Chest machines

[cloak33]

I've posted before about my lack of chest development compared to the rest of my body. I've gotten some great answers and slowly the results are coming.

My big problem is that I live in a smaller town and the only time I can workout is in the middle of the day. 99% of the time I'm the only one in the weight room. I'm not able lift my max because I have trouble getting the weight up to start. This usually occurs around the 3rd heavy set when my muscles are starting to get spent. With a spot to help get the weight up, I can get the reps in, but that is the problem, there is no one there so I can only get up so much weight on my own. I've grabbed the mirroring cleaning kid on occasion to spot me, but that is not usually a viable option.

Anyway, my question is, are there any decent machines that I can use that work? Anybody ever have this issue?

Thanks

 

[motorol@]

I know some might disagree with what I did when I came across a similar situation. I wanted to fully burn out on bench with no one else in the gym. What I would do is leave the clips off the ends and go until I couldn't get it off my chest. Then I would just tip it over and let the weights fall off. Maybe you could do this with a wide grip to focus more on the chest.

 

[sopac]

I've posted before about my lack of chest development compared to the rest of my body. I've gotten some great answers and slowly the results are coming.

My big problem is that I live in a smaller town and the only time I can workout is in the middle of the day. 99% of the time I'm the only one in the weight room. I'm not able lift my max because I have trouble getting the weight up to start. This usually occurs around the 3rd heavy set when my muscles are starting to get spent. With a spot to help get the weight up, I can get the reps in, but that is the problem, there is no one there so I can only get up so much weight on my own. I've grabbed the mirroring cleaning kid on occasion to spot me, but that is not usually a viable option.

Anyway, my question is, are there any decent machines that I can use that work? Anybody ever have this issue?


Thanks

Hammer Strength machines are nice. If you cant get your max well do a lower weight for more reps. You will still be able to progress in weight, its just the safer thing to do when you dont have a spotter. You will still burn out your chest and you will develop nicely.....

 

[the_alcatraz]

Hammer Strength machines are nice. If you cant get your max well do a lower weight for more reps. You will still be able to progress in weight, its just the safer thing to do when you dont have a spotter. You will still burn out your chest and you will develop nicely.....

Machines give a bigger range of motion, but won't develop your chest as well as bench and free weights.

 

[sopac]

Machines give a bigger range of motion, but won't develop your chest as well as bench and free weights.

I agree on the free weights, I've made a lot more gains that way. I guess that guy above could use a smith machine but that would be more isolation hmmm.

 

[AEKDB]

Try negative dips, dumbell bench, and overhead work as these require no spot.

 

[Sim882]

Dumbell bench and weighted dips

 

[djeclipse]

I agree on the free weights, I've made a lot more gains that way. I guess that guy above could use a smith machine but that would be more isolation hmmm.

nooooo, not the smith machine! Worst weight training invention ever. The only thing they are good for is stretching and maybe doing chin up's on.

 

[GUARDIAN]

i use iso hammer and dumbells now. i feel a much better muscle contraction with the hammer.

 

[sopac]

i use iso hammer and dumbells now. i feel a much better muscle contraction with the hammer.

Thats what I use and I love it.

 

[sopac]

nooooo, not the smith machine! Worst weight training invention ever. The only thing they are good for is stretching and maybe doing chin up's on.

I was just trying to figure out an alternative so he doesnt kill himself under the bar. I guess you dont believe in isolation?

 

[djeclipse]

I was just trying to figure out an alternative so he doesnt kill himself under the bar. I guess you dont believe in isolation?

1. Isolation is a waste of time.

But the main problem with the smith machine is that is does nothing but set you up for injury.

1. It doesn't allow natural movement throughout the lift. It is a fixed line, which is not natural.

2. It removes any stabeliser (sp?) muscles which also need to be developed. You may be strong on the smith machine, but when you go to lift something in real life you will get hurt as the stabelisers aren't strong enough because they haven't been worked.

If your chest is lacking, train heavy flat bench.

heavy does not mean you have to train to failure. Pick a rep range, 5-8 reps. Add weight to the bar every week. You nver have to go to failure, so you don't need a spotter.

 

[sopac]

Hmmmm I take it youre against bodybuilding, I'm pretty positive isolation isnt a waste of time, well for me atleast.....it has brought out a lot more definition. I'm guessing youre a powerlifter?

 

[djeclipse]

Hmmmm I take it youre against bodybuilding, I'm pretty positive isolation isnt a waste of time, well for me atleast.....it has brought out a lot more definition. I'm guessing youre a powerlifter?

More definition has nothing to do with the way you lift. You can't change the shape of your muscles, nor can you "spot" work a muscle. You can make a muscle bigger and the % body fat will determine how much definition you see in your muscles.

I don't classify really. I don't compete in anything, just train for myself.

 

[the_alcatraz]

More definition has nothing to do with the way you lift. You can't change the shape of your muscles, nor can you "spot" work a muscle. You can make a muscle bigger and the % body fat will determine how much definition you see in your muscles.

I don't classify really. I don't compete in anything, just train for myself.

I agree with you to some extent. But the nb. or reps and the range of motion can effect the way your muscles look.

 

[djeclipse]

I agree with you to some extent. But the nb. or reps and the range of motion can effect the way your muscles look.

What is NB?

The number of reps do not change anything. Are you trying to say if you train at 5 reps your muscle will look one way and if you train in the 10 rep range it will take a different shape?

The only way muscles will change is by growing, rep range won't produce different shaped muscles.

 

[thebadguy54]

Try negative dips, dumbell bench, and overhead work as these require no spot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^Yup.

And stay off the machines as others on here have suggested.

...unless you want to be "all show and no go" like many of the machine users in my gym.