Stronglifts 5x5 for Women

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Who do you lift with??

hooperkay
hooperkay Posts: 463 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
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?

Replies

  • CALake
    CALake Posts: 269 Member
    I lift alone- I'm not even at 100 lbs. yet so it's not that heavy.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I lift alone and prefer workouts that way too...just personal preference...
  • jenluvsushi
    jenluvsushi Posts: 933 Member
    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
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    Wrong thread. :smile:

    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
    sweetsungirl Posts: 94
    Just me, myself & I ...I do box squats for safety, as I am squatting over 135lbs now. No spotter needed.
  • vicmonster
    vicmonster Posts: 297 Member
    I lift alone in my basement. My husband or son spot me on bench press.
  • ChasingKatie
    ChasingKatie Posts: 331 Member
    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
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    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
    jarrettd Posts: 872 Member
    Got my weights used from a local trading paper. Saved enough to buy a power cage. Best. Investment. Ever.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    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
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    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
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    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
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    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
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I lift alone... but with Ellen DeGeneres or Kelly and Michael for moral support on the TV.
  • Jaxster92708
    Jaxster92708 Posts: 84 Member
    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
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    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
    Vailara Posts: 2,477 Member
    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.
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