Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 383, 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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Chest Workouts w/out a Spotter

MotherGoose
MotherGoose
Posts: 21
Joined: 2004/10/07
Canada
2004/10/21, 01:36 AM
For those of you who workout alone, what are the best chest exercises that allow you to use max weight without a spotter (safetly, of course)

My workout incorporates going 8 reps to failure, but I find that very hard to do without a spotter safetly. I've tried benching using a Smith machine, but a few times, I've had to lock the bar a few inches from my chest, and somehow squeeze out of the ackward position.

The best one may be DB presses (flat and incline), but here I seem to have a lot of trouble with balance (not to mention I have to really go down in weight compared to using barbells). Myabe I just need more practice :angry:
howdiekat
howdiekat
Posts: 1,345
Joined: 2003/05/22
United States
2004/10/21, 01:52 AM
when i want to go really heavy without a spotter i use the plate loaded hammer strength machines. i find that my max on that only differs from my max on the bb bench by like 2-5lbs.

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Philia2
Philia2
Posts: 4,078
Joined: 2001/10/19
France
2004/10/21, 02:08 AM
============
Quoting from MotherGoose:
I've tried benching using a Smith machine, but a few times, I've had to lock the bar a few inches from my chest, and somehow squeeze out of the ackward position. =============

LOL I think we have all tried that one!! :laugh: :big_smile:
The answer is do NOT do max chest weight without a spotter!
When you weight train alone, work strength endurance (several sets of 8-12 reps), do supersets (alterning 2-3 diff chest exercises) or complete circuit training.
Good luck! :)

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- Nina :o) Les Victoires éternelles sont celles du coeur.
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benching
benching
Posts: 125
Joined: 2004/03/14
United States
2004/10/21, 04:25 PM
i workout by my self and have had the very lucky experience of getting stuck with noone to help me.(had to do about a 180lb situp then throw the weights on the floor)i basically try not to go lower then 6 reps. ive been workin out long bymyself and can tell u its much harder and takes longer than with a spotter(extra repS). i guess i know when to stop and i cant do anymore since iv been doin it so long,still happens once in a while tho