Left side Shoulder Press weakness

TangoDown

TangoDown

Member
Finished up 1st 5 rep mescocyle of my 5th HST cycle a week and a half ago, and hit my new 5 rep max on dumbbell shoulder press (1 dumbbell). I had one more rep in the tank for my right side. Decided to push for a 2nd 5 rep mesocycle to push for an even higher rep max (I like gaining 5lb per arm per lift every cycle).

So I finished the workout before I hit my new 5 rep max for dumbbell (strict) standing shoulder press (so I'm using what should be my new 10 rep max for 5 reps) and noticed that though I could push out the weight pretty well with my right arm, my left arm still felt like I was only a couple reps shy of failure. If that's true, then my right side's 5 rep max for shoulder press increased another 2.5lb, but my left side is still stuck at the rep max I hit before I started the this current mesocycle.

To make it easier to understand:

1st 5 rep mesocycle - Left Side: 52.5lb dumbbell for 5 reps. Right Side: 52.5lb dumbbell for 6 reps.

2nd 5 rep mescocyle - I'm projecting this because I'm hitting my supposed 5 rep max next workout: Left Side: 52.5lb dumbbell for 5-6 reps. Right Side: 55lb dumbbell for 5 reps.

I don't think it's CNS fatigue because I zig zag, haven't hit failure once, and my 1 arm dumbbell floor/bench bench press hasn't been affected in the same way. I just did myofascial release on both shoulders and they feel more loose now...

Hopefully it's a fluke, but what do you guys think? For my shoulders, my main goal is to hit a 70lb-75lb 5 rep max for dumbbell shoulder press (per arm) by the end of the year. Started at 40lbs (per arm) for 5-6 reps in October.

lol it's also ironic considering my right shoulder was the one with the AC joint injury. And before you ask, yes, I'm right handed.
 
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Update: Hit PR on right side and had at least one more rep in the tank.

Left side, I hit PR, but I had to lean to the right to do it. 2nd set, I hit PR on my right side with nothing on the tank, but needed a liftoff with my right hand for my left side's lift, and only managed 3 reps. Didn't carry over to my bench though, as I hit new PR on both sides and both sides seemed even in terms of strength. I always do bench after OHP too.

For 1 arm OHP, I had about 2 minutes rest between sets. Maybe I'll increase it to 3 minutes in my final 5 rep max workout on Sunday. It might be my CNS finally burning out, but I doubt that because again, my bench wasn't affected, and strength DID increase on my left side...just couldn't complete all reps on more than one set. Weird...
 
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I am assuming you did some rehab work when you injured your right shoulder, perhaps because of this you have slightly more stability in it.

Also do you always go right side first? maybe try going with the left first

Also why are you doing one sided OHP?
 
Didn't get to rehab it when the injury happened because it happened at MCRD and I never got dropped to the rehabilitation platoon. It was a Grade I or II because there was no separation of bone on the x-ray, so other than pain and some popping on pullups, the general overhead pain went away within a month of the injury. It took 6 or so months for the pain to dissipate completely on pullups, though I still get it a bit from time to time. I've got the same ROM as my left side and can do all other movements including OHP with no issue. OHP probably helped recovery (did some lateral raise too but dropped it).

Yeah, I always go right side first. How would going weak side first even out my left side? Don't think that would prevent me from lifting more reps on my right side.

I'm doing one sided OHP because I work out at home and have one adjustable dumbbell that goes up to 100lb, which I purchased off Ebay. So I work each side interdependently. I think it's actually helped train my stabilizers up a lot, but that could just be working with a dumbbell lol.

I was/am planning to join the gym after this current cycle of HST (which is about to end) so I can squat and deadlift among other things, but I currently have a severely sprained ankle (been in a ortho boot for 3 weeks now) that I might end up needing surgery for in the near future so I'd be wasting my money with a subscription only to have to refrain from going due to being on crutches for a minute. I'll have to see what the specialist says for the followup appointment next week.
 
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Did 15 pullups with my 5 pound orthoboot and regular boot both on. Did 13 before. After SD I'm guessing I'll be around 16-17, which will put me around 20 if I was doing them without this freakin ortho boot.

Everything else felt weak as ****. Managed 5 reps for shoulder press on right side, with nothing in the tank. Left side, managed 4ish and went to failure. Bench press, hit 4 reps with my right side (though form might have been off) and 5 with my left side. Both only 1 set. This is as opposed to my previous workout where I hit 5 reps on both sides for both exercises for 3 sets.

Guess my muscles and CNS alike are politely informing me that it's time for SD :).
 
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Going left side first is just something to try, as you are doing one sided OHP you are probably using other muscles to stabilise the lift.

As for your poor workout maybe you were just having a bad day
 
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