[Admles]

I had two completely different people give me two different pieces of "advice" today while I was benching. I was feeling a bit off, and ask for a spot just in case. I usually don't use a spotter. Anyway, the guy I asked for help declined, saying:

"If you are using a spotter, you are training too heavy."

Another guy overheard and came over to spot, and he said "Don't listen to that guy. If you don't use a spotter, you aren't training heavy enough."

Which is correct?

[ThinkGreen]

I'd stick with the 2nd over the 1st but neither are correct. Spotters are for ****s

[EZA]

If you just want to increase muscle size and be a bodybuilder the first guy is correct, if you want to improve your maximum strength and be an athlete, the second guy is correct.

[RredRrover]

If you can't lift it yourself, you're certainly not lifting with correct form and depth. Also, constantly training to failure is a bad idea so a spotter shouldn't always be needed.

Both were wrong, but the first was closer to the mark. If you're not sure you can complete your set, it helps to have someone be there to help you complete the lift and re-rack.

Spotters generally should only actually do anything should you blow out at or near the end of a set and can't re-rack the weight yourself. Those guys whose spotters are lifting part of the weight for them all the way through might as well just go to the Nautilus section, they're defeating the purpose of a free range of motion.

EDIT: But spotters definitely are a huge benefit for those final heavy oomph lifts. Because I'm an antisocial bastard (even though everyone knows me) I frequently find myself flagging someone down and telling them "Okay, just help me get this up if I tell you. Don't touch it otherwise." because the vast majority of my gym will spot me like Smashius's example below. Sure enough, on rep five I hit my sticking point and stop dead. Spotter to the rescue, who simply nudges the bar up at my request so I can complete the lift.

[blakethemus]

If you don't have a cage to keep you safe, a spotter is always a good idea in case something goes wrong. And personally I push myself harder if I know I won't have to do a roll of shame.

[SmashiusClay]

Depends what you mean by 'spotter'.

Scenario 1: the guy's hands stay on the bar the whole time, he helps you through every rep, by the end he's more tired than you are and won't stop shouting "It's all you man".

Scenario 2: The guy gives you a lift off out of the rack, helps you rerack safely and doesn't touch the bar between times unless he's hauling it off you because you failed a rep and the bar then goes straight back in the rack.

If you picked scenario 1 congratulations, you're a ****. Fuck off and never come near this forum again.

If you picked scenario 2 then the guy is there for your safety and you're probably not going to get darwin choked by a heavy steel bar, you can stay here and learn to deadlift.

[flak]

I'm not so sure the first guy even meant what he said. Sounds like he just wanted a convenient excuse.

Regardless, he's a dick for refusing to spot you.

[grrthetree]

How about you trust yourself enough to only use a spotter when checking your 1rm.

[Merrill]

I just got done reading Eric Cressey's Maximum Strength and he suggests always getting a lift off so you don't lose upper back tightness.

I recall reading someone else suggest always getting a lift off with heavier loads because when you start the bench press, generally you set up with your eyes directly under the bar and your shoulders (rotator cuffs?)are in a highly compromised position when your hands are not directly above your shoulders. When you unrack by yourself you have to push up and then move the weight forward so it is directly above your shoulders in the lockout position. Anybody confirm this?

[Standard]

A spotter is just insurance in my books, i don't want him to do a damn thing besides stand there and make sure the weight makes it onto the rack at the end.