Chest Press- do you have a spotter?

[shannoncorrin]

I just completed my 3rd week of Meso 3, where you are lifting 90% of you 1RM for 6 reps. That was 80lbs for chest press. I felt that I could've definetly done more than 6 reps, but I dont have a spotter, so Im scared to even try going heavier. Do most of you have a spotter? How do you know how much is too much without hurting yourself? I usually workout when Im home alone, and dropping an 80lb+ barbell on my head does not sound pretty.

 

[wadejen]

I don't have a spotter. I know what you mean about being able to do more reps/weight. Sometimes I will up the weight and do less reps, if I feel like I am going to drop it. Just to do some extra pounds.

 

[cab128]

I am at 80# on the chest press as well and would like to go a little further. I don’t have a spotter either so I won’t take the chance. The same thing goes for incline chest flys. I have not gone over 33# yet since I do feel a little weakness at the top of the movement. I know if I am very verbal then it is a struggle for me and I don’t go any further.

I have not tried upping the weight with fewer reps. Be safe.

Chris

 

[Traildoggie]

No spotter here either. I do fewer reps or stay lighter if there's a chance I can't control the weight. there are other exercises where you can push the limits without risk to yourself.

 

[Davidj]

When in doubt, lower the weight

Shannoncorrin, Wadejen, Cab128 and other readers:
I certainly do not lift heavy, so I do not know much about spotting. But I am jumping in here just to mention a true story that happened in Toronto during the 1980s. A woman bodybuilder, exercizing at home alone, attempted to bench press 135lbs. The bar slipped from her hands, and dropped onto her neck, killing her.

So this could be a problem with 6-8 reps at 85% 1RM, for those who lift heavy. What I would suggest for those who have high 1RMs would be to lower the weight and do more reps for Meso3. This probably would also hold true for bb sqats and bb lunges -- for those who do heavy weights.

I might add that, with nearly all of Cathe's strength tapes (I have them all), the emphasis is on many reps with doable(safe) poundages. But as is discussed on this thread, the Meso 3 series might pose a problem for some -- with 6-8 reps -- without a spotter.

The reason for doing 10 reps, when figuring out the 1RMs, is to avoid this problem. A good idea, since many people on this forum have fairly high 1RMs on the bench press and squats.
-- David

 

[syzygy314]

Since I got the push/pull tower, I don't need anyone to spot me. My DH did it for me before I got the tower, but only because I was having to pick the bar up off the floor and roll down flat on my step, then roll back up with the bar, which without a spotter would have been difficult and I could have pulled a muscle or dropped the bar trying to get back up!

 

[mjd]

OH NO! I was really hoping to have the STS Strength set by the end of the year (have mentioned to DH that I'd love it as a birthday gift) but this has completely put me off. I work out on my own and won't be able to purchase the push/pull tower.

 

[spyrosmom]

Since I got the push/pull tower, I don't need anyone to spot me. My DH did it for me before I got the tower, but only because I was having to pick the bar up off the floor and roll down flat on my step, then roll back up with the bar, which without a spotter would have been difficult and I could have pulled a muscle or dropped the bar trying to get back up!

Me, too! Except no hubby help. He's normally putting in the garden when I'm groanin' and moanin' with Cathe. That roll down and back up with and 80lb bar is tough. I got my tower maybe 2 months ago, and am using it now for M2, and am loving it!!! At least now when the muscles are toasted, I have a place to put the bar, and not worry about back strain on the way up and down.

I haven't quite perfected the placement of the bench under the tower for the incline presses though. The little ledge things that hold the bar get in the way on the way, and if I have those right, its hard to get me under the bar to get on the bench. I almost had it right last time, but not quite. If I just incline the bench in the same floor position from the flat bench, its not right. Am I just stupid? Is there a trick to this?

Nan

 

[Autumn68]

You should have a spotter, but that's impractical for me. I bought a rack and use it. I've lifted a little less than 80#'s, but if dh is around, I'll ask him. If you have someone around to help, you should. - Autumn