[Danielle]

I've been reading The Core Program book and the author lists a few exercises to avoid. One was overhead tricep extensions. The author, Peggy Brill, states that this exercise can cause shoulder impingement and joint dysfunction. Okay, I'm with her on this--overhead tricep extensions have never felt right with me and I've avoided them for years.

Another exercise she says to avoid is the overhead dumbbell press because it can injury due to too much compression on the shoulder joints. This is another exercise that hasn't felt too right with me--I can only lift light weight on this one or else my shoulders ache, but I still do because it's a staple exercise. What's your take on the overhead dumbbell press? Good or bad? I really like the info in this book, but am kind of shocked by this last bit of info.

[Danielle]

Oh, and feel free to add any exercise warnings that you've heard (or experienced). Knowledge is power.

[triumph]

Hmm... I have always done tricep extensions to good effect. Can you elaborate on what kinds of shoulder problems people are having because of this exercise?

[Lyricb]

This is news to me, but it makes sense. It seems like an unnatural position to put the muscles into. I'm so glad that I now have a reason to not do them anymore.

[movni]

I've always done triceps and the dumb bell without any problems. Perhaps the people who have noticed problems already had problems with their shoulders and joints or they weren't doing them properly.

[triumph]

I too wonder about the form. I could see popping something if you used too much weight and/or bad form. I use dumb-bells often but also overhead pulley extensions as well.

[navitatl]

I've heard that same thing from a few of my workout buddies. I've avoided the exercise, so I can't attest to any negative effects. It does make sense though, I suggest staying away from it.

[hizumiruupu]

In the past when I have done that exercise, my elbows have popped with every rep. Then I decided not to do it anymore. I figured something was wrong with my elbows, not with the exercise.

[Stanley]

I've found the benchpress to be a very dangerous exercise. I once tried to bench 600 pounds. I was able to get it up, but it quickly crashed down and broke multiple ribs of mine.

[Habdel Yabir]

I generally try to avoid dangerous exercises as much as possible. Mainly because I fear injury, but also because I fear danger.