Squatting w/ heavy weight-spotter or not?

[Neptune100]

When I go heavy/ lower rep sets, I prefer to not have a spotter. Reasons:

1.) Don't want them touching me or the bar, throwing off my balance.

2.) Its easier for me to drop the weight behind me (very easy to drop if you have proper technique throughout, i.e-chest up, spine in proper alignment, lower back arched naturally, weight on heels etc.) than to struggle to bring it up with a spotter

3.) Mentally you can't back off or quit like you could with a spotter.  Without a spotter, you're like, "I gotta get this or I'm gonna look like an asshole". 

Overall, for me there are more benefits of not having a spotter.  It doesn't make it safer, in fact, it can be more dangerous, especially if mentally you are thinking your spotter is going to save you or you can have poor technique to try and get the weight since you have a spotter.  I don't have to worry about another variable, I can drop it safely and I can be 100% committed to getting the lift or dropping it without having to worry about the guy behind me. 

[devilsmile]

spotters are always bad news. You don't want that stupid extra strain on your knees when the weight stops at the bottom and the spotters lifts you up, it's stupid.

and spotters bring bad luck like kevlar vest in a fire fight. If you can't lift it just throw it back, I always do that if the weight stops moving.

[Sokolsky]

In general I'm not a fan of being touched so I prefer to squat without spotters, since as you said it's easy to just dump the weight.

However, this only goes for highbar. As you'll find it's much harder to drop the weight if you're lowbar squatting. So really it just depends on the situation. Also, there's a big difference between spotters. If you train with someone all the time, and (s)he knows you well enough, spotting doesn't have to be an obstruction or a hazard. As opposed to a random gymbro/ho who randomly grabs the bar or whatever it is they grab to spot you out of nowhere. 

[Mr Anabolic]

When I go heavy/ lower rep sets, I prefer to not have a spotter. Reasons:

1.) Don't want them touching me or the bar, throwing off my balance.

2.) Its easier for me to drop the weight behind me (very easy to drop if you have proper technique throughout, i.e-chest up, spine in proper alignment, lower back arched naturally, weight on heels etc.) than to struggle to bring it up with a spotter

3.) Mentally you can't back off or quit like you could with a spotter.  Without a spotter, you're like, "I gotta get this or I'm gonna look like an asshole". 

Overall, for me there are more benefits of not having a spotter.  It doesn't make it safer, in fact, it can be more dangerous, especially if mentally you are thinking your spotter is going to save you or you can have poor technique to try and get the weight since you have a spotter.  I don't have to worry about another variable, I can drop it safely and I can be 100% committed to getting the lift or dropping it without having to worry about the guy behind me. 

If he is a experienced/competent spotter you don't have to "worry" about anything.  He'll be able to provide just enough help if you are close to getting stuck in the hole.  The spotter provides extra confidence.  I always do more reps with a spotter standing by, even if he never touches the bar... it's all mental.  If you are squatting very heavy weight for a few reps or a single, one spotter is totally inadequate.  

[Howard]

spotters are always bad news. You don't want that stupid extra strain on your knees when the weight stops at the bottom and the spotters lifts you up, it's stupid.

and spotters bring bad luck like kevlar vest in a fire fight. If you can't lift it just throw it back, I always do that if the weight stops moving.

I agree with that, BUT it's always good to have someone on stand by, just in case.

20years ago I was doing heavy, full reps on the Cybex squat action leg press.
It's the one with the big platform that moves in an arc.
I couldn't lock out the 7th rep and was pinned , on my back, quads against my chest and 1000+ lbs on the machine. I called out and was lucky to have 2 shebeasts run over and start pulling plates off.
It was a very helpless feeling.

[Sokolsky]

I agree with that, BUT it's always good to have someone on stand by, just in case.

20years ago I was doing heavy, full reps on the Cybex squat action leg press.
It's the one with the big platform that moves in an arc.
I couldn't lock out the 7th rep and was pinned , on my back, quads against my chest and 1000+ lbs on the machine. I called out and was lucky to have 2 shebeasts run over and start pulling plates off.
It was a very helpless feeling.

Sounds hot, any pics?

[devilsmile]

I agree with that, BUT it's always good to have someone on stand by, just in case.

20years ago I was doing heavy, full reps on the Cybex squat action leg press.
It's the one with the big platform that moves in an arc.
I couldn't lock out the 7th rep and was pinned , on my back, quads against my chest and 1000+ lbs on the machine. I called out and was lucky to have 2 shebeasts run over and start pulling plates off.
It was a very helpless feeling.

I think it's a differend thing, you only have to push the rack in motion with your push, but in squats you need to have a very GOOD spotter, that's why when I do squats I want to be on my own, cuz I'm a warrior like that

Your story reminds me of ronnie colemans 2000lbs legg press for 8 reps. He didn't go all out, I bet he would've got a strain from that stupid weight if the same shit happened to him.

You were too reckless

[BB]

I don't care for the traditional behind the back, 1 position squat spotter. Never found them useful, and more of a hindrance than helpful, because you wind up having to work around them while doing the lift. I suppose if you use a lower bar position they might be a little helpful though.

Two position with a man at either side of the bar, learning to ditch the lift, or just using a rack is more helpful for the regular lifter.

[devilsmile]

I don't care for the traditional behind the back, 1 position squat spotter. Never found them useful, and more of a hindrance than helpful, because you wind up having to work around them while doing the lift. I suppose if you use a lower bar position they might be a little helpful though.

Two position with a man at either side of the bar, learning to ditch the lift, or just using a rack is more helpful for the regular lifter.

YES ditch the weight, that's what I meant. It's not that hard actually and it saves your knees. Pain in the ass to have it back on the rack again but getting humbled without injuries is good.

[Coach is Back!]

When I go heavy/ lower rep sets, I prefer to not have a spotter. Reasons:

1.) Don't want them touching me or the bar, throwing off my balance.

Have them step back but stay close

2.) Its easier for me to drop the weight behind me (very easy to drop if you have proper technique throughout, i.e-chest up, spine in proper alignment, lower back arched naturally, weight on heels etc.) than to struggle to bring it up with a spotter

As an owner I would be pissed if someone chose to drop a bar instead of using a spotter. Bending the bars and damaging the floor is expensive. Doesn't matter if it's a powerlifting gym or not.

3.) Mentally you can't back off or quit like you could with a spotter.  Without a spotter, you're like, "I gotta get this or I'm gonna look like an asshole". 

Could you imagine going to a power meet and there were no spotters? C'mon dude, put the ego aside.

Overall, for me there are more benefits of not having a spotter.  It doesn't make it safer, in fact, it can be more dangerous, especially if mentally you are thinking your spotter is going to save you or you can have poor technique to try and get the weight since you have a spotter.  I don't have to worry about another variable, I can drop it safely and I can be 100% committed to getting the lift or dropping it without having to worry about the guy behind me. 

Of course it makes it safer. The only way it isn't safer is you have someone that doesn't know how to spot.

[ritch]

spotting a guy on squats is way too gay. I pretty much never spot anyone, if someone asked me to spot them on a squat, I'd probably burst out laughing.

Enter pic of Bob Chick being spotted by Parillo from behind, lol...

[Powerlift66]

I train alone but my rack is my spotter.
Wouldn't squat heavy without it...

[Neptune100]

1.Have them step back but stay close
2.As an owner I would be pissed if someone chose to drop a bar instead of using a spotter. Bending the bars and damaging the floor is expensive. Doesn't matter if it's a powerlifting gym or not.
3.Could you imagine going to a power meet and there were no spotters? C'mon dude, put the ego aside.
4.Of course it makes it safer. The only way it isn't safer is you have someone that doesn't know how to spot.


1.-Like some people pointed out, even if they step back they might insert themselves unless they are experienced, or not even be there for the spot in time. IMO that doesn't work either.
2.-Ditching the weight is a matter of situation.  If you got rubber mats and rubber plates, who cares.  Dropping iron plates 3 feet down onto concrete something else, dropping it on a rack a few inches away shouldn't have you freaking out but in the end, I don't care about your equipment as much as I care about my safety.
3.-Depends on the type of max.  I can high bar max and ditch it easy.  If you low bar it you need spotters.  I disagree that having spotters at meets is always a good thing, but it depends on the situation.  Of course, 700lb maxes if you have 3 spotters that makes sense, but there are alot of times these guys screw it up, even when they are experienced.  And I said for reps anyways, not necessarily maxing out.
4. Disagree completely.  In the bottom, coming out,  if you can't get it and have a spotter help you're only increasing your chance of injury.

Its not like everyone can have 3 experienced guys spotting at all times, riding the weight perfectly and grabbing it at the perfect time. Sorry, I've been burnt too many times to get hurt cause of someone else.  I have more confidence in myself.

[Automation]

I never need a spotter for squats.....too busy curling...... Just kidding. Prefer to use a lighter weight and go for reps these days. When i used to go heavy, never used a spotter, that is what the rack is for.

[Simple Simon]

coach wrote

As an owner I would be pissed if someone chose to drop a bar instead of using a spotter. Bending the bars and damaging the floor is expensive. Doesn't matter if it's a powerlifting gym or not.

You wont have to worry about any of that at the end of the month.

[Coach is Back!]

coach wrote
You wont have to worry about any of that at the end of the month.

Dear twink, You still don't get it do you?

[Henda]

Most gyms have power racks these days or at least a squat rack with safety bars no need for a spotter

[Overload]

I prefer to have a man clutch me from behind and breathe in my ear while squatting.  Bonus points if his pecker slides up and down my spine while i "squat".

[Simple Simon]

Dear twink, You still don't get it do you?

No, theres nothing to "get"

Does anyone give a fuck about what anyone else writes on this forum?

[DanM]

I would just set the pins in the rack and ditch the spotter, not much someone can do if you have 400+pounds on your back other than maybe grab your elbows and try to ineffectively/awkwardly push you upwards which probably stands to injury you more than if you would have just dumped it. Unless you're moving big weight and have a three man spotter set up, two on the sides and one in the back I would just set the pins and use some common sense when picking your working weights.

[wes]

I prefer to have a man clutch me from behind and breathe in my ear while squatting.  Bonus points if his pecker slides up and down my spine while i "squat".

LOL 

[Howard]

Sounds hot, any pics?

21 yrs ago before cell phone cams.

One was BMC approved and the other was a total fugly beast.

[2Thick]

No spotter here. Ass to grass in the power rack.

[Howard]

I think it's a differend thing, you only have to push the rack in motion with your push, but in squats you need to have a very GOOD spotter, that's why when I do squats I want to be on my own, cuz I'm a warrior like that

Your story reminds me of ronnie colemans 2000lbs legg press for 8 reps. He didn't go all out, I bet he would've got a strain from that stupid weight if the same shit happened to him.

You were too reckless

My deep inner schmoe was secretly wanting the biggest shebeast to sit on my face and fart.
I'd be forced to lay there, helpless and forced to submit to the will of her musky crack.

[Sokolsky]

21 yrs ago before cell phone cams.

One was BMC approved and the other was a total fugly beast.

Perhaps some polaroids?