Ohhhh man I hate idiots.

[gettinlarger]

Alright, I just wanna vent a little bit ...

I was db pressing Monday. I was on my third set, up to 85lb dbs. Anywho, I asked this dude for a spot. He seemed like he'd be okay ... So anyway, I'm on my 6th or 7th rep, and I'm failing. The weight is slowly dropping, and I'm thinking to myself, when is this dickhead going to spot me!!? Finally, he does ... and he grabs, of all things, my fucking wrists. And as he does so, he realizes that 85 lbs with each hand is hard to shoulder raise (he was in a horrible location to spot, like 25 fee behind me, Christ), so he steps forward and my face is almost in his fucking crotch. I finish the last rep (little help from him) and re reack the weights, and he has the nerve to tell me "maybe you should try 75s." So I walk away muttering "You should learn to fucking spot, jerkoff."

GOD I HATE THAT!! IF YOURE GOING TO GO TO THE GYM AND DONT KNOW HOW TO SPOT, DONT DO IT!!!! OR FUCKING LEARN, GODDAMMIT!

 

[Lumberg]

Just for the record, the best way to spot someone pressing DBs is to push on their elbows, right?

JC

 

[malhavoc]

It depends on how they fail ... towards the end of a set my partner isn't able to hold the dumbell up, but he is able to press it. So I apply just enough pressure to the inside part of the dumbell to keep it moving.

Otherwise I would spot using the elbows.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

gettinlarger, I have come to learn over the years to just be thankful for the occasional spot but mostly just to rely on myself. If you fail on something like dumbbells you wont die anyways, just dont ask that dude again. He tried, you know?

 

[gettinlarger]

yeah joncrane, i always spot from the elbows. sometimes i see spotting from the inside of the dumbbell, but elbows works best IMO. yeah heavy, he did try, but he didnt have to be a smartass to me. i just think im gonna ask for a spot from someone i know has the experience.

 

[dasgh]

I've read that its supposedly safer to spot at the wrists on heavy db movements because when spotting at the elbow the lifters arm might rotate either front or back due to fatigue. So, spotting at the wrist will eliminate that.

 

[Lumberg]

The only other method I've seen is for the spotter to actually grab the DB around the hand of the guy pressing and pull it up like that. This would probably be the safest method but also the most awkward.

JC

 

[Ingram]

1. You asked him for the spot.
2. Spoting at the wrists is fine, it prevents the DB's from falling inwards on you.
3. When you ask for a spot you should tell your spotter where to spot you and how many reps you're thinking of doing.
4. Maybe you should try the 75's next time.

 

[CytoMel]

You guys should try this spot!!

My BP is 400+ so hear me out,

I never do dumbell presses but if you want a spot while doing them WEAR WRIST WRAPS WITH THE END WRAP PART FACING UP!

That way the spotter just has to pull on the wrist wraps slightly!

Try it and you will see it works, not my idea but I heard it somewhere!

 

[b fold the truth]

I prefer a spot on the wrists. I have seen people give spots on the elbows and end up pushing the elbows out and the dbells come down crashing on your head.

B True

 

[BlkWS6]

When I spot a db press I really watch to see how the person is handling the weight. I will spot at the elbows, applying aid only if the individual needs it (I hate getting "over spotted!) and then when they reach lock out and it is getting a little shaky, I will then go to the wrists. I have seen one to many people have the bell come crashing down on them at the top of the movement. Going to the wrists near lock out I think helps to prevent this.

 

[bm2k]

He helped you out, so don't complain. Sure, he didn't necessarily do it the way you expected him to do so, but did you let him know how you wanted him to spot? A spot at the wrists is a safe way to go about it, so cut him a little slack...

 

[gettinlarger]

yeah you guys are right. i think i was just pissed at nothing. i dunno. thanks for listening though. i still prefer a spot from the elbows though.

 

[p0ink]

when i go heavy with db's i prefer at the wrists. the spot at the elbows throws off my balance.

 

[gettinlarger]

wow, i never knew how many people prefer spotting from the wrists. this kinda makes me feel like quite the asshole for bringing all this up like this, lol. sorry bout that.

 

[CytoMel]

I know that I said to use wraps before but now that I think about it,

Why would someone need a spot doing dumbell presses?

Because you can dump the bells or just put them on the floor if you reach failure and there isn't a chance of the weight getting stuck on your chest like a barbell could.

but on the other hand if a bodybuilder wanted to do forced reps then a spot could work but other than that why would you want someone messing with or grabbing your elbows/wrists during a set?

Try the wrist wraps if you want to do a 2 man set of dumbell presses.

 

[Grantsdu]

I generally like the elbows when I'm spotted. If I'm ever lifting and have to get someone I don't know to spot me I will generally tell them how many reps I'm going to try to do and explain how I would like them to spot me. Most people don't mind to spot you if your nice to them.
The guy probably didn't mean anything my saying you should go to 75 or maybe he was just being a dick. Someone who has never been arounf lifting much may not understand why you are doing.

 

[Lumberg]

I agree that the other guy was being a dick. Who is he to tell you what weight to use? I mean, I have fucked up on spotting somebody and had the other guy apologize, like it's his fault that he couldn't get the last rep? Fuck no, I told him it was more my fault than his and it was no big deal. Usually people are really polite during the whole spotting process. So telling you to use lighter weight was uncalled for. However the spot method obviously varies so the next time be sure to specify how you want him to spot you.

The overspotting thing is annoying, too. I just want help when I fail, not when it looks like it's getting hard. DUH.
But I hate having to tell them before hand "Don't help me until I really need it" or having to tell them in the middle of the set.

Eh, whatever, that's the risk you take when you ask a stranger for a spot I guess.

JC