Covid- No Spot Bench Question

[Sjfrank]

So i'm wondering what the rule would be for going up in weight without a spot.


So I don't have spot, and am my gym doesnt allow them now because of COVID. I guess if i'm stuck I could yell for help or roll it off but Id rather that not happen

My last set i'm doing 3 reps and could probably do 5 but dont want to push it without a spot. Id like to see if I could add 20lbs for 1 rep at this point.

Thank You

[MyEgoProblem]

I never get a spot outside of comp.

Totally unnecessary.

[paulinkansas]

So I don't have spot,

Can you utilize dumb bells instead of the bar bell?

[bLinkMoore]

If you're doing three reps with two RIR, you should be fine without a spot tbh. I haven't used a spot more than once or twice in the last four or five years, and I've only had to dump the bar once. And that was junior year of high school when I tried to hit a double with what was essentially my 1RM for the sake of impressing some girl working out nearby (don't think it worked)

Didn't do that again.

[jk202]

If you're benching 4 plates, it probably doesn't apply to you, but failing a bench really isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I take CG presses to failure almost every time I do them. It's pretty much exactly like the end of a heavy DB press unless you're a DB dropper [eyeroll].

See 3rd vid for example
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLExszmD..._web_copy_link

[air2fakie]

It's poor etiquette, but just don't collar the plates and tilt the bar if you get stuck.

If people actually follow the "no spotter" rule, will they help if you yell out or just watch you squirm under the bar?

[ECGordyn]

It's poor etiquette, but just don't collar the plates and tilt the bar if you get stuck.

If people actually follow the "no spotter" rule, will they help if you yell out or just watch you squirm under the bar?

^^
This. Don't put the locks on the bar.

Why's it poor etiquette?

[air2fakie]

^^
This. Don't put the locks on the bar.

Why's it poor etiquette?

In many commercial gyms at least, someone (or a trainer) will complain that it's unsafe or if plates are banging together, etc.

[bLinkMoore]

In many commercial gyms at least, someone (or a trainer) will complain that it's unsafe or if plates are banging together, etc.

Yeah my campus gym requires clips on bars at all times, and they'll call you out on it. Even on my deadlift warmups, unless I'm in the Oly room

[jk202]

Yeah my campus gym requires clips on bars at all times, and they'll call you out on it. Even on my deadlift warmups, unless I'm in the Oly room

Can confirm. I always put clips on the hack squat


hahahah genuinely the first time I've ever heard of this

[EliKoehn]

Thought I was unusual for not benching with them.

If you're not the only one in the gym, those around you are not going to notice that you can't get the bar off your chest and then just leave you there. I'd change gyms if that's happened before lol.

[bLinkMoore]

Can confirm. I always put clips on the hack squat


hahahah genuinely the first time I've ever heard of this

It's such a pain in the ass. From a liability standpoint I can see why they'd require them for like squats or OHP, but putting on and taking off clips between every single set of every lift just kills me inside

[Heisman2]

I'm surprised by this. I figured a gym would be more liable by not allowing spotters.

Spotters are good for the freak occurrence where your arm breaks so they can help catch the weight. However, most spotters are not going to have their hands in position to catch the weight if it drops suddenly.

A spotter is also good for a lift off but if you don't feel you need one then obviously that is irrelevant.

I would practice purposely failing and getting out from under a bar with 95 pounds, 135, etc. Once you get used to doing it and realize you will be ok that should help give you peace of mind.

[WolfRose7]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned just setting up the rack properly so safety height is just below your arch.

There's literally no danger or dumping plates issue if you are using the right equipment correctly.

[Garage Rat]

Safely in a power rack with pins set just below where you bring the bar to the chest.
Other than that if you don't have a rack get a spotter or use weight you don't need a spot with.

[Heisman2]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned just setting up the rack properly so safety height is just below your arch.

There's literally no danger or dumping plates issue if you are using the right equipment correctly.

A lot of commercial gyms do not have benches with safeties that are adjustable, sadly. But yes, if this is an option that would be the solution.

[air2fakie]

A lot of commercial gyms do not have benches with safeties that are adjustable, sadly.

Assumed this was OP's situation.

I'm surprised by this. I figured a gym would be more liable by not allowing spotters.

Based on terms of most memberships, gym wouldn't be liable even if spotters aren't allowed and a bencher bites off more than they can chew or gets injured (unless equipment is defective).

Non-spotter rule in OPs gym is most likely to comply with govt rules on social distancing generally or gym re-openings, and also as a defense against someone claiming they got COVID in the gym due to improper gym operations/rules.

[Heisman2]

Assumed this was OP's situation.



Based on terms of most memberships, gym wouldn't be liable even if spotters aren't allowed and a bencher bites off more than they can chew or gets injured (unless equipment is defective).

Non-spotter rule in OPs gym is most likely to comply with govt rules on social distancing generally or gym re-openings, and also as a defense against someone claiming they got COVID in the gym due to improper gym operations/rules.

Interesting. I'll never understand legal stuff, lol.

[BeginnerGainz]

Can confirm. I always put clips on the hack squat


hahahah genuinely the first time I've ever heard of this

Lmao wut?

The only way plates are coming off a hack, Smith or leg press is if the whole gym flips on its side.

[TolerantLactose]

I found a set of clips at the Smith rack once securing a set of 10s from flying across the room and hitting someone.

[sooby]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned just setting up the rack properly so safety height is just below your arch.

There's literally no danger or dumping plates issue if you are using the right equipment correctly.

we just all assumed it was a commercial bench in a commercial gym

[jk202]

Lmao wut?

The only way plates are coming off a hack, Smith or leg press is if the whole gym flips on its side.

Is a joke lol

[paulinkansas]

Yeah my campus gym requires clips on bars at all times, and they'll call you out on it. Even on my deadlift warmups, unless I'm in the Oly room

My college gym didn't even have clips for the plates with 2" holes. They did for the plates with 1" holes. But this was a long time ago. A person could smoke in the cafeteria and the library. A keg (15.5 gallon) was $47.50. This is around the time the space shuttle blew up.

[jademonkey]

99.9% of the time I use the power rack for bench press. I've had people run over when I fail a rep before noticing I have safeties setup.
The longer I lift the less often I fail a rep. Can't go to failure as often, better at judging the last rep. Also lately I know if I lift my butt up I can almost always eek out that last rep. Lastly, I know 235 lbs isn't gonna kill me if I have to roll it off. I wouldn't go for a 1rm outside the squat rack without a spot though.

[MyEgoProblem]

Is a joke lol

Can confirm I've found clips on the Smith before...

I hoped to god it was for Luls or just storage.
Apparently not, the guy did it ever time

[TolerantLactose]

Is a joke lol

I was serious about someone using clips on the Smith. More head scratcher than anything else.

[ECGordyn]

Can confirm I've found clips on the Smith before...

I hoped to god it was for Luls or just storage.
Apparently not, the guy did it ever time

I saw a guy using straps on bench once. Actual bloody straps on bench press.

[Duplicitous]

The gym can't prohibit someone from providing a spot if they so choose. That aside, I second the dumbbell suggestion if that's an option.

It's poor etiquette, but just don't collar the plates and tilt the bar if you get stuck.

In many commercial gyms at least, someone (or a trainer) will complain that it's unsafe or if plates are banging together, etc.

This sounds like Planet Fitness.

[air2fakie]

The gym can't prohibit someone from providing a spot if they so choose. That aside, I second the dumbbell suggestion if that's an option.





This sounds like Planet Fitness.

Actually I don’t think there even is a bb BP at PF.

[bLinkMoore]

The gym can't prohibit someone from providing a spot if they so choose.

Why would they not be allowed to? It's their rules when you're on their property