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Questions and answers about sports

Does Overhead Press damage your Shoulders? Can Pendlay Rows cause Herniated Disk?

6 min read

Asked by: Jason Stewart

Is overhead press safe for shoulders?

A dumbbell shoulder press is a good option to improve shoulder position and keep the weight even from right to left. If you have rotator cuff issues or have had a rotator cuff repair, overhead press exercises are typically no recommended.

Do shoulder presses cause impingement?

Well that's gonna cause a lot of impingement on that rotator cuff muscle and that nerve in there and that's gonna lead to injuries. And it's gonna lead to less range of motion and less gains.

Are Pendlay rows harder?

Because you have to lift the weight off the floor for every rep, Pendlay Rows are a little more difficult, so you’ll need to go for a lighter weight than you’d use for a normal barbell row.

What can I use instead of overhead press?

9 Overhead Press Alternatives

  1. Incline Barbell Bench Press. …
  2. Dumbbell Shoulder Press. …
  3. Landmine Press. …
  4. Z-Press. …
  5. Dumbbell Arnold Press. …
  6. Machine Shoulder Press. …
  7. Single Arm Dumbbell Push Press (Slow Eccentric) …
  8. Dumbbell Raise Combo.

Why you should not overhead press?

1-BASELINE SHOULDER HEALTH



If you have pain when you elevate your arm or go overhead, then the press is not a good exercise for you right now. Proper shoulder mobility and stability must also present, as well as thoracic mobility to go overhead.

Is rowing OK for rotator cuff injury?

“Strong shoulder blade muscles equal a good environment for a strong cuff.” Chepeha’s suggested exercises for strengthening the shoulder and back complex include movements and exercises along the lines of shrugs, rowing and lat pulldowns. “Anything where you squeeze your shoulder blades together is great,” she said.

What injuries can shoulder press cause?

The repetitive motion can lead to overload on the tendons, eventually developing tendonitis. If this pain is ignored, then it can eventually lead to a tear in the rotator cuff. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is at the topmost part of the shoulder blade and connects to the collarbone.

How do I protect my shoulders overhead press?

Get a little bit of an athletic stance which means butt out legs knees bent and press straight up overhead.

Should overhead pressing hurt?

The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendonitis — inflammation of key tendons in the shoulder. The earliest symptom is a dull ache around the outside tip of the shoulder that gets worse when you push, pull, reach overhead, or lift your arm up to the side.

What’s the difference between shoulder press and overhead press?

Targeted Muscles



In contrast, the overhead press primarily works your delts but engages the triceps as a secondary muscle. The shoulder press, on the other hand, isolates the deltoids. This makes the military press a challenging yet more adequate option for training the shoulders and arms.

Which muscles do overhead press work?

Muscles at work during the overhead press

  • pectorals (chest)
  • deltoids (shoulders)
  • triceps (arms)
  • trapezius (upper back)


Is the overhead press a good exercise?

In general, the overhead press is one of the best movements for obtaining upper body strength as a whole. Compared to other pressing movements, the overhead press will target the most muscles, translating to total body pressing strength.

How many times a week should you overhead press?

A daily overhead pressing routine will include 1-2 days per week of technique practice. You have more chances to perfect your technique, which will help you become stronger and prevent injuries.

Are dumbbell presses bad for shoulders?

This freedom of movement makes the shoulder vulnerable because of an inherent lack of stability that allows for movement. The dumbbell bench press is an example of an exercise that may compromise the shoulder due to stress on the joint.

Does bench press hurt rotator cuff?

Bench press is not harmful to the shoulders with the correct technique. However, without the correct technique the following conditions may arise. These include shoulder impingement, instability or rotator cuff injuries. Bench pressing with dumbbells may be a safer option compared to barbell bench press.

How do I know if I have damaged my rotator cuff?

Signs of a rotator cuff tear include: Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm. Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm. Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm.

Will rotator cuff heal on its own?

No, rotator cuff tears cannot heal themselves, but not all tears require surgery.

How long does rotator cuff strain take to heal?

Usually, a specific traumatic rotator cuff will heal in 2 to 4 weeks. But if it is a severe injury, or it is a chronic injury from wear, it may require months to improve. If the pain is getting in the way of your daily life or you injure yourself again, your doctor might suggest: Steroids.

What does a partially torn rotator cuff feel like?

Typically, you will feel pain in the front of your shoulder that radiates down the side of your arm. It may be present with overhead activities such as lifting or reaching. You may feel pain when you try to sleep on the affected side.

What does a torn shoulder ligament feel like?

Tears that happen suddenly, such as from a fall, usually cause intense pain. There may be a snapping sensation and immediate weakness in your upper arm. Tears that develop slowly due to overuse also cause pain and arm weakness. You may have pain in the shoulder when you lift your arm, or pain that moves down your arm.

Where does your shoulder hurt with a torn rotator cuff?

Rotator Cuff Pain Symptoms



Sharp or aching pain and swelling located over the front or outside (lateral) part of the shoulder and upper arm (usually due to tendinitis or a rotator cuff tear). In some cases, the pain can also be felt farther down the arm. 1.

How can you tell the difference between a strained rotator cuff and a torn rotator cuff?

For starters, both have similar symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. With a tear, the arm can barely move overhead. Tendinopathy tends to happen over months, even years, of overuse. Tears, however, are sharp pains that generally occur after a sports collision or accident.

How long does it take torn shoulder muscle to heal?

Usually, mild rotator cuff tears or sprains will heal within four weeks. In other severe cases, the recovery might take 4 to 6 months or even longer based on several factors such as the severity of the tear, age, and other health complications.

How do I know if I tore a ligament in my shoulder?

Common symptoms of a shoulder ligament tear are:

  1. Shoulder pain and swelling.
  2. Increased pain with arm movement or shrugging your shoulder.
  3. Distortion in the normal contour of the shoulder.


How do I know what type of shoulder injury I have?

Specific tests for shoulder pain include the Neer test, used to look for a type of rotator cuff injury called impingement. Speed’s test is used to check for biceps tendonitis. Other tests are meant to check for shoulder instability and dislocation.