Gym does not have squat racks, powercage or leg press, trying to use incline bench.

[tsmithy]

Hi I am stuck in China, Ningbo for the next 6-12 months and joined a gym. Amazingly both the main gyms in this city do not have squat racks or power cages. They do not even have a real leg press machine or calf machine. These gyms are branded Powerhouse and Weider.

Joined Powerhouse gym and though of a solution to no squat racks. I am only 1.68m so if I put the bar on the top rack of the incline bench and move the bar to the extreme right I was able to do standing militart press. The weights were actually in the middle of the bench on one side and the bar hanging of the supports at the other side. It balances very well.

Has anyone had any expereince of doing squats using an incline bench? It would be just possible to get under the bar at the side of the bench. i plan on testing this on the next leg day. Tried squating on the Smith machine and it felt so uncomfortable compared to squats.

Lots of chinese here do not train legs at all.

[rbtrout]

Possibly try hack squats, holding the bar behind you and squatting down. It's a bit difficult, but better than nothing. If there are db's, you could do db squats and/or db step ups.
The way you've described things, maybe a front squat would be easier to get under the bar. Good luck!

[function]

use the dipstation as a rack? will they let you?

[AJ_H]

use the dipstation as a rack? will they let you?

ask em. maybe try asking em if they'll get a rack while your at it.

In fact if you write them a letter about it the might just listen. If not, write another letter.

Another alternative is to deadlift the weight, rest it on the thighs, wrap your elbows round the bar and proceed to perform a zercher squat. If enough people see you squatting, and see you getting strong from it they might start themselves and who knows maybe that'll force the gym to get a rack.

[tsmithy]

Possibly try hack squats, holding the bar behind you and squatting down. It's a bit difficult, but better than nothing. If there are db's, you could do db squats and/or db step ups.
The way you've described things, maybe a front squat would be easier to get under the bar. Good luck!

Thanks will test that exercise.

use the dipstation as a rack? will they let you?

Thought about the dipstation but it does not look very strong, might try it with some light weights.

ask em. maybe try asking em if they'll get a rack while your at it.

In fact if you write them a letter about it the might just listen. If not, write another letter.

Another alternative is to deadlift the weight, rest it on the thighs, wrap your elbows round the bar and proceed to perform a zercher squat. If enough people see you squatting, and see you getting strong from it they might start themselves and who knows maybe that'll force the gym to get a rack.

Thanks will try these variation. Will write more letters, already wrote the first one but have a real language barrier, no one can speak never mind read much english. Thing is a power cage will only cost about 150USD from the factories over here. Its nuts they dont have one.

Thanks everyone for advice.