Benching Without Spotter - SuperiorMuscle.com

The_Grinder · #1 04-25-06, 06:55 PM

Now that I'm leaving college this summer, I will be goin back to my old gym thats more like a "health club". I don't like it but it's the only one in my area who will cater to the fact that I am only going to be a member for 4 months. Anyway, a disadvantage of this is there is nobody but old people when I lift in the mornings. Most of the time I will have no one to spot me while benching. Could the Smith Machine be just as beneficial?? If not, is there a way I could use the saftey bars in the squat rack so I can still go all the way down to my chest, yet have the bars there in case I get stuck?? Any help would be appreciated.

**Shibby** · #2 04-25-06, 07:17 PM

Everything you said sounds fine. Also if it's a bunch of older people, I'm sure no one will be using the squat rack for squats.

Scoops · #3 04-25-06, 07:19 PM

i bench without a spotter... failed twice today.. there's a bottom peg on the bench press bench that i can wrestle it to if needs be....

ROCKILLER · #4 04-25-06, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoops

i bench without a spotter... failed twice today.. there's a bottom peg on the bench press bench that i can wrestle it to if needs be....

Thats how I do it but it would be nice to have someone to work out with now and then for stuff like bench press

The_Grinder · #5 04-25-06, 09:39 PM

Yeah the regular bench doesnt have any pegs. I guess I'll have to figure out a way to use that squat rack. Only problem is, if the safety bars are up enough to help you if you get stuck, its going to be hard to hit your chest on your way down. Oh well, plenty of time to experiment because as Shibby said, NO ONE uses that squat rack. (Except me of course) :nerdnew:

rude · #6 04-26-06, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoops

i bench without a spotter... failed twice today.. there's a bottom peg on the bench press bench that i can wrestle it to if needs be....

Same here.

**Shibby** · #7 04-26-06, 04:52 AM

Are the safety bars adjustable on the squat rack? Most of them will let you ajust the safety bars and the hooks you lift it off of.

lxorl · #8 04-26-06, 09:19 AM

i dont have a spotter..

i use the smith machine.... hammer strength... and even some nautlus machines..

the best is Dumbells thought... they are easy to toss aside when you hit failure.. and they work the two pec muscles evenly

JUICE · #9 04-26-06, 12:08 PM

ive been using the hammer strength recently. Its hard for me without a spotter.

If i use a spotter i use my sister's boyfriend, we pretty much lift the same and he knows how to spot. Theres some people who spot and do the whole work for u. So therefore ive been using the hammer strength.

babyblues · #10 04-26-06, 12:18 PM

You can usually tell if you're going to be able to push out that last rep before you start it. There were a couple times where I wasn't sure if I was going to make it with like 3 inches to go, but I did. I can usually tell if I'm going to need a spotter or not before I begin a set. If I don't think I can rep out and I want to do one more, sometimes I'll rack the weight for like 10 seconds and then do one more...rest-pause I think they call it. Good spotters are hard to find, most people either pull it up too quick or they let you struggle for like 5 minutes before they help you.

The_Grinder · #11 04-26-06, 03:31 PM

Yeah, I can usually tell before my sets if I will need a spotter but I'm going to try and make some decent bench gains (for me) this summer, so I'm sure I will get stuck at least once or twice. Just don't wanna take any chances. Anyone truly believe you can make real bench gains by using the Smith Machine and Incline/Flat DB presses??

Scoops · #12 04-26-06, 04:48 PM

the fight or flight adrenaline response REALLY kicks in when you fail without a spotter, heheheh...

fog_hat1981 · #13 04-26-06, 04:52 PM

If all else fails just don't use collars and you can easily bail out by dumping the weight (at the expense of your ego when the loud noise makes the old folks piss themselves

)...

ROCKILLER · #14 04-26-06, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Grinder

Yeah, I can usually tell before my sets if I will need a spotter but I'm going to try and make some decent bench gains (for me) this summer, so I'm sure I will get stuck at least once or twice. Just don't wanna take any chances. Anyone truly believe you can make real bench gains by using the Smith Machine and Incline/Flat DB presses??

Lately I have been using DB presses and some cable flys I guess you would call them, for chest. I have made gains this way. I would think that you would probably need to switch it up after a while though.

plpong893 · #15 04-27-06, 10:32 AM

when i first started getting into it me and buddy worked out together it was great for a spot got chest in great. Push eachother to work harder but now we cant make it at the same times. so i use dumb bells and hammer machines still get it in but not as good.