UPDATED Jun 7 I made an appointment with a body-builder/trainer to teach me the

[bike man]

4. Thanks. I do a lot of reps, with weights about 50 - 60% of max, and that seems to be

the formula for me. One shoulder is bad (I sometimes sleep with a heating pad on it), and ortho surgeon said window of opportunity for repair closed about 10 years ago. They can clean the joint out, but can't do anything about the two rotator cuff muscles that are torn loose (and have atrophied 90%). He also expressed surprise I can lift that arm. AND, the long head bicep tendon (same arm) is torn about 75% through.

So, most days it's many reps, low weights. On the days when the pain is minimal, I add some weights.

Don't give up on the bench press. 18 months ago I was using the bare bar (45 lbs), and last week got 175 lbs 5 reps. And slept with the heating pad that night