To Spot or not to Spot

JMike · 01-Mar-06, 09:10 PM

The other day on my way to the water fountain I saw a guy lifting pretty heavy. He was doing seated shoulder press and seemed to be struggling, on my way back I saw him stuck at 90 degrees. I jumped in and spotted. After a (decent) while he still wasn't budging so I gave him the slightest bit of help. I instantly felt like I'd overstepped the mark, and apologised, before leaving the guy to the rest of his workout. With hindsight though, there's no way he was making that weight. He should have had someone to spot him, and he was too in it to ask for help. At least in any coherent way. So the question is;

How do you feel about giving (or receiving) an un-asked for spot?

Personally when I'm spotted and I think I could have done it I'm angry. Not with them, they were trying to help, just with the situation. Sometimes It's through that struggle past sticking point that we push ourselves. But then, dropping the bar on your chest/head is never great, and sometimes it's hard to ask for help.

Mike

**.V.** · 01-Mar-06, 09:19 PM

As long as they don't touch the bar until it begins moving in the wrong direction - it would be fine. But since I workout alone - I don't have that luxury. I just have to wait until I get the energy to roll it off of my chest - a few times with mil press and squats - I've just had to toss the bar away.

If you only gave him an ounce or two of lift to get past a sticking point, I don't see why he would have minded. Did he act pissed or did he say thanks?

JMike · 02-Mar-06, 08:23 AM

He was knackered couldn't really speak and I felt bad so I didn't hang around. But he looked a bit pissed. S'ok I could've taken him

Mike

Vas85 · 02-Mar-06, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMike

He was knackered couldn't really speak and I felt bad so I didn't hang around. But he looked a bit pissed. S'ok I could've taken him

Mike

If you could've taken him, he may have been intimidated, which would give justification for his "pissed" attitude, as he may have thought "oh look at this big guy, who does he think he is, i can do this on my own" although you know and he knows that he coudln't.

**maverick** · 02-Mar-06, 09:24 AM

DBs or BB? If it was DBs and I wanted a spot, I would've asked. He can always dump them and not have to worry about getting hurt. Or perhaps he was doing static holds when he hit failure. In any case, if he can safely abort the exercise without a spot, I wouldn't jump in.

If it was a BB, then he should be happy you decided to jump in.

Dan C · 02-Mar-06, 10:31 AM

Well, if he dropped the bar on his head that'd be his fault and you wouldn't be asking this question. Doubtful that any serious injury would have occured if that happened, but if he did drop it no question at that point you should step in.

I'd leave them be until they ask (or drop)... you never know, he could be doing to-failure sets, forced reps, whatever.

**MAURER** · 02-Mar-06, 12:27 PM

couldn't he have just put it down on his own if he couldn't complete it? unlike bench, gravity actually helps you put it back into starting position?

JMike · 02-Mar-06, 07:24 PM

Yeah, he could have put them down, but I was trying to help him get that last push. I don't know. I guess I just need to wait a little longer next time.

Thanks guys
Mike

**MAURER** · 02-Mar-06, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMike

Yeah, he could have put them down, but I was trying to help him get that last push. I don't know. I guess I just need to wait a little longer next time.

Thanks guys
Mike

yeah well i didn't mean that there was anything wrong with what you did. you were trying to be helpful. maybe next time offer some words of encouragement before you help physically and if you still see that hes not able to do it, then maybe help him through that sticking point. i think the guy is just an ass if he didn't say thank you whether or not he needed the help.

Cort · 02-Mar-06, 08:51 PM

If there was a safety there to catch the bar I'd avoid helping. The problem with stepping in and helping when there's already a safety there is that you don't know what the person is doing, so it is completely up in the air whether or not you are spotting them correctly.

As far as him looking pissed, I think most people look a little mad/worked up after a hard set.

**midgetcop** · 02-Mar-06, 11:08 PM

If it's done in good faith and you thought you were being helpful, then I wouldn't worry about it.

rbuchman · 03-Mar-06, 08:40 AM

I ussually don't spot people unasked if there is no safety concern. Most gyms have a mirror so they can see you and give a nod if they want a spot.

What really worries me is people that don't ask for spots when they should i.e. barbell bench (esp decline).

To highjack the thread
When doing DB presses how do you prefer to be spotted? At the Elbows or forearms?

Lunaris718 · 03-Mar-06, 01:39 PM

if i'm in trouble i don't mind a spot. i actually appreciate it. i don't feel angry at the person, but at myself for not being able to lift it. btw this happened once and it was when i was first starting out, never happened again

=P

and to answer the DB spot question, elbows for me

Maxgain · 03-Mar-06, 04:38 PM

Dont worry if he wasnt able to do it. I would wait till i see that struggle just to keep the dumbbells in the air

Rats! · 05-Mar-06, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbuchman

When doing DB presses how do you prefer to be spotted? At the Elbows or forearms?

Elbows. It feels more natural.
Thread successfully hijacked.