Proper spotting form

[JoBu]

It has become very evident to me that the average guy...in my gym anyway...doesn't know how to properly spot someone. I had two bad spots in the last week so I have a statement and a question.

Statement: The purpose of a spotter, in my opinion, is twofold. Saftey of course is one...make sure the person you're spotting doesn't lose control/balance and get hurt. But it seems that most people in my gym see this as the only purpose...just to be there to hoist the weight back to the rack when someone gets stuck on bb bench for example. But to me there is a another very important and productive use of a spotter...to help make the most out of every set/rep. Back to the bench example, the way I spot is to ask how many reps they plan to do and then, if necessary, provide just enough ASSISTANCE to let them complete those reps. In other words...don't just grab the bar and yank it to the rack when they start to struggle...gently provide just enough help to keep the bar slowly moving in the right direction...the same as you would do for yourself doing db concentration curls. Most people in my gym miss this point and my set abruptly ends at the first sight of struggle. Of course there are times when a complete lift by the spotter is the proper form...when doing negatives for example.

Question: This has to do with spotting squats. What is the proper spotting technique? The few times I've asked someone to spot my squats they really didn't know what to do. One time the guy wrapped his damn arm around my waist and tried to hold on through the whole set but typically they just stand back there and watch in case something goes bad. So how should it go? Seems to me that spotting around the waist when the going gets tough would be good as opposed to actually spotting the bar. For me I tend to get a little unstable in the first 6 inches of the lift up and a little stability around my waist would allow maximum stress to the muscles while helping stay balanced.

My gym isn't very hard-core if yoou haven't figured that out. Very few serious lifters anbd most of the guys just think that 1/4 squats with 275 and 90lb bb curls with full body action are the keys to being tough guys

JoBu

 

[theoak01]

For squats I like a little lift under my arms,usually I fail by tipping forward to much and that will help a great deal.

but I def know what you mean about shit spotters,I tried to workout with some kid from my course and he insisted on helping with every rep and telling me I have to keep the bar balanced on bb bench,he couldnt grasp the concept of a weaker side and that it needs to build on its own,and he would lift my weak side for me,I was mad

 

[chewyxrage]

I thought the assistance by the spotter (just enough to allow finishing the rep) was understood.........most people in my gym know....I guess the thing to do is talk to the spotter first and tell him exactly what you want.

Like "I'm going for 6 reps, but the last 2 may be forced reps" or something along those lines, just so that it's clear what you want.


For the spot on squatting -

i've done this a few times, get up behind the person and extend your arms under their armpits, then when they squat down, you must squat also, right behind them.

Then if they begin to struggle, you can move your arms inward, make contact and help them get back up.

 

[JoBu]

Yeah...I wish it was understood in my gym people very rarely use spots so they don't know how to spot. I got a compliment on my spotting the other day...dude seemed impressed I actually did it right instead of just grabbing the damn bar and racking it.

I thought the assistance by the spotter (just enough to allow finishing the rep) was understood.........most people in my gym know....I guess the thing to do is talk to the spotter first and tell him exactly what you want.

 

[JT Iron]

For squats get one person on each side of you, at opposite ends of the bar. Fingers laced together, hands an inch under the barbell.