Bruising from Lifting Heavy?

JTick
JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
edited January 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Is it normal to bruise from lifting heavy? As my weights get heavier, I am finding I am bruising pretty badly across my shoulders from the weight of the barbell. Am I doing something wrong? Any way to prevent this? I am pretty sure I have it in the right spot on my back, and I am bruised all the way across my shoulders, not just over my spine. I have noticed I also bruise if I try to use the calf raise machine from the weight sitting on my shoulders.

I am currently squatting 135 if that makes a difference.

Replies

  • theshow4jsu
    theshow4jsu Posts: 380 Member
    Battle wounds. You should be proud and wear it as a badge of honor.
  • KiltFuPanda
    KiltFuPanda Posts: 574 Member
    Your body will toughen up after a while - it's just part of getting used to the weight and pressure. A lot of it is the "softness" of your upper back. If you try to think about flexing your upper back as well (think "pinch a pencil between your shoulder blades"), you'll find that you'll be supporting the bar a lot better. On my heavy lifts, if I let my shoulders relax, I can see a straight line across my back later that evening.
  • LeeDavies88
    LeeDavies88 Posts: 1
    Don't worry about it too much, you will notice this decreases the more you perform the exercise.
    its blood vessels beneath the skin breaking but they will repair back thicker each time to help handle the stress.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Yeah it will decrease with time, though I still get the ones on my shins from deadlifts...that hurts like a MoFo.

    Try wrapping a hand towel around it, it might help a little.
  • PriceK01
    PriceK01 Posts: 834 Member
    Are you keeping your elbows up high during squats? I'm not even close to using the same weight at you, but was bruising in the beginning when my form was off and elbows weren't right.
  • Elisirmon
    Elisirmon Posts: 273 Member
    yea make sure you have the right form but it is unavoidable.....: )
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