I think I was causing my own shoulder injuries...

[SirenSongWoman]

... by doing bench presses with the barbell positioned parallel to my shoulders (with the arms straight up). Dig this, I always had trouble with GSCT, always coming away with sore elbows and never really feeling it in my chest. Dumb, huh? But I figure, If I was making this mistake I'm probably not alone. So I moved the barbell a tiny bit away from my head, making sure to lift straight over my chest (not my shoulders) AND I switched to an EZ-Curl bar just to see if it would take some of the pressure off my elbows. Lo and behold, both adjustments worked like magic. I did GSCT Wednesday night and, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER(!) MY CHEST IS SORE AS ALL GET OUT and my elbows feel no pain or discomfort. More and more I'm finding form issues (even changes that slight) are at the root of most of my chronic aches and pains and I'm trying to really make sure I'm feeling the move where I'm supposed to. Geez. You'd think all the times I did GSCT and never felt my chest was getting worked but my shoulders hurt, you think I'd have figured it out...

 

[kathryn]

I'm glad you figured it out!
I'm sure other people will benefit from your discovery.

So in case anyone else is having this problem: remember, when doing bench press, do NOT have your elbows straight out from your shoulders, keep them down towards even with your mid-chest line.

 

[jennifermaria]

Good tip, Kathryn!

Sirensong: I was having the same issues! I am probably doing the same thing you're doing... I'll have to check my posture and see if I can prevent shoulder strain the next time I do this.

Thanks!!

 

[jonahnah]

Jari Love in her Get Ripped Slim & Lean is very explicit about keeping the weight over the "n!pple line" when doing chest presses. Honestly, it throws me every time I hear it, but there's no question about where to keep the bar with that kind of visual instruction!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I thought I was doing what Cathe and crew were doing but I should have realized if I wasn't feeling it where I was supposed to I was doing it wrong. So help me, since doing GSCT I am STILL tho thore... and my boobs look especially perky(!) Woo hoo. I know I'm doing it right, now;-).

 

[kathryn]

>Jari Love in her Get Ripped Slim & Lean is very explicit
>about keeping the weight over the "n!pple line" when doing
>chest presses.

Unfortunately, that also changes as we get older! I'm sticking with the 'where it should be' location, rather than the 'where it is now' position.;-)

 

[jonahnah]

>>Jari Love in her Get Ripped Slim & Lean is very explicit
>>about keeping the weight over the "n!pple line" when doing
>>chest presses.
>
>Unfortunately, that also changes as we get older! I'm
>sticking with the 'where it should be' location, rather than
>the 'where it is now' position.;-)

LOL! Alas, I can relate. I figured since I'm lying on my back, their downward migration isn't as evident, but maybe I should pay more attention!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.