Effin'-Ay!: Too much help from spotters!

[Trog]

OK, anybody else getting this? About 50% of the time I find a spotter at the gym, they start helping me put the weight up from the very first rep. No! I now specify "Please don't touch the bar unless I'm in danger of crushing my head.", and some of these guys get it, and others don't get it and fllunk out of spotting for me. I have a few go-to spotters I know do it right, but on days when they aren't around, it seems like half the guys spot this way. Is this a new thing? The only thing this has in common with spotting is spotting which people in the gym are idiots.

[Aielyn]

I've always found overenthusiastic spotting to be an issue. So I usually specifically say "Don't help unless I can't move the bar any more on my own". In other words, don't touch until the bar stops moving while I'm clearly pushing it.

Sometimes, some of them don't entirely get it, and think that it means "if the bar stops moving for a moment, pull the bar up completely" - no, I want you to just keep the bar moving, nothing more. I should be the one doing most of the work.

Sadly, I think this problem is all too common.

[cohzaku]

"Sorry, am I getting in the way of your curls?"

I've dealt with these idiots too...

[Gene]

Once you accept that most people are idiots it's easier to understand why bad things happen.

[SmokeMyPole]

I remember hearing something like "5 pounds from the spotter takes off 20 pounds of pressure from the lifter", or some similar gym tale. I tell the guys "I probably won't need you, but do step in if this bar gets stuck on my chest".

[silong]

You guys do realise these strangers are taking time out of their own training to help you with yours. If you're unhappy with them generally perhaps you should train with a partner who knows how you lift or else go a bit lighter (shock!).