Do you train by yourself or with others?

[SisterSteel]

So.... do you train by yourself or do you train with others? Also, do you prefer one way over the other?

Personally, I like to train with a couple other people so I have spotters, others to help push me, and it's more fun when you train with others. If you need a kick in the ass they'll help with that and if they need a swift kick I can deliver it as well.

Let's hear it........

[MuscleAddiction]

I train with my wife or another brother of mine will train with us when he is in town...but will train solo when have too, but love training with my wife!!! She is a great spotter and motivator, and love watching her progress!!!

[SisterSteel]

I train with my wife or another brother of mine will train with us when he is in town...but will train solo when have too, but love training with my wife!!! She is a great spotter and motivator, and love watching her progress!!!

That's awesome that you train with your spouse.

[Ironguruera]

I've trained by myself for most of the 3+ yrs of training I've done.

I grab a spot when I can. It's hard to find a reliable partner who also has your schedule...

I enjoy training alone it clears my head and relaxes me.

A good partner can push u to new levels

[dust06]

I have always workout alone. Some of my buddies always try to come with but always puss out so I have came to love rest/pause to hit failure

[MuscleAddiction]

That's awesome that you train with your spouse.

It really is and makes a world of difference in our marriage, sharing the same passion works well!!!

[smoovy]

Alone. None of my friends who live where I live lift.

Addiction-- How's that work with your wife? I always thought lifting with my wife would kinda slow me down cause she's not into it the way I am. We've gone to the gym a couple times together but it was more me showing her lifts and proper form. You think you make more progress cause you lift with your wife or is it more just a fun couple hobby thing?

[Orange24]

She really helps him. Spots him and is his personal drill seargant

[smoovy]

My wife is the FARTHEST thing from a drill sergeant, she's more like Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter.

[Orange24]

I was talking about muscle addicts wife

[smoovy]

I know you were bro. Just saying, drill sergeant wife in the gym is out of the question for me.

[Orange24]

Agreed. Your wife is the furthest thing from that.

[Lujannoe]

I solo it, everyonce in a while a friend will wanna "get back in shape" and train with me but usually only lasts a week or 2. I like soloing though. Kind of a form of meditation Its peaceful for me. But I do hate having to ask a random person to spot me in my heavier sets.

[wanabbig]

I'm a loner. I like being by myself, no distractions.

[Lunchbox]

I train with my girl. She is a great w/o partner. She knows I liked to be pushed and does her job well.

[SisterSteel]

Here's another question for those who train solo.... What do you do when you try for a PR bench or squat? Are you concerned with hitting 1RM or 3RM PR's for those lifts?

[chrisotpherm]

Alone. I'm a lone wolf in the gym. I don't talk, look up etc... headphones in, look in the mirror and ask the dog is today your day or you gonna keep wasting time in the mirror?

[red crayon]

I train solo. I have for many years. I would train with a partner if they would be there most of the time and try and keep up with me. Sometimes I see people I know from the real world in the gym and I always offer to help them. Its always the same thing, they complain that they got sore and that I pushed them to hard. lol, really I didnt push them as hard as I push myself. Sometimes I do try and add weight but I always try and use a rack or other safty device so I can go to failure and be alright. Getting a spotter isnt really an option for me, they never get it right and then act like Im being bad if I try and tell them how to do it.

So I train solo and use the power rack, smith machine and dumbbells a lot so I will be ok after I fail.

[sensitivenips]

Here's another question for those who train solo.... What do you do when you try for a PR bench or squat? Are you concerned with hitting 1RM or 3RM PR's for those lifts?

train solo, most dudes i have trained with in the past like to chit chat, and that shit pisses me off. i dont feel like spending 3 hours in the gym, i just want to get in and get out.

as far as pr's all the motivation i need comes from within, nobody is going to get me amped better than myself. my gym is pretty big, so its easy to grab someone for a spot, and if this someone doesnt look like they know how to spot then i tell them what to expect and exactly what i want out of them.

[Ironguruera]

Here's another question for those who train solo.... What do you do when you try for a PR bench or squat? Are you concerned with hitting 1RM or 3RM PR's for those lifts?

I rarely if ever try for 1rm etc. when I really wanna push on bench I find a spotter or I'll use a smith machine. I prefer the bench with a good spotter though.

I get what u are saying....and I totally agree. If u really wanna go for broke...u need a good partner/spot.

[smoovy]

Here's another question for those who train solo.... What do you do when you try for a PR bench or squat? Are you concerned with hitting 1RM or 3RM PR's for those lifts?


Since I've only ever trained alone I know what I can handle in terms of not being able to get the weight back up. Every once in a while I'll push to far and it requires bad form to get the bar back up on a bench press.

Never tried a 1RM, probably wouldnt do that unless I had a partner. I once had a guy spot me for decline DB Presses, dude put the DB's in my hand all awkward, gave me both DB's at the same time, are you kidding me bro, how the heck am I suppose to grab the DB when your holding both of them by the handle?!! That gave me a bad taste for using strangers to spot and help you.

[Encino_Mang]

Here's another question for those who train solo.... What do you do when you try for a PR bench or squat? Are you concerned with hitting 1RM or 3RM PR's for those lifts?

I train solo because its just easier for me.....trained with a bunch of guys years ago, a little powerlifting club, went to meets and just hung out but people move on and now alone is how I prefer to get things done.......as far as singles I always can find a spotter when I need it

[MaxSeg]

Majority of the time its solo at home. I occasionally train with a few ranked benchers that have helped me tremendously, benching at home just aint the same. When training with the guys I experienced less shoulder injuries/aches and broke 500 raw.

[zedhed]

Alone for me too. I generally like play harder then other peeps do. Espicially those my age. And I train at home. Dont do PR or 1RP max. No need to for me.

[bionic redneck]

i train by myself as well, i just get a spot when i need it

[MuscleAddiction]

Does anybody train naked?

[Jinko]

Does anybody train naked?

I have. I used to run a gym, did it after hours...got turned on.

[MuscleAddiction]

I have. I used to run a gym, did it after hours...got turned on.

With girls??? Now we are talking!!! Give a whole new meaning to giving a spot ;).

[Ironguruera]

Does anybody train naked?

Lmao! Have I rubbed off on ya?

I foam roll nude sometimes at home. Gets the wife excited to walk In on me.

Apparently the gym frowns upon nudity. Apparently they don't know sex sells! if some Tits where bouncing on the treadmill guys would be lining up lol.

U might be onto something here!

[Jinko]

With girls??? Now we are talking!!! Give a whole new meaning to giving a spot ;).

Of course. I make it a habit to sleep with at least one girl in every gym i go to and to have sex in every gym I go to.

[theduketmwbo]

when im training in mma i obviously train with multiple guys, but when im in the gym i train ALONE!! to me its a mental thing, like when im in the gym im in my own world, in MY zone! and i dont want to talk to anyone because they might fuck up my zone. i dont fuck around like a lot of other people do at the gym, i go to do work!!

[Exerciseordie]

It depends. If one of my serious bros wants to hit it hard and our schedule lines up together I have no problem getting intense. At the same time if I'm by myself I still hit it hard.

[MuscleAddiction]

Lmao! Have I rubbed off on ya?

I foam roll nude sometimes at home. Gets the wife excited to walk In on me.

Apparently the gym frowns upon nudity. Apparently they don't know sex sells! if some Tits where bouncing on the treadmill guys would be lining up lol.

U might be onto something here!

Yes you are :D...yes I agree, bouncing melons on the treadmills and elipticals!!! How about a naked yoga class???

[MuscleAddiction]

I heard there was a study that showed doing cardio while watching porn burns more calories...see if I can find it.

[Ironguruera]

I heard there was a study that showed doing cardio while watching porn burns more calories...see if I can find it.

Lmfao! No way! U might actually catch me doing cardio!

[smoovy]

Yes you are :D...yes I agree, bouncing melons on the treadmills and elipticals!!! How about a naked yoga class???


Naked yoga class is a real thing bro..

[Ironguruera]

Naked yoga class is a real thing bro..

Wait ....where? Maybe I'll
Give yoga a 2nd look lol.

[smoovy]

Wait ....where? Maybe I'll
Give yoga a 2nd look lol.


Man I hate that I know this, but....

My wife loves the Kardashians, and on one of the episodes a yoga instructor came to their home and it was a naked yoga class, it was like the newest form of yoga or something. You got yoga, hot yoga and now naked yoga.

And just to clarify, I HATE the Kardashians, I refuse to even watch it with my wife. She was telling me about that episode, that's how I know..

[MuscleAddiction]

Man I hate that I know this, but....

My wife loves the Kardashians, and on one of the episodes a yoga instructor came to their home and it was a naked yoga class, it was like the newest form of yoga or something. You got yoga, hot yoga and now naked yoga.

And just to clarify, I HATE the Kardashians, I refuse to even watch it with my wife. She was telling me about that episode, that's how I know..

They are a waste of time IMO...vanity at it's finest. Very bad role models for girls in this society...TV is a bad role model period with all the stupid brain dead shows on.

My training partners today are my gorgeous wife and TNE :D!!!

[Ironguruera]

Man I hate that I know this, but....

My wife loves the Kardashians, and on one of the episodes a yoga instructor came to their home and it was a naked yoga class, it was like the newest form of yoga or something. You got yoga, hot yoga and now naked yoga.

And just to clarify, I HATE the Kardashians, I refuse to even watch it with my wife. She was telling me about that episode, that's how I know..

Lmao! My wife watches that shit. It's pretty funny. I can only stand so much of it though.

[Whiskey]

By myself, I don't like having to wait on another person or the distraction. I also lift at a time when the gym is empty so i'm also sorta forced to lift alone. Wouldn't have it any other way... Unless Arnold and the boys from the 60's were in there with me! ;)

Whiskey

[BigBones]

Man I hate that I know this, but....

My wife loves the Kardashians.
And just to clarify, I HATE the Kardashians, I refuse to even watch it with my wife. She was telling me about that episode, that's how I know..

BS you love 'em!
Who doesn't like a set of T & A. Just mute the bitches. ;)


So to answer the question -----------
I workout alone. Most of the dudes around my area have little training experience or I find them to be overbearing and the "Master of the Gym".... Zzzzz.... Typical.
+ all I really need is a spot here and there considering my goals.

[jamesbravo]

Well I agree with you for myself and I also think like this as you have people mostly prefer train by otherself according to my experience .. And it's a wonderful idea.. Because you really learn something special from the others..

[red crayon]

n the past few years I train alone. I think I have stated that before. Most of the people I see training together use the same work out, same exercises, same sets and same reps. I dont see how an exercise program like that can work for 25 or 30 people but they still use it and then claim that they know everything. Please give me a break. The program I use was made by me, I do it alone and I get better results than they do, even when they are on cycle. Thats sad really. They all seem to have one thing in common, no legs. When I ask I get the same answer from the ones who answer, "You can build great legs with out Squats" I have to call BS on that one. I guess thats why they think Im an A**hole. Oh well, the results speak for themselves. If you cant tell I ran into a group of them last night. lol, what a joke. More than half of their work out is done on machines and I always get strange looks from them when I do Flyes, slow reps, hold the max contracted position of a lift for a few seconds, or start doing rest pause sets, etc. The worst part is that they get in the way while they are texting or what ever it is they are doing on their phone. I guess thats enough for now but I could go on and on.

[SisterSteel]

Red makes a good point. A lot of people who train with training partners all use the same cookie cutter program they found online or read in a magizine. My 2 training partners and I each have different programs because we all different weakenesses as well as different techniques for the big 3. I squat with a narrow, high bar stance and one of my partners is a low bar, wide stance squatter so we have different areas we need to work on to make progress. We still all train together but we're not doing the same thing because there is no 1 program that works for everyone. It'll work in the beginning but as you progress you begin to see what you need to do in order to keep making progress and keep increasing your total.

[bionic redneck]

i always train alone...

[prc603]

depends on my mood. i ALWAYS have my spotter there, regardless. but some days we roll off do different things, and somedays we are side by side. some days i train other people, if they need help or are starting out. or if my girls there she needs spotting on squats. i take sundays and saturdays alone tho. thats my zen time.

[csb80]

i always train alone...

Yep, I've had a guy spot me once...because the day before I blacked out and dropped 225 on my face while incline benching for 12x reps. Yes, I was an idiot and forgot to breath, you live and you learn.

[red crayon]

When you train alone there are some things you need to remember. Dont try for a personal record unless you are in a rack (Power rack) Also practice failure before you get there. I know that sounds dumb but lets say you got the Rack Set up and you are benching, what do you do when failure happens? Are the bars in the right position? Both of those things are easy to correct when the bar is empty! There are several techniques that you can use to induce growth when you are training alone, Rest Pause, Drop Sets these are my two favorites. Dont be afraid to ask someone else in the gym for a spot, explain what kind of a spot that you want. I like to get help when the bar didnt reach max contraction and has started to go negative, not before. I dont need help lifting the weight from the beginning! If I did need that kind of help I am attempting a weight thats to heavy. Im sure there are more things that the others who train alone can tell you. These are just a few things that I thought of.

[xdude]

because of my sched ... I work out alone I have says I work until 8 PM and other days I have off..
So Yeah I workout alone..
but there is a bunch of great guys at my gym and I can always find a spot
it is kind of strange how it works ..
I talk to guys depending on time ... and end up with a lot of .."where you been" if I travel
last week I was gone 2 days 3 nights .. but as a result was not there for the only days I am there late after noon.. I got...where have been ...I haven't seen you in 2 weeks tonight

and technically he was right
and that guy works out .. I have seen that guy go over 2 hours just lifting...

[zedhed]

Sounds like a unusually good gym bro. Nice to be missed when not there.

[Flyingfox]

Solo, once in a blue moon with a buddy but I prefer solo.

[squatpresspull]

I'd like a partner but, any friends around here are not into sling plates or their "injuries" keep them from doing squats.

Otherwise.. just me and the bar.

[drkmn1]

Good point made about having different routines. I usually try to listen to my body, and it's never led me wrong. If I feel like I had a productive workout, I'll remember what worked and what didn't. It has literally taken me over 25 years to find a workout that's tailor-made for me; and it's still an ongoing learning process! I still try new stuff to see how it'll improve my routine; rowing with a slightly different angle, squatting with a different width stance, higher reps with slightly less weight, or substituting an old exercise with a new one. At the risk of sounding like a selfish prick, I would be doing myself a dis-service by not working out alone.

That being said, I always say "Hi" when crossing paths with someone at the gym and am more than happy to provide a spot for anyone who asks for it... :cool:

[SisterSteel]

Dont be afraid to ask someone else in the gym for a spot, explain what kind of a spot that you want.

That's a very good point. Spotting someone isn't as easy as some would think. Take bench for instance. You need to know if they want you to bring the bar out to get it into position or are they going to bring it out. When should you take the bar. Do they want to finish the rep/reps and than pause and after rack it or rack it right away.

You should always discuss how you want the lift off/ spot to take place to avoid issues.

I personally will only let my 2 training partners spot me when it comes to squatting or pressing.

[Ironguruera]

That's a very good point. Spotting someone isn't as easy as some would think. Take bench for instance. You need to know if they want you to bring the bar out to get it into position or are they going to bring it out. When should you take the bar. Do they want to finish the rep/reps and than pause and after rack it or rack it right away.

You should always discuss how you want the lift off/ spot to take place to avoid issues.

I personally will only let my 2 training partners spot me when it comes to squatting or pressing.

Very valid points as always Hun. It's hard to get a good spotter. On bench I don't like guys who let me struggle if I start slowing down I personally like help to keep it going and can usually get a few more reps. If I struggle I'm done.
My buddies hate I I even touch the bar. As one said "I wanna feel like I'm inches from death before u touch that bar...and only if I tell u too!"

I always tell ppl how I want them to spot me and still most suck lol.