Can you tear your rotator cuff doing bench press?

A torn rotator cuff is a serious injury caused by overloading weights and it needs immediate help from a medical professional. We often treat injuries to the pectoralis major muscles (pecs) that get overloaded during bench pressing.

How do I avoid rotator cuff injury when exercising?

Avoid any extreme ranges of motion in your shoulders. Exercises like behind-the-neck shoulder presses, upright rows, or any exercises that require you to use your upper arms behind your torso. When attempting any exercises with an injured shoulder, make sure you keep your range of motion limited to what’s comfortable.

What are the best exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff?

5 rotator cuff exercises to relieve shoulder pain

• Towel stretch. Hold a dish towel behind your back at a 45 degree angle.
• Cross stretch. You can sit or stand for this exercise.
• Finger walk. Stand facing the wall about 3/4 of an arms’ length away.
• Weighted pendulum. You can sit or stand for this exercise.
• Wall press.

Can You bench press with a rotator cuff injury?

Rotator Cuff Injury During Bench Press Your rotator cuff is a set of four muscles at the deepest layer of the shoulder. The rotator cuff’s job is to stabilize the shoulder and initiate motion. Unfortunately, bench pressing with bad form is a great way to rub the rotator cuff against other structures in your shoulder.

How can I prevent rotator cuff injuries?

Strengthening and increasing the flexibility of your shoulder muscles is important in preventing rotator cuff injuries. Aim for a balanced workout program; the front chest muscles are typically emphasized, but it is just as important to strengthen the muscles in the back of the shoulder and around your shoulder blade.

How can I Stop my Shoulder from hurting during bench presses?

To stop your shoulder from hurting during bench press, you have to take care of both overuse and poor technique. This applies no matter what kind of shoulder injury you have, or may be recovering from.

What is the proper shoulder position during bench press?

In this photo, Kristen demonstrates proper shoulder positioning during bench press. Her elbows are closer to her body, keeping the shoulder at about a 45 degree angle. This allows for better motion of the shoulder through a range that doesn’t injure the rotator cuff.