Sorry if this has been asked before: but due to covid restrictions, my gym do not allow spotters. I’ve read from this forum it is important to have one but should I just not go as intense until the restriction is lifted? (Pun not intended) Sorry if this is a dumb question thanks
You could squat and bench in a rack with safeties/spotter arms set at an appropriate height. Another option could be to pick different exercises that don’t require a spotter (e.g. dumbbell/machine squat patterns and hammer strength/smith machine/machine pressing movements). If the alternative is not doing anything, then backing off on intensity is probably an okay option.
I train in my garage and no one is available to spot me. For most lifts it’s pretty straight forward:
Squat: Preferably use straps, not pipes in a rack–verify they don’t interfere with a normal depth squat but if you have to head back down/fail you can put the bar back down. If you have to use pipes, practice putting the bar back down slowly. It can be awkward depending on your ankle/hip mobility.
Bench: I like pipes or safety spotter arms. Just need to put them at a height that it’s easy to hit your chest and if you need to fail, fail putting the bar on the top of your chest/neck area.
I fail a lift every couple of months and it’s no problem, just have to practice failing.
So the main issue is with bench press, as my gym does use squat racks with pins but is too high for bench. So I guess when the intensity gets too high I’ll start to use chest machine press instead.Thanks responders!
What’s intensity too high mean? If you are using RPE, stop when you are at an 8…and you know it’s an 8, then you are okay…that’s from an intensity standpoint. Now, an injury or accident is a different story…if you are benching and tear a muscle, that could be ugly. No idea how old you are, but this “no spotter” rule is temporary, and lifting hopefully is long term. If you can’t do safety pins for bench, I wouldn’t bench than, or use dumbbells.