Is shoulder strength holding back my bench press?

tomcornhole

SS has been great so far. Just learning form so far, but I started adding weight to my bench press. I am at 165 lbs and I cannot feel any work being done with my pecs. My shoulders give out way before my pecs start working hard. I have not added overhead presses because the book says do that after 3 weeks (I'm at 2 weeks). At this point I think I should start alternating bench and vertical presses to get my shoulder strength up and allow my bench press to progress.

Whadya think?

writetomab

Surely it should be your triceps that give way first? I've never felt my shoulders giving way in a bench press before. If you want to hit the pectorial muscle more then you can try per-exhaustion by super setting with DB fly etc.

markdavy1982

Are you benching on a flat or incline bench? like said previously I've never felt my shoulders interfere with my bench press and my shoulders are my weak point.
Have you ever injured your shoulders?

tomcornhole

Triceps don't feel like they are working too hard either. They have always been one of my strongest muscles.

tomcornhole

Are you benching on a flat or incline bench? like said previously I've never felt my shoulders interfere with my bench press and my shoulders are my weak point.
Have you ever injured your shoulders?

Have never injured my shoulders that I know of. It's weird, because it's like the joints are weak. I have been using a machine for the past year for bench press, chest fly, rows, lat pull downs, curls and triceps. But I never worked my shoulders. I think they are my weak link.

NormInv

One thing you can try (if your shoulder is the problem joint) is to press lying on the ground (called floor press). It will restrict the shoulder movement and protect it.

NormInv

Hey bros, check this out. Yer welcome, again!

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=115073151&page=1

AZKristi

I'd love to hear more thoughts on this... I've read many descriptions of correct bench press technique so I think I'm setting up and performing the exercise correctly. But, I never really feel anything in my chest. With bench press and pushups, I always am feeling it more in my arms and shoulders.

blazergrad

Rotator cuff exercises could help...

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/criticalbench24.htm

toddis

Depending on your grip, width, and angle of your arms you work different muscles benching. If your arms are at a 90 degree angle to your body you'll be working your shoulders more if I recall correctly. Your elbows should be closer to your body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHx1gYTA-Rw

http://youtu.be/6SHMPkXIymw

BonaFideUK

Its difficult to tell what you're doing without watching you but if your shoulders "give out" first then you're probably bench pressing incorrectly. My guess is that your elbows/arms are too far back when you bench which puts a lot of unnecessary strain on your shoulders.

Justjamie0418

When I bench I typically don't 'feel' it in my chest either. The next day I do.

The same with skull crushers. My diddly 12/15 pound bar don't feel 'heavy' but my triceps shake to exhaustion.

halleymw

It is not clear from your post exactly what is going on. Are you able to do the 3x5 sets that the progression tells you to? Since you are just starting out, form is the first thing that comes to mind. I liked the "so you think you can bench" series available on youtube.
I never feel the bench in my chest either.

Mike

Markguns

I would follow the schedule you have. It's only another week. Read this:
http://stronglifts.com/how-to-bench-press-with-proper-technique-avoid-shoulder-injuries/

jimmmer

Google for the series "so you think you can bench".

Scapular engagement and avoiding shoulder impingement are all in there. I have a bum shoulder and for me it's a weak link. I find that with correct back engagement and making sure my elbows go in the right place that even my crappy shoulder can cope with benching.

writetomab

When I bench I typically don't 'feel' it in my chest either. The next day I do.

The same with skull crushers. My diddly 12/15 pound bar don't feel 'heavy' but my triceps shake to exhaustion.

That's pretty common, the vast majority will feel it in their triceps way before you feel it in the chest. So if you want to target the chest you can isolate the chest more by doing things like DB fly etc. At the same time, build up your triceps with dips etc.