Today was My Chest day, started off with Decline press, on my usual weight of 70kg for few sets of 6-8 reps then went onto 90kg was fine for a few reps, so Then Time I go onto flat bench was fine until half way through my set I discover a slight restriction in my right shoulder to lower to the same level as my left, I stopped straight after as I was unsure if this could be something to do with my rotary cuff or...

Yet under my delts, at top corners of armpits, there is a red bruise type of mark, on my right but on my left its not as severe in appearence what is this:
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4594/aa001yd5.jpg














http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3401/aa002er1.jpg

Looks like stretch marks, it means you're growing.

Well in the picture it looks kinda like stretch marks. But I don't think that they're related to the problem you experienced while bench pressing (kind of hard to tell in the pic but that's what they look like to me).

Can you explain the problem/pain in more detail?

Looks like stretch marks, it means you're growing.

Well Its not coming out in the camera as it does in person, maybe due to the flash yet if its gains im making good, but my right shoulder, pulled me out of my routine today as it felt like my shoulder wouldnt lower any further as I wanted to feel maximum contraction by bringing the bar an inch above nipple, which would mean that the arms would be in level with shoulders,but my right shoulder wouldnt even allow for this. Here is a closer look at the mark without the flash on camera:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/434/aavm6.jpg


Well in the picture it looks kinda like stretch marks. But I don't think that they're related to the problem you experienced while bench pressing (kind of hard to tell in the pic but that's what they look like to me).

Can you explain the problem/pain in more detail?

Well My left side was 100% normal, was just my right side, as in Top Corner of armpit just under the front delt I think, Its hard to explain but felt really tight and as I progressed through the movement, just felt like my right shoulder was urging me to stop, as I think theres a small bone where Im explaining or a tendon? Wasnt so much pain basically felt as if its full range of motion was met before It had been .

I train 6 days a week tomorrow is my rest day, So could it just be potential overload from the week in relation to upper body muscles being worked intensly?

I train 6 days a week tomorrow is my rest day, So could it just be potential overload from the week in relation to upper body muscles being worked intensly?
I don't know, and it's not very likely anyone on here will know for sure. :( I would say that if it's bothering you and if it's affecting your ability to train you need to see a doctor.

The other pic you posted still looks kind of like a stretch mark to me, but it might just be the camera/lighting that's throwing me off. I really don't know, sorry. :(

Looks like a stretch-mark to me too

Its a stretch mark.

But, what are you saying with regard to your shoulder? You experience pain if you try to go lower than one inch above the chest? If it gives you pain to do that, then, as the old joke goes, "don't do that".

Bench press is notorious for causing shoulder problems, so, if this is something new, and then pain isn't severe, maybe just skip bench press for a week and see if it feels better.

My only two cents is that the human body does some weird shit sometimes, 99% of the time it takes care of itself, and at least it is your rest day tommorow, if it is tender, maybe ice it a bit. if it really nags you, get it checked out before it gets worse.

Ps. we are arm twins, I could have sworn I was looking at my own arm.

Its a stretch mark.

But, what are you saying with regard to your shoulder? You experience pain if you try to go lower than one inch above the chest? If it gives you pain to do that, then, as the old joke goes, "don't do that".

Bench press is notorious for causing shoulder problems, so, if this is something new, and then pain isn't severe, maybe just skip bench press for a week and see if it feels better.

Man Its like 5% pain and other 95% is like when I lower my right shoulder to execute the full range of motion it feels as if its getting tighter and tighter, and when my finger directs itself to the spot of discomfort its like a small bone or tendon ?

Man Its like 5% pain and other 95% is like when I lower my right shoulder to execute the full range of motion it feels as if its getting tighter and tighter, and when my finger directs itself to the spot of discomfort its like a small bone or tendon ?

Yeah, you might need to just take a week off -- But, bench press is hard on the shoulders for alot of people. There are a few things you can do to minimize shoulder stress though. First, if you have a wide-grip, try narrowing it a bit. Second, don't flare the elbows out to 90 degrees -- That is very hard on the shoulders.....bring your elbows in a little bit (to 45 degrees or so). One way you can do this is to bring the bar to the lower pecs/sternum area instead of bringing it to the nipple line. Usually this will automatically force you to bring the elbows in a bit (and take stress off the shoulders). Third, you might try stopping the press about an inch or two above the chest. There is usually about a 15 degree ROM carry over, so you won't lose anything in terms of size gains or strength gains by doing this. Lastly, when you climb under the bar and get ready to press, pull your shoulder blades together as tight as you can. This will help stabilize your shoulders and reduce chance of injury.

I used to have shoulder problems with bench press all the time, but, since I've employed some of these strategies (along with a better balanced routine), I haven't had any shoulder pain at all with bench press.

:gl: