Spot me Breh!
Replies
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maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
Please clarify what you mean by "dropping the bar" during a failed squat attempt performed inside a rack. Are you dumping the bar so that it free falls to the rails?0 -
Just got to spot my wife on bench for the first time. She didn't need me, but she did like me lifting off and guiding it back on.
I took advantage of the squat rack safety bars monday when my body said "HAH, nope!" to 285. lol I was in the hole though so it only had a couple inches to drop. lol0 -
I get this shaking feeling if you are so uncomfortably making a little noise and don't know how to ask for the things you need and aren't sure what you are doing- you should not be testing your 1RPM.
like something just seems off.
Bench in the power cage- no spotter needed.
Squat in the squat rack or power cage needed- no spotter needed.
You need to learn how to properly fail a lift. If you don't know how to properly fail a lift- you shouldn't be testing your one rep max.
I totally have to wear a pad when I test my squat- using a belt and putting that much internal force- just makes a mess without it. It's gross. Whatever- my squat was pretty and neat at 245- I'll take it the silly pad for one lift session.0 -
I always keep my hands on bar when spotting without helping with lift rather be safe then sorry bud people die from weights dropping on them0
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I get this shaking feeling if you are so uncomfortably making a little noise and don't know how to ask for the things you need and aren't sure what you are doing- you should not be testing your 1RPM.
like something just seems off.
Bench in the power cage- no spotter needed.
Squat in the squat rack or power cage needed- no spotter needed.
You need to learn how to properly fail a lift. If you don't know how to properly fail a lift- you shouldn't be testing your one rep max.
I totally have to wear a pad when I test my squat- using a belt and putting that much internal force- just makes a mess without it. It's gross. Whatever- my squat was pretty and neat at 245- I'll take it the silly pad for one lift session.
A lot of this. Learning how to safely fail a lift is almost as important as the rest as good form. Fails happen, knowing how to calmly deal with them keeps you calm in that situation.
As for noise, you are lifting metal. It contacts other metal and that makes noise. If someone is looking at you and shaking their head, that's on them, not you. As long as you're not actively amusing the equipment it's not their concern.0 -
Concur. If they can't lift it for at least one rep on their own (except for 1RM), they're lifting less then they think because hands on a bar will likely reduce resistance.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
If you're bailing and just throwing the bar off of your back to come crashing down, then you will always get funny looks. The safety bars are so that it will catch the bar when you come back down after not being able to lock out the lift and rack it.
Mute this video, I'm just trying to share a proper squat rack bail. This bro uses a little language.
https://youtu.be/423Ew_DQC40?t=3m26s 0 -
I was gonna go with, "the spotter that I don't even try to get it off my chest, so that you have to curl it all yourself."
But that's just me.0 -
I was gonna go with, "the spotter that I don't even try to get it off my chest, so that you have to curl it all yourself."
But that's just me.
lol- who was here a while back- I can't remember- but he pulled a bicep trying to be a nice guy helping "spot" someone who couldn't do one rep. ridiculous.0 -
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maranarasauce93 wrote: »I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
Ahh. Understand why you might feel uncomfortable but it does strike it odd for me that anyone would care at that point. It's not like you are doing clean and presses then letting the bar drop to the ground from shoulder height so it would bounce off the floor and you catch it again near waist height... Yes, I've seen that at the commercial gym with all of the "don't drop weights" signs, which are also near the put stuff away type of signs that some also don't follow. Though sometimes we think other people are judging us when they may not even be noticing us at all. I look around at the gym all of the time but in my head are random thoughts, plans of things I want to work on and the occasional novel idea.
It does help to know how to fail but the personal preference will play a factor. The safeties make you feel more likely to fail, so that might be an issue. For others, they help so they don't worry about fail. There are going to be variables.
Keep on pushing it.
As for benching, I wouldn't mind a lift off cause my arms are short and feels like I get out of position from getting the bar. Other than that, no touchy. I'm also only lifting around 100 lbs and have just set the bar down on my chest (failed at 115 last time) when I couldn't make the lift, then moved it away from there cause no spotter. Even when I go to coworker's gym with her, I end up lifting alone without assistance. Just how things end up. Finding the right spotter, or gym buddy, isn't easy. At least we get some funny youtube videos on the topic out of the situations.0 -
I only really ask for a spot if it's something that I haven't attempted and not sure if I'm gonna fail. I have learned how to fail but would rather have someone there just incase I drop it on my neck. Squats isn't as big a deal as I mastered failing squats in my noob yolo days when I didn't know my limits lol.0
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I might go back to retro today--blegh-- and consider these when squatting in their squat racks. I was taught to bail WITHOUT any safeties or in a cage. So therefore NOT dropping the bar on purpose; I just let my hips extend slightly and let drop like so:
This is how I have been accustomed to bailing with testing my 1rm so squat rack is an entirely different ball game.
As for bench presses, I for sure am always gonna need help on the lift off because little arms means it's harder for me to do on my own, especially when I build up the weights. Now I just need to be more direct with my spotters and be like "only put your hands on the bar if I am definitely going to get stuck under; otherwise, just let me get the lock out and let me do the work please."0 -
maranarasauce93 wrote: »I might go back to retro today--blegh-- and consider these when squatting in their squat racks. I was taught to bail WITHOUT any safeties or in a cage. So therefore NOT dropping the bar on purpose; I just let my hips extend slightly and let drop like so:
This is how I have been accustomed to bailing with testing my 1rm so squat rack is an entirely different ball game.
As for bench presses, I for sure am always gonna need help on the lift off because little arms means it's harder for me to do on my own, especially when I build up the weights. Now I just need to be more direct with my spotters and be like "only put your hands on the bar if I am definitely going to get stuck under; otherwise, just let me get the lock out and let me do the work please."
That video isn't working on mobile but from your description I'm fairly certain you're dropping your weights like a crazy person and I would stare and shake my head too. STAHP IT. Last time I failed a squat in the rack the guy in the next rack didn't even notice, it was so quiet.0 -
maranarasauce93 wrote: »I might go back to retro today--blegh-- and consider these when squatting in their squat racks. I was taught to bail WITHOUT any safeties or in a cage. So therefore NOT dropping the bar on purpose; I just let my hips extend slightly and let drop like so:
This is how I have been accustomed to bailing with testing my 1rm so squat rack is an entirely different ball game.
As for bench presses, I for sure am always gonna need help on the lift off because little arms means it's harder for me to do on my own, especially when I build up the weights. Now I just need to be more direct with my spotters and be like "only put your hands on the bar if I am definitely going to get stuck under; otherwise, just let me get the lock out and let me do the work please."
That video isn't working on mobile but from your description I'm fairly certain you're dropping your weights like a crazy person and I would stare and shake my head too. STAHP IT. Last time I failed a squat in the rack the guy in the next rack didn't even notice, it was so quiet.
Idk maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe they're shaking my head at how I scream obscenities after failing a rep. Either way, I feel like I'm doing the safe thing rather than trying to force the rep and then failing with the bar rolling on my neck ouch!
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Walks out muttering kegels and wtf is that chinny-chin-chin thing0
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Maybe it's a strategy to avoid ever being asked to spot again. If so, there's a touch of genius to it.0 -
maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
If people are looking at you and you are drawing that much attention when you drop the bar to the safety bars, you might be...doing it wrong? I mean. Make sure the safety bars are at the right height and the bar will just tap down onto it. I failed the other day and the guy next to me was complimenting me on my squat depth...as the bar was lying on the safeties. I told him thanks but pointed toward the bar. He didn't even noticed I had just failed.0 -
arditarose wrote: »maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
If people are looking at you and you are drawing that much attention when you drop the bar to the safety bars, you might be...doing it wrong? I mean. Make sure the safety bars are at the right height and the bar will just tap down onto it. I failed the other day and the guy next to me was complimenting me on my squat depth...as the bar was lying on the safeties. I told him thanks but pointed toward the bar. He didn't even noticed I had just failed.
Yeah I don't lift heavy, but just wanted to point out for anyone who didn't get a chance to watch both videos that her video was extremely different from the swearing bro video that was posted earlier. In the OP's linked video, the guy basically jumps forward and out from under the bar and lets it fall backwards and land where it may. That seems like it would create a ton of noise when using the safeties, compared to what you've just described. Personally I'd be concerned about damaging equipment too when letting it slam and possibly bounce like that, but that may be due to my limited knowledge of this equipment0 -
thesupremeforce wrote: »
Maybe it's a strategy to avoid ever being asked to spot again. If so, there's a touch of genius to it.
In that case, he should also scream "IT'S ALL YOU, BRO!!!" and "C'MON, ONE MORE!!!" while grunting as he strains to curl the bar. Bonus points for flying spittle and his junk positioned unnecessarily close to the lifter's forehead.0 -
arditarose wrote: »maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
If people are looking at you and you are drawing that much attention when you drop the bar to the safety bars, you might be...doing it wrong? I mean. Make sure the safety bars are at the right height and the bar will just tap down onto it. I failed the other day and the guy next to me was complimenting me on my squat depth...as the bar was lying on the safeties. I told him thanks but pointed toward the bar. He didn't even noticed I had just failed.
Yeah I don't lift heavy, but just wanted to point out for anyone who didn't get a chance to watch both videos that her video was extremely different from the swearing bro video that was posted earlier. In the OP's linked video, the guy basically jumps forward and out from under the bar and lets it fall backwards and land where it may. That seems like it would create a ton of noise when using the safeties, compared to what you've just described. Personally I'd be concerned about damaging equipment too when letting it slam and possibly bounce like that, but that may be due to my limited knowledge of this equipment
Bailing with and without safety bars in play are two very different methods. Without safety bars, it's imperative that you get your body from under the oath of the bar. With them, you can guide the bar to the safety bars while remaining under and controlling it.
(And with bumper plates and proper flooring, bailing without safety bars will be quieter...and also likely less noticeable because with bumpers and proper flooring, it's likely others are dropping frequently anyhow.)0 -
I was gonna go with, "the spotter that I don't even try to get it off my chest, so that you have to curl it all yourself."
But that's just me.
lol- who was here a while back- I can't remember- but he pulled a bicep trying to be a nice guy helping "spot" someone who couldn't do one rep. ridiculous.
That was Frank (frnknlft, or something like that).0 -
maranarasauce93 wrote: »maranarasauce93 wrote: »I might go back to retro today--blegh-- and consider these when squatting in their squat racks. I was taught to bail WITHOUT any safeties or in a cage. So therefore NOT dropping the bar on purpose; I just let my hips extend slightly and let drop like so:
This is how I have been accustomed to bailing with testing my 1rm so squat rack is an entirely different ball game.
As for bench presses, I for sure am always gonna need help on the lift off because little arms means it's harder for me to do on my own, especially when I build up the weights. Now I just need to be more direct with my spotters and be like "only put your hands on the bar if I am definitely going to get stuck under; otherwise, just let me get the lock out and let me do the work please."
That video isn't working on mobile but from your description I'm fairly certain you're dropping your weights like a crazy person and I would stare and shake my head too. STAHP IT. Last time I failed a squat in the rack the guy in the next rack didn't even notice, it was so quiet.
Idk maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe they're shaking my head at how I scream obscenities after failing a rep. Either way, I feel like I'm doing the safe thing rather than trying to force the rep and then failing with the bar rolling on my neck ouch!
Watch what happens with the bar in that video you linked. No - not the safe thing.0 -
jofjltncb6 wrote: »arditarose wrote: »maranarasauce93 wrote: »DawnEmbers wrote: »Having a spotter on squats, even for 1rm, will depend on personal preference and equipment. Many gyms have signs every where that say don't drop the weights (not that everyone follows the advice of the signs). I do my tests without a spotter as I find having someone right up behind me to be far too uncomfortable and distracting. I just squat in either the power cage or squat rack where there are safeties. I failed at 200 last time I tested and the weights didn't drop to the floor as the safety part of the rack caught the bar. If equipment with the safeties in place isn't available, then it might be a different story as to how you would need to bail or need a spotter to handle it when unable to complete a lift.
I feel like that makes sense. I just feel bad because even though I used the squat rack and dropped the bar on the safeties when I failed a rep, people still stared at me and shook their heads. I was like "wtf am I doing wrong?!?" Plus I'm not used to being in a squat rack. There is something so comforting about having space to squat and the safeties--while there to help you drop the bar safely-- make me feel like I am not going to make the lift.
If people are looking at you and you are drawing that much attention when you drop the bar to the safety bars, you might be...doing it wrong? I mean. Make sure the safety bars are at the right height and the bar will just tap down onto it. I failed the other day and the guy next to me was complimenting me on my squat depth...as the bar was lying on the safeties. I told him thanks but pointed toward the bar. He didn't even noticed I had just failed.
Yeah I don't lift heavy, but just wanted to point out for anyone who didn't get a chance to watch both videos that her video was extremely different from the swearing bro video that was posted earlier. In the OP's linked video, the guy basically jumps forward and out from under the bar and lets it fall backwards and land where it may. That seems like it would create a ton of noise when using the safeties, compared to what you've just described. Personally I'd be concerned about damaging equipment too when letting it slam and possibly bounce like that, but that may be due to my limited knowledge of this equipment
Bailing with and without safety bars in play are two very different methods. Without safety bars, it's imperative that you get your body from under the oath of the bar. With them, you can guide the bar to the safety bars while remaining under and controlling it.
(And with bumper plates and proper flooring, bailing without safety bars will be quieter...and also likely less noticeable because with bumpers and proper flooring, it's likely others are dropping frequently anyhow.)
Yes you understand thank you! I am very used to squatting with bumper plates so that makes the bail much more quiet. And for the guy telling me to adjust the safeties: I can't as I have been using one of those crappy Startrec squat racks. If anyone knows about these things, they are the worst.
Also, if I go back to a globo again, I need to start blocking the mirrors because they ruin my squats. But that's a different story for a different day.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAGucUtSTbs
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