Free weights versus machines?
- Thread starter Combray
- Start date
If you want to offer beginners advice, then don't make arrogant mis-statements or generalizations. You might want to listen to what Rippetoe says in part 1 and part 2. I would bet you don't even bench correctly if you don't realize the purpose of a hand-off.
There is better stuff than Rippetoe's on benching as you progress but start off with his vids.
I think the point is that just because you do, doesn't mean everyone else does. The use of a relative newbie vs. a seasoned powerlifter actually seems to hurt your stance, as beginners are more likely to misjudge the weights they can handle and injure themselves than someone with experience. Fitness in general does not subscribe to a "one size fits all" mentality. I see far too many people who think that because they do or do not do something a certain way, it is appropriate for everyone else. It doesn't work that way. I respect the fact that you don't want or don't need a spot; I disagree, though, that everyone is in the same boat and should not use a spotter. I have also hit triple body weight on the bench, but I can tell you I definitely used a spotter more as a beginner than later on.
Its all good. I typically just ignore garbage.
I agree with you totally. I never use a spotter until my last set which is a max set until failure. Even then they do even touch the bar. I think if you can't unrack it you have no business trying to press it.
I think if you don't know the purpose of a liftoff or hand-off, you have no business advising others on how to bench. If you don't know that spotter doesn't touch the bar, then you have no business telling others about "spotters".
Yup I know nothing about lifting weights with a spotter, only been doing it since I was a teenager and am very versed in safety, technique, etc.. It must be a darn miracle I haven't hurt a rotator cuff or something.
It takes minimal effort to unrack a bar and if you can't do it on your own then you most definatly won't be able to push it all the way up from a lowered position.
It takes minimal effort to unrack a bar and if you can't do it on your own then you most definatly won't be able to push it all the way up from a lowered position.
Then do a little demonstration for us and film it from the side and from the front.
1. Set-up on a competition bench. Load 4 of the red competition plates on each side.
2. Set up properly while maintaining the arch and your shoulders in the correct position.
3. Do 6 or 8 full reps.
4. Re-rack.
5. All of this should be done without spotters.
This is absurd. Watch any world class powerlifters and you will see they ALL get a lift off. I don't cate how long you've been doing this, until you have been on the platform with two to three times your body weight on the bar, your opinion on the subject is conjecture and little more.
No what's absurd is you didn't read my original post thoroughly. Had you have done so you'd see that I stated that I use a spotter for very large amounts of weight. And I still think for the average person trying to get big if you can't get it up on your own you have no business attempting. The power lifters are what maybe 1% of the total gym population and are 99% of the time on heavy cycles of steroids?
I've seen countless people with too much weight that think since a spotter helped them unrack it they can do it. Want to know how it ends, the spotter having to put dangerous strain on their back to lift it up or someone else having to run over to help.
I've seen countless people with too much weight that think since a spotter helped them unrack it they can do it. Want to know how it ends, the spotter having to put dangerous strain on their back to lift it up or someone else having to run over to help.
That's absurd. How old are you? I wouldn't like to be arguing with a teen or sub-teen. I'm still awaiting your demonstration but off course if you are a teen or sub-teen then don't kill yourself trying.
Actually not just world-class powerlifters, show me someone even in a novices competition who is required to un-rack the weight, bench it and then re-rack it all without spotters. I doubt any organisation would let even novices do this.
No, they won't. That's how you lift in competition. And I haven't seen anyone saying that it shouldn't be done that way. It's obviously safer to have spotters. But if you're not that strong and you're benching maybe 100kg, it's not that big of a deal if you fail. I've failed with 100kg before, I rolled it off, no problem. What is your argument against this? That a "clean" fail (having to lower the bar down to the chest again) is very dangerous, or that you could drop the weight and have it crush you?
Just a minute. Are you stating
1. You lifted in a comp, and unracked 100kg by yourself, waited for the command to start, brought it down to your chest and failed.
2. Got a vid of you doing this in a comp?