Hey /fit/, After 2 years of lifting, several breaks due to injuries,

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Hey /fit/,

After 2 years of lifting, several breaks due to injuries, several months of trial and error, and consultation with a chiropractor and a sports medicine doctor, we've come to the conclusion that I basically cannot do any variation of barbell and dumbbell bench press. As far as I can tell it's because my shoulders are double jointed (hypermobile) which makes my shoulder joint ligaments loose. So no matter how strict my form, at heavier weights the slight movements of the free barbell tend to loosen my shoulders up even more and cause pain. I've recorded my form for others and I have had people watch my form in person. I retract my scapula correctly etc.

This sucks because BB bench was my favorite exercise. I have a theory that maybe I can use the hammer iso chest press, but I'm not sure yet. For now I'm pretty much convinced that I'm only gonna be able to do machine bench press.

Oh, if anyone cares, I'm still a beginner, my bench stats are 165lbs @ 180lbs bodyweight 6'3". Pretty sad considering I've been lifting for several years now but I've been rollercoastering ever since my first 6 months in due to my injuries.

I hate machines because they are really boring, but the most important thing is progress. Is it really possible to make real bench gains off the chest press machine alone?

I was doing a pseudo PPL routine before that started with either flat or incline BB bench followed by cable flys and I found that was pretty much adequate for my chest. If I just replaced BB bench with machine chest press will I be okay, or should I add something else?

I'm really lost and discouraged /fit/, pls help.