Who do you lift with??

hooperkay

Okay I want to start doing heavy lifting like deadlifts/ squats but I go by myself and don't have anyone to "spot" or lift with. Do yall lift by yourself or do you have a buddy?

CALake

I lift alone- I'm not even at 100 lbs. yet so it's not that heavy.

nexangelus

I lift alone and prefer workouts that way too...just personal preference...

jenluvsushi

I prefer to lift/workout alone and I don't use a spotter. If you use a power rack, you don't need a spotter. If you need help with form, youtube is great. I've also asked people I know who lift to watch me to see if I need to change anything...so far, so good. Best of luck!

chubby_checkers

Wrong thread.

But.... I lift by myself and haven't gotten to the point where I really need a spotter. I'll work it out when I get there.

sweetsungirl

Just me, myself & I ...I do box squats for safety, as I am squatting over 135lbs now. No spotter needed.

vicmonster

I lift alone in my basement. My husband or son spot me on bench press.

ChasingKatie

Im by myself, usually the only one in the gym at the time too. The only one I worry about really is bench press, I will just tip the weights to the side if I have to i guess.

Martucha123

I lift alone
the only thing that can be an issue is bench press
once I got locked under the bar and had to slide it, bruised my belly, but didn't really hurt myself.
Now I pay attention to my limits more, if I struggle a lot with 3rd rep, I will not go for the 4th on the bench press.

jarrettd

Got my weights used from a local trading paper. Saved enough to buy a power cage. Best. Investment. Ever.

Leadfoot_Lewis

I lift alone (personal preference). I have 2 rack stands that I use for squats and benching. They have like a safety bar that sticks out that works for benching but not for squatting. Would love a Power Rack but just don't have the room for one.

tameko2

I used to lift alone at the gym (there's a power rack there) but now my husband goes with me. I actually *liked* lifting alone and I don't mind being in the meatheads room. Actually, I get bothered more now that I'm there with him. Before I think I was too terrifying to approach. Now that they can tell I'm not actually a man eater (or else my husband is a very convincing cross dresser) I get asked if we're done with equipment all the time. and nick is always like "oh no! we're holding someone else up!!!

as long as you've got a good set up, you don't need a spotter and tis WAY easier to just do your own thing - plus I'm much more patient and capable of pushing through than Nick is, he gets light headed from squatting some days, or is too tired/cranky to do cardio after, or blahblahblah.

Its the only way he works out though so I don't mind TOO much, I'm just glad he's doing something. But yeah - easier and my preference to do it alone. And I like the gym because in the off chance something DOES happen (you need a spotter for whatever reason) there are people around to ask. I just carry in any equipment I want to use that they don't have (small things I mean, like fractional plates)

robin52077

I lift alone
the only thing that can be an issue is bench press
once I got locked under the bar and had to slide it, bruised my belly, but didn't really hurt myself.
Now I pay attention to my limits more, if I struggle a lot with 3rd rep, I will not go for the 4th on the bench press.

this exactly

Qarol

I forced my husband to start lifting with me b/c I was convinced I needed a spotter. Bench is really the only exercise I need him on. Now we're "that couple who lifts" at our gym.

LorinaLynn

I lift alone... but with Ellen DeGeneres or Kelly and Michael for moral support on the TV.

Jaxster92708

So far I have been lifting alone but barely just started so the weights are manageable. Think the only one I'm afraid of is bench because I always use the power rack at the gym. Lots of good suggestions here for staying safe, though! I also ordered fractional plates in preparation for those tougher weights so I don't feel pressured to go up 5 lbs if I don't feel I can handle it.

ishtar13

I lift alone, too.

Like Tameko, I prefer it. I don't want someone talking to me to distract me out of my mental zone.

Vailara

I lift with my son and love it! I like having somebody to watch my form, and it feels much safer having two of us. I have sometimes had to go on my own and I don't feel as happy. I have yet to do the bench press on my own. I think I would just stick to dumbbells if I didn't have a partner for that. One nice thing about lifting as a pair is that you can work in with each other, so it doesn't actually take any longer.

If I was on my own all the time, I'd see if I could set up a phone or camera to record myself, so I could check my own form. I did this a while ago and it was amazing to see that I wasn't doing what I thought I was doing! I'd highly recommend getting some video so that you can see how you are doing.