Upper body workouts, neck straining(?)

elpa · 08-03-2003, 07:34 PM

Hi folks, it seems that whenever I try to perform an upper body exercise(bench press, lat pulls, even crunches) I have this terrible tendency to flex the muscles at juncture between neck and upper back(scrunching everything up, I suppose). Afterwards there is a tightness in that area and I was just wondering if I'm putting too much strain on my neck, and some possible ways to correct this. I have tried performing crunches the exact way I've seen them shown and I still can't help but to scrunch my neck up.

Not too sure that made much sense, but if it did all advice is appreciated. :]

**Mudge** · 08-03-2003, 07:48 PM

Just make sure you aren't throwing your neck forwards putting the spine in an awkward position. Dont pull on your neck when you do crunches, not sure I understand the problem because I dont abnormally flex my neck doing crunches. I put my hands on my chest.

OceanDude · 08-05-2003, 11:00 AM

I do this often when I do very heavy lat pull downs or shrugs. When I get like this I put a towl aroud my neck, tilt my head forward and pull down with the towl as I lift my neck/head up at various angles to stretch things out and east the sensation. I suspect its jsut a nerve getting pinched or cramped when the muscle flexes intensely.

**Mudge** · 08-05-2003, 11:18 AM

I allow myself to tilt my neck forward only slightly with shrugs, lifting the weight relatively slowly though I have no issues straining it. I have more issues doing dumbell laterals with 50s

Jim1954 · 08-05-2003, 04:40 PM

Do you ever have neck problems when your not working out?

You might try stretching the neck, by gently pulling it forward, and pulling the head to the left, and then the right. It seems to help me when my neck gets stiff. Some neck bridges every once in awhile probably wouldn't hurt anything.

I do use my hands behind the neck while doing crunches, but I never pull on the neck.

**Mudge** · 08-05-2003, 04:56 PM

Then its no biggy, the thing is to avoid pulling on the neck, I happen to like hands in front better

08-03-2003, 07:34 PM	#1
elpa Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: home Posts: 1	Upper body workouts, neck straining(?) Hi folks, it seems that whenever I try to perform an upper body exercise(bench press, lat pulls, even crunches) I have this terrible tendency to flex the muscles at juncture between neck and upper back(scrunching everything up, I suppose). Afterwards there is a tightness in that area and I was just wondering if I'm putting too much strain on my neck, and some possible ways to correct this. I have tried performing crunches the exact way I've seen them shown and I still can't help but to scrunch my neck up. Not too sure that made much sense, but if it did all advice is appreciated. :]

08-03-2003, 07:48 PM	#2
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,994 Photos: 1	Just make sure you aren't throwing your neck forwards putting the spine in an awkward position. Dont pull on your neck when you do crunches, not sure I understand the problem because I dont abnormally flex my neck doing crunches. I put my hands on my chest.
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

08-05-2003, 11:00 AM	#3
OceanDude Well Read Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cape Canaveral, FL Posts: 1,853	I do this often when I do very heavy lat pull downs or shrugs. When I get like this I put a towl aroud my neck, tilt my head forward and pull down with the towl as I lift my neck/head up at various angles to stretch things out and east the sensation. I suspect its jsut a nerve getting pinched or cramped when the muscle flexes intensely.
	"Doc, If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself..." Est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae. We Americans scoff at the likes of African witch doctors yet spend 100's of millions of dollars on fake reducing systems. The only regular exercise he gets is stretching the truth. His intellect is not replenished, he is only an animal, only sensible in the duller parts...

08-05-2003, 11:18 AM	#4
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,994 Photos: 1	I allow myself to tilt my neck forward only slightly with shrugs, lifting the weight relatively slowly though I have no issues straining it. I have more issues doing dumbell laterals with 50s
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

08-05-2003, 04:40 PM	#5
Jim1954 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 149 Photos: 3	Do you ever have neck problems when your not working out? You might try stretching the neck, by gently pulling it forward, and pulling the head to the left, and then the right. It seems to help me when my neck gets stiff. Some neck bridges every once in awhile probably wouldn't hurt anything. I do use my hands behind the neck while doing crunches, but I never pull on the neck.
	Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. Yogi Berra

08-05-2003, 04:56 PM	#6
Mudge Pizza the Hut Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 22,994 Photos: 1	Then its no biggy, the thing is to avoid pulling on the neck, I happen to like hands in front better
	Kinesiology Vote @ Top 25 Deads Comp Bench Motivation Bench form MaxCalc Charles Poliquin When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. Lao-Tzu I don't know any sources so don't ask - thanks

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