Shoulder pain when doing presses/pec dec

Porkpie

When I do shoulder presses (using machine at the moment) I get a pinching pain on the top of my left shoulder, just around the pointy bone area. I also feel it when I use the pec dec and sometimes the bench press. Pain is only v. minor at present and only happens during the lifting but am afraid it will get worse. Anyone else suffered similar problem or have any advice at all? Thanks!

kevpants

That would be your rotator cuff. Here's some exercise on strengthening them:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/criticalbench24.htm
Always use very very light weight for these. The one I do, the simplest one, isn't on that link. Here's a vid of a guy doing it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbmyh5L4KeQ

Colm_OReilly

Is this pain replicated when doing a standing press without the machine?

My guess would be that you are not shrugging your shoulders at the top of the press. A quick and easy cue is to put your hands overhead, now push a bit further, like you're pushing the sky.

This article goes into detail on the subject.

Degsy

You also may like to experiment with the height of the seat on the machines.If you're not at the right height it can cause strain in the shoulders(thats what happened me anyways)!

Porkpie

Thanks guys,

kevpants, I heard about that exercise before, I must start doing it. My cuffs probably are weak.

Colm- I've just started using the gym recently and am doing a beginner's programme. I hadn't noticed it before when I was working out at home and doing standing dumbell shoulder presses. Maybe this is the way to go. I think machines limit your range of movement. The link is v. interesting, cheers.

Degsy, I think the height is ok.

I think 'll lay off the machine shoulder press for the moment. I'll give the shoulder presses a bit of a rest, then come back to doing dumbell presses instead. I'll definitely do the cuff strengthening exercises too.