So this is a new development for me…
When I’m doing bodyweight dips lately (at 215 lbs), my upper traps start to ache and I usually crap out at about 6-8 reps as opposed to 10-12 before.
Then, when I get off the bars, they REALLY ache for a few seconds, and then it fades away fairly quick.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob
Are your lower traps OK, though?
[quote]Miserere wrote:
Are your lower traps OK, though?[/quote]
Yeah, don’t really feel any pain anywhere else. Obviously, I feel the strain in my triceps and (to a lesser degree) chest, but no pain, per se…
Got a theory?
I might be experiencing a somewhat similar situation although I wouldn’t describe it as my upper traps. I would probably describe it as more of a joint/bone pain than a muscular pain. It is really sharp right as I unload the weight from my hands to my feet as I get off and eases very quickly. I can sometimes feel it across my upper chest as well. However, I usually only experience it when I’m going heavy (for me) with +75 pounds or more on the belt.
Do you ahve a good chiropractor? I find if im my muscles begin to get tight in strange situations it is because im out of alignment. Once I get adjusted I’m back to normal again if not stronger. ART could also be the answer. I noticed some strength gains from my first session.
also try stretching your traps and shoulders really well before training. do some light shoulder circles and lateral raises first maybe.
-chris
[quote]Norwell Bob wrote:
Got a theory?[/quote]
Nope, not really. I feel pain in my left shoulder if I lean too far forward, but that’s my wonky shoulder and who knows what’s wrong with it!
Does stretching before dipping help at all?
Wow, somebody else who uses the word “wonky”! And in Mass, no less… too weird.
No, stretching doesn’t really seem to help too much… but then I’ve never been accused of stretching too much. :^)
[quote]Miserere wrote:
Norwell Bob wrote:
Got a theory?
Nope, not really. I feel pain in my left shoulder if I lean too far forward, but that’s my wonky shoulder and who knows what’s wrong with it!
Does stretching before dipping help at all?[/quote]
this happens to me too. I go way below paralell and it squeezes my traps into my neck and pushes my shoulder blades together. I think your just flexing your traps as you go down because of the way your leaning (i’m assuming your leaning forward a bit. This is how I figured it was happening.
[quote]Norwell Bob wrote:
So this is a new development for me…
When I’m doing bodyweight dips lately (at 215 lbs), my upper traps start to ache and I usually crap out at about 6-8 reps as opposed to 10-12 before.
Then, when I get off the bars, they REALLY ache for a few seconds, and then it fades away fairly quick.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob[/quote]
Keep your shoulders tight (read: down) throughout the lift. I used to have the exact same problem until I learned to depress the scapula. Think about doing a push up plus except with dips.
Hope that helps…
KE
[quote]KE10 wrote:
Keep your shoulders tight (read: down) throughout the lift. I used to have the exact same problem until I learned to depress the scapula. Think about doing a push up plus except with dips.
Hope that helps…
KE[/quote]
To add on to that, a good way to get a feel for depressing the scapula is to get into the support position on the parallel bars (the peak extended position of a dip) and then press down with the back. It’s the opposite motion of a shrug, instead of elevating the scapula by pulling with the traps, you’re using them to push it downwards. That’s scapular depression.
However, I don’t know how pertinent that would be to your problem in the first place.
Well, there seems to be some good advice, between the stretching and the scapular depressions… I’ll try and incorporate this stuff tomorrow when I’m working chest/tri again and let you know.
Thanks all!
Bob
[quote]Norwell Bob wrote:
Wow, somebody else who uses the word “wonky”! And in Mass, no less… too weird.[/quote]
I’m a misplaced Brit, is why. Do Americans use “wonky” too?
[quote]Miserere wrote:
I’m a misplaced Brit, is why. Do Americans use “wonky” too?[/quote]
No, not too many of us… that’s why I was so surprised. :^)