do any of you guys bench with out a spotter?

sfet07 · 07-04-2007, 06:04 PM

i dont really go to the gym with anyone, and i want to add benchin into my routing but im afraid ill hurt myself like a little bisnitch, at what point would you guys stop if you were benchin without a spotter and do any of you guys do this?

KSwain10 · 07-04-2007, 06:12 PM

I use dumbells, they are about ten times better than barbell benching anyways, and less chance of hurting urself too. Try em out, u wont be dissapointed.

chemystery · 07-04-2007, 06:13 PM

i bench without a spotter on everything but 1RM.. i find that i cant squeeze more out of myself when i know i have no spotter and im not an idiot, i know when my body is done.. tht sounds contradicting i guess but itworks for me

DJ Vision · 07-04-2007, 06:13 PM

on normal to somewhat heavy lifts i usually dont use a spotter, its just more motovation for me to get it up. but thats just me, but i do get a spotter when i do like a pyramid style or a very heavy 5x5

Homo_Erectus · 07-04-2007, 06:13 PM

A lot of people do bench without a spotter, but I don't think I could. I'm always needing my spotter to take the weight.

When he doesn't come, I just DB bench, or incline, so that if I drop the weight I can just lower it to the ground.

sfet07 · 07-04-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSwain10

I use dumbells, they are about ten times better than barbell benching anyways, and less chance of hurting urself too. Try em out, u wont be dissapointed.

i know me too i just want to add this to my routine

Ben76 · 07-04-2007, 06:16 PM

No, but my program consists of lots of triples and other low rep sets to maximum effort, so I require one.

The Butt Hunt3r · 07-04-2007, 06:17 PM

It gets to a point where you'll need a spotter.

Unracking the weights puts your shoulders in a very vulnerable position, so i use a spotter once i get above 90% 1 RM.

woodsballa · 07-04-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homo_Erectus

A lot of people do bench without a spotter, but I don't think I could. I'm always needing my spotter to take the weight.

When he doesn't come, I just DB bench, or incline, so that if I drop the weight I can just lower it to the ground.

You only need him to do it b.c you know that he's there....if he isn't there than you kno you have to do it yourself.....i'm the only person in my gym so i don't have spotters for anything.

Baker19 · 07-04-2007, 07:21 PM

I bench with someone standing 3 paces behind the bar so incase **** happens they can take the bar of my chest but thats about it.

k sing · 07-04-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemystery

i bench without a spotter on everything but 1RM.. i find that i cant squeeze more out of myself when i know i have no spotter and im not an idiot, i know when my body is done.. tht sounds contradicting i guess but itworks for me

X2

obloxeon · 07-04-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSwain10

I use dumbells, they are about ten times better than barbell benching anyways, and less chance of hurting urself too. Try em out, u wont be dissapointed.

Such bull****. Granted DB press has it's benefits just as the BB press does, but to say it's 10x better is just a blatant lie.

Senor Awesome · 07-04-2007, 07:26 PM

I don't bench with a spotter. Honestly, my bench is 140 and I can push that off my chest to the side if I really had too. I also listen to my body and if I'm gassing, I don't go to the point where injury or dropping the bar is possible.

auric · 07-04-2007, 07:26 PM

I don't have a spotter on any of the exercises that I do and it seems to be working just fine for me.

manbat · 07-04-2007, 07:30 PM

i have the same problem as you. i usually always get a spotter just to be on the safe side plus when you get to failure your spotter can help you get a couple of negative reps out which really help tear the muscle fibres. usually gym instructors are willing to spot you, also its good to make some friends at the gym.

eagles56 · 07-04-2007, 07:31 PM

I don't have a spotter any more since I lift in the morning. I only really need them for heavy sets above 90% and even then I can handle things myself when I think: "there's nobody here to help... don't f*** up" lol

I advise having/using a spotter though, the competition helps and I always seem to make strength gains faster in competition.

dumac · 07-04-2007, 07:37 PM

i don't have a spotter on the lower weights but after i can't do something for 10 reps i get a spotter. my gym is pretty friendly people are willing to spot you if you return the favor. call it gym etiquette.

brighty_69 · 07-04-2007, 07:37 PM

i don't use a spotter.
although i only use small weights(80lb) i just add a kilo each side every week.

i use a spotter once i get to about the 100lb mark.

Dreamup793 · 07-04-2007, 07:42 PM

I bench without a spotter. I am pretty good at knowing when my body can no longer push up a rep. If I do fail while on a rep, I never secure the weights on, so I just let the bar down slowly on my body then tilt it and let the weights slide off one side.

MUFC · 07-04-2007, 07:44 PM

I don't use a spotter. I usually don't fail on reps and if i do i have home made safety spotters so the bar doesn't fall on my chest.

sfet07 · 07-04-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamup793

I bench without a spotter. I am pretty good at knowing when my body can no longer push up a rep. If I do fail while on a rep, I never secure the weights on, so I just let the bar down slowly on my body then tilt it and let the weights slide off one side.

dang thats a good idea

D-Y · 07-04-2007, 07:48 PM

I workout at home, I've never benched with a spotter. Solution: squat rack benching! (not a power rack)

TPAYNTER · 07-04-2007, 08:04 PM

i bench without a spotter all the time i just wouldn't try to max out with out a spotter but as long as you are just working out and you use a reasonable weight it shouldn't be a problem if you dont have someone spotting you

HSP10 · 07-04-2007, 08:13 PM

For some reason I feel like I'm a little stronger when a spotter is not there. Because, if I try to squeeze out a final rep then I know I have to go full balls on it or else I'm pretty well screwed. With spotters though I feel a lot more eased.

-B- · 07-04-2007, 08:27 PM

if you get pinned then call for help or slide the weight off.
No spotter and never been pinned

Sculelos · 07-04-2007, 08:27 PM

I don't use a spotter, although I admit the most I've benched is 115lb for 9 reps, only started lifting 5 weeks ago though. If I have any doubts if I can get the next rep in I simply don't do the next rep.

gooos · 07-05-2007, 04:47 AM

Ive been using the smith machine to do my bench press as i have no spotter.
I know its no where near as good as a real press, but i go until failure and can just hook the weight onto the lowest hook and slide out.

extracerealrock · 07-05-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSwain10

I use dumbells, they are about ten times better than barbell benching anyways, and less chance of hurting urself too. Try em out, u wont be dissapointed.

Very true DB bench works your chest better, because it doesnt work your triceps as much. I still BB bench without a spotter and i do good but sometimes i try to much weight, so if your gonna BBbench without a spotter put weight that you know you can do, add little weight at the time.

BigHulkHogan · 07-05-2007, 05:24 AM

Spotters are for pussies.
Real men KNOW they can lift the last rep and dont **** around.

shawnoclown · 07-28-2007, 09:44 AM

I workout at home alone so I never have a spotter. You just need to know your limitation and don't try to lift more than you can. I add about 10 lbs. at a time if I know I can do more I'll add alittle bit more weight. I've gotten myself pinned before when I was younger and it sucked, I don't recomend it. Luckily I learned the first time not to push myself beyond what I can do.