My shoulder pops when I do bench presses - Is that very bad?

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
OP everyone thus far in this thread has been wrong. For gods sake do not isolate the shoulder.

If it is popping, it could be a lot of things, such as joint fluid pressure (no big deal it goes away after a while), improper bench form, or some scar tissue that is causing some friction from previous injuries.

If it is not hurting do not worry about it. I get popping also from time to time if I am just starting a set.

Anyway look into some articles about bench form (not bbing bench form, powerlifting bench form, t-nation.com has some great articles), and next time you bench focus on keeping your elbows in and check your grip on the bar (arm should be 90 degrees when the bar is on your chest) and it will put less stress on your shoulders along with a slight back arch.

You can also buy a good Glucosamine Chondroiton supplement (take 2 times a day, once in the morning once before working out) to help oil up your joints it will help.

If you do get any pain, then it could be the rotator cuff and really bad bench form, go to a doctor for an MRI if pain starts to bother it and a week with RICE does not help. otherwise it sounds like no big deal. Do some arm circles every morning after you wake up to loosen up, it will help.

-You are not double jointed, do not isolate your deltoids (that could make things worse and is completely uneccesary for a newbie to lift, compound exercises only), and military press is not bad for your shoulders, in front or behind your back as long as the bar follows a straight line.

I would listen to this man.

 

[MeddyDuo]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
OP everyone thus far in this thread has been wrong. For gods sake do not isolate the shoulder.

If it is popping, it could be a lot of things, such as joint fluid pressure (no big deal it goes away after a while),

What do you mean 'after a while'? Like after I lift for a few minutes, or after a few weeks of lifting?
I don't lift for very long, just 15-30 minutes. I just do curls, military press, bench press, and I think they are called flys/flies (where you lay down on the bench and hold your arms out to your sides and and bring them together).

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I'm forty and my shoulders have so much popcorn in them I sometimes think i'm at the movies.

seriously, i've always figured that its non-smooth surfaces either in the joint or where the tendons and ligaments slide. just keep going, steadily increasing weight and stop if you feel pain (non-normal pain).

 

[ColdFusion718]

Mine does that too. My doctor says it's normal. They took x-rays many times and say nothing looks out of the ordinary.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Shoulder injuries are not fun. Mine seemed to be bulletproof (in truth I was ignorant of some pre-existing, and I suspect congenital, issues that I had), and then I impinged my left and have had trouble with it ever since.

Anyway, do what SVT says and look into form. Bench press will mess you up if your form is crap, plus you will not be effectively hitting the chest, you can quite easily be an anterior delt bencher and not realize it. Tuck the elbows in toward your sides, retract the shoulder blades, figure out the proper width for your grip, etc. And it's always good to do rotator cuff exercises, as a preventative measure if nothing else.

Obviously, if the popping starts causing pain, you need to stop and probably get some professional help figuring this out.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: MeddyDuo

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
OP everyone thus far in this thread has been wrong. For gods sake do not isolate the shoulder.

If it is popping, it could be a lot of things, such as joint fluid pressure (no big deal it goes away after a while),

What do you mean 'after a while'? Like after I lift for a few minutes, or after a few weeks of lifting?
I don't lift for very long, just 15-30 minutes. I just do curls, military press, bench press, and I think they are called flys/flies (where you lay down on the bench and hold your arms out to your sides and and bring them together).

Depends on the person, but in my experiences it will go away or be forgotten about once you start lifting more. No pian = do not worry about it. But, since you are a new lifter just remember, FORM FIRST!!!