What are the risks of bench?

Asked by: Ms. Ivy Hilpert  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (9 votes)

Most bench press injuries occur to the shoulder; but injuries to the elbow, triceps, chest, collarbone and lower back (from arching during the lift) have also been reported (see Figure 1 below).

What is the most common injury from bench press?

One of the most common sites of injury is the rotator cuff, a system of four muscles and the tendons that surround our main shoulder joint.

What are negatives on bench press?

For example, if you are doing a negative bench press, you would start with the weight in the top position (the weight would be more than you could lift on your own if you had to push it back up), lower that heavy weight under control to the bottom position of the exercise, then have a partner help you return the weight ...

What are the safety precautions for benching?

Bench pressing: Safety tips to avoid injury
  • Use a spotter if you're apprehensive about bench pressing for the first time. ...
  • Be aware of your shoulder joints' range of motion. ...
  • Do not lock your elbows until you are ready to place the bar back onto the rack. ...
  • Keep the bar centered over your chest while pressing.

Is it safe to bench everyday?

You can absolutely bench every day. A number of top powerlifters bench 5 times a week, although 4 or so is more common I believe.

The Official Bench Press Check List (AVOID MISTAKES!)

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Is it OK to bench 2 times a week?

Experts say hitting each muscle group twice a week will pay massive muscle-building dividends. On that note, I suggest you do the bench press twice weekly so you can improve this skill over time. This frequency will allow you to master the movement and form.

Can I do push ups every day?

Doing push ups every day is good for building upper body muscles and even strengthening your core, back, and lower extremities. You can start with 10 push ups a day and then work up to doing 50 or 100 push ups everyday. Breaking them up into smaller sets throughout the day can make it easier to start as well.

What are the risks of bench press?

Overuse injuries that occur during the bench press include rotator cuff damage, tendinopathies in the shoulder, and stress fractures or degeneration of the collar bone. “Due to several individual factors, there is no single best technique for this lift,” Grier said.

What are the don'ts of bench press?

Don't ARCH YOUR BACK – arching your back will recruit less of the muscles you are actually trying to work, the pecs and triceps, and could result in injury. Keeping your back flat will ensure you are using the intended, primary muscles to execute the lift.

What are negatives in lifting?

Negative or eccentric training is a training system which aims to focus on the lowering or eccentric phase of a movement. This forces your body to have control of the weight you're using without cheating as its a lot slower than how you would usually do the exercise.

What is downside bench press?

Some of the disadvantages of bench press include the increased risk of shoulder injuries, particularly when performed with improper form or excessive weight. Additionally, the bench press can place strain on the lower back, especially if the lifter arches excessively or fails to engage their core muscles properly.

Can bench press cause stroke?

A single bout of heavy lifting--greater than 85 percent of your 1-rep max -- on compound exercises, such as the squat, leg press, bench, or deadlift, can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in men who are already at risk, says Mark Peterson, Ph.

How to avoid bench press injury?

Start with a barbell set up so that the weight is evenly distributed across both shoulders. Keep your elbows between 10-30 degrees from your torso throughout the movement. Lower the bar slowly, without it bouncing off your chest. Fourth, pause briefly before pressing back up.

What to do if bench press falls on you?

"The best thing to do is literally roll the bar down your sternum, the middle of your chest, past your abdominals, and right besides your hips," says Cornier. At that point you can sit up, then deadlift the bar back to the ground.

Where should I feel it when I bench?

As you lower the bar, keep your back arched, your shoulders down and back, and focus on resisting and pushing with your chest muscles. Keeping your back arched and shoulders back is how you will feel bench press in your chest.

Why can't I bench properly?

Incorrect grip

A grip that is too wide reduces the involvement of your triceps, limiting the weight you can handle. On the other hand, a grip that is too narrow shifts the focus mainly to your triceps instead of allowing your chest muscles to do most of the work.

How to bench press safely?

Keep your upper arm at a 45-degree angle from the side of your chest. When you lower the bar, your elbow should be 15 degrees below your torso. To lessen the strain on your shoulders even more, you can put a roll of towels on your chest. This way, you don't lower the bar as deeply.

How common are bench press injuries?

The bench press is a very commonly performed exercise, especially by novice weightlifters (Fig. 1). The majority (47–70%) of reported pectoralis major injuries are the result of bench pressing.

Can benching cause heart problems?

Bench press exercise, which involves repetitive lifting of weights to full arm extension while lying supine on a narrow bench, has been associated with complications ranging in acuity from simple pectoral muscle strain, to aortic and coronary artery dissection.

Do push-ups burn belly fat?

Push-ups do not just build upper body strength, they also engage your core and help burn fat, including around the belly. They are simple, effective, and can be done anywhere without any fancy equipment.

Will 100 pushups a day do anything?

Doing 100 push-ups a day can be an impactful element of your overall strength-building and -maintaining routine. And you don't need to be at a gym to do them. “It's a quick and efficient way to strengthen some upper body muscles,” Rad says. “It is a bodyweight move that can be done virtually anywhere.”

Is 150 pushups a day good?

If you can do fewer than 25 push-ups in a row, shoot for 50 to 75 push-ups. If your max is between 25 and 50 push-ups, shoot for 75 to 150 push-ups. If your max is over 50 (with good form!), shoot for 150 to 250 push-ups.