Free weights section etiquette - asking for a spotter
Replies
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Sorry, i guess after reading again my post didn't make that much sense after all.
So after getting back home from work i went ahead and checked where i read it.
Starting Strength : "the best spotter in the world cannot react quickly enough to save you from a dropped bar"
I strongly believe that as well. Now i personally decided to not have to need a spotter unless i am attempting a possibly too heavy lift. I wish to be abe to do my own lifts without having to ask someone to help me. I guess working out at odd hours where you are alone in the gym does that.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with asking for help if you are more confortable that way
Not working with 5/3/1 anymore i use a spot once in a while only but i totally agree with the poster who brought that point
I also want to point that a lot of people think they NEED a spotter when most don't! Its pretty much what i tried to say in my previous post but failed miserably lol
since you aren't foaming at the mouth like some people, i'd like to address your response.
1) while your position isn't entirely unreasonable, i highlighted the key statement in it. for many people, there's a tremendous comfort factor that comes with having someone there for a spot. that raised comfort level manifests itself by increasing their confidence in doing lifts that are well within their range. they'll get an additional rep or two (still talking before failure) that they would have otherwise left on the table.
2) also, the weakest part of benching is getting the bar off the rack, where it's a large strain on your shoulders and you can waste significant energy just getting the bar off and into position. a spotter helps with that as well.
3) sure, if you drop the bar, the spotter can't really help. but just because they can't help in that situation doesn't mean they can't help in any situation. sometimes you fail before you anticipated, and they can help get the bar back after you've stapled yourself to the bench. sometimes an injury situation arises out of nowhere. sometimes you're not concentrating and hit the bottom of the rack during the lift or when trying to re-rack. it's not always some worst case scenario.
this is what comes to my mind. that an old injury might act up at an inopportune time. (<===I'm 99thousand percent sure I mispelled inopportune, I might need glasses?)0 -
In...
...for WTF IS GOING ON IN THIS THREAD?!?
Shhh, don't look at my post....look away!0 -
What do you disagree with?
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.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.
I completely disagree but at least understand your post now.
And why do we know this is not the op's goal?
And no we're not 100 percent sure about the op's intent, I'll admit that but i kinda admitted that, or so I thought, with the way I phrased the statement.
When any of you spend about 20 years training people and seeing people get hurt and screwed over, and hear and repeat nonsense based on misunderstandings of BASICS of how muscles operate and respond, then you might be tired of certain elements of the industry. Or you might not be. I'm not a saint and don't play one on tv and can be a little salty for some tastes but I don't do it out of spite and I'm not trying to attract flies or bees. "The truth will set you free, but it will piss you off first" Again, telling people repeatedly that 2 plus 2 equals 5 doesn't make it so, regardless of how many believe it, and you might have some people who get tired of hearing it and want to cut out the nonsense. Because that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger...or leaves you crippled.0 -
Got a question. Ask it here. or go to youtube where I show my face and I can answer it there. Otherwise, hey you made a cute remark on an internet forum. how did that happen?
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.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.
So.....you're a fitness expert?
How did this happen??
I did ask a question??0 -
Got a question. Ask it here. or go to youtube where I show my face and I can answer it there. Otherwise, hey you made a cute remark on an internet forum. how did that happen?
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.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.
So.....you're a fitness expert?
How did this happen??
But they did ask you a question here. :huh:0 -
I'm glad that this topic came up, as I was just thinking about asking someone in my gym for a spot on bench, but everyone had their earbuds in and looked so focused that I decided against it so I wouldn't interrupt anyone's routine.
In our squat racks, the safety bars don't go low enough for me to use them for bench press, so I have to completely remove them. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to bring the bar down to my chest. Last time I asked a trainer what to do, he just shrugged and said to incline the bench. No.
I actually have thought about taking the bar into the smith machine and just using that rack since the safety catches are lower, but then I'd be technically taking up 2 squat racks, and that's most definitely against etiquette rules! :laugh:0 -
This thread has become a hell of a lot more fun than I anticipated.
Spotting, it's the new gluten.0 -
This thread has become a hell of a lot more fun than I anticipated.
Spotting, it's the new gluten.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOXINZ?!?!0 -
This thread has become a hell of a lot more fun than I anticipated.
Spotting, it's the new gluten.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOXINZ?!?!
0 -
This thread has become a hell of a lot more fun than I anticipated.
Spotting, it's the new gluten.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOXINZ?!?!
Is that's what's causing all the spots?0 -
Omg what a thread0
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What do you disagree with?
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.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.
I completely disagree but at least understand your post now.
And why do we know this is not the op's goal?
And no we're not 100 percent sure about the op's intent, I'll admit that but i kinda admitted that, or so I thought, with the way I phrased the statement.
When any of you spend about 20 years training people and seeing people get hurt and screwed over, and hear and repeat nonsense based on misunderstandings of BASICS of how muscles operate and respond, then you might be tired of certain elements of the industry. Or you might not be. I'm not a saint and don't play one on tv and can be a little salty for some tastes but I don't do it out of spite and I'm not trying to attract flies or bees. "The truth will set you free, but it will piss you off first" Again, telling people repeatedly that 2 plus 2 equals 5 doesn't make it so, regardless of how many believe it, and you might have some people who get tired of hearing it and want to cut out the nonsense. Because that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger...or leaves you crippled.
I disagree with the statement she should fire her trainer because she is 50 and worried about needing a spotter.0 -
Guys ask me all the time. I dont often train in a style where I ever need a spotter; but when I did, I would ask for help too.0
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I'm glad that this topic came up, as I was just thinking about asking someone in my gym for a spot on bench, but everyone had their earbuds in and looked so focused that I decided against it so I wouldn't interrupt anyone's routine.
In our squat racks, the safety bars don't go low enough for me to use them for bench press, so I have to completely remove them. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to bring the bar down to my chest. Last time I asked a trainer what to do, he just shrugged and said to incline the bench. No.
I actually have thought about taking the bar into the smith machine and just using that rack since the safety catches are lower, but then I'd be technically taking up 2 squat racks, and that's most definitely against etiquette rules! :laugh:
I'm not speaking for everybody, but at least half of the time I have my earbuds in at the gym, I have absolutely nothing playing in them. I wear them 1) to dissuade others from talking to me, and 2) so they think I can't hear them talking.
So maybe make eye contact with one of them, give him the universal sign for "pull out an earbud so I can talk to you", and ask. As an attractive female who wants to lift free weights, you should have zero problems finding a spotter. I'd be shocked if you ever have to ask more than one person before getting a yes.
(Yeah, I know, one of my reasons for wearing my earbuds seems to contradict my advice about asking...but they really don't. Just trust me on this.)0 -
I have been in and out of gyms for various parts of 4 decades. In all that time I have had someone turn down a request to spot me exactly once. Trust me, it is a much bigger deal in your head than it is to whoever you ask. Don't sweat it. Just be polite, ask if they mind giving you a spot, and you're good to go.
Now the trick is finding the RIGHT person to spot you. Everyone spots differently. I know it sounds like something that would be uncomfortable, but do not hesitate to tell them how you like to be spotted. Or at least how you're used to being spotted. A lot of guys, particularly when spotting a woman but also just as habit, will leave their hands wrapped loosely around the bar the whole time. I see that happen frequently. I always make a point of giving two pieces of information. I tell them how many reps I'm looking for, and I ask them to please not leave their hands in my field of vision until / if I need help. The person spotting you will want to do it well, because that's human nature. Help 'em out.0 -
I just go up to someone who isn't doing a set and ask. I let them know my intended reps and that if I don't push the bar back up after like 2 seconds to help me out. Once I updated this info after the set felt light (it was only the second time I'd done that weight/reps so I had been nervous) and said "1 more!" then did it and it was awesome.0
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A lot of guys, particularly when spotting a woman but also just as habit, will leave their hands wrapped loosely around the bar the whole time. I see that happen frequently.
I'm not shy about simply asking for a spot. But I don't want my spotter to do the above (or actually put their hands on the bar when I don't need help). I see guys do that all the time. So I do hesitate in asking just anyone to spot me.
As to the person who said not to lift anywhere close to failure. I lift to failure EVERY time, either in number of reps, or a RM in weight. I'm pretty happy with my lifts.0 -
Sorry, i guess after reading again my post didn't make that much sense after all.
So after getting back home from work i went ahead and checked where i read it.
Starting Strength : "the best spotter in the world cannot react quickly enough to save you from a dropped bar"
I strongly believe that as well. Now i personally decided to not have to need a spotter unless i am attempting a possibly too heavy lift. I wish to be abe to do my own lifts without having to ask someone to help me. I guess working out at odd hours where you are alone in the gym does that.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with asking for help if you are more confortable that way
Not working with 5/3/1 anymore i use a spot once in a while only but i totally agree with the poster who brought that point
I also want to point that a lot of people think they NEED a spotter when most don't! Its pretty much what i tried to say in my previous post but failed miserably lol
since you aren't foaming at the mouth like some people, i'd like to address your response.
1) while your position isn't entirely unreasonable, i highlighted the key statement in it. for many people, there's a tremendous comfort factor that comes with having someone there for a spot. that raised comfort level manifests itself by increasing their confidence in doing lifts that are well within their range. they'll get an additional rep or two (still talking before failure) that they would have otherwise left on the table.
2) also, the weakest part of benching is getting the bar off the rack, where it's a large strain on your shoulders and you can waste significant energy just getting the bar off and into position. a spotter helps with that as well.
3) sure, if you drop the bar, the spotter can't really help. but just because they can't help in that situation doesn't mean they can't help in any situation. sometimes you fail before you anticipated, and they can help get the bar back after you've stapled yourself to the bench. sometimes an injury situation arises out of nowhere. sometimes you're not concentrating and hit the bottom of the rack during the lift or when trying to re-rack. it's not always some worst case scenario.
Point taken
I do understand and agree with all the points above. I guess I was too quick on the gun where I shouldn't have been. Many years of working out alone and in an empty gym has kind of pushed me to think a little differently when it comes to having a spotter.
The injury possibility is a very valid point and I can't deny that the bench would be the single place I could make a faux pas and really injure myself -- as opposed to other lifts where we have safety pins.
I guess my point was just that you don't necessary need a spotter. I also really doubt anyone would refuse to help someone that way.0 -
Personally, I'd like a a couple of "spotters" to help with liftoff and then rely on the pins for it ends in failure...but I haven't figure out a way yet to get a couple of people to come to my basement just to help with my workout. Every time one of my children gets old/strong enough, they move away.0
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I'm thinking I'll be OK for most things, as I will use the Smith machine for squats, and I generally know when I'm about to fail on a clean and press, and can control the bar enough to get it back down. Dead lifts will be fine. My concern about the bench press is because this week I was doing it with my trainer with dumbbells (we are trying to make my weak left side work more) and my left arm failed without warning, dropping an 18kg dumbbell on me - which hurt a bit (the right arm failed in sympathy soon after :-( I'm still a beginner, and wouldn't know what to do if that happened with a weighted bar, but I will need to use the bar next week, as I can't get the heavy dumbbells up without my trainer helping.
You can bench on a Smith machine and they normally have a safety catch that you can set at chest high. This way if you drop, it hits the stops and not you...worse case you need help lifting it so you can get out from under it. Benching on a Smith is a lot better than squatting on one.0 -
I'm thinking I'll be OK for most things, as I will use the Smith machine for squats, and I generally know when I'm about to fail on a clean and press, and can control the bar enough to get it back down. Dead lifts will be fine. My concern about the bench press is because this week I was doing it with my trainer with dumbbells (we are trying to make my weak left side work more) and my left arm failed without warning, dropping an 18kg dumbbell on me - which hurt a bit (the right arm failed in sympathy soon after :-( I'm still a beginner, and wouldn't know what to do if that happened with a weighted bar, but I will need to use the bar next week, as I can't get the heavy dumbbells up without my trainer helping.
You can bench on a Smith machine and they normally have a safety catch that you can set at chest high. This way if you drop, it hits the stops and not you...worse case you need help lifting it so you can get out from under it. Benching on a Smith is a lot better than squatting on one.
*twitch*0 -
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.
If you think ladies over 50 don't lift to failure, you're....sorely mistaken.
If you think ladies over 50 shouldn't NEED to lift to failure to meet their goals, you're.............sorely mistaken.0 -
I'm glad that this topic came up, as I was just thinking about asking someone in my gym for a spot on bench, but everyone had their earbuds in and looked so focused that I decided against it so I wouldn't interrupt anyone's routine.
In our squat racks, the safety bars don't go low enough for me to use them for bench press, so I have to completely remove them. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to bring the bar down to my chest. Last time I asked a trainer what to do, he just shrugged and said to incline the bench. No.
I actually have thought about taking the bar into the smith machine and just using that rack since the safety catches are lower, but then I'd be technically taking up 2 squat racks, and that's most definitely against etiquette rules! :laugh:
Another thought is to use dumbbells (easier to ditch to the side if you hit failure). And as someone above posted, for almost anyone it's not a big deal to ask for a spot, even if they have their earbuds in.0 -
I'll spot you.
seriously though, it's just a common sense approach. If someone doesn't look busy-- you just ask politely. "Hey- Can you spot me please?" It's that simple.
Truly.
I also wear headphones, and as long as I can hear you or see you ask for a spot, I'll spot you. If I don't know you're there though, don't be offended or put off, just get my attention.
Also, breath mints. You are going to be breathing right in their face.0 -
When asking for a spot, you need to give clear direction. IE: DON'T TOUCH THE BAR unless it starts coming back down. Also, tell them how many reps you are going for. And. while not aimed at the OP, don't expect your spotter to do the work for you. You should be using a weight that most likely can do. Spotters are for insurance.
And if someone wants to get into doing negatives, bring a training partner. Don't ask someone in the gym.0 -
I went for a bench press PR a few days ago .. there was a guy bigger than me nearby .. I asked him if he could spot me. He gladly accepted .. and we did it. I did it and set a new PR. He said he did not help me. .. so I will accept that.
I just didn't want to drop it on my head.0 -
I just asked for a spot just now and got a new bench press 1 RM, some awesome feedback on back arch, and made a new friend. Win. :drinker:0
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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.0 -
Thanks again for the helpful (and sometimes amusing) responses
The general answer seems to be:
Have everything set up and ready before you ask
Ask someone who is not sending very clear 'leave me alone' signals
Ask nicely
Be clear about what kind of help is needed
Pretty simples, I guess, but I'm glad I asked.
Onwards and upwards ....0 -
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.0
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