[OakDawg]

A while back I asked the PRT populous if I should max out on bench press. I was warned that some had had shoulder issues with the bench press and, since I too had some minor shoulder issues in college, I didn't do it. I did, however, start incorporating bench into my workouts on a regular basis.<br><br>
The first time, I started with bench and came in cold (this is typical for me, I hadn't warmed up before lifting in the several months prior). The first set their was evident pressure and some discomfort in my right shoulder, but the 2nd and 3rd set were better.<br><br>
The next time I decided to warm up a little and did a mile jog before I started. It seemed to help a bit, but the pressure and discomfort was still quite evident through the first set. It was pretty much gone by the 3rd set however.<br><br>
Last night I did 1.5 mile warm-up and did rows before I got an open bench. I even took a 5 pound weight and tried to loosen up my shoulder to prepare. No good, still pressure and discomfort on the 1st set...pretty much nothing by the 3rd set. The shoulder also hurt later for the first set up upright rows and then loosened up.<br><br>
I've got to believe there is a small muscle in my shoulder that is jacked up. It doesn't hurt when I do the Incline or Decline Hammer Strength machines and there is no trace of stiffness\soreness before or after lifting. I almost think that, much like my left groin muscle which used to scream through the first set on the hip machine every workout...it doesn't bother me anymore, I should just keep going and it will work itself out, but I'm wary with the horror stories of surgery, slings and such that I've heard.<br><br>
So, once again I submit to the PRT populous...what do you think? Keep going? Do something else? Is there a better way to warm-up? Whadda ya think?

 

["Roberto"]

Is it your deltoid, the outside of your shoulder?<br><br><img alt="" src="http://www.polands-syndrome.com/media/deltoid.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[coachie]

if its hurt, the best thing for it is rest.<br><br>
I hurt my shoulder last winter on the bench press. I wasn't doing that much, and I had barely started(so maybe I wasn't warmed up as well)<br><br>
But I pulled something and it hurt bad. I tried to rest a week, and it still hurt. Then I rested a month, and it still hurt.<br><br>
I rested weeks, and tried again and it still hurt.<br><br>
So, I did not bench again until school started this fall. Basically from the start of last April until the start of September I didn't do any bench press type work.<br><br>
Shoulder has been fine since. So, my advice is to rest, at least for now. And possibly with your history, consider doing another exercise.

 

[OakDawg]

It seems to be right in the middle of the shoulder. It almost feels like its within the joint.

 

[OakDawg]

That would be the safe play, huh? I just can't figure out why Incline and Decline (albeit on machines) wouldn't hurt it, but bench would. I suppose the test would be to do Incline and Decline for real and do the Bench machine and see how it reacts.

 

["Roberto"]

<a href="http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=818555" target="_blank">http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=818555</a><br><br>
Scroll down and try the tests... doesn't have to be technical. The one where you place your hand on the other shoulder and lift your elbow up is a good one.<br><br>
If you think you failed the test scroll down further and start doing the stretches and light workouts.

 

[OakDawg]

Interesting. I passed both tests (I'm just guessing on the first one as I didn't have anyone to measure) despite being a little stiff from lifting last night (just normal, tired muscle stuff). So weird.

 

["Roberto"]

bench press sucks for shoulders anyway.... I read somewhere about a doctor who could go up to any weightlifter and press on a certain spot on his shoulder and drop him to the ground...<br><br>
Bench is for show, there are other ways to workout. my $.02

 

[OakDawg]

I know it, but I was really enjoying something new. Perhaps, having proven that I'm stronger now than I ever have been, it may be time to banish bench once again. Boo!

 

[RichMac]

you have a rotator cuff tear.. WELL that's what I have.. both shoulders.. I used to do a lot of benching.. You'd be better off getting away from the barbell bench and use dumbbells..

 

[Ileneforward]

I am rehabing from rotator cuff tear surgery right now. It hurt when I did pull downs or chin ups. And it would hurt afterwards for quite a while and tingle down my arm. The pain felt like it was in the joint. It also hurt to lie on that side or any real pressure.

 

[mmoonptdeux]

Just a guess, but as someone who's had shoulder issues in the past, I bet it's one of the rotator cuff muscles rather than the deltoid itself.<br><br>
After I tore one of those RC muscles a few years back, I've worked on strengthening those things first, especially the external rotators. I'd rather be judicious rather than have to go through that period again where I couldn't lift my right arm past shoulder level for at a good chunk of one year.