[Sarpzilla]

I mean, technically speaking, above and besides what the particular person you are spotting 'requests'

I tend to always ask how much they want me to spot. if they ask me for a lift off, then that's simple enough. But once it comes down to the last 2 or 3 reps where they are really struggling, I barely give them any help. I will only help if they come to a complete stop.

Is this ok? or should there be more help on the last reps. I known some people who say that you should 'keep the rhythm going' and its basically 40% you and 60% them during the rep. That really pisses me off when someone thinks I need more help than I actually do and take half the set away from me.

[xtweak05]

your a good spot I would say. Thats how I spot, I let them do all the work they possibly can do, because 99/100 times they ask at the end "how much were you helping" and I can always give them the satisfaction of saying "almost not at all"

[BigBen]

i always like to keep them moving bc when you struggle through a movenment it increases risk of injury bc when you struggle your form definaltely slipps, so i would say ask what they like, but the best way imo is to keep the movement smooth.

and

[jornT]

I always start leaning on the bar all in a sudden. Great way to trigger the stubborn fibers that only react with life/death situations.

[mindstar]

Originally Posted by BigBen

i always like to keep them moving bc when you struggle through a movenment it increases risk of injury bc when you struggle your form definaltely slipps, so i would say ask what they like, but the best way imo is to keep the movement smooth.

and

agreed, but only when they really slow down...and i prefer my spots on db press (not that i need them anymore) to be from the wrist rather than the elbow.

[xtweak05]

I prefer my elbows spotted when doing db movements, I was spotted by my wrists one time and I didnt like it too much.

[tim290280]

I always start leaning on the bar all in a sudden. Great way to trigger the stubborn fibers that only react with life/death situations.

LOL

Thats the way Jorn!

I kinda agree though. I've trained at home for so long I don't need a spot. Yep it keeps a couple of reps in the tank, but it also means I'm not kidding myself when someone is standing there bright red in the face saying "Its all you dude!"

I think the spot should only be for safety, as in ready to take the bar but not actually supporting it. The spotter should also be giving cues to the lifter to keep their form good.

[MaKaVeLi]

the idea of giving somebody a spot is NOT to do the work for them so i tend not to give too much spot when the guy can't lift much more by himself...but having said that i'll make sure the lift is smooth and doesn't take more than 3-4 seconds to do. I've had an idiot spot me once on preacher curls...this guy gave such little spot it took me around 10 seconds to make the lift!

[Rocky]

I prefer the minimum spot approach. Just enough to get me past the sticking point on the last 1 or 2 reps, even if it increases the eccentric movement by a couple of seconds or so.

[Nothin' but a peanut!!]

i like to spot with last 2 reps or so, say they need the sticking point just off the chest and then they can power up i mean you help them a littlemore and they are contracting their fibres are hard as they can they are still tearing down muscle that otherwise would be untouched becuase you stopped when they couldnt budge the weight another inch! long as its nealry al them and they are contracting as hard as poss then i think u should still keep it going. once ihad a guy ask me to spot his wrists - hes freaky scary and i was like ok!
for squatting im kind of partial to where the spotter puts armsunder your armpits ind of like a hug i think that gives much more support (not help) to get the spot rather than just tapping the bar up.