Spotting....

EmmaReed84
EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just read a comment from someone on my other thread and they mentioned about being asked to spot for someone...

It reminded me I wanted to ask a bit of a dumb question... I have started lifting and last night luckily enough 2 guy and a girl were using the barbell and let join in and the guys spotted us. Which by the end I definitely needed!

I usually go to the gym on my own, so when I go to the barbell, I am going to be a little stuck when it comes to the squats if I am by myself. Would you ask a random person in the gym to spot you? Or just try and do it on your own?

The other things I am OK with, just the squats.

Replies

  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    I personally use a squat rack and set the safety bars up so fhat if I can't finish the rep I can just lower myself to the bars and let it go. If you don't have a rack then I would start squatting light then work up to where you think you might need a spotter and ask for one. Most people are happy to help of you're not asking right when they're doing reps.
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    Watch the people who already squat, Make sure you don't ask a "Knee Bender" (Legs should go to parrallel on squats), and ask them!

    If they try and grab the bar over your shoulder when spotting you, re-rack it and slap them (well, maybe don't go that far), and find another spotter.

    I lift in a Bodybuiling\powerlifting gym, and even I only ask 3 people to spot me!
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    I'm of a mind that you should not squat without a spotter. If there's a power rack or a smith machine that allows you to set a safety catch, that's fine. I've been lifting weights for 40+ years and I've seen far too many incidence that could have been avoided with a spotter.
  • teez52
    teez52 Posts: 104 Member
    I'm of a mind that you should not squat without a spotter. If there's a power rack or a smith machine that allows you to set a safety catch, that's fine. I've been lifting weights for 40+ years and I've seen far too many incidence that could have been avoided with a spotter.

    Smith machine is cool and all, but I wouldn't use it. I've seen to many studies about the extra stress that thing puts on your joints due to the limited motion.

    As for your question, I would suggest as others here have. If it's a power rack, use the safety bars. If it's not, there must at least be someone at the gym you go to that works there. Ideally, this person would be trained to spot people. If not, ask another gym-goer to spot you and make sure to tell them to only touch the bar if you tell them to.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    if i need a spot i ask whoever is around for a spot. it's never been a problem. not only will i freely spot a stranger that asks for a spot, when i see someone on the bench that looks like they need a spot i will walk over and offer them one.
  • tomg33
    tomg33 Posts: 305 Member
    If your gym doesn't have at least one squat rack then you should find a new gym :)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    If I'm alone I will ask the gym staff first for a spot. If they're busy there's usually someone on the floor I can ask. It's ok to ask a stranger. I've met some pretty great people this way.
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    spotting for squats isn't easy and not something I'd ask a random person to do. Most people think you spot by grabbing the bar, yet few people are strong enough to do this and maintain control of it if you fail a rep, and I certainly wouldn't want someone trying to grab and hold 400lbs of of someone's back.

    Proper squat spotting actually involves grasping the person around the torso under their arms and assisting them up, while the lifter maintains control of the bar. This isn't a comfortable position for anyone to be in, with a stranger getting somewhat intimate with you.

    At lifting meets there are at least 3 people spotting squat, and sometimes 5 if it's a heavy weight. 1-2 guys on each end of the bar and 1 behind the lifter. There are 3 spotters for benching too, again, 1 on each end of the bar and one at the head of the lifter. Spotting is not something to be taken lightly as the lifters safety, and health, rely on the person doing the spotting.

    The best solution really is a cage with adjustable safety rails. You miss there, you let the bar go to the rails. I've done thousands of squat reps in my cage, I've missed a ton of reps, and I've never been hurt or had any problems with letting the bar down onto the rails. Make sure you set them high enough so when you are at the bottom of the lift, the bar is only a couple inches above the rails.
  • adopt321
    adopt321 Posts: 111
    I would and have asked random people to spot but only if they look like they have experience working out. And, I always ask if they know how to spot. If they try to spot and don't know how to properly do so, it could be very unsafe.

    ETA: Spot for squatting - you can ask them to stand behind you. That is what my trainer did with me. He helped guide the bar back to the rack. I'm not sure how else they could spot without affecting the balance and stability of the bar???? I'd definitely adjust your safety bars (that go on the inside of the cage) at a height you're comfortable with in case you need to let the weight fall or set the weight down.
  • GorillaNJ
    GorillaNJ Posts: 4,024 Member
    Dani- hit the nail on the head. Spotting for squats is not like spotting for someone doing a bench press or shoulder lift. You have to be comfortable with them basically right behind you mimicking your movement... so in short yes I will spot for you.

    If you set the safety bars on the squat rack if you really do hit that point of failure you can continue to go to the ground and let the bars take the weight as your @$$ hits the ground
  • BrainsOnGains
    BrainsOnGains Posts: 282 Member
    There is nothing worse than a bad spot, meaning the "spotter" grabs the bar too soon. I tell spotters to not touch the bar until I tell them too. I have had many lifts ruined by some yahoo that I asked to be a spotter.
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    Thank you guys.

    The people I was with last night were great, the bigger guy spotted me and as I was coming back up asked if I was OK, if I said yes he just guided my waist (I was beginning to shake) then the next one (usually the last) I felt his hands hovering near my arms. He was also awfully close, but I felt safer knowing he was literally right there.

    I guess I just feel a bit embarrassed about asking huge burly men to spot me while lifting, to them (maybe), a "measly" 30kg LOL. And because I am a girl who is only 5ft2 and 122lbs I don't want them to laugh at me (I know they probably wouldn't, it is just my insecurity) But I guess I would rather get embarrassed by asking, then not ask and do myself an injury.

    Can I just ask... How do you ask? Do you interrupt their workout? (not actually stop them mid-flow but you know what I mean lol) wait for someone to come passed? "Excuse me, can you spot me please?"
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    "Hey, can I get a spot?" tossed in the general direction of someone seems to work pretty well. Let's not over-complicate this.
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    "Hey, can I get a spot?" tossed in the general direction of someone seems to work pretty well. Let's not over-complicate this.

    LOL... I blame my embarrassment and insecurity for my crazy lady brain going in to overdrive.

    Thank you x

Categories