<p>I go alone, and I have to say it has good and bad points. The worst is when your benching or something...you have to make sure you're able to get the barbell back up that last time. Benching on the Smith machine helps sometimes, but its too easy. I find going alone helps one focus a little bit more.</p>
<p>I really recommend going with two friends. It's the most convenient in terms of having a spotter.</p>
<p>I only use the Smith for doing military presses, because there isn't any other equipment to do them on. Bench pressing is not that great with it, because you don't have to stabilize the bar.</p>
<p>yea but with no spotter it makes using the free barbell hard.</p>
<p>I dont use it that much...depends how I feel. I use the smith for squats alot too.</p>
<p>I like free squats over the Smith. I just like the fact that I have to balance the thing instead of the machine holding it up. To tell you the truth, I don't use any machines except the Smith and the calf raise thing.</p>
<p>I use the pulldown, smith, calf, leg press, and hammer strength machines. On my leg days the only free weight I use is the barbell for stiff legs. I use the hammer strength for the back of my shoulder and trap. And the pulldown is self explanatory. Most machines I use are for legs...</p>
<p>Oh oops I forgot to mention the calf press :O</p>
<p>I heard swimming gives you broad shoulders.</p>
<p>I almost only use free weights. Machines can be terrible for you if you become overreliant on them because you'll overtrain some muscles while not working others. Really the only machine I use much are cables for working the triceps. Other than that, I mostly bench for the chest (all 3 kinds), dumbell curls for biceps, pull ups/chin ups and dips for shoulders, squats in the power cage (Smith machine can be terrible for this), and plyos also for the legs.</p>
<p>I think you are a wimp Mcgizzle a.k.a baby and can't left a cradle!</p>
<p>i've been working out for a while, but im not seeing results. i'm a guy, i'm 5'5, and i'm only 120 lbs. i'm tiny, have very LITTLE fat, so my muscle stands out (even though i don't have much).
i can do ten reps of 135 on bench press (inclined so i push up) and 125 on regular bench press.</p>
<p>what can i do to increase? what can i do to increase size? how much should i eat? my friends say to do supplements like whey protein, they do myomax...what do you know about that? how often should i work out, and how much should i be able to lift at my weight? </p>
<p>thanks, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.</p>
<p>^talk to barry bonds's personal trainer</p>
<p>haha ive heard supps aren't that unsafe...i mean whey protein, some creatine is alright, many ppl take it actually</p>
<p>According to your profile AstroFan, you're only 18, so I really wouldn't worry too much. 99% of males have stopped growing vertically by the age of 18 so there's not much you can do there, but the growth in body mass from there is pretty much exponential into your 20s. Even recruited athletes don't really start filling out until once they hit college and hit a real training program. I've known a couple football players (on the UCLA team) who've put on 10, 20, 30 pounds without it being unnatural just since they've hit college just because they've matured and continue to grow into a strength training program.</p>
<p>You have to keep in mind what your goals are. You're only 5'5", so there is a limited growth potential, and do you really want to become a big bulky powerlifter type? I'm only 5'7" 140 myself, and the sports I play (lot of club Ultimate Frisbee and pick up basketball) don't need extreme strength as much as speed, flexibility, and explosiveness, so I don't lift like a powerlifter. If you want to be a bodybuilder then read up on the kinds of things they do, otherwise I'd be a bit more patient.</p>
<p>For your height and age you are lifting pretty decently. I'd just be patient and contiue what you're doing and let your body mature a bit first. Maybe add more squats because those are a good mass builder. I'd stick to a balanced diet for now with maybe some of those extra protein supplements as well. But really the main thing I'd say is to just let your frame fill out a bit first, like I said most guys don't start filling out until their college years anyway.</p>
<p>Whats Wrong *****!</p>
<p>What's a good exercise for girls to do to build shoulder mass without growing "wings" (i.e. the neck and shoulder become one entity; happens with female swimmers a lot and I don't like it at all, though some people do). I want to keep my shoulders shapely, but make them a little broader.</p>
<p>.........so you're a girl :eek:</p>
<p>does anyone else not get sore from lifting unless they do several sets (like 6 sets of 15, x2 [two diff exercises working same muscle group])?</p>
<p>
[quote]
does anyone else not get sore from lifting unless they do several sets (like 6 sets of 15, x2 [two diff exercises working same muscle group])?
[/quote]
I don't get sore till the next morning, really.</p>
<p>I could be asking for my sister....</p>