Can You Lift When You Have Shoulder Instability?

A common question people ask is, can you lift when you have shoulder instability? The answer is yes, but often you need to modify it.

You need to modify your lifting. It doesn’t typically exacerbate shoulder instability as long as you can see your hand. But every shoulder instability pattern is unique, and you need to figure out with your body what you can and can’t do. So, a lot of it will take a bit of experimenting.

Positioning your elbows where you lock in will be unique to each person. Therapists can help you with the mechanics of the shoulder and when you’re working out ways to modify your workout so you’re not exacerbating an unstable shoulder. You can lift for sure, but often, it needs to be done slightly differently.