Shoulder gave out when doing incline dumbbell press.

Hey guys, my left shoulder sorta gave out when I was doing incline dumbbell press. It wasn't a pop, but more like a shift. It felt as if my shoulder just shifted inwards real quick and my arm gave out (almost dropped the dumbbell on the family jewels too! ). It's not hurting right now, seems pretty minor to the other times this has happened. Anyways, I was just wondering what I can do to strengthen my joints or whatever needs to be strengthened in this case? Am I lacking some minerals or vitamins? I was doing 75lbs on each side, something that I can do without too much trouble. (I usually put up about 6 reps).

Rotator cuff exercises. Internal/external rotation. Scapular exercises. Have any physical therapist friends? Those are the people who specialize in this sort of thing. There are plenty of sources online if you don't have a PT connection or don't want to make an appt. to see one.

I've had this exact same thing happen with no injury, no tear, no pop, no nothin'. I was incline pressing 100s and my left arm just gave out. My buddy thought my shoulder would for sure be destroyed but it was bizarre... my shoulder gave out with no warning but it didn't even hurt. I took that as my que to cut that workout short and I haven't had an issue since.

That was at the end of '06 (I believe November) and I haven't had any issue since.

The shoulder is a very weak joint due to the fact that is provides such great range of motion. Without strong cuff muscles dislocations are likely to occur. I would imagine that using free weights will build the cuff muscles naturally as you exercise but trying some cuff specific routines will answer this question for you.

Thanks for the help guys! I will be incorporating some rotator cuff exercises. Also, are there any supplements I should be taking that would help strengthen the joints? Maybe some glucosamine?

Glucosamine is unproven and it's purpose is to relieve joint pain. The shoulder joint looks very much like a golf ball sitting on a tee...the tee being the glenoid and the ball being the head of the humerus. Aside from the reltively weak joint capsule the only thing stabilizing that joint are your small cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, terres minor, subscapularis). The best way to strengthen these is by using low resistance, high repetition exercises. Therabands are a very popular choice...that is what I use.

Originally Posted by dwass325

I've had this exact same thing happen with no injury, no tear, no pop, no nothin'. I was incline pressing 100s and my left arm just gave out. My buddy thought my shoulder would for sure be destroyed but it was bizarre... my shoulder gave out with no warning but it didn't even hurt. I took that as my que to cut that workout short and I haven't had an issue since.

That was at the end of '06 (I believe November) and I haven't had any issue since.

Happened to me twice. I dropped the 80lb dumbell right on my chest both times. Didn't feel a think though my chests are huge lol. My spotter freaked out

Originally Posted by JByron

Happened to me twice. I dropped the 80lb dumbell right on my chest both times. Didn't feel a think though my chests are huge lol. My spotter freaked out

I dropped it a 55lb dumbell right above my eye before. It wasn't a complete drop where I let go, but it was a somewhat slow drop. Thank god all I had was a bruise.

Has happened to me a couple of times, once while on a the BB press. I was lucky enough to fling most of the weight back though and caught the last hook on the rack before it came down on me. Scariest moment I have ever had while at the gym. It wasn't even my heavy set .

I'm afraid my shoulder's going to give out on me every time I do something that involves my shoulders.

I personally saw my buddy dislocate his shoulder while he was doing military dumbbell presses. He has dislocated the same shoulder two more times while weight lifting. No bueno.