Lamentation of Unkown Spotters

[LucSulla]

I have to go out of town again next week for two days which means that Monday will put me in a foreign gym. There is a good chance this will be more of a "fitness center" than a gym. (I could make a whole other thread about moving a way from a town for a couple of months and upon return finding your church of iron "renovated" into a pastel purple, cardio wasteland, but I digress.)

At any rate, this means that I may be forced to use a stranger as a spotter. I hate doing this. First, I feel like a bit of a dick for asking someone for their help then lecturing them on how to provide that help. On the other hand, most curl jockeys don't understand the first thing about spotting. The only thing more rare than a deadlift or and atg squat at a "fitness center" is someone that knows how to spot I have found. Just one glance across the bench stations reveals the horror. There are nights where almost everyone bench pressing is really just playing the part of the rack for somebody's pull. The last thing I want is someone "assisting me" as long as the bar is going up; and I HATE people I don't know attempting to motivate me through yelling. But like I said, I feel somewhat like a prick for saying, "Can I get a spot. Oh yeah, here is your checklist how to do it."

Just wondering other's experiences with this subject.

 

[keasbey]

ive had some really solid spotters before.. i normally throw a hint when i pick them out, something like "yeah im really hoping to not need any help at all but figured i better be safe" to me that says Stay the fook away from the bar until i dont have it. but then ive had some guys spot me and i swear on the last rep they help me out just so they can get out of there faster

 

[chris350]

i usually just ask a random person to spot me for only one or 2 sets really...just try to find someone who looks like they know what they are doing and you should be good... I know basically no one at my gym

 

[[CinnamonBuns]]

i had somebody upright row my bench presses today.
really ruins the workout.

 

[SouthernLord]

I read something on spotting the other day that had me laughing hysterically.

The next time someone asks you for a spot and you end up doing all the work (upright rowing) say things like "It's all me" and ""I'm doing most of the lifting" lol

Imagine the response you would get.

 

[Blane]

I have to go out of town again next week for two days which means that Monday will put me in a foreign gym. There is a good chance this will be more of a "fitness center" than a gym. (I could make a whole other thread about moving a way from a town for a couple of months and upon return finding your church of iron "renovated" into a pastel purple, cardio wasteland, but I digress.)

At any rate, this means that I may be forced to use a stranger as a spotter. I hate doing this. First, I feel like a bit of a dick for asking someone for their help then lecturing them on how to provide that help. On the other hand, most curl jockeys don't understand the first thing about spotting. The only thing more rare than a deadlift or and atg squat at a "fitness center" is someone that knows how to spot I have found. Just one glance across the bench stations reveals the horror. There are nights where almost everyone bench pressing is really just playing the part of the rack for somebody's pull. The last thing I want is someone "assisting me" as long as the bar is going up; and I HATE people I don't know attempting to motivate me through yelling. But like I said, I feel somewhat like a prick for saying, "Can I get a spot. Oh yeah, here is your checklist how to do it."

Just wondering other's experiences with this subject.

Yes.

When i did use a spotter(which i think is a good thing when you find a great one)...when using a stranger.. i lie. i tell him im cycling for a powerlifting meet(if im not ). and the spotters only purpose is to touch the bar only if the weight slams on my chest or the bar comes back down. the reason for this is if it is touched it is not a good lift.......which you obviosly know. but i expalin it in a gentle way...There is one problem with this though...by the time im finnished describing how he should spot. im so cooled down i dont even want to lift anymore...muaaaaa


I hvny had a spotter in yrs. i dont lift the weight if i dont feel im going to get my target reps. or if in the set and i know the last one isnt happening. i simply dont do it. i then add an extra set at a lower weight(to punnish myself for whimping out lol)

the bottom line s it sucks when hving to rely on a stranger in the gym.....sometimes you can get a real moron.

 

[mattu3743]

depends on my mood, if i'm in a somewhat aggresive mood then i'll get a personal trainier, the biggest guy in a the gym. If i'm in a decent mood i'll grab the curl jockey and teach him something. I like to help people like that cuz you kno they just dont kno any better.

 

[1999TL]

I read something on spotting the other day that had me laughing hysterically.

The next time someone asks you for a spot and you end up doing all the work (upright rowing) say things like "It's all me" and ""I'm doing most of the lifting" lol

Imagine the response you would get.

Fawk that was funny to me because when I am spotting somebody, I usually tell them "It's all you." until I finally assist them, if needed.

 

[LucSulla]

I read something on spotting the other day that had me laughing hysterically.

The next time someone asks you for a spot and you end up doing all the work (upright rowing) say things like "It's all me" and ""I'm doing most of the lifting" lol

Imagine the response you would get.

That gave me a pretty good chuckle as well.

I'm probably going to be using one a bit more often as my partner here in Austin threw his back on deadlifts Wednesday. I had a sneaking suspicion that deciding to lay the pipe on the GF right before going to the gym on deadlift night was a bad idea. He's in enough pain though that I just don't have the heart to rub it in.

 

[FunFun]

You're going out of town for just 2 days. Surely you can get by training for 1 workout without a spotter. Take the opportunity to use less weight and increase your reps for a good pump.

Personally I'd rather train without a spotter than risk a bad one. In actual fact I never use a spotter because I train at a time when there's no one around who would be competent enough to spot. Without a spotter you'd be amazed how you really work that last rep.