Hey Scott!

 

I have been working out since Jan with the main goal of weight loss.  Being about 15lbs from my goal weight I wanted to start building strength and muscle.  I am 36 6'4" weighing in at 215, and at 16% bf.  I am consuming roughly 2300 calories a day (250g P, 219g C, 69g F).  I coming back from shoulder tear due to a bone spur in my left shoulder.  I have made progress from not being able to lift 5lbs to currently doing shoulder press at 25lbs for 3 sets of 10.  It seems alot of upper body involves shoulder movement when lifting.  I work up until I start to feel pain, or my arm goes numb.  I immediately stop and rest it so as to not cause any more damage.  Are gains possible when I am not able to lift as hard or as heavy as I would like to??

Thanks for the help and great motivating videos!

The initial diagnosis was bursitis in the shoulder , after an MRI was performed found a bone spur that was impinging the rotator cuff tendons.  During PT they started with ultrasounds, icing and stretches to increase mobility.  THen have been working on strengthening exercises.  I start each shoulder workout with stretching the rotator cuff.  Then work on the presses, raises and rear delt exercises.  Thanks for the help!

Did they suggest operating to shave off some of the bone spur? Did the PTs give you external rotation exercises with a rubber band?

it was decided that surgery wouldn't be needed.  Did have band exercises to start with, have been using cable machine at the gym.  Rotator cuff, front and side raises.  my last MRI showed a 20% decrease in the spur.

Well my main concern is that if you have the spur and it IS causing the numbness... how will it ever go away?

As far as the gains, you can certainly still make them, you just need to focus more on a slow TEMPO.  With really light weight go for 10-12 reps with a 2-2-4 tempo.  At this rate you will get PLENTY of muscle stimulation brotha.

Probably due to inexperience, what do you mean in terms of tempo?

Probably due to inexperience, what do you mean in terms of tempo?

I'm pretty sure that Scott was referring to using a Tempo like 2 seconds on the exertion, 2 seconds holding the pinnacle of that rep and 4 seconds on the negative, all to help you gain strength.