Latissiumus problem during bench press

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...

Quoted message said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds like
a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...

Quoted message said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds like
a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Do you have parasite tiny ballerina? I bet that's why you're so small.

Mack said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because I'm
weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips at 90lbs).
Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my reps, but that
sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up again. Anyone else have
this problem?

Have you tried lightly stretching the lats Before your bench warm-ups
sets?

I guess that's a good idea! I just warm up with a set 1x15 with bar
only, then 1x8 at 135lbs, then a few more at 185 lbs, then it's on to
my workout sets. I'll add 2 sets of pull-ups for 4-6 reps and see how
that goes. Funny I never thought of that.

Mack said:

Jeff Finlayson said:

Mack said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

Have you tried lightly stretching the lats Before your bench warm-ups
sets?

Quoted message said:

I guess that's a good idea! I just warm up with a set 1x15 with bar
only, then 1x8 at 135lbs, then a few more at 185 lbs, then it's on to
my workout sets. I'll add 2 sets of pull-ups for 4-6 reps and see how
that goes. Funny I never thought of that.

I only suggested stretching. Make sure sure you don't fatigue the lats.

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...

Quoted message said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

--
Bully

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...

Quoted message said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

--
Bully

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...

Quoted message said:

Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I try
to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp' you'll
find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes them but
the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a muscle that's
already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't overtraining, I don't know
what is.

I think the reason there seems to be no "hard" science on this is that
there are too many variables, e.g., I used to have a much bigger problem
with muscle cramping than I do now but adding supplemental potassium to
my diet, which I did with a specific aim of reducing muscle cramps,
helped me immensely. Other nutrient-related problems are also often
cited as possible causes of muscle cramps, e.g., lack of magnesium or
lack of calcium.

For the OP, since he didn't mention the order of his exercises but did
mention other lat-intense exercises, it seems reasonable to ask if he
was trying to bench with already fatigued lats from weighted chins.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Quoted message said:

--
Bully

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Steve Freides said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...
> Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
> latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's
> because I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt
> and 12 dips at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch,
> and finish my reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's
> going to lock up again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I
try to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp'
you'll find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes
them but the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a
muscle that's already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't
overtraining, I don't know what is.

Erm, I think you'll find it actually might be fatigue. You may noe be
entirely aware, but fatigue is somewhat different from overtraining. Try
walking on tip-toes for a mile and see if your calves feel fatigued; I
imagine they will do. However, it is not likely at that point that they are
overtrained.

There's far too much talk of overtraining these days!!! Very few people are
overtrained. Many, many more are training with a lack of intensity or bad
form etc. etc. which is what is directly related to THEIR lack of adequate
progress; overtraining almost certainly isn't!!!

Quoted message said:

I think the reason there seems to be no "hard" science on this is that
there are too many variables, e.g., I used to have a much bigger
problem with muscle cramping than I do now but adding supplemental
potassium to my diet, which I did with a specific aim of reducing
muscle cramps, helped me immensely. Other nutrient-related problems
are also often cited as possible causes of muscle cramps, e.g., lack
of magnesium or lack of calcium.

Even dehydration!

Quoted message said:

For the OP, since he didn't mention the order of his exercises but did
mention other lat-intense exercises, it seems reasonable to ask if he
was trying to bench with already fatigued lats from weighted chins.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Quoted message said:

--
Bully

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
Supps: http://www.myprotein.co.uk - 5% off with my discount code MP4858

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:57:24 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...
> Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
> latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's because
> I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt and 12 dips
> at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch, and finish my
> reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's going to lock up
> again. Anyone else have this problem?

No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
current
workout or in general) and it cramping up.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I try
to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp' you'll
find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes them but
the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a muscle that's
already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't overtraining, I don't know
what is.

So when my pecs cramped up on me Friday while deadlifting 505 pounds,
it was due to overtraining my chest? I benched Wednesday for the
first time since the Friday before and then I only went light on that
Friday. I did do inclines on Wednesday after my regular bench and I
had done inclines in months. Maybe that pushed me over the edge:-)

On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 16:04:57 -0000, "Bully"
<neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in
misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides wrote:
> "Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...
>> Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
>> latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's
>> because I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt
>> and 12 dips at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch,
>> and finish my reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's
>> going to lock up again. Anyone else have this problem?
>
> No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
> like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
> current
> workout or in general) and it cramping up.
>
> -S-
> http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I
try to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp'
you'll find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes
them but the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a
muscle that's already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't
overtraining, I don't know what is.

Erm, I think you'll find it actually might be fatigue. You may noe be
entirely aware, but fatigue is somewhat different from overtraining. Try
walking on tip-toes for a mile and see if your calves feel fatigued; I
imagine they will do. However, it is not likely at that point that they are
overtrained.

There's far too much talk of overtraining these days!!! Very few people are
overtrained. Many, many more are training with a lack of intensity or bad
form etc. etc. which is what is directly related to THEIR lack of adequate
progress; overtraining almost certainly isn't!!!

I agree with you. I've had people tell me they are overtrained
because they were sore. I tell them they aren't lifting often enough.

I was on the brink of overtraining in week four of the front squat
routine I was doing. That was probably only the second time in the
past 5 years that I was overtrained. Front squatting 3 days/week at
85 and 90% tends to do that though.

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides wrote:
> "Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...
>> Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my left
>> latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's
>> because I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt
>> and 12 dips at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch,
>> and finish my reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's
>> going to lock up again. Anyone else have this problem?
>
> No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
> like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
> current
> workout or in general) and it cramping up.
>
> -S-
> http://www.kbnj.com

Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I
try to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp'
you'll find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes
them but the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a
muscle that's already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't
overtraining, I don't know what is.

Erm, I think you'll find it actually might be fatigue. You may noe be
entirely aware, but fatigue is somewhat different from overtraining.
Try walking on tip-toes for a mile and see if your calves feel
fatigued; I imagine they will do. However, it is not likely at that
point that they are overtrained.

This is IMHO just semantics. You're using "overtraining" to refer to a
long-term syndrome, but if you train too much during one session, you're
overtraining then, too. I apologize for using the terms differently
than everyone else seems to but I think we are in agreement here - let's
call it fatigue if it happens during one session, and overtraining if it
happens across many. Either way it's training a muscle that you
shouldn't be because it needs more rest, be it from too much use during
the current session or too much use across prior days, weeks, and/or
months.

Quoted message said:

There's far too much talk of overtraining these days!!! Very few
people are overtrained. Many, many more are training with a lack of
intensity or bad form etc. etc. which is what is directly related to
THEIR lack of adequate progress; overtraining almost certainly
isn't!!!

-snip-

I think that depends - I know many people who don't train hard enough,
granted, but those who do train often go overboard in the other
direction. I'm more aware of this the older I get, too, because one's
recovery abilities lessen with age. All other things being equal,
though, I'll agree with you here, too - more people undertrain than
overtrain.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Steve Freides said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

"Bully" <neil_simpson@spam-me-not_btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Steve Freides wrote:
>> "Mack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
>> news:4KIff.1970$NN2.1318@trnddc02...
>>> Sometimes during a flat benchpress, I feel a locking up in my
>>> left latissimus, just to the left of the pec. I don't think it's
>>> because I'm weak there (I do 12 pull ups with 45 lbs on the belt
>>> and 12 dips at 90lbs). Then I have to rack it, do a pull stretch,
>>> and finish my reps, but that sucks because then I'm afraid it's
>>> going to lock up again. Anyone else have this problem?
>>
>> No. What are you doing before flat bench in your workout. Sounds
>> like a simply case of overtraining a muscle (either during the
>> current
>> workout or in general) and it cramping up.
>>
>> -S-
>> http://www.kbnj.com
>
> Overtraining == cramping ???

Happens once every few weeks or so to me, e.g., after heavy deads, I
try to do ab work and my abs cramp. If you Google 'muscle cramp'
you'll find most sources say no one really knows exactly what causes
them but the leading culprits is fatigue. If trying to exercise a
muscle that's already so fatigued it starts to cramp isn't
overtraining, I don't know what is.

Erm, I think you'll find it actually might be fatigue. You may noe be
entirely aware, but fatigue is somewhat different from overtraining.
Try walking on tip-toes for a mile and see if your calves feel
fatigued; I imagine they will do. However, it is not likely at that
point that they are overtrained.

This is IMHO just semantics.

It *could* be if it weren't for the fact that "overtraining" is a well-known
condition amonst those people associated with sport & physical training of
one sort or another. You tell someone they are overtraining and let them go
and look it up in Google, or talk to someone who know their subject matter
and they are going to come to completely the wrong conclusion!!! Call it
semantics if you wish, but that would be taking a dangerously ignorant
position.

Quoted message said:

You're using "overtraining" to refer to
a long-term syndrome, but if you train too much during one session,
you're overtraining then, too.

Not if you look at the de-facto use of the term overtraining!!!

Quoted message said:

I apologize for using the terms
differently than everyone else seems to

Well don't then -- it will only end in tears.

It would be a bit like a discussion around weight training and switching the
terms reps and sets!!!

Quoted message said:

but I think we are in
agreement here - let's call it fatigue if it happens during one
session, and overtraining if it happens across many.

I'm highly unlikely to do that.

Quoted message said:

Either way it's
training a muscle that you shouldn't be because it needs more rest,
be it from too much use during the current session or too much use
across prior days, weeks, and/or months.

No, no, no, no, no. Overrtraining is not related to a particular muscle!!!!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There's far too much talk of overtraining these days!!! Very few
people are overtrained. Many, many more are training with a lack of
intensity or bad form etc. etc. which is what is directly related to
THEIR lack of adequate progress; overtraining almost certainly
isn't!!!

-snip-

I think that depends - I know many people who don't train hard enough,
granted, but those who do train often go overboard in the other
direction.

There's not many of them though!!!

Quoted message said:

I'm more aware of this the older I get, too, because one's
recovery abilities lessen with age.

But with age comes wisdom!

Quoted message said:

All other things being equal,
though, I'll agree with you here, too - more people undertrain than
overtrain.

Very few people will every reach the point of overtraining !!!

Quoted message said:

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
Supps: http://www.myprotein.co.uk - 5% off with my discount code MP4858

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss