Training Partner

[.V.]

Not a necessity, but could likely be a help. I personally don't have one and make pretty decent progress towards my goals. But not having one and being alone in my gym does limit me by keeping me from working to failure on things like squats. Failure on bench alone is no big deal (yet), you can always just roll the weight off of your body - until it gets too heavy for that.

[threenorns]

wont' catch me going to failure on squats or bench ithout a spotter, power cage or not!

it's easy enough to roll the weight off if a bench fails, but not if it lands on your throat!

[DarkLord]

I remember reading in my book about Arnold saying that when he was training in Austria, he and his training partner used to bet each each on heavy lifting to give extra motivation.

[maverick]

Why not go to failure on squats in a power rack? Set the pins and you're all good. I never use a spotter for squats.

[DarkLord]

Isn't that another word for the Smith Machine Maverick?

[threenorns]

no - a power cage (or power rack) is a square cage with pins running on the sides from front to back to catch the bar if you drop.

this is a power rack http://www.donoliver.co.nz/images/FM...wer%20Rack.jpg - the one at my gym isn't so fancy, though.

[.V.]

I don't have a power rack or cage myself... no spotter either, no crutches (except the box) to make sure I get low enough...just me, the bar, and the box. I'd love to have a power rack someday, anybody want to donate the $400.00 that they cost?