When does having a spot become cheating?

[TheWhizzkid]

Now, we all have our training partner/partners and It's great to have that extra support and motivation - But when does having a spot cross the line to become full on cheating?

For example - A guy who attends the same gym as me claims and brags all over the place on how he Benches 100kg (220 lbs) This is pretty insane taking into consideration his age and size.

I witnessed him benching and he did indeed have 220lbs loaded onto the bar but I looked at his spotter, who had a red face, breathing deeply and was down right upright rowing simultaneously with the guy. Right from the first rep.

My personal way I use my spot is I would set a rep goal; e.g. 8 reps - therefore I am hitting 8 reps no matter what. However, I do choose a reasonable weight before hand so I'm going the majority of my reps alone - therefore what happens 2-3 sets into my bench I'd begin to struggle at around six then I would have the spot just give me that little help to get the rep done.

You guys think this is the best way? What's your opinions?

Much appreciated!

[robbie_vlad]

I agree with you, he was cheating. They way I do it is I don't want the spotter touching the bar until I give a signal of some sort or it becomes obvious I'm failing (normally around my 6th of 8 reps). If he has to use more than a couple fingers to just help me out with balance I wouldn't count the rep personally. I wish I'd seen that guy though haha, funny mental image.

[kiddink]

I don't like the spotters helping me at all unless I can't get the weight up. Those "assisted" reps are good to push past your limit, but they shouldn't count IMO

[Vise09]

imo when im on a strength routine I would always have someone spot me on the last set.

By this... I mean someone that will help me over come a mental barrier... a psychological boost in effect...
They would usually have their hands underneath the bar, and I would stress for them NOT to lift it. sure - last rep, they slightly help me get the bar up..but thats the extent of my spotter.

[stealthmoe]

'Cheating' is when they touch the bar. Having someone there watching you and waiting to help you if the bar is about to kill you is what I do. My friend usually helps me get the bar out if it's a bench press and then he backs off until I need him to save my life. If you're struggling consistently with reps then A) Take off weight B) Lower the reps. Going to complete and total failure doesn't do anything except fatigue you.

Max-OT Program does a great job explaining 'Positive Failure'. Basically, you rep until the last rep is the last you could do unassisted. Once someone lays a finger on that bar, the amount you are lifting does down and thus, you're lifting less.

[TB23]

I don't like the spotters helping me at all unless I can't get the weight up. Those "assisted" reps are good to push past your limit, but they shouldn't count IMO

^^^
If you can't do at least 5 on your own, lower the weight. I always aim for 8 and hate having spotters help too much.

[jack12345]

its cheating imo when they have to help you with anything less than 5 reps.

today my spotter would only give me the slightest touch needed to get the bar up that further bit for one or two reps. Not so much cheating as i got out another 8 reps with it and that 2 other assisted reps would be more beneficial.

[bowlie]

I don't think it's cheating unless you claim you can lift it. I find my gains are much larger when I do assisted lifts as I can litteraly push to the limit. My spotter will usuraly give me the least possible assistance

[LukeN]

I have worked out with no spotter for 8 months now, not once have I trapped myself under a bar. Find out your limits cause in my book as soon as the spotter touchers the bar the rep doesn't count.

[jack12345]

I have worked out with no spotter for 8 months now, not once have I trapped myself under a bar. Find out your limits cause in my book as soon as the spotter touchers the bar the rep doesn't count.

thats why your and idiot.

you can "learn your limits" as much as you want but your never going to be able to push yourself that much further.

id rather lift 220lbs for 10 with two assisted reps to get 12 out safely rather than not going as heavy incase i cant get a rep out and need to drop the weight over lifting 180lbs for 12 reps without a problem and not feeling it as much.

[George Costanza]

I tell my spotter that the only thing I want him to ever do is lift it off me if it starts moving back downward after I've already started to push it up, and also just to help me rack it when I get done.

I hate when he touches the bar in the middle of the set at all.

[LukeN]

thats why your and idiot.

you can "learn your limits" as much as you want but your never going to be able to push yourself that much further.

id rather lift 220lbs for 10 with two assisted reps to get 12 out safely rather than not going as heavy incase i cant get a rep out and need to drop the weight over lifting 180lbs for 12 reps without a problem and not feeling it as much.

Or why not do 210 for 12 without your spotter getting involved?

I tell my spotter that the only thing I want him to ever do is lift it off me if it starts moving back downward after I've already started to push it up, and also just to help me rack it when I get done.

I hate when he touches the bar in the middle of the set at all.

Exactly.

[tendy39]

I have a good workout partner and he sees when im struggling and says "i aint gonna help you, if you drop that on your face its your own fault" and i dont know why but hearing that usually gets me throw 95% of sets but if i do indeed need help i just go YEP and he will give me a tap to get it up once i get a good struggle in. Its somewhat funny as other people see me struggling and run over to help and he stops them and says hes fine. I have a stick point of litterally half an inch from lockout so having a partner that knows you is key. If they touch the bar besides on racking out and in its cheating IMO.

[BestProgress]

If that was the case my new max is 400lbs brah hold up let me tell ronnie.

Ronnie you up for some benching ima max out a 400lb load you up 2 it?


yea ronnie is ready.

[jack12345]

Or why not do 210 for 12 without your spotter getting involved?



Exactly.

my point wasnt the reps. my point was the weight. if you use a heavier weight that you can work properly with for a good 10 reps your going to stimulate the muscle more.

[bally18]

I only ask my spotter to help me up if the weight starts coming back down (i.e. towards my chest if I'm benching), because I want all my reps to be done by myself.

I also never get a spot for anything except bench, overhead bb press, and squats.

[LukeN]

my point wasnt the reps. my point was the weight. if you use a heavier weight that you can work properly with for a good 10 reps your going to stimulate the muscle more.

No you won't, all the spotter is doing is removing the weight that is too much for you to handle. I'm not in the mood to be doing the equivalent of a drop set every time I work out.

[jack12345]

No you won't, all the spotter is doing is removing the weight that is too much for you to handle. I'm not in the mood to be doing the equivalent of a drop set every time I work out.

and if he only slightly touches it like i said he will only be removing minimum weight...

[LukeN]

and if he only slightly touches it like i said he will only be removing minimum weight...

I am a very open minded person and have no problem with you having your own opinion.

I simply believe that it's possible for you to find out the EXACT weight you would have been able to do for those 12 reps but would have 0 chance at a 13th.

[jack12345]

I am a very open minded person and have no problem with you having your own opinion.

I simply believe that it's possible for you to find out the EXACT weight you would have been able to do for those 12 reps but would have 0 chance at a 13th.

im open minded to and i agree with you. but chances are the exact weight would be a decimal that would never end and i doubt theyd do a weight plate selection that would equal that number so come on man it is sort of unrealistic ?

[LukeN]

im open minded to and i agree with you. but chances are the exact weight would be a decimal that would never end and i doubt theyd do a weight plate selection that would equal that number so come on man it is sort of unrealistic ?

My gym carries 1/4lbs weights (not srs), yea I see what you're saying but I guess my perspective is different because I work out alone. Even when I had a partner though, I'd still get mad when the spotter would have to touch the bar cause I reached failure.

[jack12345]

My gym carries 1/4lbs weights (not srs), yea I see what you're saying but I guess my perspective is different because I work out alone. Even when I had a partner though, I'd still get mad when the spotter would have to touch the bar cause I reached failure.

lol 1/4 lb weights would be wafer thin!
think the smallest in my gym is 3lb weights dont think i ever even picked on up never mind used it though.

[xc_mtb]

it doesnt count from the second the bar is touched. im sure its ok if you want to grind out an extra forced rep with help from your spotter, but it doesnt count as a rep IMO.