Shoulder pain when doing squats

[sams0nite]

Hello all,

New to this forum and am excited to start lifting.

I am currently on the Starting Strength program by Mark Rippitoe. After doing squats for the third workout, I realized I was holding the bar wrong the first two workouts after watching a video by Mark Rippitoe about bar placement. After adjusting the bar correctly, and by this I mean having the bar just below the shoulder blades and with elbows out, I have intense pain in the shoulder area. Attached is an image.

This seems to be a flexibility issue, or not warming up enough. After doing some research, websites recommend doing shoulder dislocations. Is there anything else I should be doing? I am not very flexible, FYI.

Last night at the gym, I was very heart broke I could not finish my squats because of this pain. Should I not do squats as described by Rippitoe until I am flexible enough?

Thanks.

[nzbenf]

Try doing some static stretches before you lift, if that doesn't help try doing some PNF stretches. Google should be able to explain how to do PNF better than me. It most definitely sounds like a flexibility issue

[StankyDrawz]

Use wide grip and work on flexibility.

[sams0nite]

Good information. Thanks. I'll have some reading material tonight.

I was using wide grip last night... But maybe I can go wider. My main issue is keeping my elbows back, which puts stress on the shoulder area I described in my first post.

I'll update this thread after I get in a good couple of days of shoulder stretching in.

[SBykerk]

I think you answered your own question. It probably is a result of poor Rotator Cuff flexibility.