training by yourself or with a friend
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training by yourself or with a friend - 12/24/2005 7:42:15 AM
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theman99
Posts: 33
Joined: 3/22/2005
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i was going to train with a friend, but apparently he isn't interested any more. is it a good idea to lift at the gym by oneself or are you just asking for trouble?
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 12/24/2005 9:23:28 AM
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Buffwannabe
Posts: 235
Joined: 8/1/2005
From: Chicago,IL
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Going to the gym with a friend is a million times better than going by yourself in my opinion. If your friend is dedicated as you, he can spot you and give you that extra emotional and mental push to do the lifts. Going by yourself is too boring, and if you need a spotter, no one will be there to help you unless you ask someone. The only downside to a workout partner is sometimes you tend to chit chat too much. You can do that afterwards. You and your friend should just go in the gym, and spend no more than 30-40 minutes, get the job done, and get out.
However, you also need a lot of mental stimulation. Talking to a lot of people who share the same fitness goals as you can make the process much more worthwile.
(in reply to theman99)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 12/24/2005 3:37:29 PM
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Marc David
Posts: 6742
Joined: 4/6/2003
From: Bay Area -CA
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Lucky for me, my wife is my training partner. She's not always doing the same things as me, but she's there to give me a lift off or a spot if need be. And truthfully, that is a major help.
A training partner will always bring your workouts to the next level, IF that person is reliable and you trust them.
Before having my wife as my partner, I trained alone. Couldn't count on people and sometimes life happens and you end up going to the gym later and what not so it messes the other person up who might have been mentally prepared to go really heavy.
The biggest problem with a 'friend' as a training partner is somebody is always more into workout out then then the other person. And they have a life too, so it's hard to always say you will be there no matter what and be 100% psyched and ready.
A personal trainer isn't a bad idea assuming you can afford one every so often to help you out.
Many people just have buddies they train with and if they are there at a certain time, they go for it but they start on time, every time and if you are late, you miss out.
I've had a few training partners but it always came back to me counting on myself.
I think if you can workout with a partner, you'll have better workouts assuming the person is compatible with your goals. But if you are able to make workouts hard just by yourself, without a partner, you'll be less likely to feel screwed over if they don't show or something happens.
I like to workout with somebody if I can. But mostly I get an occassional spot but for the last 4 months, it's been 99% me and I'm very happy with that.
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(in reply to Buffwannabe)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 12/24/2005 5:31:00 PM
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theman99
Posts: 33
Joined: 3/22/2005
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well, me and my friend are 16, so we can't really afford a personal trainer
my biggest concern is just doing something like bench pressing or squatting - two essential exercises i'd assume and not have anyone to help me out if i get into danger.
(in reply to Marc David)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 12/24/2005 6:06:53 PM
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Marc David
Posts: 6742
Joined: 4/6/2003
From: Bay Area -CA
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The ONLY 2 exercises I have ever needed a spotter 100% if I go heavy is:
Squats
Benching
Either find a partner for those days or just find some reliable individuals in your gym that can help you out for a couple of sets.
Everything else I can do on my own, I agree, but those 2 exercises I do like to have backup if necessary. If you can't get a trainer to help you, then a partner would be good. If they can't, then know a few people at your gym that you trust.
I've had times in my gym where there's no trainer, no partner and the people there at that hour I DO NOT trust.
In that case, I just have to adjust my workout accordingly and not go so heavy that I need a spotter for those exercises.
I've had some really really bad spots on the squat. To the point that if I don't know the people in the gym at that time, I won't even bother going heavy. I'll just adjust.
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(in reply to theman99)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 1/1/2006 4:02:30 PM
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theman99
Posts: 33
Joined: 3/22/2005
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well, my parents are willing to buy me a 1 year membership to a gym, but none of my friends are able to do it with me
will I still be able to train pretty hard if I just did the machines, and asked someone to spot me when I do free weights(which would only be bench press and squat really)? or should i just hold off until I can get a friend?
(in reply to Marc David)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 1/1/2006 11:01:52 PM
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No Quarter
Posts: 1854
Joined: 4/18/2005
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Training with a friend is great but the reality of it is that 3 of every 4 friends that have wanted to train with me just end up bailing out after a few days. You just can't rely on friends when you start working out you gotta get in there and do it yourself no matter who comes or doesnt come..
No need to resort to machine work. Benching is really the only thing you're going to need a spotter for, but lots of people don't even do barbell benching! Dumbells work just as great and you don't need a spotter.
Squatting doesn't require a spotter if your gym has adequate equipment, almost all gyms will have squat racks that have supports that you can safely drop the weight on if you can't get it up.
< Message edited by No Quarter -- 1/1/2006 11:03:25 PM >
(in reply to chrisshepherd)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 1/1/2006 11:35:26 PM
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johnny_rotten
Posts: 182
Joined: 2/20/2005
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I train by myself 75% of the time and 25% with my brother. I find it is too difficult to get together all the time, we both have lives. If I only worked out with him, we would only work out once or twice a week.
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////*Watch for all "new me" coming in March 2007*////
(in reply to No Quarter)
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RE: training by yourself or with a friend - 1/6/2006 3:32:32 PM
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bodybuilding is life
Posts: 459
Joined: 11/18/2005
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I have the same problem. I'll have a friend who wants to workout with me, but they don't get serious about it then just quit eventualy, then show up every once in awhile. It is fun when you have a lifting partner. I love when i can run with someone, though they never keep up so it ends up being a jog.
(in reply to johnny_rotten)
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