Shoulder pain during workouts: What clicking, weakness and pain can mean

Many people experience little discomfort and brief soreness during training, which can be normal. But sometimes, shoulder noises, like clicking, weakness, or pain can be harmless and signal injury. Understanding the difference between these two helps prevent long-term damage and training setbacks. In this article, you will learn what clicking, weakness, and pain during workouts mean and when to consult with a specialist. Doctify offers excellent Orthopaedic and Sports Injury specialists who are willing to assist you if needed.

Why the shoulder is prone to problems during workouts

The shoulder has a wide range of motion but not stability. As the most mobile joint, it relies on muscles and tendons for stability, nevertheless, making it more susceptible to injuries when used in improper conditions or with heavy weight. All types of repetitive overhead and  excessive loading movements can lead to pain and/or injury. Some common gym exercises that stress the shoulder joint are: behind-the-neck presses, upright rows, lateral raises, dips, and heavy bench presses.

What shoulder clicking actually is

Crepitus refers to any joint sound produced by the shoulder, such as crackling, popping, or clicking that can occur when the joint is in movement. It’s cause is often normal, it can be because of the tendons or ligaments moving over bone or due to the gas bubbles in the joint fluid. Clicking without pain is common and may not seem something serious, but clicking with symptoms requires check-up with a specialist.

When clicking is usually harmless

Clicking can be harmless on many occasions, for example painless clicking with full strength meaning often tendons snapping over bones or joint gas releasing. Other harmless samples are clicking that disappear after warming up, no swelling or lingering pain after workouts, and no loss of movement or stability.

When clicking may signal a problem

Nonetheless, on some occasions clicking may signal a problem or an injury. But don’t worry, if you recognize it and look for medical assistance fast, you will be able to return back to normal soon. It may signal an injury or problem when clicking is accompanied by pain, loss of strength during pressing or pulling movements, or feeling that the shoulder may “give way”. Also, when having a sensation of catching or locking, and/or experiencing pain that worsens with training volume.

Common workout-related shoulder injuries

These are some common shoulder injuries often experienced during workouts:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Labral tears
• Shoulder impingement
• Biceps tendon irritation
• Shoulder instability
• Overuse injuries from poor load management

Understanding weakness during workouts

Weakness during workouts can mean two things, true muscle weakness or pain-related inhibition. True muscle weakness involves the loss of muscle force capacity, while pain-related inhibition is a neurological mechanism where the nervous system prevents complete muscle activation because of injury or swelling. Pain often drives this inhibition and it can be experienced as difficulty lifting previously manageable weights, uneven strength between sides, and/or fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

Red flags that need medical assessment

Below we mention the most important red flags of shoulder pain that require orthopaedic assessment:

• Sudden sharp pain
• Night pain or pain at rest
• Swelling or visible deformity
• Persistent pain despite rest
• Recurrent instability episodes
• Loss of range of motion

Preventing shoulder problems during workouts

Here are some tips and recommendations which are very helpful at the moment of preventing shoulder problems or injuries during workouts. First of all, perform proper warm-ups, this can be the most basic but still the most important. Followed by shoulder stability exercises, balanced upper body training, and gradual load progression. Last but not least, adequate recovery time since a full recovery is fundamental in order to prevent injuries in the future.

When to seek specialist care

If you experience any of the following please consult with a specialist:

• Pain lasting more than a few weeks
• Recurrent clicking with pain or weakness
• Inability to train as usual
• Concerns about instability or injury progression

Conclusion

Not all shoulder clicking is harmful, but clicking accompanied by pain, swelling, instability, or locking indicates potential underlying issues or injuries, such as meniscus tears, arthritis, or tendonitis, which need medical assistance. Early assessment helps prevent chronic injury and prolonged time away from training. Doctify helps connect patients with trusted Sports Injury specialists for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery guidance.

Feel free to consult an orthopaedic surgeon through Doctify for personalised advice, we will be happy to help you! Find the best orthopaedic surgeons in the United Kingdom or search for the best specialists globally:

• Orthopaedic surgeons in the United Arab Emirates
• Orthopaedic surgeons in Germany
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• Orthopaedic surgeons in Ireland
• Orthopaedic surgeons in Australia

Medically Reviewed
Last reviewed on 03/02/2026