How do you feel about spotting others?
It has been suggested to me on numerous occasions that I ask members of the gym (if employees aren’t available) to help spot me with certain exercises. But how do you really feel about having to spot someone else? Is that annoying if someone was to ask for your help? Would you not have a problem asking as long as they didn’t do it when you were right in the middle of a set?
I am concerned that I might upset someone by asking them. I don’t want to appear helpless and I don’t want to be a pest.
July 30, 2009 at 11:50 am
For the most part I beleive that most people probably dont mind.
I know that I have never denied anybody a spot, and its always better to be safe and I think most people understand that.
July 30, 2009 at 11:51 am
If someone asks me for a spot I’m always happy to help, like you say - as long as I’m not in the middle of something myself.
I’d guess most people wouldn’t mind.
But ask someone who looks like they know what the’re doing, to be a beginner in a gym and be asked to spot someone advanced might be offputting.
Suppose you have to be selective and ask someone who looks about your own fitness level.
July 30, 2009 at 11:52 am
Ask away my girl. If they get annoyed they aren’t considered part of the bodybuilding family in my opinion. When you are dedicated to this sport, that shouldn’t annoy you when someone asks. As long as I’m not in the MIDDLE of lifting in a set. Properly ask someone AFTER they put their own weight down.
July 30, 2009 at 11:52 am
I am always willing to give someone a spot and don’t mind it at all.
July 30, 2009 at 11:52 am
I think I depends, if someone is doing it for safety or because they want to make some gains I don’t mind.
But if someone is just asking and makes you sit there and do nothing the hole time, it makes me feel as If I just wasted my time! Because a spotted can be of great help to you, if he knows how to spot properly of course!
Jeremy
July 30, 2009 at 11:54 am
fitwithsara said pretty much exactly what I was going to say. It’s a community, so anyone who gets nasty about helping you has pretty much said they are not a part of the community.
July 30, 2009 at 11:56 am
I have asked people for a spot myself and it has always seemed to go well. I look for someone nearby who seems to know what they’re doing and when they’re not in the middle of a set. I wouldn’t mind being a spot for someone if they asked.
July 30, 2009 at 11:57 am
I don’t mind at all. I work out very early in the morning and there are not many employees there to help. It can be a pain to wait for someone, so I think it’s polite to help out for a minute.
July 30, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I like spotting people if they need it, it feels good helping someone to lift safely and with more confidence/heavier weight than they could alone. Plus I pride myself on being a good spotter.
(It rarely takes more than 15-20 seconds anyway, less than my break in between sets.)
July 30, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I typically ask if I see someone who had JUST STARTED resting.
I figure by the time they’re finished watching over my set, it’ll be time for them to do their next set.
I don’t want to get in the way if they’re time managing their workout.
July 30, 2009 at 12:22 pm
As long as they aren’t in doing reps or just sitting down to do a set then ask away. If and when I am asked I gladly do it. I am sure that you don’r ask the scrawniest person in the place so I actually take it as a compliment when asked because they obviously think that if they completely hit failure that I will ensure that they do not get hurt by the weight.
July 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I honestly don’t have a problem spotting anyone if they need it. I always seem to have people asking me if i need one when i’m doing my workouts so its really noy a big deal to me
July 30, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I never have a problem spotting another member. Mainly becuase I know at some point I’ll need a spot from someone at some point. Usually you can ask anyone in the gym for a spot, especially those that you see quite frequently. The other day I needed a spot and asked the person next to me, and even though he had no clue what he was doing he gave it a shot. I appreciated the effort.
July 30, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I don’t mind spotting aother person. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to spot you on an exercise.
July 30, 2009 at 8:43 pm
If they mind, then they dont matter! Anyone who knows anything about weightlifting knows it all about form, and spotters can help with that. I feel that spotters help to be able to give it ur all! Otherwise you’d risk injury/strain or lookin silly if all the weight drops to the floor because it was too heavy. I real pro wouldnt mind regardless of who asked!