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The Daily Insight

Can you hurt your shoulder while bench pressing?

Author

Caleb Butler

Updated on April 04, 2026

Often the cause of shoulder pain from bench press is a strain of the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff is a set of 4 muscles that moves your shoulder. All 4 of these muscles attach to the front of the shoulder which can be the source of pain.

What injuries can bench press cause?

Labral and pectoral tears as well as shoulder impingement symptoms and biceps tendonitis are among the common injuries associated with the bench press.

What is the most common shoulder injury?

Rotator cuff tears are among the most common types of shoulder injuries. Rotator cuff tears are most common in people who repeatedly perform overhead motions.

How long does rotator cuff strain take to heal?

The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendinitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks, and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.

Can you tear your rotator cuff from 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.

What are 4 common shoulder injuries?

The most common shoulder injuries are sprains, strains, and tears.

  • Shoulder Sprain. A separated shoulder, or acromioclavicular joint injury, is sometimes referred to as a shoulder sprain.
  • Shoulder Strain. A shoulder strain is a stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon in the shoulder.
  • Shoulder Tear.

What are three major shoulder injuries?

These are three common shoulder injuries caused by sports participation:

  • SLAP tear. This is a tear to the ring of cartilage (labrum) that surrounds your shoulder’s socket.
  • Shoulder instability. Causes and Risk Factors for a Dislocated Shoulder.
  • Rotator cuff injury. Rotator Cuff Injuries: Diagnosis.

Is bench press bad for shoulders?

Bad shoulders do not mix well with the standard Barbell Bench Press. Even with proper back position and a tight arch, there’s still a high risk of injury if you take the Bench Press through the full range of motion. The standard hand position for the Barbell Bench Press simply does not do much to protect the shoulders.

How to fix shoulder pain after bench press?

A proper warm-up is key for preventing shoulder pain during the bench press. While simple exercises such as scapular retractions, push-ups, and external rotation work are all great tools to utilize, I’ve found that performing soft tissue work directly prior to bench pressing can also be of great benefit.

Is bench press really necessary?

Muscles Used. Although the decline bench press is not necessary for workout plans, it can be beneficial because of the number of muscles it trains.

What are the benefits of a flat bench press?

Other Benefits. The positive effects of bench presses don’t end with the muscles and bones. In addition to increasing overall endurance, resistance training exercises such as the bench press lead to a reduction of “bad” cholesterol and an increase in “good” cholesterol levels, according to the American Council on Exercise .