People who hit the weight room, I have a question

AlsDonkBoxSquat
AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Do you have a lifting partner? I've been doing group classes for the past few years so this hasn't been an issue for me, but I'm about to get back in the weight room and I don't have a lifting partner. I hate machines, so I'll be using free weights, what do you think? When I used to lift I always had a spot partner, do you think it's necessary?

Replies

  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    Nope. Can't rely on anyone else that well to accompany me at 5:30 AM M-W-F.
  • Kitiara47
    Kitiara47 Posts: 235 Member
    I go with my brother. He uses the free weights and I use the machines. I'm too much of a weakling to use the free weights just yet :tongue:
  • LukeBarrs
    LukeBarrs Posts: 30
    I think there are certain excersises that require a spotter, bench press for example, but it really depends on your goals. For example if your lifting heavy weight at low reps then a spotter is great for safety and motivation. If your going for tone so are looking for low weight high reps then it will be rare to NEED a spotter. But tbh only you will know.

    What a way to not answer a question :P
  • sgrinavi
    sgrinavi Posts: 80
    IMO most people are not very reliable and look for any excuse to skip a workout. Stick with dumbells and you can get away without a spotter.....
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    My BF comes with me as my gym partner, I only use him as a spotter on bench press and squats though, everything else I can do by myself. Bench press you can replace with dumbells if you don't have anyone to spot you, and squats you can use the stand that has adjustable bars either side to rack the bar on in case you can't get the weight up - so even with those you don't "need" a spotter if you do it right.

    If you can find someone reliable enough to come every time with you though I'd say while it's not always necessary it'd be very helpful. It's great motivation to have someone go with you everytime, and it means you can go down for that extra rep on certain exercises such as barbell bench press.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    I apparently live like a dangerous renegade. I squat well above my weight with no spotter.
  • margieward82
    margieward82 Posts: 406 Member
    I don't have a partner 99.9% of the time when I got to the gym and I do all free weights. I make sure that I can do the weight by using dumbbells a few visits then go for the barbell. When I squat, I go to the power cage and make sure to actually adjust the safeties to the correct position. You can usually drag a bench over there too and do chest press in the power cage if you are concerned about it.
    When it is time for me to up my weight or if I'm feeling extra weak, I'll simply ask a regular who looks like they know what they are doing to spot me real quick. I know that is not uncommon at my gym, the "hey, can you spot me?" gets tossed out there a lot. Might take going out on a limb the first time or two, but could solve your problem. I don't depend on anyone else to making it to the gym to ensure I get my workout in!
  • JennyJH
    JennyJH Posts: 189 Member
    My gym has a self spotting barbell for bench presses etc - it's fantastic!!

    Otherwise I do occationaly ask one of the guys - I'm the only woman doing weights at my gym. They're a nice bunch, it only takes a moment and they know I'd spot them if I physically could. Nice thing when I do that is they are very generous with the encourgement. Like I said, lovely guys.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Partners are great if you can't go at alone but I prefer being alone. I know my body and can see when I have reached my limit on reps. Generally If you do not know your limits; dumbbells work just as well as other weights. I would stay away from bench presses, inclines and shoulder presses with the straight bar if I did not know my limits as well as squats. I would use dumbbells for these exercises.

    However, I know my limits so I use the straight bar :smile:
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    I don't have a partner 99.9% of the time when I got to the gym and I do all free weights. I make sure that I can do the weight by using dumbbells a few visits then go for the barbell. When I squat, I go to the power cage and make sure to actually adjust the safeties to the correct position. You can usually drag a bench over there too and do chest press in the power cage if you are concerned about it.
    When it is time for me to up my weight or if I'm feeling extra weak, I'll simply ask a regular who looks like they know what they are doing to spot me real quick. I know that is not uncommon at my gym, the "hey, can you spot me?" gets tossed out there a lot. Might take going out on a limb the first time or two, but could solve your problem. I don't depend on anyone else to making it to the gym to ensure I get my workout in!

    Exactly
  • sloanie1
    sloanie1 Posts: 276 Member
    It depends how heavy you are lifting and what type of weight training you are doing?? I use free weights and 7-8 kilo in each hand, I've never had anyone help me, I prefer to do it on my own, I always have my iPod on too so noone can annoy me
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I think there are certain excersises that require a spotter, bench press for example, but it really depends on your goals. For example if your lifting heavy weight at low reps then a spotter is great for safety and motivation. If your going for tone so are looking for low weight high reps then it will be rare to NEED a spotter. But tbh only you will know.

    What a way to not answer a question :P

    I don't see any reason to lift light, I do repetative lifting in my body pump class, I'm looking to do heavy weight at low reps. I'm mostly concerned with the squats and bench presses. It's been so long since I've done this type of lifting, and my body is so much different now (much stronger) that I don't know my limitations. Maybe I'll set up a few sessions with a PT to have him show me how to use the safety cage. I know the smith machine is in the corner, I've just never used one.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    One last point on partners/spotters. I tend to teach spotters what to do because 90 percent of them have the he-man attitude which leads to injury.

    Key:

    1. I asked your assistance to come over that final hurdle for that last rep and not for a ear full of one more, or you can do it loudly in my ear. Just be quiet and watch me to make sure I do not drop this weight on me.

    2. Do not tap the weight, help me by gently giving me the nudge I need to restack the weight.

    3. If I need a lift off, do it on my count not yours.

    4. When I am done, don't talk my ears off because I got other sets to do and resting is not an option until I am done with my workout.

    Just some candid hints that bore me with most spotters so I have to educate them. I have a long history in the sport of weight lifting so I do not need a coach telling me how to injure myself.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    One last point on partners/spotters. I tend to teach spotters what to do because 90 percent of them have the he-man attitude which leads to injury.

    Key:

    1. I asked your assistance to come over that final hurdle for that last rep and not for a ear full of one more, or you can do it loudly in my ear. Just be quiet and watch me to make sure I do not drop this weight on me.

    2. Do not tap the weight, help me by gently giving me the nudge I need to restack the weight.

    3. If I need a lift off, do it on my count not yours.

    4. When I am done, don't talk my ears off because I got other sets to do and resting is not an option until I am done with my workout.

    Just some candid hints that bore me with most spotters so I have to educate them. I have a long history in the sport of weight lifting so I do not need a coach telling me how to injure myself.

    LOL!! I totally agree. I don't need yelled at, I'm self-motivated and know whether or not I can do it. If you don't coordinate the lift off, one of us is getting injured. I go to group fitness classes to socialize, I'm not going to the weight room to socialize. Some of these are the reasons I'm trying to figure out if I need a partner or not. If I have a regular reliable partner we can train each other in our workout styles and get into a nice working relationship so I don't have to get annoyed at random people who think they're helping.
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