Free weights section etiquette - asking for a spotter

JoRocka

If you're 50 and you're worried about needed a spot, you need to fire your lame azz trainer with his/her lame azz programming. What a lame. Sorry. Welcome to the fitness industry! Where anyone can pass some weak test and start fiddling with people's physiology while not knowing jack squat about basic physiology. Good luck! Just do lighter weights for a week, you'll be fine. Or just ask for a spot.... But still fire your lame trainer.

Can you elaborate? This doesn't make sense to me either.

To make a long story short, noone needs to lift anywhere close to failure to achieve just about any goal. Period. Like someone said above, unless your goal is powerlifting or something of the sort. If it is, then you should already know how to get a spot, and lets face it, we know this is not the op's goal.

I wasn't lifting anywhere near my max and i bobbled my set up and failed a rep- thankfully I was in the power cage with safety rails. It has nothing to do with lifting to your max. S*t happens and sometimes you need a spot.

You've got it, except for the "leave me alone signals" part. Don't attempt any mind reading. Ask ANYONE that's in your vicinity and they will say yes.

When I'm in the gym I'm focused, I'm listening to hate filled music to get me pumped, I'm not making eye contact and I'm not smiling or looking friendly. But if anyone gets my attention and asks for help (any kind of help, from spotting to plate stacking to form to "where's the bathroom") I stop what I'm doing, give a big smile and I'm happy to help. I look mean at the gym, but I'm not actually mean.

Don't be afraid to ask the young guys or the big guys. The will help too. Probably be quicker to help actually.

sounds right to me. I try to ask for people I know first- but whoever is closest and not looking exceptionally busy (yes people can look busy in the gym)... if there are two people that works out well because you can lift and the other guy can change weights for their bench.

I also am clear about my intent- use your words and explain these things- people are NOT mind readers.
yes/no: lift off
do not grab the bar from me if I struggle- just help
how many reps do you intend to do


Otherwise- use the power cage and set the safety rails- make sure failure is ABOVE your chest. use the bar- and double check this- it's not something to guess at.

kelly_e_montana

As a semi new lifter (about 18 months), here is my opinion. ..

In all the times I have done back squats, I have only needed my spotter 2x. Most of the time they are there for the confidence boost.

I'm a 39 yo woman, my favorite spotter is a 20 yo male bodybuilder. Since I'm now squatting near 200#, he spots me under my arms. We've had a discussion about how nothing needs to be awkward between us. If he accidentally touches me I won't freak out.

I'm a 41 year old woman and I agree that I like the younger guys for spotters (no I'm not trying to take it on down to cougar town :laugh:). I think a lot of it depends on the program. if you're just lifting at 75-80% and you're totally confident about your form or you video yourself, maybe you don't need one as much. If you are going to go to failure regularly, it's nice to have a spotter. I'm not a bodybuilder, so I go to failure every few weeks in my progression cycle. I had been using machines and dumbbells, doing air squats etc. for years but I have only been doing barbell back squats for 7 months. I attribute a lot of the quick progression to not being afraid to go to failure.

Shawshankcan

One more thing, if someone is lift, don't talk to them. Wait til they rack the bar/finish their set.

Sweet_Pea4

Yeah I guess if you can see someone is free and have finished with weights. Simply ask them politely if they can spot you.