Lifting without a Partner

mes1921

Just wondering who lifts heavy without a partner or spotter and how you do it?? I used to love lifting in high school - soccer girls would lift with the football boys over the summer - but I won't have a lifting partner this summer and am concerned about lifting alone. I am moving for the summer to a new town, and the S/O won't be with me :-(. I won't "just do it" because I've had it ingrained to never lift without a spotter (especially bench), so I want to know how you do it alone???

Jules2Be

When i dont have anyone with me I bench with the Smith machine...it has stops that will catch the weight if i cant do another rep and i can slide out.

dad106

I barbell lift on my own(granted I only do the bar or add 5/10 pounds on each side). I do squats, lunges, clean and press, rows, up right rows and curls.

Best thing would prob. be to stop before you reach total failure.

mustgetmuscles1

I always lift alone. For chest presses I use dumbbells or the hammer strength machines.

mes1921

Thanks for your responses! I might have to settle for dumbbell presses, but am curious about the Smith machine, because I LOVE bar benching :-) Thanks again!

meshashesha2012

i lift heavy and alone.. please dont use the smith machine it's not worth it.

for squats you can set those bars up on the side that will catch the bar if you fall over from the weight.

same thing with the bench press, just wheel a bench over to the power rack, set the bars up on the side and go for it.

FORIANN

smith machine = evil.

dumbbells = good.

LesliePierceRN

There's always someone at the gym in between their sets that's willing to help spot for a minute or so. Or the trainer than owns the gym is glad to do it too. I don't have a lifting partner anymore either,but I've not had any trouble getting a spot when I need it.