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Muscle building question

themadteapot
themadteapot Posts: 41 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I know VERY little, so bear with me.

I just got back into swimming and working out, and I've noticed a couple moves are abnormally painful for me. I decided to do some weight machines for my arms. Everything was going fine, until I did a machine that involves pulling down from above with my arms going against my side (not out in a line- more like chicken wing position) both arms would start clicking and I was so weak that I had to use the lowest setting when I was up three rings on everything else. I could barely finish three sets of ten... So my dad suggested it may be related to my rotator cuff injury, and how I may have to build the muscle differently before I can train with a regular machine.

Any suggestions? And I apologize for not knowing the name of the muscle.

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited June 2016
    Was it a lat pulldown machine?

    http://www.mystrengthtraining.com/compound-lifts/lat-pulldown/
  • themadteapot
    themadteapot Posts: 41 Member
    No, that one I can do. It's when the elbows are next to me, not out to the side.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Tricep push downs?

    Regardless, you are not going to be at the same strength levels for all exercises. Also, if you don't know what the exercise is, you have an increased chance of not knowing how to do it correctly. It may be a good idea to ask for some in-person guidance.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I was thinking triceps too..

    Rotator cuff injury? Have you done physical therapy for this injury or had a physical therapist give you at home or in house exercises perhaps using resistance bands for example.. ?

    I would not attempt to lift weights or anything that compromises that injury or cause pain or better yet re-injur the injury without some step by step exercises to build strength back up from the doctor.
  • themadteapot
    themadteapot Posts: 41 Member
    It isn't tricep either, your arms are fully extended up when you pull down. (At least I'm learning these names now lol)

    I follow the diagram on the machine, and I've seen others use it... So I'm fairly confident in my proper use.

    I have had therapy, it was an injury back in high school. I just haven't used my arms as much since. This is the first time getting back up to speed.

    Thank you both for trying to help!
  • themadteapot
    themadteapot Posts: 41 Member
    I think it might be a lateral pull down. The pictures have a bar, but the machine had two holds to pull down. But the positioning looks the same.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited June 2016
    There are several different bars or handles that can be used on the lat pulldown. I've never seen one with dual handles but I am far from an expert. I am really curious about what the exercise is!
  • JKI19
    JKI19 Posts: 91 Member
    Sounds like you may have been using a High-Row Machine. The problem with machines is that they don't have as much freedom of range as free-weight lifting does. Therefore, if you've sustained an injury before or during a certain machine workout, that tight and controlled movement may hit something that brings up pain. I'd recommend trying reverse grip-pull downs. They do essentially the same thing, and still involve a machine, but allow for more freedom of range so you can experiment with which movement angle doesn't hurt.
  • themadteapot
    themadteapot Posts: 41 Member
    Next time I go to the gym (which should be tomorrow) I'll find the name of the machine!

    And thank you for the suggestions, I'll try a different machine and see if that helps out. Thank you very much !
  • DTrain351
    DTrain351 Posts: 37 Member
    A lot of people get "clicking" in their elbows, wrists and shoulders. Actually, any joint can "click." If u r experiencing pain stop! If there were something wrong u probably couldn't overcome the pain involved. However, sometimes joints "clicking" can be a precursor to an injury. The clicking could be from a lot of things...spurs, tendons etc. A spur may click all the while messing up a tendon or muscle. It's best to see a doc if it hurts or bothers you. JK is probably right...probably some kind of high row. Your dad is also right bout rotators clicking. Best advice is to avoid that exercise until a doc can take a look at you and if u feel any pain...stop! It could be a lot of things. People can get dysplasia in joints..
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    If it hurts, don't do it.
    It's ok to use low weights until you build up the muscle.
    Just don't injure it more.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited June 2016
    This content has been removed.
This discussion has been closed.

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