Dips - elbow problem

[Necroyunus]

Hello guys,

I have a problem with dips that I am having lately.

Whenever i do it, my elbow starts to "click" if i go half way through.

It is strange, if i stop before that point i can go on doing this kind of half way dips.

But once i pass that point, it starts to click on every repeat and makes the dips hell for me cuz it hurts like hell.

I had this problem for months now(didnt have before that), and i ONLY have this when i do dips.
I can do push-ups, bench or anything else just fine.

Any kinds of suggestions, clarifications and information is appreciated.

Thanks.

[jspeedy]

Can't give any professional or knowledgeable advice but I can share my own experience.

Since this passed summer i've experienced elbow pain, off and on. At the worst my elbow would throb during the day without even doing any excessive work or lifting. When the pain stated I was doing stronglifts 5x5, but shortly thereafter I transitioned to a bodyweight routine. I first remember the elbow pain starting after I decided to do a bunch of pullups as I studied for exams and during study breaks, I probably did over 100 that day. Up to that point I would do pullups to failure w/ stronglifts every other workout, the most I would do is 15 in one set. Not sure if that;s what caused the elbow pain or just when I first noticed it, maybe around may or june 2010. I continued to have elbow pain for months. Only after I completely eliminated pullups and replaced them with body weight rows did I notice a decrease in elbow pain. I eliminated pullups and any pain causing exercise from my routine in october. Now I rarely experience any elbow discomfort and I hope to resume pullups in a month or so.

Medical advice from a qualified professional would be best. If that's not an option, find out which motion causes you pain and find an equivalent that does not cause pain.

Hopefully someone else with more knowlege will chime in to reassure me i'm not a complete retard.

[MMAMickey]

IIRC the clicking noise can be caused by an inflamed tendon/ligament rubbing over the bones etc while you complete the movement. Under this icing would help.
[Bear in mind I am NOT a health professional and without doing any private research I am NOT 100% sure that my memory serves me correctly]

Best advice would be to see a doctor, preferably one who knows what's going on in there instead of one who tells you to go home and rest without actually knowing what the probem is.

Just FYI, I've found that by consciously looking up during the push in a dip, I am able to activate my lats more and take the strain off my elbows in the exercise. It's worth a try.

[Southpaw]

I think the simple answer is that if your elbow is making that noise and hurts, stop doing those exercises.

But more importantly, as mentioned above, go see a doctor.

I'm not sure how old you are, but I can tell you as a 37 year old who has destroyed his elbows from a 20 years of baseball that these things don't just get better by ignoring them.

[Necroyunus]

Thanks for the answers guys.

@MMAmickey: yeah today i also realized as i get my body more horizontal i get less pain.But again, just after a certain point. If i don't pass that point everything is fine.

@Southpaw: I am 25.

I think it is time for me to see a doctor...

[Emevas]

You may consider some band pushdowns for rehab of elbow tendonitis if you have no direct elbow flexion work in your training.

[Necroyunus]

You may consider some band pushdowns for rehab of elbow tendonitis if you have no direct elbow flexion work in your training.

Hmm we don't have that cable tool thing in the gym.

May you think of any other alternatives?

The equipment i can use is only barbells and dumbells for now.

Thanks

[Emevas]

You don't need a cable for band pushdowns, but a band.

YouTube - Band Pushdowns - Tricep Exercises

If you have anything you can loop the band around, you're good.

[Necroyunus]

oh ok got it now. I think I better buy some bands now, not only for this i think it would prove useful in many other things.

Thanks big time man