Avoiding shoulder injury

Resistance training, when done properly, will strengthen bones, muscles, and joints. When done incorrectly, however, a host of potential problems arise. This is certainly the case with shoulder exercises, as it is this part of the body that many lifters injure (the author of this post notwithstanding).

The shoulders are made up of the deltoids (anterior, middle, and posterior) and rotator cuffs (supraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, infraspinatus, and teres major). Any of these regions are susceptible to injury if strict form is not adhered to, or if attempts at lifting too much weight are made. Sticking to a weight you can handle, and not continuing past the point of technical failure, will help ensure that your shoulders remain injury-free.

This is not to say that muscle soreness of any kind will not occur. In fact, delayed-onset soreness is how your muscles are supposed to feel after a strenuous workout. This is nothing to worry about. But, if you're experiencing more of a shooting or dull pain, you may want to see an orthopedic surgeon. Signs of serious shoulder injury include a stiffness and a lack of normal rotation, if you lack the strength to complete normal day-to-day activities, or if your shoulder feels as though it may pop or slide out of its socket.