When will I need to start using a squat rack?

Daisy80

Today was my first day of New Rules of Lifting for Women and also my first day at my new gym. Unfortunately they only have a smith machine and not a squat rack. I have read over and over that smith machines are not good so I don't really want to use them.
I was now wondering when will I actually need the squat rack. Today I squatted 10 kilo (22lbs) and it wasn't a problem to just lift the weight and place it on my back to squat. When will this not be possible for me anymore? I am new to lifting and find it difficult to say when the weight will be too heavy to lift up in this way.
Any advise would be appreciated!

wellbert

wild guess.. . 25 kilo

Determinednoob

Mean answer: When you sack up start squatting the amount of weigt that you already can (i know youre a chick)

Nice answer: When you want to squat properly and safely. Which should probably be now.

Acg67

Whenever you incorporate curls into your routine

Determinednoob

Whenever you incorporate curls into your routine

lulz

Capt_Apollo

I hate when people are squatting in the curl rack.

Plates559

Its time to squat with the big boys, get yourself a rack or cage and start squatting.

Rae6503

Mean answer: When you sack up start squatting the amount of weigt that you already can (i know youre a chick)

Nice answer: When you want to squat properly and safely. Which should probably be now.

What he means is, if you can lift it up over your head and place it on your shoulders you are probably not using enough weight to really challenge yourself. I hope you didn't sign a contract with that gym. I'd never join a gym without a squat rack or a power cage.

woodsygirl

The squat rack is my favorite piece of gym equipment. I'm surprised your gym doesn't have one.

If you have no other choice, use one of the other variations provided in the book. I felt the dumbbell squat, heels raised on plates was a great exercise. Grab a decent weight in the hand dumbbells and do that variation instead of the squat rack.

ritmeyer

I'm on week 3 today, and I would say you need to use a squat rack asap and use more weight. The sole purpose of this book is to get women to lift heavy weights. We are all different, but I'm at 120 right now. My first set I used the 45 lb bar just to make sure my form was ok, since this is my first time really lifting...first time doing a weighted squat. 2nd set, was 85, then on up each workout.

Good luck!! I LOVE this program! Already seeing great progress with strenght and the inches/scale.

ritmeyer

ALso there is a NROLFW group here. It is a great resource!

DavPul

Whenever you incorporate curls into your routine

Dammit! You totally beat me to this answer.

MoreBean13

When a power rack is unavailable.

edit: It seems I get too much guilt from sarcastic answers. Rae's answer is dead on.

Loulady

I work out at home, but as soon as I got to the point where the last few reps on my last set were "whoa, that was hard" I put out saw horses to be bar catchers if/when I failed. I definitely needed them during the next workout. (Honestly, they should probably have been out before that point.)

If you're increasing your weight, I would recommend doing a practice fail during your warm-up reps just to see how you'll put the weight down when you fail. It put my mind at ease and I feel like I can push a little harder knowing there's a safety catch if I need it.


*and -5 points to me for not really reading the question. derp.

DopeItUp

When a power rack is unavailable.

edit: It seems I get too much guilt from sarcastic answers. Rae's answer is dead on.

I liked your answer.

Daisy80

Thanks everyone for the input. I managed to find another gym close by that has a squat rack. So will be changing over next months!