Weight lifting without a spotter?

yopeeps025

I might be a little too judgmental, but all I see everywhere is dudebros kissing their biceps, grunting and talking about the chicks they plan to bang.

Exactly what gyms are people going to? I never see this. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen someone overly examine themselves or pose. Even those times aren't a big deal because it seems at least someone logical to look at yourself when you're surrounded by mirrors. I can only think of one guy at my gym who grunts. His hype routine before a lift is pretty funny too. Then again I saw him bench 8 plates once so I'll let him off with a warning. As far as guys talking about who they want to bang? I dunno, probably happens among young single friends. I can't really hear anyone over the gyms music, let alone my own. Maybe seek out someone who looks serious. You probably haven't noticed him/her yet since you're too busy gawking at dudebros.

405 bench. That is crazy elite weight. I wanna be up there.

Either he mistyped - and it is 405 - or it was 765. When stating the number of plates, you only state what's on one side. eta: 405 would be 4 plates.

Is that a real rule? LOL Yeah 405.

It is up to who you talk too. How I know he was talking about 405 because not a lot of people can bench that but doable. 405 bench is pretty elite.

ValGogo

Spotter not really necessary at this stage, I think.

Keep doing what you can without having to "fail" and one day, you may notice someone watching your form and then you can approach and say, "hey, i noticed you watching...can you help me out with something..." and see if he/she will spot you.

But I read on a few posts that it's a spotter is not necessary unless you're dealing with really challenging weights in dangers positions.

ValGogo

1. Next time don't bury the question in so many unneeded words.
2. Most exercises don't benefit from having a spotter. The three you listed, lunges, squats, and deadlifts particularly don't need a spotter. They have a squat rack or power rack that's 100000x better than the best spotter could ever be.
3. Why is being a bicep kissing dudebro something that prevents someone from being friendly and helpful? I'm a bicep kissing dudebro and I've never declined to help someone that asked. Your judgeyness is only slowing your own roll. Just because someone looks like you doesn't automatically make them friendlier than people that are different. Get out of your bubble

He's right. Some of those meatheads may actually be nice and helpful. Don't be intimidated, ever.

ValGogo

I spend a lot of time on the weight room floor talking about the chicks I plan to bang. Better not ask me for help.

LMFAO!

LiminalAscendance

My trainer asked this guy if he'd spot me doing heavier weight for squats and his response was "umm...for her? no, I can't be trusted". And he was the only one she said I should trust. Now I'm like...what? Lighter weight I guess.

Honestly it sounds like you didn't get the joke

I didn't either...what was the joke?

That she's super hot and he's into her.

Seems more like a statement than a joke...

Yes. He was making a truthful statement that he actually can't be trusted to control his language and his hands simply because of his proximity to a woman. Because not only do grown men not have control over themselves, they also announce their lack of control in public places.

And your female trainer has knowledge of that guys propensity for assault and she tried to trick you into letting him spot you anyway and she even went so far as to vouch for his trustworthiness.

Yep, definitely a statement. Because this is how things work in the real world.

I wish there was a "Best MFP Post" vote button.

DavPul

I might be a little too judgmental, but all I see everywhere is dudebros kissing their biceps, grunting and talking about the chicks they plan to bang.

Exactly what gyms are people going to? I never see this. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen someone overly examine themselves or pose. Even those times aren't a big deal because it seems at least someone logical to look at yourself when you're surrounded by mirrors. I can only think of one guy at my gym who grunts. His hype routine before a lift is pretty funny too. Then again I saw him bench 8 plates once so I'll let him off with a warning. As far as guys talking about who they want to bang? I dunno, probably happens among young single friends. I can't really hear anyone over the gyms music, let alone my own. Maybe seek out someone who looks serious. You probably haven't noticed him/her yet since you're too busy gawking at dudebros.

405 bench. That is crazy elite weight. I wanna be up there.

Either he mistyped - and it is 405 - or it was 765. When stating the number of plates, you only state what's on one side. eta: 405 would be 4 plates.

I'm not sure that's a universal thing. I was pretty sure that he meant 405 as well. Unlike with dbs I don't think there's a hard and fast rule.

No_Finish_Line

actually when describing the weight i tend to say how many plates on one side, but i'll also say the phrase 'on one sides' at the end

JoRocka

I usually talk about one side- like DL I'm aiming to hit a 3 plate DL.

A 2 plate squat was a big deal for me- 225.

I think they would have looked at me sidewise had I said 4 plates.

Don't think it's a big rule- but that's how I say it.

Showcase_Brodown

Meh. I feel like the only lift that really benefits from a spotter is the BP. I like being able to attempt a last rep without fearing having to do that roll of shame. Sometime I need to just try setting the rack pins at the right height and doing it that way.

And I have yet to ask a "bro" for a spot and get turned down. "Hey man, can I get a spot?" are powerful words.

DavPul

I usually talk about one side- like DL I'm aiming to hit a 3 plate DL.

A 2 plate squat was a big deal for me- 225.

I think they would have looked at me sidewise had I said 4 plates.

Don't think it's a big rule- but that's how I say it.

That's how I go about it as too. But unlike with DBs, I take into account what I think they meant. Like if you came running up to me looking for a hi five after your first 2 plate squat, I'd assume 225. But if you said it was a two plate bench press, I'd assume 135. (not because these are heavy lifts for you, but because I'm sextet, you're a female, and I make sexist assumptions about females.) Same as if a guy came up and said he just did a 6 plate bench press, I'd assume 315 unless he was a monster.

For me it's different with DBs. If someone said they did a 70 pound DB incline press, I'd always assume they were holding 70 pounds in each hand and then I'd correct them if I found out it was really 35s.

Anyhoo, I don't think it actually matters but I'm bored and apparently like to see myself type words into screens without any real reason

3laine75

I never have a spotter, don't need one (wish I'd got a rack with safeties though :ohwell: )

And those meatheads are probably very nice, knowledgeable guys who'd spot if you asked.

Rogiefreida

I only use a spotter for benchpress, and even that's pretty rare. I just never put clamps on so if I need to do the "roll of shame" I can without compromising safety. Never ever needed a spotter for other lifts.

Also, most of the dudebros I meet in my gym are really nice, and for the one or two that actually are douchecanoes, I just know not to ever ask them for anything and vice versa. For the record, the 2 I'm referring to in my gym revealed their douchiness long before I ever got in a situation where I needed a spot.

Also, I love the term dudebros. It make me laugh. I must live under a rock since I haven't heard the term before.

shor0814

This usually for me too..did the roll of shame on Monday...eh not a biggy

But if I were in a gym...I would use the following in this order

1. Rack with safety bars
2. Bro kissing his bicep...because he could easily spot me
3. dumbells
4. somthing else
5. not work out
6. cardio bunneh. no never mind wouldn't use one of those ever..

So you don't even lift cardio bunnehs for warmups before the Bro lift? :bigsmile:

And to the OP, you are serious that the every guy in the gym is kissing his biceps and talking about nailing some chick? Only 2 people in this gym or what? I know we are bad, but guys don't spend all day talking about it.

rogerOb1

I'm not sure that's a universal thing. I was pretty sure that he meant 405 as well. Unlike with dbs I don't think there's a hard and fast rule.

Dunno about universal, but its definitely international...Mention the no. of plates on one side only

icrushit

The best thing I've found in the past is to find a workout partner, but thats not always an option. I know things like Smith machines are always an option, but really the forced range of motion from most machines like that is not optimal. These days I'm trying out bodyweight exercises and avoiding the gym altogether.

jimmmer

Two words:

Power. Rack.

You're welcome...

natecooper75

Other than just poor form, you really shouldn't be failing lifts in training. I would understand the need for a spotter if you are going for a one rep max or taking a set to failure, but if you are new to lifting, these methods really don't have a place in your program yet.