what do u guys do when u dont have a spot?

[macDbol]

for me its dumbells instead of barbell for chest,,,and i whip out the smith machine for the military press....give me some other subustitutions you guys use when u dont have a spot around(ps...i hate asking ppl that i dont know for a spot,it feels like im bothering them)

 

[Y_lifter]

I've seen people roll a bench into the power Rack and set the bars so they can do Bench and have something to catch the bar of they fail.

Also, Don't be worried about asking for a spot.
Just make sure the Bro or Chica is in between sets.
You may find a training partner or at least someone to ask for a spot next time as long as you do the same...

 

[Freak Show]

Just ask someone. I have to ask strangers all the time, cuz I hardly ever have someone with me. Its not that big a deal to 99% of the people you ask. Good way to meet a potential training partner.

 

[tarzan21]

hey y_lifter would you really have a chick spot you.
i dont think i could because my bench is always to failure and on that last rep my spotter probably gets 80% of it, its pretty much a negative. i think i would fear for my life or at least my face.

 

[nugg]

THE RACK

Allows you to go super heavy, without concern of dropping the weight on your face, or pinning yourself to the bench.

Also allows you to do (range) work- 1/4's , partials , lockouts etc...

 

[gymtime]

I agree with Freak and Y. A spotter, one who knows his ass from a hole in the ground, will always help you get that last, all-important rep out. A rack is better than nothing, but it can't do that.

If you're like most of us, you probably felt intimidated by just walking into a gym when you first started, but that went away right? Same with asking for spots. It'll become normal after a while. Most guys will be happy to help you out.

 

[nugg]

When I used to use spotters

I had a hard time going to true failure on that last heavy set. When I smask the bar of the saftey pins in the rack from exhaustion- I feel that this is much better than getting someone to help you finish the rep.

Reliance on a spot to get the weight up has hurt my progress in the past, funny-2 years ago I got 295 for 7 reps with a "spotter" , although 2 weeks later I could get 270 for 6 solo.

I dropped spotters, and my true bench has gone up dramatically.

 

[MonStar1023]

Whatsup bro? When I dont have a spotter, which is VERY often because I workout in my basement.. I really have a lot of trouble going extremely heavy. Especially on bench and exercises like that. Its a real shame to be honest because I can go alot heavier.

I workout in my basement a lot of times and really cant go as heavy as I would like.

 

[Y_lifter]

Agreed... I only go with the Fem's in a pinch.

There are usually at least 2 trainers in the Free area, and most of the girls at the Y's are not only Hot, but pretty strong. There's on that's a real Amazon princess.

Usually I'll look and find someone that looks like they know a DB from a BB and ask them.

 

[DTOX]

If you bench press in the squat rack...you just might be a redneck!!!

If you can't ask someone to spot you then maybe you shouldn't go to the gym at all. You should stay at home and use your bowflex.

 

[The mann]

just ask someone.when i don't have a partner there a ask somebody.

 

[Heather Darling]

Tarzan21

I don't usually ask women either but don't rule us all out- you might be surprised.

 

[tarzan21]

Re: Tarzan21

I don't usually ask women either but don't rule us all out- you might be surprised. [/QUOTE

if im completely out of steam it would be like doing a 280lb upright row for my spotter

 

[shaolin]

I am not against spotters and occasionally use them when going for a new PR single, but I think people become too reliant on others.

When I trained for competition, I was tuned into my body and knew exactly what I could do. I set my mind before I did a set and NEVER missed. If I had doubts I dropped the weight and did more reps or moved to the next exercise. Lifting to failure, doesn't mean that you NEED to fail in the middle of a rep, just that you have no more juice left after your last completed rep.

 

[blakbelt]

DTOX.. right on... I dont even understand how you can do bench press on a rack like that.. the guides force the weigt straight up and down.. and the actual motion for a bench press is a slight arcing motion...

 

[Heather Darling]

Tarzan21

I didn't know I had to bring the bar up to my nose when you failed...you must have much longer arms then the rest of the guys I've spotted b/c I only have to pull the bar up to my waist to help them. I'm pretty sure I could deadlift the whole 280.

 

[Advaik]

I never use spotters, theres just something about a smeller guy standing over staring at me that kind of turns me off. I find it difficult to concentrate on lifting that way so I just count on the safty bars - they havnt let me down yet... unless you count that time I smashed my fingers squating

 

[zap]

sans spotter

If I don't have my training partner with me, I use the Iso machines. I know it's not the same, but they allow me to go heavy without worrying about squashing myself.

My advice is to find a good training partner and be a good training partner back. Alot of times that means going to the gym when your dead exhuasted because that time is more convenient for them. Or going over and helping with the flower beds so y'all can both hurry over to the gym and workout afterward. With as many people as claim to be dedicated to lifting, you'd think it would be easy to find a serious partner. The sad fact is, it isn't. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" applies pretty well in the gym too, huh?

 

[minion]

DAMN HEATHER, YOUR HUGE!!! http://www.heatherdarling.com/video/BenchDay02.jpg
That's awesome!!! Trying to be like me -n- shit!!! Naw seriously I'm sure you have me beat as far as overall muscular developement my frame isn't nearly as full as yours. (I'm jealous)5'11" 220lbs. BTW how tall are you and how much did you weight in those pics???

Anyways back to the topic, I don't have a problem askeing ANYONE for a spot. IMO a spotter is only there for safety purposes. Usualy that only means 5-20lbs what I was lacking to rack the weight. In other words I'm not going to ask a total stranger to spot me on 405lbs on the bench when I know 335lbs is my personal best. That's just retarded.


If I wanna practice training for a scheduled one rep max I'll use the smith maching a few weeks before, and even still I'll have a spot.

 

[Heather Darling]

Thanks Minion

I think I was about 200 lbs at 5' 7 1/2" in those pics. I'm a little leaner now at 190. Check out BigHeatherD.com or HeatherDarling.com in a couple of days for some recent shots. Unfortunatley the bench has dropped a bit due to the reduced bodyweight but I'm working on getting the bench back up without the weight gain!

Your method is ok if you don't have someone to spot you but you're not going to be able to push yourself as hard by worrying about someone only taking 5-20 lbs. Not every workout but once in a while some forced reps or negatives will really give you a boost. I agree with you on the finding a partner though-where are all these dedicated lifters training anyway?

 

[HeavyDutyGuy]

I don't do exercises that require spots-ie. the bench press. I do INclines on the Smith machine instead. I squt in the rack, so no spot is needed there either. Who needs a spot on military presses? how the hell would you get trapped under the weight on those?

 

[frorider6]

I'd kill to have a dedicated workout partner. I work at out my job's fitness center. Nice facilities but the people are clueless on lifting and gym etiquite. They get offended if I ask to work in with them on a machine. And no way do I trust them for a spot. Maybe I will get a partner someday.......

GEEESH, finding a workout partner is harder than finding a girlfiend!!!

 

[playdo]

If I dont have a spot ill use the smith machine so I can still go heavy...u can always asked someone to spot you.....they'll probably be more reluctant if you want a spot on squats...

www.geocities.com/supplementguide

 

[Exodus]

when there is no doubt....... stay away from silly machines and racks

have no fear....... drop sets are here!!!!!

do 2 drop sets at the completion of your last rep

drop the weight some after you reach failure........ go to failure again....... and then drop again

no mess, no fuss, and muscle screaming

i see my work here is done......... up up and away

 

[theoak01]

this is why i generally use db's if i can,if i have to i just drop them,ive been trying to get a few buddys to workout but they are lazy,and i feel im being held back by not having a training partner

 

[DanielBishop]

I've never trained with a partner, and I don't use a spotter unless someone offers. That's only because every set, I go to failure.... (or the rep before failure). One set is okay if someone is resting between sets themselves, but I don't feel right calling them over again and again.

However, I've noticed that I always break my records when someone is there spotting. I guess you always wanna appear stronger to whoever is watching.

Anyway, I usually rep to the point where I'm struggling to get it up.... usually takes about 5 seconds to complete the concentric contraction, and I know one more rep will be absolute failure and I'll get squished.

A few times I overestimated how much steam I had, and just couldn't make it. At the gym I'm at now, they have the rack things down near the sticking point as well, so that's saved me a few times. But once or twice I've had to roll the bar down my chest and stomach, and sit up.... luckily I was young and not lifting any huge amount.

 

[Roadblock]

There´s is always someone using the bench so I just ask if he needs a spot. 99.9% of them are happy to have a spot so you can´t go wrong

 

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I train at home so I have this problem often. I usually train in a power rack so if I can't do any more reps I can just place it on the two racks for safty. When I do chest though I make sure someone is around to give me a hand cause my chest is higher than the two safty racks and I really don't want to get stuck under it

 

[blood_drinker]

I always ask strangers. Some people are afraid to ask chicks to spot them on bench or squat, but really, you should be doing a weight YOU can handle, all she needs to do at the very most is give you a little pull and help you put the bar back on the rack. I have met 3 chicks like this and gone out with 2, im good friends with the third now - even though they're french (rare jewels).
Ask for a spot - and when you are done, offer help for their exercise. It's really a pretty chill way to make friends that you know share an interest.

I once had 200lbs on bench fall on my cheekbones. Always ask for a spot even when going a bit less than "extremely heavy". You can die from heavy exercises like this (bar falls on your neck and strangles you etc). Look at how a.c. go saved on the 900lbs squat.

It doesnt hurt bro.
good luck

 

[AMP 33]

I usually go to dumbells or i just dont go as heavy on barbell bench and things like that.

 

[b fold the truth]

I lift in my garage, have done that for a year and a half. I love it. Never a spotter. NEVER.

The only time I use a spotter is when I am doing my event training sometimes. It makes a difference when I'm doing the car flip when I know that someone will be there to catch the car before it pins me to the ground.

B True

 

[buffal2001]

I usually get a chick 2 spot me, its great motivation and i know ill never crush myself cause my prides at stake infront of the girl.

Im jokin btw. Personally id go for a rack or smith machine but im not sure you can beat a good strong spotter to really grind out those last reps with you

 

[blood_drinker]

throw smith machine in the trash. it's just that - a machine . it limits your range of motion and gives you less results in my pers exp. I do use it occasionally for blasting my outer quads, but if you use it continuously byebye knees. (my knees were in pain after 2months continous use).

 

[malhavoc]

What's up with the guys that say they can't go heavy without a spot? Do you not know your own limits? Or is it a psychological thing of having someone there to catch the bar? If I can't get a spot then I just stop a rep short of failure.