Shoulder Crunching on Bench

[Weakling]

This has been a problem for a while and I think it's getting worse. It seems that the only time my shoulders don't crunch or sound like they're grinding is when I bench with my arms completely tucked in to my sides. This doesn't hurt, but I don't know if it will lead to something really painful. My shoulder crack just as easily as my knuckles can crack now too.

I'm half-tempted to drop the bench, no point in doing them if they only hit the triceps. Maybe in time the, press will fix my problem and I can go back to the bench. If this is the solution, would it be okay if I press 3x's a week so long as I progress.

I'm assuming, since shoulder problems are so common, that you've had some experience with this before.

Thanks!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Sounds like a form problem, but since I have no way of knowing, I'd have you drop the bench for a few weeks, press 3x/week, and see what happens. But if it is a form problem, it will do you-know-what when you start back.