dumb

[maximusthegreat]

I also have a the free weights with a power rack setup and I used to do exactly what you do. However I misjudged once and the bar pinched my hand between the lifting bar and the studs that hold the weights. It did not feel good and hence I stopped doing it. It only takes one time and you will regret it. I lifted for almost 2 years without a spotter, letting the weights go and bam almost broke my hand.......never again.......

Always with a spotter or I just use the bowflex...

[RHINO]

Well, I'll agree that what you did was dumb, but I never said you don't have to be careful just because you have a power rack to catch the weight if you drop it. Same goes if you have a spotter; I think a power rack is a more reliable spotter than a person.

A friend once told me of a guy he saw who was squatting using a wide grip, all the way out to the collars. He did have spotters (three of them, he was squatting very heavy) but when he put the weight back he caught his pinky between the bar and the hook, and the spotters couldn't pull the weight off in time to save his finger; it was completely destroyed. So regardless of whether you have a spotter, you have to be careful. I never use a super wide grip when I'm benching or squatting, so my hands never come anywhere near the hooks.