Press programming for chronically injured female

[allent]

Hey Andy
My fiance finally admitted doing some strength work with her shoulders might be a good idea, and I recall you mentioning working with "overhead athletes" in one of the posts, so I thought you would be a good person to ask about programming.

She played volleyball in highschool, and had dislocated her shoulder a number of times, which still causes pain during certain movements (back against wall, arms out against the wall, reach toward ceiling). Since then, she has gotten rhabdo in her arms twice(!) in the past two years. Would putting her on something like 5/3/1 for shoulder press, starting very light and microloading be a terrible idea?
Thanks!

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Yes, because you would be putting a complete and utter novice on an intermediate/advanced program that will only allow very slow progress.

Start very light (15-20 lbs) and have her press twice per week for 3 sets of 5. Microload. Have her bench on Wednesdays.