How do you lift heavy by yourself?

fattrucker · 06-19-2008, 07:59 PM

I've read that in order to get the best results that you need to lift heavy. My dilemma is the fact that I do not know anybody to lift with. They also say that free weights are better than machines. So how the hell do you lift heavy without taking a serious health risk? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BangBrahs · 06-19-2008, 08:04 PM

Use dumbbells

dgessler · 06-19-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattrucker

I've read that in order to get the best results that you need to lift heavy. My dilemma is the fact that I do not know anybody to lift with. They also say that free weights are better than machines. So how the hell do you lift heavy without taking a serious health risk? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I go to the gym alone, almost always. I get more work done that way..

If you really need a spotter, just ask someone in your gym who you think knows what they're doing. I personally don't need one, I just go until I can barely put up my last rep usually (for my last rep on last set)..

berenthemortal · 06-19-2008, 08:08 PM

w/ dumbells or a smith machine. smith machine isn't exactly free weights but its better than a lever machine imo.

xvicknumber7x · 06-19-2008, 08:08 PM

I just use machines and quit before I know the bars are going to fall on me...since the next rep is generally failure.

wes_mantooth · 06-19-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattrucker

I've read that in order to get the best results that you need to lift heavy. My dilemma is the fact that I do not know anybody to lift with. They also say that free weights are better than machines. So how the hell do you lift heavy without taking a serious health risk? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Power Rack. Problem solved.

fattrucker · 06-19-2008, 08:17 PM

Well for the most part that is what I have been doing (i.e. winging it) and trying to lift as much as possible. As long as I know I'm not the only fool in the world....I'm good, lol!

Thanks for everyone's response.

fattrucker · 06-19-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wes_mantooth

Power Rack. Problem solved.

Hmmm, now there ya go! Thx!

mk25 · 06-19-2008, 08:26 PM

I agree with using dumbells. I still barbell bench one a week but not heavy enough to get in a bind. More out of habit than anything else. IMO dumbell bench is a better exercise anyway. And it easy to bail out if you need to. As for squating its best not to try to go to heavy by yourself.

izaktj · 06-19-2008, 08:59 PM

Yeah it's very important to have a partner since you have the security provided by him if a failure comes, plus you can do post failure lifts.

davejlowe · 06-19-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izaktj

Yeah it's very important to have a partner since you have the security provided by him if a failure comes, plus you can do post failure lifts.

Partner help with negatives is worth a lot.

And the partner can video tape your ownage and post it to Youtube for us to enjoy... priceless.

Dave P · 06-19-2008, 09:35 PM

Whats important is knowing your limits.

If you know how many reps and how much weight you can lift, lifting heavy isnt dangerous at all.

I've been lifting heavy solo for over 3 years now.

PumpingIronMan · 06-19-2008, 10:13 PM

Most exercises you do not have to worry about failing. Even on most bench presses there are safety hooks that you can throw the bar to if you fail mid rep. Although I guess if you fail and cannot get it off your chest then yes you are a little screwed.

GForce78NJ · 06-19-2008, 10:21 PM

lifting by yourself i feel is 10x better then lifting with someone else. I personally hate being told what to do so i wont lift with my experienced friends when i know exactly what im doing. Lifting with people less experienced drives me insane cuz they take too long of breaks and are chattin up all day.

ask a stranger for a spot, i can guaruntee 9 times out of 10 they will say yes and help you out when needed. If your new dont go big with no spotter thats how people get seriously injured

dcamnc · 06-19-2008, 10:45 PM

I used to use all the fancy machines in the gym. Now I use a old, beat up power rack. MUCH happier! Will never go back to the gym, except to use the pool for cardio. For me, all I need is: power rack, flat bench, 300lb weight set. Old school compound exercises ftw.

Shlokda · 06-20-2008, 01:08 AM

its totally not necessary to have a partner. you can go till like your last rep is an extreme struggle and work the muscle very well, you dont have to go to failure all the time. Myself and tons of people i know workout without partners, you just have to make yourself lift heavy as possible, but know your limits and dont end up going 1 more rep than you should and look like a jackass because you cant finish it and no one's there to spot you. Partners are more of a placebo effect anyways, you think they're helping more than they are so it pumps you up mentally and your body thinks you can go harder.

Optimus_Morgan · 06-20-2008, 03:49 AM

You must have played football back in school. It took a little while for me to get used to also.

dcamnc, I totaly respect you man. But your ava pic looks like your holding something and looking at us. lol

blkbelt42 · 06-20-2008, 03:57 AM

/thread

Badfrog · 06-20-2008, 05:06 AM

Just have to learn to correctly position the safety bars when doing things like bench pressing or squating. It's pretty nice for me at home because I have a gun rack on my rack and that's the best thing I could've gotten since I always lift by myself.

fattrucker · 06-20-2008, 05:17 AM

Thanks for all the insight everyone. It is truly appreciated.

Now I can go to the gym and with proper care, lift heavy and continue my quest.

..

crupiea · 06-20-2008, 07:10 AM

Just use some common sense and work your way up to a weight you can handle.

Bioteknik · 06-20-2008, 07:18 AM

barbell bench is the only one you need to worry about.. getting the last rep or two when squatting is easier.. if you don't think you can get the rep then don't try. I've gotten stuck a few times in incline bench, but the weights I do makes it easy to bail. I was scared of doing flat bench for a while because of no spotter, then about a month ago I sucked it up and just didn't go too heavy and have been making nice progress.

dcamnc · 06-20-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus_Morgan

You must have played football back in school. It took a little while for me to get used to also.

dcamnc, I totaly respect you man. But your ava pic looks like your holding something and looking at us. lol

Haha, damn you're right man. I need to change that.

newedgepnoy · 06-20-2008, 08:24 AM

If they have a squat rack or power rack you could just let the safety bars on the side catch the weight. For bench just use dumbbells or smith machine.