Solution to shoulder press issues?
Discussion
Wonder if any of the experienced lifters, PTs or those knowledgeable about the physio aspects of training can help out with a problem?
Years ago I hurt the inner elbow/bicep tendon(?) of my left arm hitting a bag too hard without warming up properly. It had bothered me when trying to clean a bar or even dumbell for pressing so for a while I used a Smith Machine and then just stopped!
I stated training shoulders again last autumn and it soon flared up and now my right elbow (same place) has started too - in fact is worse than the left.
It's bothering me with a lot of things at the moment (I'm on a waiting list for a physio referral) but is ruining my shoulder work. Cleaning a weight either standing or, for pressing on a bench, by lifting from floor to thigh whilst seated and then cleaning from there to pressing start position is hurtful - and lasts for days - even using way less weight than I used to. All I could do last time was a weight that gave me 24 reps on the 1st work set which I don't want to be doing (so many) every workout or I know my strength is likely to drop.
I don't have much space and the squat stands I've seen look like they might be difficult height wise? I don't want to go back to machines, even Smith, so wonder if anyone has an idea for a way around this?
Cheers . . .
Years ago I hurt the inner elbow/bicep tendon(?) of my left arm hitting a bag too hard without warming up properly. It had bothered me when trying to clean a bar or even dumbell for pressing so for a while I used a Smith Machine and then just stopped!
I stated training shoulders again last autumn and it soon flared up and now my right elbow (same place) has started too - in fact is worse than the left.
It's bothering me with a lot of things at the moment (I'm on a waiting list for a physio referral) but is ruining my shoulder work. Cleaning a weight either standing or, for pressing on a bench, by lifting from floor to thigh whilst seated and then cleaning from there to pressing start position is hurtful - and lasts for days - even using way less weight than I used to. All I could do last time was a weight that gave me 24 reps on the 1st work set which I don't want to be doing (so many) every workout or I know my strength is likely to drop.
I don't have much space and the squat stands I've seen look like they might be difficult height wise? I don't want to go back to machines, even Smith, so wonder if anyone has an idea for a way around this?
Cheers . . .
Unless a trained physio replies to your thread and understands your issue, I would wait until you can see a professional. I've known people who have had 'twinges' and 'pains' that are beyond the normal aches you get from lifting and in almost all cases have made it worse by continuing to train. Yes, you are likely to lose some strength if you give your shoulders a decent amount of time off, but in the long run the benefits will far out-weigh this (hopefully) temporary blip.
It sucks having to take a step backwards, but sometimes that's the only way you can go forwards.
Let us know how it goes and take it easy for the time being.
It sucks having to take a step backwards, but sometimes that's the only way you can go forwards.
Let us know how it goes and take it easy for the time being.
Number 8 said:
Unless a trained physio replies to your thread and understands your issue, I would wait until you can see a professional. I've known people who have had 'twinges' and 'pains' that are beyond the normal aches you get from lifting and in almost all cases have made it worse by continuing to train. Yes, you are likely to lose some strength if you give your shoulders a decent amount of time off, but in the long run the benefits will far out-weigh this (hopefully) temporary blip.
It sucks having to take a step backwards, but sometimes that's the only way you can go forwards.
Let us know how it goes and take it easy for the time being.
I appreciate the post. I have seen a doctor (within a week of the right one starting) who suspects tendonitis but to be honest he wasn't that convincing and I don't know how long it will take for the physio appointment to come round. It sucks having to take a step backwards, but sometimes that's the only way you can go forwards.
Let us know how it goes and take it easy for the time being.
I had wondered about posting another question in a different thread about the injury and diagnosis itself (and any sensible treatment) but with this was wondering more for solutions/equipment that might help avoid the cleaning bit but compatible with a home gym and training solo ...
The taking time off worries me as the left one has never really cleared despite years when I didn't clean or press and months at a time without boxing. I'd hate to have to sit about watching everything decline (I'm nearly 100lb weaker on pressing now than I used to be) without even clearing the pain.
Cheers - will be doing. The physio my health practice use is good and worked wonders on my back after another twit made it miles worse, but will need some wait.
But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
Edited by Lost_BMW on Tuesday 3rd August 18:50
Lost_BMW said:
Cheers - will be doing. The physio my health practice is good and worked wonders on my back after another twit made it miles worse, but will need some wait.
But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
I would say the Smith Machine set up would be best (even though you'd prefer not to)But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
^^ Bill knows his stuff. 
Recommended.
Recommended.Lost_BMW said:
But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
I dunno about your gym but the squat rack at my local has pegs at the ideal height for me to avoid the initial raising of the bar.Bill said:
Number 8 said:
Unless a trained physio replies to your thread
Number 8 said:
and understands your issue
Ah
OP, it's hard to work out exactly where you mean - are you talking about the boney point on the inside of your elbow?
It hurts when I contract the biceps (which I haven't trained specifically except for a very odd workout for years) or lift my hand up, even combing hair etc. at its worst. Also if I hold narrow things in a thumb/ finger grip. Like holding or carrying a plate or judo mat.
Occasionally I get a 'pinched' feeling (a sharp, prickly hot feeling if that make sense) near the outer elbow joint too - bony bit as you mentioned.
As I say the doctor thinks tendonitis but wasn't too convincing in his tests or discussion.
LordGrover said:
^^ Bill knows his stuff. Recommended.
That's the sort of thing I meant but I've not yet found any that look as if they adjust enough to be sure they'll be in the right place despite lots of searches. Do you know what make they are? Recommended.Lost_BMW said:
But does anyone have an idea of any equipment/supplier or way of helping get the bar up into position - say chest or neck high - before the press, short of a training partner?
I dunno about your gym but the squat rack at my local has pegs at the ideal height for me to avoid the initial raising of the bar.I wondered about a power rack but having spent 7 hours today re-doing the entire gym (well, garage - an utter mess 2 months ago when I came back here but from today a pretty good fully functioning gym) I don't think I'd be able to fit it in without having to take some stuff like a Grappler (using 2 x 7' Olympic Bars) outside which would be a pita. I used that as a substitute yesterday (standing presses up and out at a c.45 degree angle and it didn't really hurt the elbows, but burned the front delts to death!)
Ditto for Smith Machines - it's just too narrow and I need room for the bag/punching/kicking and medicine ball work so can't have a very crowded set up.
LordGrover said:
Never seen them or used them but a quick google turned up: click - looks like they'd do the job?
Brilliant, cheers - don't know how I missed this as I've used them a lot and their site is in my Bookmarks.I'll call them tomorrow and ask how adjustable the height increments are (175 c should be high enough) and if OK will order a pair.
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