Group: General Fitness & Exercise

General Fitness & Exercise
Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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BP etiquette/incr strength

MLSTAMOUR
MLSTAMOUR
Posts: 12
Joined: 2003/03/03
United States
2003/09/03, 03:37 AM
Hi!!! I would like to go back to bench presses with a barbell and was wondering the proper etiquette to ask for a spot. It's all men working out in that area of the gym and the guys at the bench presses are in pairs. I would ask a guy working out solo but is it rude if the guys are already working out in pairs??
Also, I would like to steadily increase the amout of weight I bp (increase strength) I vaguely remember years ago when I took a weight training class we did something called pyramiding....but i forget how to do it exactly.. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
ps....how much does the typical barbell weigh for bp??

Thanks,
Michelle
7707mutt
7707mutt
Posts: 7,686
Joined: 2002/06/18
United States
2003/09/03, 09:46 AM
Ok a olympic Barbell weighs 45lbs. As for the other questions most guys and gals even those working in pairs would gladly spot just ask. a pyramid is this say you start off with 50lbs for 10 reps next set would be 55lbs for 10 etc till you get the desired number of sets. Usualy for bench I would suggest 3 sets (if you are just starting out) and work up to 4-5 as you get more advanced. Good luck!

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Eat More, Drink More, and Lift Harder than you thought you could, welcome to Becoming!
azredhead57
azredhead57
Posts: 1,651
Joined: 2003/04/11
United States
2003/09/04, 01:12 AM
Aren't there people/trainers at the gym basically to help people? There is always a staff member at our gym, at least to answer the phone if nothing else, who will gladly spot for us. My husband is getting into weights that are too heavy for me to spot for him, so we ask someone who isn't busy. Most are happy to do it. I am.

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~Victoria~
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
stanlee75
stanlee75
Posts: 136
Joined: 2003/08/18
United States
2003/09/04, 05:44 PM
I work various shifts being in the law enforcement field, so having a workout partner is difficult. Usually I work out with weight I can handle until I go to my heavy set, and then I ask anyone in the area that I'm working out in for a spot. I've never been turned down, and they always seem happy to do it. Even when they are working in pairs.