Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MoneyMike]

Hey guys. I've been focused on getting in better shape for the last few months, and have been hitting the gym 3-4 days a week. I've noticed recently that my joints are popping a lot though, mostly my shoulders. Sometimes this will happen when I'm at the gym lifting weights, and sometimes in just mundane situations like when I'm holding a railing on the bus and the bus takes off quickly.

Is joints that are popping a lot a sign that my form isn't good when lifting? I try to keep good form and do the lifts slowly, but I doubt my form is perfect.

Also, is there anything I can do to help make sure I'm not hurting my joints? Supplements or the like?

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

[warmachinenkorea]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracking_joints


If it's not painful then I wouldn't worry about it.

My knees have popped since I was about 10. All of my fingers pop. My neck and back never popped until I played football in HS. But now I can crack my neck and back a few times a day.

[The Floating World]

My knees popoccaisionall, and I used to be able to crack my knuckles (but can't any more) but I neverheard of shoulders popping. Where abouts on the joint / blade?

[MoneyMike]

It doesn't feel like the joint itself, it feels like the tendon or muscle is pulling over a bone or something. I can feel is just under the muscle, but outside of the joint itself.

When it happens once it doesn't hurt, but if it starts popping when I'm working out it starts to ache.

[The Floating World]

That sounds like the kind of thing that's only going to get worse.

Go and see a doctor.

I personally wouldn't work again out until the doctor's visit either.

It's probably due to bad form, or likely over-extension of the shoulder joint. When doing benches, shoulder presses etc yoyu shouldn;t be pushing until full extension so that your arms are locked. Same with flyes, you needn't go past parallel on the downward phase. And dips can just plain screw you up if you're not super careful.


Could also be too many of push type exercises and not enough abduction / pull exercises.

Could you describe which exercises cause it to happen, or which one you feel caused it?

[MoneyMike]

The only exercise that regularly causes my shoulders to pop is burpees. Even then, as long as I take them super slow I don't get the popping. I guess I just need to be more careful about my form.

[chevro1et]

Start taking fish oil and/ or glucosamine supplements for your joints. Both are cheap and available locally or online. I take fish oil every day since I lift weights 5-6 days a week, and it makes a difference.

[Adventurer]

[PeteJB]

I can't take large pills (choking reflex...) - I'd need a different source of fish oils.