Overly Agressive Spotter

[3speed]

Learned a lesson in the gym today........Never close your eyes during a set. It is very uncharacteristic of me to do so, but I can assure you it will not happen again.

I did my last work set on squats today with 500lbs. I stripped the bar to 430 to do a set of paused squats. I took the weight deep - well below parallel - and closed my eyes while I counted to 3. Just as I got to 3, I felt the right side of the bar move. A guy, thinking I was stuck, rushed over to spot me. In his haste, he bumped the bar. I recovered and stood up with the weight but not before tweaking my right hamstring.

I had to forego my last deadlift workout of the year because of this. I will probably miss a couple of weeks of squat work also while this recovers.

My first thought was that I have been making excellent progress over the last few weeks and now this. I really had to stop, take a deep breath, and remind myself that he had meant well. Otherwise, I probably would have been barred from the gym for attacking a patron.

Like I said..............LESSON LEARNED.

[toolpod]

Wow...what did you say to him?

[3speed]

It took me a few minutes of unloading plates to cool off a little and determine how to approach him. I first thanked him for his concern and explained that I realized he had thought he was acting on my behalf. I went on to explain what I had been doing and WHY I had taken the time to ensure that the spotter pins were at the appropriate height before I began squatting. (Yes, I was in a power rack) I finished by telling him that he should never touch a lifter's bar wihout permission unless that person is in obvious physical distress and unable to ask for help.

I still wanted to demonstrate a few hand to hand survival techniques at this point but I settled for shaking his hand and proceeding to my bench workout - a very good one by the way.

[toolpod]

I'll put you in my prayers for a speedy hammy recovery!

Ok...it's 1:36 AM 1 Jan 08...and reading this line almost made me spit my beer out:

"I still wanted to demonstrate a few hand to hand survival techniques at this point"

bwahahahahaha!

[chancey]

That's a tough break. I often pondered the idea before while doing pauses squats. I know I've had some dangerous bench spotters and unless I know them less is best - I unrack it.

[3speed]

Steve, I always work alone - not even a spotter. That's why I train in the rack and always make sure the pins are set properly. I don't want anyone touching the bar - not even a tap - when I'm lifting. If I can't complete the rep on my own, I don't need it.

What ticked me off about this was that I never asked for a spot and he never asked if I needed a spot. Like I said in the earlier post, if the lifter isn't in obvious physical distress and unable to ask for a spot, don't touch the darn bar!!

[chancey]

Right on brother. I got ya

[mutt]

Not having a regular training partner, I'm forced to solicit spotting on heavy lifts from whomever is available at the time. I've learned that most untrained lifters are too willing to jump in and grab the weight. I've taken to informing them that if I don't nod my head to leave the bar alone as I'm still trying to push through it.

As for the unsolicited help, I'm just shaking my head.