So, the other day the kids and I rearranged the gym in the basement. The main reason for this was that my last rearrangement was not well planned. For instance, I am lucky enough to have collected two bars, and I keep one set up for dead lifts and one on the bench. The dead lift was too close to the bike and when I was loading plates the other day i nearly knocked the bar off the concrete block I use fro rack pulls, and trying to move I nearly tripped over the sandbag which didn’t belong where it was in the first place.
I also felt trying to load plates on the bench was crowded. So after much groaning around from the under 15 set, we went to work and created a more spacious and safe arrangement.
Roll forward a day or so, and I went down for my workout. I was scheduled for bench and upper body work. Unfortunately I was in a hurry and elected not to warm up. Usually this is not a problem for me, although it is a poor habit, so you can imagine my surprise when I found myself at the bottom and stuck! I had to yell for for help. I was embarrassed, because I knew if I wasn’t sure I should have waited for someone to spot, and because the weight i had on I usually manage easily when I ramp up. So I dropped the weight and put up a few to mend my confidence, and next time I will have a spot.
The last time I got stuck under a bar was 2012, that little incident taught me to leave off the clamps when I lift alone. I don’t intend for there to be a next time…
Lift safe, get a spot when you can, and always leaves some in the tanks when you can’t, and for God’s sake Grace, WARM UP
