Gym & Strength Sports
Gym & Weight Training Shoulder Injuries
Specialised care for weightlifting and resistance training shoulder injuries, with treatment designed to keep athletes training.
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Common Gym Shoulder Injuries
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries
- Labral tears from heavy lifting
- Biceps tendon pathology
- Shoulder instability from muscle imbalances
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is under significant load during bench press, overhead press, and lat pulldown exercises. Repetitive overload without adequate recovery leads to tendinopathy, and in severe cases, partial or complete tears. Pain is typically felt at the top or outer aspect of the shoulder, worsened by reaching overhead or behind the back.
Prevention
- Balance pushing and pulling exercises in training programmes
- Include rotator cuff-specific strengthening exercises
- Avoid excessive internal rotation exercises without external rotation balance
- Prioritise shoulder mobility work in warm-up
- Progress loads gradually — avoid large weekly weight increases
- Allow adequate recovery between heavy upper body sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
What gym exercises most commonly cause shoulder injuries?
Bench press, overhead press, pull-ups, and behind-the-neck exercises create the highest shoulder loads and are associated with rotator cuff injuries, AC joint problems, and labral tears.
Should I stop training with a shoulder injury?
Not necessarily. Many shoulder injuries can be managed while maintaining fitness through exercise modification. A specialist assessment helps identify which movements are safe and which should be avoided.
Can I prevent shoulder injuries in the gym?
Yes. Balanced programming (equal pushing and pulling volume), proper technique, progressive overload, shoulder mobility work, and rotator cuff conditioning significantly reduce injury risk.