Tip: Bench press less, train back more
The bench press is probably my favorite exercise and is great for building strength in the chest, shoulders, and arms. However, too much bench pressing can cause shoulder issues or irritate current shoulder issues if done without proper balance or shoulder care. One of the best things most people can do to help prevent the chance of shoulder pain/injury is to exercise the muscles in the back equally or more than they do the muscles in the front (involved with pressing). Strengthening the muscles in the back will help stabilize the shoulder during the bench press which may decrease your chance of injury but also help you bench more! Including exercises like rows, face pulls, reverse flyes, and pull downs into your routine can go a long way in promoting good shoulder health.
If you would like more information on how to implement this in to your current routine or learn more on the subject, e-mail at jephillips@beaconhealthsystem.org.
