How Come My Elbow Locks Every Time I Work Out Or Lift Weights?

As you lift weights consistently, you'll soon see the value of warming up properly. When you warm up properly, you reduce the chances of muscle pulls and more serious injuries. However, you can warm up properly before every weightlifting session and still lock your elbow when you lift weights.

Function

Weightlifting is a stressful exercise. You're supposed to start with lighter weights that don't put as much stress on your body and gradually lift more to get stronger. Your joints bear much of the stress, including the elbow. When doing lifts such as the bench press, arm curls and dead lift, you may hear a popping sound as you extend your arm. That popping sound comes from your elbow. In some cases, your elbow may seize and "lock up." You're unable to bend the elbow and it feels "locked" in the straight position. This condition is not usually associated with a great deal of pain.

Significance

A bursa sac filled with sinovial fluid cushions the elbow joint. The fluid moves around when the elbow moves, but sometimes the fluid in the sac gets trapped on one side. When this happens, the elbow locks up.

Considerations

One of the easiest ways to avoid your elbow seizing up in the middle of an exercise is to change the order of the exercises. Do pushing exercises before you do pulling exercises. For example, do the overhead press before you do seated dips. This increases range of motion in your elbow and keeps it from locking up when you work out.

Prevention/Solution

Simple elbow stretches can help you avoid suffering an elbow lock while lifting. One of those is the 90-degree supinator stretch. Sit in an exercise chair and extend your arm 90 degrees away from your body. Your training partner grasps your arm at your shoulder and your hand. Press up with your arm for three seconds while he tries to press down. Do this three to five times with each arm to avoid having your elbow lock up when you lift.

Warning

If you continue to experience elbow locking consistently or the situation becomes painful, you may have bone spurs in your elbow. According to MayoClinic.com, bone spurs are bony projections that can cause significant pain when they rub against nerves. If you have recurrent locking of the elbow accompanied by pain, see your physician to determine whether the situation can be treated with medication or surgery is necessary.