Shoulder pain

[BarneyfromON]

When ever i start to go heavy on the bench press i start to get shoulder joint pain. When i press i make sure that my elbows do not drop below 90 degrees..only to chest. the bar doesnt touch my chest. When i go lower ( bar touches chest pain increases). I do a warm up set and stretch before and after..

Any suggestions?

[Old_swole]

When ever i start to go heavy on the bench press i start to get shoulder joint pain. When i press i make sure that my elbows do not drop below 90 degrees..only to chest. the bar doesnt touch my chest. When i go lower ( bar touches chest pain increases). I do a warm up set and stretch before and after..

Any suggestions?

Try doing your bench work with dumbells

[ironwill2008]

When ever i start to go heavy on the bench press i start to get shoulder joint pain. When i press i make sure that my elbows do not drop below 90 degrees..only to chest. the bar doesnt touch my chest. When i go lower ( bar touches chest pain increases). I do a warm up set and stretch before and after..

Any suggestions?

Yes. If your problem is form-related, this will help:





If you have an issue with body mechanics, seek out a substitute exercise. Dumbbells can work well in this situation. HammerStrength equipment may prove to be a solution, as well.

As always, the bottom line is, if it hurts, don't do it.

[Woolly_Manmoth]

When ever i start to go heavy on the bench press i start to get shoulder joint pain. When i press i make sure that my elbows do not drop below 90 degrees..only to chest. the bar doesnt touch my chest. When i go lower ( bar touches chest pain increases). I do a warm up set and stretch before and after..

Any suggestions?

I've got the same problem. Try getting a good arch in your back or lifting off a board, its what worked for me

[gbg]

Bring your elbows in.

[BarneyfromON]

I've got the same problem. Try getting a good arch in your back or lifting off a board, its what worked for me

Afraid to arch back due to having a weak lower back from a previous injury

[Old_swole]

Afraid to arch back due to having a weak lower back from a previous injury

Try the dumbell idea I have the same issue when I use a barbell. I swithed to dumbells and have no problems anymore. plus I feel db's give me a better workout. You do have to develope your technique at getting the dumbells up into position. I don't know how strong you are but once you start pushing 80-100 lbs db's there is no easy way to just muscle them up you will need to roll back onto the bench with them.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Bring your elbows in.

This^^^

Are you using Fish Oil? Also Triflex for GNC really helped my shoulder a bunch. You doing any rotator work? If not back off on bench and spend a few weeks focusing on your rotators.

[billrich210]

I had the same problem for a while. Did my presses with DB's and heavy on the machines for a month. Back on the flat bench BB now with no pain and to top it off this morning I added 10 lbs on all 4 sets, up from a month ago. Also I have been warming up with 3 sets of 20 (slow) pushups, I think that helps.

[BarneyfromON]

Thanks folks for your input

[M-RAP]

I had same problem, but pain was a result from grappling type training in the Army. Not sure if it's same with you but. I felt pain when I first lift. Once muscle warmed up, pain subsided but was still there. I continued work outs at lower weights until, I guess it healed up. I was on low weight for about 1 & 1/2 months.

I'd say try using lower weights, while continue with same excercise routines. If pain persists might want to see the doc.

[jerrycarroll]

Remember that Bench is not that important unless you are completing in a bench or PL comp.. I have done well in shaping my chest without even touching a bar...I do that because i too have shoulder issues that creep up despite on the joijnt supps I take.
Stay away from the bench for a while and then see how your shoulder feels 2-3 months later on the bench. I am able to maintain a 315 x3 bench (after a very good warm-up)without touching the bench for nearly a year now. I just test myself once every 3 months.

[jerrycarroll]

As always, the bottom line is, if it hurts, don't do it.

AMEN brother!!

[stayfit2008]

Remember that Bench is not that important unless you are completing in a bench or PL comp.. I have done well in shaping my chest without even touching a bar...I do that because i too have shoulder issues that creep up despite on the joijnt supps I take.
Stay away from the bench for a while and then see how your shoulder feels 2-3 months later on the bench. I am able to maintain a 315 x3 bench (after a very good warm-up)without touching the bench for nearly a year now. I just test myself once every 3 months.

What exercises do you do for chest then? I'm experiencing the same problem,..Dr. has it narrowed down to Bicep tendon connected to the shoulder joint.

[jerrycarroll]

What exercises do you do for chest then? I'm experiencing the same problem,..Dr. has it narrowed down to Bicep tendon connected to the shoulder joint.

decline flyes, bench fliyes, incline flyes
dumbells, cables.
dips
dumbell pullovers
find what hits the muscles the hardest without the shoulder pain and then work it!

[tonester]

Saying that you always get shoulder probs when you approach a certain load is very indicative of an impingement. In my case the problem was with instability of my scaps causing the impingement. As my upper back got stronger and more stable, my pushing went up as well. It now makes perfect sense...my arms are attached to my scaps. The scaps are the foundation for the arms!

I would get assessed by a good PT for that. You will never be able to break through that ceiling as long as the bases for the impingement goes untreated.

A good read on the subject: http://www.tmuscle.com/article/perfo...and_shrugs&cr=