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Asking For A Spot In The Gym...

LifterTim

By LifterTim
in General chitchat

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LifterTim New member

LifterTim

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Hey there to all of you on gym nation.

I usually enjoy just reading what others are putting up on the site and dont comment at all. But over the last month it has become clear to me that some people asking for a spot constantly while im at the gym is becoming a disturbance to my workouts. Also in some casses just an unpleasnt experience to spot them. Usually I dont mind helping a lad or las out that I do not know with a spot.. But recently this has escilated alot. I am much too nice to turn down a spot even if the request is ridiculous. 

So I am making a post and trying to get the word out to all the people who do work outs alone on some etiquette on asking for a spot.

Rule 1: Ask nicely for a spot and ensure you are asking at the right time. Ask while people are just chilling out inbetween sets.

Rule 2: The most important rule by a long shot is you must not smell, like you havent showered in the last 3 months. This is horrible for the spotter as your stench can become nausiating and upright repulsive. This makes the spotter very uncomurtable. Ps I do understand everyone sweats and has the potential for BO at the gym just ensure your stench doesnt want me to gag.

Rule 3: Ask for a spot on an excersize that a person would usually need a spot on. For an example, I got asked to spot someone on the lying down leg curl? Wtf! There are many other excersizes that do not require a spot so please dont ask for them. Just use drop sets to gain the same effect.

Rule 4: Dont be a cocky lifter. I mean dont ask for a spot on something that I have to put all my effort into just to lift the weights, for you to do a single rep. Yes this has happens.

Rule 5: Always ensure to be thankfull for the spot. That person that gave you a spot just spent his time helping you the least you could do is say thanks *biggrin*

Rule 6: Do not ask for a spot every sinngle time you are at the gym. Also not constantly through someones work out. They are trying to do thier work out also and generally dont want to be constantly disturbed.

There it is what I think are 6 important rules. 

Please comment if you think there is any major point I have missed out on.

Also any help on telling someone that I dont want to give them a spot without being an ass about it would be great.

Ps I dont mind giving people spots just at all in the gym at all. I understand that people need help in their sets sometime as I need to ask for a hand everyso often.

 

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Pseudonym Veteran member

Pseudonym

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Rule 4: Dont be a cocky lifter. I mean dont ask for a spot on something that I have to put all my effort into just to lift the weights, for you to do a single rep. Yes this has happens.

^ This.

I'll give them a certain amount of assistance, but I'm not doing their entire set for them. If that happens, I let them struggle with it for a bit, then rack the bar for them and cheerily tell them they need a lighter weight. Usually they either drop the weight, or don't come back to me for a spot. Either way works for me.

:D

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FellowshipOfTheRon Veteran member

FellowshipOfTheRon

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hey whats up time i don't apreciate you talking abot me on the internet like that least you could do is tell me and id stop asking you geez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nah just kidding lol definately not me... or maybe it is? nah it isnt, probably not *unknw*

 

i'm also happy to help with spot when asked doesn't really matter what exercise some people legitimately want to get some forced reps in on stuff like lying leg curl or whatever which is wierd but understandable but if they do it a lot they'd be better off coming in with a gym partner not solo.

 

agree with you on pretty much all those points though why ask for a spot if other person is doing all the work on both positive and negative parts of the movement, that person is just training their ego instead of the muscles.

 

there are also those who ask for spot pretty much on every set of everything which is just lame. some people just like to talk to others about stuff and mucking around asking for the spot is just an excuse to socialise (the ones who will tell you what their max lift is, what program they're on how much food they ate that day and what their favourite brand of protein powder is even though you didnt even ask)

 

ways to get rid of them? well you could always pretend the weight is too heavy for you to spot.. or as pseudo says suggest they lower the weight because you're doing all the work for them that'll have your troublesome friend looking for someone else to help him out with his fake reps.

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LifterTim New member

LifterTim

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Sweet as. Yeah I might have to tell them next time it happens. Its pretty much common sense I thought. But thats okay better to let people know then to have them do it wrong or dangerously.

Yeah fair enough on the people who want to have a good old chat in the gym and discuss how everythings going. Complements on progress are always welcome haha. Im usually keen for a small chat but I am also there to get a decent work out in. Got to pack the weight on for next years competition. 

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FellowshipOfTheRon Veteran member

FellowshipOfTheRon

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The only thing worse is when they jump in to spot you when you DID NOT ask for it. Dragging the bar off you like you needed it... especially hate it on squats. I squat in a powercage with the pins set, take a hint. 

oh dear god that makes me rage especially when they act like a hero who just saved you from dying or something lol got that from someone a few times at my old gym. its like dude thanks for the kind gesture but your services are not required please go

 

someone taking you by surprise in the squat rack doesn't sound very nice and glad have nto experienced that one! thats like rape or something

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Gym rat Veteran member

Gym rat

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When I am on the floor at work and I see some starting to fail like on bench press or what ever that  be may I rush over and give them a spot plus that's fine with the person and once a while I have gotten asked by a female member for a spot,They must feel hounered to getting a spot by Gym nation hottest male member the famous  Gym Rat

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AZIDE Senior member

AZIDE

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When I am on the floor at work and I see some starting to fail like on bench press or what ever that  be may I rush over and give them a spot plus that's fine with the person and once a while I have gotten asked by a female member for a spot,They must feel hounered to getting a spot by Gym nation hottest male member the famous  Gym Rat

 

I would be pretty fucked off if someone did this to me. Always ask for a spot on any sets where im going close to failure on benching, and say only touch the bar if i actually tell you to, otherwise just stand there.

Rack it a rep shorter than planned if i have no spotter and I'm not confident ill get the next rep.

 

get a lift off at start of set for seated military press over 60kg too. what else do you actually need a spot with?

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Realtalk Veteran member

Realtalk

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When I am on the floor at work and I see some starting to fail like on bench press or what ever that  be may I rush over and give them a spot plus that's fine with the person and once a while I have gotten asked by a female member for a spot,They must feel hounered to getting a spot by Gym nation hottest male member the famous  Gym Rat

 

 

Hope that you don't drool on the women.

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