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Don't have a spot

wamo25 Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/10/01	2002/10/07, 08:08 PM I don't know about everyone else, but when I am at the gym it is impossible and irritating to get someone to spot for me. So if you have any ideas on how to get that same hard max work out and gains without a spot, I would love to hear ideas for this. Mainly for shoulders(presses) and chest(benching).
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/07, 08:54 PM I have found that to be a problem in many gyms. The solutions I found that seem to work best is 1)smith machine,2)hammer strength or similar machine,3)get used to stopping before you fatigue(ugghhh). Best of luck. You probably shouldn't get too dependent on a spotter anyway. Forced reps are good, but not all the time. Sometimes it is best just to max out without a spotter, I.e.,a little lighter weight, but at least you pulled the load.
atcis4me Posts: 18 Joined: 2001/12/02	2002/10/07, 10:53 PM i think bbifit hit just right its the only way to go without a spot. i have to use them (the prob. with going to the gym by myself)
wamo25 Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/10/01	2002/10/07, 11:05 PM Just a couple of questions. 1) Does using the smith machine have the same effect as using the bar freely. Does it work the muscles diffrently. I mean it preety much guides the weight up for you and for safety, but doesn't this guide make a difference. 3) Will stopping before I get fatigued show the same effects of better? I do appreciate and am very grateful for your input please respond.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/08, 01:22 AM The only effect you are deprived of with the smith is the stabilizers are taken out of the exercises. Other than that, you get full benefit and them some. I have seen many people do their entire workout on the smith. It is also very useful if you have an injury to work around. Like when I had a bad shoulder, I did my shoulder work on the smith, and didn't lose anything, and didn't agravate my shoulder any more either. Big plus. As far as stopping before fatigued????? One thing to think about, forced reps are not really reps completed by you anyway. They are meant to be a breaking out if you will help. If you get too accustomed to them, they lose their purpose anyway. The "pump" is not really an incication of a good workout. If you overload the muscle...i.e...subject it to an overstimulus, you will gain. Muscle fatigue is not what makes you grow. Quite the contrary.
wamo25 Posts: 25 Joined: 2002/10/01	2002/10/08, 03:29 AM Thank you for the help. It is very appreciated.
jplatz Posts: 196 Joined: 2002/10/08	2002/10/09, 04:31 PM There is another side of the smith machine though that I didn't see in the previous posts. Some smith machines provide more "help" than others and you will notice it when you lift. Personally, I've military pressed more weight on one smith than I have on another and with free barbells. So try it out first to get a feel for the weight. -------------- Let your God given power and strength annihilate the weights and defy gravity!
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/09, 07:27 PM jplantz is very much correct. It seems each smith has somewhat varying resistances to it. A new one should be very clean and smooth, so once you get the feel, then go to max on it! That is what it is all about!