Lifting (barbells) without a rack

hungryhobbit1

I've recently started back in the gym after more years off than I care to think about, and my current gym doesn't have a rack for the olympic bar. I'm also stuck with the st00pid Smith machine for squats, it is at least one of the newer variety that allows some horizontal movement but it bugs the $#@ out of me.

Any tips for doing deadlifts without a rack? It's really awkward loading up weight and taking it off again, on the floor. It's not too hard to get it on there but after all of my sets I'm pretty much destroyed (which is why I save them for last) it's frustrating trying to pull the weights off with gravity and friction fighting me.

I used the comment form to beg them to please for the love of god purchase a rack, today. But I don't know if that will get me anywhere. It's a pretty full fitness room and they don't seem to prioritize the free weights. This gym is what I can afford, (at $26 a month, I will put up with a lot) so I'm kind of stuck.