Eliminating shoulder presses?

[Tdeck81]

My left shoulder is no longer capable of doing shoulder presses. Once warmed up even 50 lb dumbbells cause pain and feel unstable. Dr. Said I need a replacement but I’m researching less drastic alternative routes.

I’m currently doing upright rows, front and lateral raises, face pulls, rear delt flys, and shrugs. Feels like I can hit them pretty good, but wondering if splitting the difference between incline bench and standard shoulder press would be beneficial. I already do a heavy pressing on the incline bench for chest day.

I appreciate any thoughts that might help steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gatman]

sounds like your hitting them pretty good with the other routines.....as you age you will find yourself foregoing certain exercises....i haven't done flat barbell bench in years ....dumbbell flat and incline with occasional incline smith

get your shoulder fixed though

 

[JC Grifter]

I was in a similar situation with my right shoulder. Thought I’d have to stop doing shoulder presses. One day I decided to try it again but made some slight adjustments.

I leaned the seat back one notch so I was no longer sitting at 90 degrees. I also brought my elbows in a little. To my surprise I can do shoulder presses comfortably with that minor adjustment.

Who knows why. Give it a shot

 

[Tdeck81]

I was in a similar situation with my right shoulder. Thought I’d have to stop doing shoulder presses. One day I decided to try it again but made some slight adjustments.

I leaned the seat back one notch so I was no longer sitting at 90 degrees. I also brought my elbows in a little. To my surprise I can do shoulder presses comfortably with that minor adjustment.

Who knows why. Give it a shot

That’s kind of how I’ve been milking it along with 3/4 reps, but I may have to decline it a bit more. Thanks

 

[MindlessWork]

sounds like your hitting them pretty good with the other routines.....as you age you will find yourself foregoing certain exercises....i haven't done flat barbell bench in years ....dumbbell flat and incline with occasional incline smith

get your shoulder fixed though

That's a nice tip and I even set the seat back one notch for smith shoulder presses as well. My right shoulder has taken a beating over the years and nearly 4 years ago damaged the RC, which took 2 years to rehab.

 

[Tdeck81]

sounds like your hitting them pretty good with the other routines.....as you age you will find yourself foregoing certain exercises....i haven't done flat barbell bench in years ....dumbbell flat and incline with occasional incline smith

get your shoulder fixed though

I switched from barbells to dumbbells because I typically workout alone. I did notice a little more flexibility in finding more comfortable angles. Thanks

 

[Nemesis RR]

If it hurts don’t do it. Keep it that simple. I was a big bencher. Now I can’t look at a bench without pain. I lost no size. Shoulder pressing is also not an option. Again no lost in size.

 

[newguy2]

If it hurts don’t do it. Keep it that simple. I was a big bencher. Now I can’t look at a bench without pain. I lost no size. Shoulder pressing is also not an option. Again no lost in size.

What exactly did you replace bench with the keep the chest size up? Cables and flies?

 

[Tdeck81]

What exactly did you replace bench with the keep the chest size up? Cables and flies?

I’m curious about this too. As my shoulder condition progresses, I feel it more in all pressing movements not just overhead. I think my chest workout inflames the joint too but definitely not as bad as overhead pressing.
Orthopedist doesn’t want to do a replacement, even though he thinks it’s my only option for relief, because I’m too young. Probably going to be dealing with this for another 10 years?
I understand I have to compensate by adjusting my workout until I find a combination of treatments that work…peptides,PRP, nandrolone,surgery
Mostly curious how other guys are compensating… low weight and high reps, more like aerobics. Excercise modifications, like some of the suggestions above. Alternative excercise?
Thanks for all the replies so far. Much appreciated

 

[Eddie.]

What exactly did you replace bench with the keep the chest size up? Cables and flies?

I was benching 3 plates for 8 and 4 plates for single, eventually after 2 decades of doing that stuff degradation of joints and ligaments starts happening.

I can do many press machines and occasionally dumbbells, also slight incline in smith machine but free bench press it hurts like mofo each time I tried to do again for the latest 1,5 year. I just accepted I ain’t gonna do this again, my rotator cuffs are effed up

 

[Tdeck81]

I was benching 3 plates for 8 and 4 plates for single, eventually after 2 decades of doing that stuff degradation of joints and ligaments starts happening.

I can do many press machines and occasionally dumbbells, also slight incline in smith machine but free bench press it hurts like mofo each time I tried to do again for the latest 1,5 year. I just accepted I ain’t gonna do this again, my rotator cuffs are effed up

I'm desperately trying to avoid that outcome. But at the end of the day, I'll find what works. Thanks

 

[Eddie.]

I'm desperately trying to avoid that outcome. But at the end of the day, I'll find what works. Thanks

Well, who didn’t? I had at least 6-7 minor injuries on the shoulders from bench that always healed after 2-3 weeks, until it didn’t. TBH there are way worse case scenarios, thankfully I can still train chest fine.

 

[buck]

I quit doing straight bar presses years ago as they were doing more damage then good. I quit doing up right rows too as they really don't seem to load the delts well and just cause more were and tear. Even with all that i still had my right shoulder replaced 13 years ago. And the left is now bone on bone in one place. Laterals, front raise and face pulls keep more shoulder bigger then most 20 year old's in the gym. Bit that is a low bar to get over. I have just been trying to loose muscle as slow as i can for years. Getting older sucks but there is only 1 alternative.

 

[Gatman]

I quit doing straight bar presses years ago as they were doing more damage then good. I quit doing up right rows too as they really don't seem to load the delts well and just cause more were and tear. Even with all that i still had my right shoulder replaced 13 years ago. And the left is now bone on bone in one place. Laterals, front raise and face pulls keep more shoulder bigger then most 20 year old's in the gym. Bit that is a low bar to get over. I have just been trying to loose muscle as slow as i can for years. Getting older sucks but there is only 1 alternative.

props to you ...as you have accepted that the older you get your routines and what you're trying to accomplish changes...personally i believe it becomes more of a mental challenge...once you accept that fact your time in the gym will continue to be productive

 

[buck]

props to you ...as you have accepted that the older you get your routines and what you're trying to accomplish changes...personally i believe it becomes more of a mental challenge...once you accept that fact your time in the gym will continue to be productive

Over my 50 years of working out things have changed in many ways. I always expected to get old and go downhill. The time line was just a little sooner then i expected. But life never asked me how i wanted it. But a good orthopedic surgeon can help things keep going.

 

[JC Grifter]

That’s kind of how I’ve been milking it along with 3/4 reps, but I may have to decline it a bit more. Thanks

Hopefully it helps!

 

[Tdeck81]

Over my 50 years of working out things have changed in many ways. I always expected to get old and go downhill. The time line was just a little sooner then i expected. But life never asked me how i wanted it. But a good orthopedic surgeon can help things keep going.

Just scheduled an appointment for a second opinion today. I appreciate all the suggestions regarding training mods.

 

[newguy2]

I have eliminated shoulder press myself. Coach recommends replacing them with upright rows. It is not a movement I have done much so we'll see how it goes come shoulder day.

 

[buck]

Just scheduled an appointment for a second opinion today. I appreciate all the suggestions regarding training mods.

I find sport ortho surgeons to better choice in general. The general ortho surgeon often doesn't know who they are dealing with in my experience.

 

[Tdeck81]

I find sport ortho surgeons to better choice in general. The general ortho surgeon often doesn't know who they are dealing with in my experience.

My first couple surgeries were via workers comp about 10 years ago and they used a local orthopedic group. I continued with them because they did the labrum repairs and were familiar. My second opinion is with a Dr. in the Rothman Group and Jefferson Health system. Supposedly one of the best ortho groups in NJ/PA? Worst case scenario is they concur with my current Dr. And I continue doing what I’m doing.