Advice on my 5X5

[deezknuckles]

I have been happy with HST and recently took my HST program into Madcow's 5x5 Intermediate for a few weeks. I am taking a week off and restarting 5x5 on Monday.

I have subluxed/dislocated both shoulders in the past and barbell bench(flat and incline) press really wears my shoulders down when I go heavy. For some reason, heavy dumbell bench/incline does not hurt my shoulders, nor do heavy weighted dips or smith machine.

I am considering replacing the Monday and Friday Bench in Madcow's 5x5 with weighted dips and the Wed. incline with Smith machine or dumbells (although it is difficult to increase in small increments with dumbells).

Is this the right approach or should I consider another alternative?

 

[SgtSlaughter]

I had a similar shoulder issue...

In relation to your body where are your elbows on the lowest point of the Barbell bench?

 

[deezknuckles]

I bring them down pretty low, so id say they are closer to my mid-lats than lower pecs.

 

[Protobuilder]

I am considering replacing the Monday and Friday Bench in Madcow's 5x5 with weighted dips and the Wed. incline with Smith machine or dumbells (although it is difficult to increase in small increments with dumbells).

Is this the right approach or should I consider another alternative?

Sure. That'll work. The pressing work isn't as important as the squatting and pulling, IMO. Just pick a decent compuond pressing exercise and work it progressively. You're right about the DB's though: it's hard to make small jumps and that could screw you up pretty good. But there's nothing wrong w/ doing weighted dips on M/F or even DB flat bench on M/F. You could also do overhead work on W rather than incline. The big picture is what's important: pick good compound exercises that hit most of your musculature and work them progressively. That's the program. LoL

You seem to be doing a good job working around your injuries/limitations . . . you might also consider what kind of rehab/strengthening stuff you need to help you get fixed 100%. Look all the way down the road . . .

 

[deezknuckles]

Sure. That'll work. The pressing work isn't as important as the squatting and pulling, IMO. Just pick a decent compuond pressing exercise and work it progressively. You're right about the DB's though: it's hard to make small jumps and that could screw you up pretty good. But there's nothing wrong w/ doing weighted dips on M/F or even DB flat bench on M/F. You could also do overhead work on W rather than incline. The big picture is what's important: pick good compound exercises that hit most of your musculature and work them progressively. That's the program. LoL

You seem to be doing a good job working around your injuries/limitations . . . you might also consider what kind of rehab/strengthening stuff you need to help you get fixed 100%. Look all the way down the road . . .

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to stick with weighted dips on M, F, and will do dumbell incline on W.