Coach Beth talks spotters

Let’s talk spotters. How many of you use a spotter when performing a heavy squat or bench (or any other exercise, for that matter)? Spotting is an art form, really, and requires tons of practice. I always talk to my spotters before I lift and tell them to not touch me or the bar until I tell them to do so. And even then, the touch should be just a tap or a gentle guide to get you through your sticking point. They should not be lifting the weight for you. It’s not “all you, bro” if someone else is doing the work.

On Tuesday, my squat cycle called for incredibly heavy working sets at around 80-90% of my current max of 275#. We then had to hit 1 at 100%. I was nervous because I was tired and my legs were fatigued, and I haven’t hit a 1RM in about a year. And I don’t ditch off my back with close to 300# on the bar. That just isn’t safe. My spotter here has been lifting with me for over 4 years. He knows me, knows my lifts, knows where I get stuck, and knows how to spot beautifully. You can see where my sticking point is on the way up. My spotter was patient and let me grind through it even when it looked like I may fail. And that, friends, is a good spot. Happy lifting!