallel to the floor before the initial press off your chest. That increases strain on the cuff muscles.