No spotter, weak lifter

[Funksoldier]

What do you reccomend for a begginner if your not very strong and don't have a spotter most of the time when you workout. I'm trying to add some mass.

In all honesty, I feel like I'm wasting my time flat/incline benching b/c I can't push myself hard enough. I fucked up once already so now I'm a bit more cautious and I feel like it's costing me my workout when im doing chest.

Any suggestions for a weakling :*(

 

[jackcity10]

dont use clips on the end of the bar. that way if you ever get pinned, you can just tilt the bar and the weights slide off.

if you go to a gym, dont be afraid to ask people to spot you. most people wont mind and might even give you tips on your form and stuff.

 

[Bast]

jackcity10´s right... ask someone man! And as he said, if u get stuck in bench its only to tilt the bar and voila youre a free man
Dont be afraid to fail, its the only way to knowlage!

 

[ssmla123]

I have never had a spotter because I'm afraid I won't ever get true failure with a saftey net. Even with 315 all I do is roll it down to my waist, sit up, and put it back.

 

[Mudge]

I only recently have a regular spotter on bench day, if you feel your body out over time you know how many reps you can do with 95% certainty. It is more accurate if you are not bouncing the weight around, if you are controlling it you should know your body very quickly.

I used to use the smith for incline pressing to push myself further with negatives/statics as well.

 

[majic]

Having a spotter will allow you to consistantly do more weight than you are necessarily comfortable with... but that's not the only way to grow. As long as you stay within your limits, by yourself, you can still train your muscles to a degree of strain such that they can still be stimulated into growth.

But, as others have suggested, don't be ashamed to ask for a spot. Everyone is in the gym to better themselves, and we understand the daily battle everyone wages with their own body. If someone doesn't help you with a spot, they're just an asshole, and you'll be bigger than them someday... so you can kick their ass repeatedly once you're there.

 

[gunz]

You didn't say what you have on the bar, but you could use dumbells in your routine on slow days when you can't find a spotter in your gym.

Never seen anybody get pinned under a dumb bell.

New guy advice - Don't drop them or throw them....you'll really look like a rookie then. Keep them in control at all times. Decline DB is about the only time I come close to dropping them.

 

[noomi_nooma]

yeah i used to have the same prob when i started so i just used dumbells for flat bench and incline, or sometimes the smith machine for inclines.

 

[Mudge]

I dont know how much I could do a situp with on a flat bench, but on a decline I did get stuck under 225 once. Those foot pegs help you out a lot, since you can sit right up and use your leg muscles as well. Inclines are great too, not very far to stand up and drop the weight.

 

[Funksoldier]

Great advice from all of you, much appreciated.

Guess I'll use some dumbells for a while to build my str up a bit

that or ask some people for a spot, although I hate to bother ppl during their routines I know I try to go into my own little world when i workout.

 

[ChicOnSwole]

Funk, all the advice that has been given is great advice. I agree, don't be afraid to ask for a spot. I'm a personal trainer and I promise we don't mind at all. Everyone in the gym no matter how big has been when you are... we all start somewhere and don't mind helping someone else on their journey

 

[daan69]

I have never had a spotter because I'm afraid I won't ever get true failure with a saftey net. Even with 315 all I do is roll it down to my waist, sit up, and put it back.

are you insane???!! with 300 pounds thats gotta hurt like a bitch not to mention what if your wang gets wrapped around the bar as your rolling it

LOL last week some dude im guessing was like 40 came into the gym and put 3 plates on each side of the bench... i asked him if he wanted a spotter and he refused... i thought it was strange because he had hardly warmed up... While i was using the T-bar row I heard a whisper from behind me... "Help me.." I looked in the mirror and saw that the bar was resting on his stomach. so i dropped my weights and ran over to help him... I think its ludacris to expect to do anyting past 75% of your max without a spotter.

later he sat at the table by the drinking fountain and he said "gee idk what happened i used to do that in college"

 

[jackcity10]

Great advice from all of you, much appreciated.

Guess I'll use some dumbells for a while to build my str up a bit

that or ask some people for a spot, although I hate to bother ppl during their routines I know I try to go into my own little world when i workout.

if you dont want to be a bother then just say "would you mind spotting me in between sets?". then you dont mess up their routine. most people just sit around and do nothing while theyre resting anyways.

 

[Mudge]

with 300 pounds thats gotta hurt like a bitch not to mention what if your wang gets wrapped around the bar as your rolling it

The women would call him "Long John."

 

[mrchunky]

rack

I use the squat rack. Set the pins so the bottom of your chest is just higher than the pins. If I fail I just deflate my chest and set the bar on the pins.

 

[daan69]

The women would call him "Long John."

LMFAO

no but seriously.

to wrap the discussion up....

use a spotter.