Thread: Do you lift with a partner?

i don't.

having a partner can be good or bad....

good:
a) someone to push you
b) always have a spotter
c) someone to watch your form and give you feedback
d) someone to fill up your water bottle
e) someone to shave your back in the shower


bad:
a) you have to work on the same time schedule
b) you have to train on the exact same program
c) if they are having a bad workout, chances are you are haing a bad workout
d) they may want to chit-chat and you want to train
e) they may hold you back

I usually don't

I don't even go to a gym because I hate being around people.

because I train at home.

I have in the past but it's hard to find someone with a similar schedule...

Besides a good partner is hard to find....

I do and it is EXCELLENT! I MUCH prefer working out with a good partner.

Originally Posted by P-funk

e) someone to shave your back in the shower

I dont, if i need a spot, i will ask a random person..

When I first started working out I didn't, but I do now and the main reason I workout with a buddy is because I push myself harder when I workout with him... and yea this is my first post so i just wanna say hi to everyone.

I train with my brother sometimes but my intensity is way higher alone. I sometimes ask him to watch my form, but other than that I find it a negative thing.

Always been a loner

I tried training with a friend one time and it led to a lot of chitchat because most of the time they are not serious and motivated.

I prefer working out alone... Less distracting. However, if it was someone that was very motivated, had similar experience, and was concentrated it may be an advantage.

Looks like we are all loners here. Same here.

Most people I talk to say they prefer lifting with friends. I can't get good intensity in my training with other people around, so I guess I'm a loner too.

Originally Posted by Seanp156

I prefer working out alone... Less distracting. However, if it was someone that was very motivated, had similar experience, and was concentrated it may be an advantage.

I agree, and they should also have the same goals so that it's not a problem if you're performing the same/similar programs. I lift with a friend occasionally, although it has been a while. I do enjoy it, but typically I get slowed down.

yah i tried lifting with a guy that is around the same strength in me in everything (except he has chicken legs)

and it sucked having to go at a certain time for a certain amont of time and do exercises we both could agree on

so thats the end of that and im way happier being able to do as i wish

I dont, if i need a spot, i will ask a random person..

if only it was that easy...

I have not trained with a partner for 3 years or so, I actually perfer to but I really don't know anybody here who I would want to workout with.

I don't and I prefer not to. I might if I found someone very motivated and serious about weight lifting.

Looks like everyone already said the same thing. I am usually alone.

Drink Milk.

Originally Posted by DiGiTaL

if only it was that easy...

How is it difficult to ask someone for a spot?

I prefer working out by myself. I'm real strict when it comes to rest intervals and keeping my nose to the grindstone, a partner is cool when I'm doing chest, thats about it..

Originally Posted by Seanp156

How is it difficult to ask someone for a spot?

It's not asking for a spotter that's difficult, it's finding the right one. Most guys do not how to spot correctly since they usually ..

a) Give assistance too quickly
(e.g. Pulling up the bar too fast even though the bencher can still manage it on his own)

b) Are too weak
(e.g. Same as above, you struggle on the last rep and they can't even pull up the bar because they are struggling as well)

c) Wait until it clearly shows you are in trouble and would be too late to giving you assistance before you hurt yourself
(e.g. Same as above, you reach total muscular failure and the bar drops down on your chest before they pull up the bar)

In my experience, 9 out of 10 times it's A

So just tell them how you want it if it bothers you that much, or ask someone that looks like they know what they're doing...

If I could clone myself, I'd have a partner.

I do shift work, so every third week i have a mate who i workout with, it has its good points like pushing me harder sometimes, and its bad points like chatting too much, but generally i prefer to work out alone same as above i suppose.

Originally Posted by Seanp156

So just tell them how you want it if it bothers you that much, or ask someone that looks like they know what they're doing...

Is that what you told your girlfriend? j/k

I don't. I don't know that many people at my gym and I find it less distracting so I can concentrate on what I am doing. On the other hand it is nice sometimes to have someone to spot for you and have someone to push you to go a little more.

I do - my husband.. I really like it, just because he doesn't let me slack off and pushes me to my limits.

Originally Posted by Seanp156

So just tell them how you want it if it bothers you that much, or ask someone that looks like they know what they're doing...

In my experience telling the people does nothing. That information goes in one ear and out the other. Now what I do is either bench press in a power rack setting the pins at chest level BEFORE retracting my scapula so that I am above the pins afterward, or I just bench without clips on and dump the weight if need be, or I actually do a situp with the bar on my stomach.

I don't need no stinkin' spotters.

I always bench in a power rack. Like cowpimp said, set the safety pins so you can touch the bar to your chest in proper benching form, but if the shit hits the fan it won't crush you