help at the gym

[SheDragon]

what do most people do when they dont have a training buddy or someone to help them with spotting? i understand most people work out alone but i dont yet feel comfortable lifting without a spot. can i just ask anyone around or do people mind? id rather not bother anyone but im just wondering. any advice or help would be appreciated.

 

[rdel85]

yeah definitely just ask someone around you. I've done it and have had plenty of random people I didn't know ask me for a spot. Most people are nice enough.

 

[Lifterforlife]

For my power movements, if no spot is around I will go to the power rack/cage or if all else fails the smith so I can set the spotter pins and pile on weight without worry of failure. For instance on on military presses, I will load the bar up, and set the spotter bars around chin level. That way I can push to the last rep, and when I fail jusst set the bar there. Learn to improvise....you can do things like that on the smith too...set the spotter racks the height you need for say bench press, and when you fail, just let it down to the spotter racks.

 

[SheDragon]

For my power movements, if no spot is around I will go to the power rack/cage or if all else fails the smith so I can set the spotter pins and pile on weight without worry of failure. For instance on on military presses, I will load the bar up, and set the spotter bars around chin level. That way I can push to the last rep, and when I fail jusst set the bar there. Learn to improvise....you can do things like that on the smith too...set the spotter racks the height you need for say bench press, and when you fail, just let it down to the spotter racks.

oh my.. i forgot to mention that im still kinda new at all this so i dont know my machines yet. i started working out in late march/early april and i used to go with my ex but i had to stop going because i had surgery so now that im ready to go again, i feel like im starting over.

 

[alex2678]

What lifter said^^^^ Power rack: http://www.lifestylesport.com/41.jpg

You could also work one arm or leg at a time for almost every exercise. And for those that you can't, maybe stop one rep before failure. Most people would be more than willing to spot you if you ask however. Don't be afraid of that.

 

[Kold_Killa]

Met many "gym" buddies by simply asking for a spot..