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Proper way to spot?

David1201086 Posts: 253 Joined: 2004/06/15	2005/04/21, 07:45 PM What is the proper way to spot someone doing barbell squats? From the back, front etc. thanks
mmaibohm Posts: 1,621 Joined: 2003/09/30	2005/04/21, 08:12 PM If your in a good cage or rack there isnt much need for a spotter. But should you need to spot on the squat you need to behind the person. With your arms sticking through under thier arms. This was if they begin to collape you can help ease them down on to the rails of the rack or cage. Or to help support them while they walk the weight back to rerack it. -------------- I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am ANIMAL! and that is enough.
	2005/04/21, 08:58 PM I think I spot somewhat differently....I have my arms around the person's waist....and I squat down with the person using a wider stance....so if the person gets stuck I grab the waist firmly and power up the weight with them...sort of like I am doing a deadlift....my friend successfully spotted me this same way....when someone spots me under arms they throw off my balance...and I think it's harder to spot this way...
mmaibohm Posts: 1,621 Joined: 2003/09/30	2005/04/21, 09:27 PM you have a good point on that menace! -------------- I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am ANIMAL! and that is enough.
David1201086 Posts: 253 Joined: 2004/06/15	2005/04/21, 10:25 PM Thanks for the help
	2005/04/22, 03:10 AM Actually today I got stuck on my last set at the bottom...so my friend really had to squat down, firmly grab my waist and power me up....I remember time before a random guy spotted me by trying to just kinda lightly hold the bar at arms length...lets just say my butt almost hit the ground and my neck got messed up....had to rack it on very low holds and scoot underneath....good spotter is vital on heavy squats...
mmaibohm Posts: 1,621 Joined: 2003/09/30	2005/04/22, 03:26 AM I like to set the pins on the cage so the bar touches them bellow parralel. This was if I get stuck at the bottom I can just sit down and let the pins hold the weight. Ofcourse a spotter is still important especially if you have a monolift lol -------------- I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine now and forever.No one holds command over me. No man. No god. I am ANIMAL! and that is enough.
	2005/04/22, 03:33 AM yea...i'd love that...but I don't have this type of a cage at my school gym where I primarily train...that's why it creates a lot of problems...with the cage I don't even need a spotter...
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/04/22, 11:23 AM I like going under the arms....and across the chest.....when I spot people. Only cause when people get stuck....they like to lean forward a lil bit. This way I can pull them up. But do squat with them. However the "bear hug" as menace said works well too.....but i have short arms so I go under the arms in the arm pit area -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato
timmstar Posts: 426 Joined: 2003/12/08	2005/04/23, 03:52 AM that would piss me off if someone grabed me udner the arm pits.... i usually just lean backwards n drop the weight on the ground (this is my own gym in garage so yeah...) aint quiet got a spotter :O
	2005/04/23, 04:24 AM Yea, that method works too Andrew...as long as you wrap the arms around the person and have a firm hold of him/her....
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/04/23, 07:43 AM Have to say.. I never spotted a girl with that technique lol....might think I was copping a feel. -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato
	2005/04/23, 06:50 PM lol...I just realized that....lol.....I guess the way I spot would result in less awkwardness afterwards....
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/04/23, 10:41 PM I think i'd just grab the barbell, for a girl -------------- " The only true eye, is your minds eye"- plato