Weight lifting alone

lalaberryhill
lalaberryhill Posts: 27
edited October 7 in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm looking to start at the gym and I've weight lifted and trained for weight lifting competitions and stuff before so I know how weight training goes, how far I can push myself, etc. But I feel as though it is safe to have a spotter; but I am going to the gym alone...What to do? :( I am embarrassed to ask some one to spot me :/

Replies

  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    Aside from having a spotter your options are Smith or Hammer machines, dumbbell exercises and cable machines if you want to lift to failure. I workout alone all the time and I use a mix of all three and I do just fine (still building muscle, haven't killed myself yet).
  • lalaberryhill
    lalaberryhill Posts: 27
    Even bench and squat?
  • bahacca
    bahacca Posts: 878 Member
    Ask one of the trainers on staff to help you. That is what they are there for!
    If you cannot even ask a trainer, do as the above poster stated and use dumbbells or machines.
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    Even bench and squat?

    Bench in a smith, and squat in a cage.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,195 Member
    I disagree about the smith - don't use it. Just ask a gym employee to spot you....it's their job to do that! (You don't have to ask another person who is there to exercise...just an employee who will be MOST helpful!)
  • SammyPacks
    SammyPacks Posts: 697 Member
    So I'm looking to start at the gym and I've weight lifted and trained for weight lifting competitions and stuff before so I know how weight training goes, how far I can push myself, etc. But I feel as though it is safe to have a spotter; but I am going to the gym alone...What to do? :( I am embarrassed to ask some one to spot me :/

    Spotting is a must. Ask an employee as someone stated, that's what they are there for :)
  • addisondisease
    addisondisease Posts: 664 Member
    I disagree about the smith - don't use it. Just ask a gym employee to spot you....it's their job to do that! (You don't have to ask another person who is there to exercise...just an employee who will be MOST helpful!)

    Just because the smith is on a fixed plane doesn't mean it wouldn't be beneficial for her training, but she should know that. You didn't even state why she shouldn't use the smith.
  • maryjay51
    maryjay51 Posts: 742
    my trainer spots me ..but i HATE squats so i always beg him to be creative and get me to do something different i ask guys to spot me and they always do.
  • gymshoe42
    gymshoe42 Posts: 97 Member
    the only exercise that i'm remotely fearful of is bench press.

    Squatting in a squat rack has the long arms that come out to rest the bar on ..or in worst case...if you can't make it back up...
    I've actually done bench press in a squat rack and used those same catch arms in case...but different body sizes will fit differently. I'm fortunate enough the plane that those arms are on is exactly my chest level when laying down.

    The thought around not using machines and smith machine is the limitations in movement those machines create. You miss out on working out other surrounding support muscles and can potentially be putting yourself at more risk.

    The other thing is... get over your fear of asking for a spotter. I'm asked to spot someone here and there and usually it's from total strangers and I've never thought anything of it .. hey yah..no problem. :)
  • alyssamiller77
    alyssamiller77 Posts: 891 Member
    I disagree about the smith - don't use it. Just ask a gym employee to spot you....it's their job to do that! (You don't have to ask another person who is there to exercise...just an employee who will be MOST helpful!)

    I don't know what kind of gym you're going to but I,ve yet to be a member of any gym where it is the employees job to spot members while they lift. As far as smith machines, are they as beneficial as using a free barbell, no of course not. However the choice between a fixed plane movement and dropping the bar on my chest I'll take the machine. And from the looks of my pecs in particular I'd say those smith machines are having plenty of the desired effect.
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