I've not used a spotter at all for at least two years and not consistently for over 5 years. I know having one would allow me to reach failure and try a few more reps here and there. I don't use one because I like working out alone. I used to be such a machine everyone I tried to workout with slowed me down. That probably wouldn't be an issue these days, but still I like to work not talk. I've been lifting long enough I feel I can usually gage my limit well, that being said.....
About once a month I do a 5-4-3-2-1 workout. I use this to gauge my "max". It's not a true max because I don't use a spotter and I don't try the one rep more than one attempt (I don't add weight if I get it) but it does give me an idea of where I am. Over the past year I broke my wrist and tore the ligaments off my thumb and had surgery on my right hand, both at different times. The weakness from a year of too much off time makes it harder for me to gauge what I can do on bench press. Lately, I've almost been scared to put more weight on. I didn't think I would get hurt, I could just dump the weight off the end, but that's embarrassing. So today I asked someone to spot me on my last rep. I had 20lbs more than I had done in over a year and 20lb more than last month threw it up like it was nothing. I added 30lbs more, which more than I done in a long time. I also did it without much struggle. I stopped there because as I feared the guy wouldn't stop talking to me about how his son played football at the rival to the school I coach at (never wearing team shorts again). Anyway I was so pumped I pulled off 20 reps of 225 before I left the bench. I'll probably hit an all time high next month when I try again. I expected improvement, but not 50lbs with lots of gas in the tank to spare. I think having a spotter made me stronger! Just not having to think "If I don't push this up I'll look like a clown" and concentrating on the weight made a huge difference. I may have to do this every now and then now!
About once a month I do a 5-4-3-2-1 workout. I use this to gauge my "max". It's not a true max because I don't use a spotter and I don't try the one rep more than one attempt (I don't add weight if I get it) but it does give me an idea of where I am. Over the past year I broke my wrist and tore the ligaments off my thumb and had surgery on my right hand, both at different times. The weakness from a year of too much off time makes it harder for me to gauge what I can do on bench press. Lately, I've almost been scared to put more weight on. I didn't think I would get hurt, I could just dump the weight off the end, but that's embarrassing. So today I asked someone to spot me on my last rep. I had 20lbs more than I had done in over a year and 20lb more than last month threw it up like it was nothing. I added 30lbs more, which more than I done in a long time. I also did it without much struggle. I stopped there because as I feared the guy wouldn't stop talking to me about how his son played football at the rival to the school I coach at (never wearing team shorts again). Anyway I was so pumped I pulled off 20 reps of 225 before I left the bench. I'll probably hit an all time high next month when I try again. I expected improvement, but not 50lbs with lots of gas in the tank to spare. I think having a spotter made me stronger! Just not having to think "If I don't push this up I'll look like a clown" and concentrating on the weight made a huge difference. I may have to do this every now and then now!
