Pain when benching

[RippedVanRinkle]

After 30 years of benching , pain is unbearable to do any heavy benching. Incline is even a problem. Am I stuck doing just cable work.

[Eternalstuden79]

Depends on your form.

Maybe post a vid so people can see. :-)

[OldFartTom]

Have you ever had that checked by someone because what's needed to either workaround or improve it will depend on the underlying cause. Physical Therapist given previous advice?

[ElrondHubbard]

Pain where? Elbow pain? Shoulder pain? Wrist pain? Chest pain? Back pain?

Just saying "pain" doesn't give anybody much to go on.

[blue9steel]

We need details:

1) Where do you feel pain
2) How bad is it
3) When do you feel it
4) What has your current routine been like
5) Do you take regular deloads
6) What sort of mobility or posture disfunctions do you have
7) Have you been to see a doctor or specialist

Etc.

[RestoringTally]

Also, can you do dumbbell presses without pain?

At what percent of your 1RM does the pain kick in? Are you pain free with less weight?

[OldFartTom]

Come on OP...

1) does it hurt when you cough
2) have you ever measured your ring finger versus your index finger
3) what was the name of your first pet
4)Do you have a significant other and how much do they bench
5) does it hurt you if your place fingers in your ears and exhale as hard as you can

We've got questions here, we need answers this is important!

Either that or see a physical therapist once they reopen

[Payton1221]

Also, can you do dumbbell presses without pain?

That would have been my question/suggestion too. I don't know how old you are (many show "50" as the default age), but if you're really 50, many 50 and 50+ year olds must find work-arounds. I'm in a favorable season and I have been able to barbell bench (incline only) at the moment, but I have gone more than a year relegated to dumbbell benching only.

[Garage Rat]

Maybe time to stop doing whats hurting you.
Have you explored/tried parallel grip swiss or football bars?
DB's as mentioned above allow you to position in a way that may not hurt you.
The body like anything can wear out or just hurt more as we get older due to previous injuries.
Good luck.

[xilk]

Unless it's an injury that can be fixed (as opposed to normal wear and tear of 30 years of training), find alternatives that work for you, whatever they may be.

[RippedVanRinkle]

I believe it is my labrum. Cant barbell press anymore, flat or incline. I do work up in weight with dumbells. Pain and stiffness subside after a few sets but never really goes away. Kinda just maintaining gains with this approach...no real gains with minimal weight used.

[pondman]

It's time you see a physical therapist. At 59 I changed the way I bench, from the angle of the lift to the angle of my elbows. I also do a lot of shoulder/back work every day with bands, which has decrease my joint pain to 0.

[brit-iron]

It's time you see a physical therapist. At 59 I changed the way I bench, from the angle of the lift to the angle of my elbows. I also do a lot of shoulder/back work every day with bands, which has decrease my joint pain to 0.

This is what I've done too, and also not lifting in the low rep ranges as often has helped me tremendously.
Also I stopped front raises altogether. I just find front delts get plenty from benching.

[Luclin999]

1. See a therapist.

2. Check to see if your elbows are too flared when benching.

3. Are you engaging your lats during the press? This puts the shoulders into a better overall position during the exercise.