Can you powerlift without doing overhead presses?

[plifter]

I've got two bad rotator cuffs. I've had surgery for one but the problem came back. That makes me hesitate to get the other shoulder operated on. Basically, I cannot do any type of overhead presses for bench assistance. I can do side raises and upright rows if my delts are really warmed up first. I can't even do incline presses. Is there anyone else that's built a good bench without heavy delt assistance work?

 

[Devastation]

what do you consider a good bench? 400 to 450 raw? then i would say yes you could

 

[plifter]

I would love to push 400 raw. My best was 405 in a shirt. Now I'm down to about 275-300 raw.

 

[Nytol2]

My bench has increased since I stopped OH pressing, (485lbs raw, at 230lbs BW).

My reason was that I could not fit them into my training schedual, so I dropped them for a while, and I have gotten stronger on the bench, and when I have tried OH pressing again, I have not really lost any strength (120lb DB's for 6-8 full strict reps each one touching my outside delt, then to full lockout), I think you will do just fine without them.

 

[plifter]

I think you will do just fine without them.

Thanks. That's good to hear because I'm starting to think that I will never be able to press overhead again without pain. I can do lateral raises and front raises with dumbells. That's what my entire shoulder workout consists of right now. I can flat bench without too much discomfort. My anterior delts should get a bit of stimulation from the bench presses and dumbell presses.

It sucks when you get older and your body starts suffering injuries. That's life I guess.

 

[3speed]

I blew both of my rotator cuffs simultaneously several years ago. I had surgery but still have some pain and partially limited use. However, I firmly believe that we do what we want to do and find excuses not to do what we don't want to do. I had to modify my training - after missing 18 months - and have come back strong enough to win National and World level events.

I do not lift westside but the rotator cuff regimen by westside has really helped my range of motion and stabilized my shoulder. I also do heavy rear shoulder work to help stabilize the joint. One exercise I found that helps build the anterior and medial delts is partial overhead reps with dumbbells. I do these with a neutral grip and only raise the weight to ear level. It allows me to work the delts without aggravating my shoulders.

Hope this helps.

 

[stilleto]

i never do OH presses- i can't, because of my back and shoulder issues. my bench has improved.

 

[plifter]

3speed, thanks for the tip on doing partial reps. I'll give that a try.

 

[Parabellum]

I don't do them. It kills my shoulders.

 

[Bald Gorilla]

I don't do them either. Hurts too bad and always lead to an injury. I have benched 500 w/ shirt.

I have a machine that is pretty close to an overhead press that I can use, but I go super light.

Shoulder work is from bench work, incline dumbbells, laterals, rear laterals, etc....

I think most people overtrain their shoulders anyway...