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Butts !!UT84wajcyM1
So today I started the Stronglifts 5x5 program. It was actually fun! I don't think I'll ever go back to machines. Anyway, I'm a little concerned because I don't have a spotter for benching. Do any of you bench without a spotter? Other question, to any of you who've tried this program, how long until you saw some results?
>> Butts !!UT84wajcyM1
>>397463
Yeah it's a scary thought. I think I know when to rack the weight, but if I fuck up, and can't finish my rep, is it dangerous to rest it on my chest for a bit until I can push it up? Since I just started I'm benching like nothing.
>> Anonymous
>>397473
thats fine as long as your not crushing yourself. if anything you should just roll that shit off your chest. use a power rack if you have to lift heavy as fuck. if you cant use the power rack then use the smith machine for lifting heavy as fuck but i wouldnt
>> Anonymous
>>397473
totally. especially if you're going heavy, you are going to feel like there is an obese guy resting on your chest if you pause like that.
>> Anonymous
Just make sure someone is around.

If you can't finish the set (shouldn't happen very often with stronglifts) . calmly ask someone to help out. the weight is not going to crush you

Kindly thank him/her for help.
>> Anonymous
I dont bench obev 170lbs when im on my own weight-set with no spotter.

I used to put a dense pillow-thing on my chest when i first started out so if i failed i just rolled the bar off me to the floor, but i just know when to do my last rep before i fail now.

Also who is OP's pic? looks like some famous bare nuckle Gypsy fighter.
>> Anonymous
Don't try to bench too much and don't use the collars. If you do end up not racking the weights in time you can tip the bar to one side so the weights slide off.
>> Anonymous
i bench without a spotter. twice i have gotten too cocky and haven't been able to rack the weight, one with 185 pounds on vertical bench and one with 165 pounds incline bench. the incline wasnt much of a problem, i just dropped the weight onto my legs and rolled it off. vertical bench was a different story, i had to put the weight on my stomach while lifting up as hard as i could to keep my stomach from being crushed, and then i had to sit up while doing this to roll the weight off of my legs.

i've since learned myself a bit more but when i do heavy sets i always want a spotter. i also seem to be able to do more reps/weight if i have a spotter, having the psychological safety of a spotter
>> Anonymous
I honestly don't see how people can drop the bar if they are using common sense. The worst thing that can happen is that you just can't push it up, I've had it happen with nobody around and u just gotta kinda man up and roll it off slowly. You should know at the start of the rep if you really are going to have problems.

I think the best way to get out of it is to move it right over your head and slide underneath. Just try and use common sense, don't load up a ton of plates and go for 1 rep of 800 pounds alone.
>> Anonymous
I don't bench with a spotter, of course I'm repping 112lbs. I have a pretty good idea of when that next rep isn't going to happen.
>> Anonymous
Do the smith machines reduce the amount of weight you're lifting at all? They always feel easier to use... but maybe that is just the balance it usually takes.
>> Anonymous
smith machine bar is lighter than standard barbell bar
>> Anonymous
Assuming you eat properly and don't fuck with program, it's pretty typical to see a 10lb increase in muscular body weight within the first month or so. I gained 20lbs in the first three months.

The best thing you can do while on SL5x5 is to drink a gallon of milk a day. Yes, a whole gallon.
>> Anonymous
Just ask someone to spot you when you feel the need to push yourself to do something you aren't sure you'll be able to do.

Most people will gladly spot you once in a while as long as you don't ask them to follow you around for your whole workout.
Its not that big a deal...
>> Anonymous
I started 5x5 last semester and I gained about 13 pounds or so (honestly I'm not sure. One night I weighed myself and was like "Holy fuck I weigh a lot more.") At some point the weight gain slowed down and I am now slowly building. I am losing body fat and gaining more muscle to replace it, but it isn't like before when i went from having no muscle to suddenly being able to squat my girlfriend without trying.