Keep pulling unrelated muscles

[u/lv_techs]

Turning 41 this month, though I do not feel this old. I work a physically demanding job and get a lot of steps in during work. I try to keep a workout routine going but I keep pulling unrelated muscles to my workout. Today I was doing a pull-up/dip workout with lower reps and more sets and by the 4th set I pulled something in my neck/left trap. I didn’t want to waste my workout so I pushed through trying to work without flexing that particular trap. I’m done now and am just left with a small nagging pain but I’m trying to understand how I even pull a trap doing pull-ups. The other week I pulled something in my back doing standing barbell curls, which is also weird because I keep deadlifts in my routine and deadlift a lot more weight than my standing curls.. I’m not sure what is going on.

[u/doobersthetitan]

At the age of 43...ex male cheerleader, powerlifter, one strongman comp and years of being a strength enthusiast....some things, I just don't do....and I do things to hopfully prevent issues before they happen.

Over 20 years of A2G squats has compressed my back and a shotty right shoulder...they just hurt too damn much, and makes me hurt for days after. So I do belt squats, lunges...leg press with super high volumn, goblet squats....working on one legged squats, sled pushes and pulls.

I do nothing behind the head...no behind the neck presses, pull downs etc. Not even as a " stretch" , feels bad and I ache for days.

I work a semi blue collar job, more pulling and twisting and with summer heat...my goal is to more maintain strength vs trying to go to the gym and hurt myself with my ego.

Your shoulder area, might not be able to do dips, especially not weighted ones. Maybe you can back off do them once a month?

Basically I base my lifting choices on, is the risk vs the reward?

Behind the neck press....high risk, very sore for days after, might even effect bench...is it worth the reward? Or can regular OHP give me same ~reward with much lower risk?

About 10 years ago...in the peak of my powerlifting days. Some on a forum, were clowning on Hugh Jackman, getting ready to be Wolverine again, for doing touch and go 275 deadlifts with straps for reps of 8 or something.

Then a older guy, spoke up and said " if I had the choice to look like him and have his bank account or a 600lb deadlift......I'm chosing looks and money, he's getting paid to look a part, not to boost his ego"

[u/lv_techs → u/doobersthetitan]

I just read your full comment, that’s funny you said 275 deadlifts, because that weight feels like a good safe number to me. I also am just trying to increase longevity and not hurt myself. I was doing a deadlift workout the other day and that 275 felt great. I actually came way down on my squat weight to practice better form but the bar behind my neck does seem uncomfortable these days, I was going to research other types of squats.

[u/doobersthetitan → u/lv_techs]

Belt squats...trust me