Why is it that whenever you ask someone to spot you, they fail to follow the simplest sodding instructions and can't keep their hands of the sodding bar?

Having had this problem before, I thought semantics might be the issue, so laboured the point with a guy that at least looked like he knew what he was doing.

Today:

Me: "Don't TOUCH the bar unless it starts to FALL BACK TOWARDS me"
Other dude: "Cool - do you want a help off the rack?"
Me: "No thanks - I'm going for 7-8 reps"
Other dude: "No problem"

At this point I've got some confidence in him.

So I start my set. After 6 reps I'm feeling good for another couple at least - bar speed is still good. Then he decides he's going to put his hands on TOP of the bar (how the fuck this helps I've no idea), in spite of me telling him not to touch the thing. I'm easily good for 8-9 unassisted reps, but after 7 he's grabbed the bar with both hands - why? I've no idea. I'm not even struggling yet. In the end I get 11 purely because the guy's taken a good 20% off the bar.

Literally noone I've asked in the gym has ever given me a decent spot. Anyone else have this issue, or is it just pervasive amongst the homosexual community?

Thats a ban in my gym, don't think I'll ever have many members

This is the reason I've no idea how much I can bench- fuck entrusting my sternum to some cretin I've never met before (and I think a distracting over-zealous spotter like you had is just as dangerous in that respect).

My favourite was the guy a few years ago who started 'helping' me by using his little fingers- "see mate, I'm only using my little fingers, it's almost all you!".

The only spotters I trust are Alex, my brother and big Will. Otherwise, I rely on myself.

I spotted a kid on Wednesday benching 60kgs who asked if I'd be able to take the full weight of the bar if he failed..... fucknugget!

One time I asked someone to spot me on bench. I ask him to help me unrack it and then not to touch it unless I actually can't lift it any more. Anyway, I lie down on the bench and before I know it, this fucker is unracking the weight. I kid you not, not even 5 seconds to let me prepare myself. Also, he touches the bar the whole way through the set.

After the set, I tell him I wasn't ready to unrack the weight and he should've waited for me to prepare myself. He seems to understand and I go for another set a minute or two later. Exact same thing. What a fucking knobber.

Spit wrote:My favourite was the guy a few years ago who started 'helping' me by using his little fingers- "see mate, I'm only using my little fingers, it's almost all you!".

What a genius

Yep - personal hate! With a vengence but it does go the other way

In my old gym we had this 50 year old that in his prime must have been a bigger cock! But his spotting was off the scale! Lets say you had 3 plates a side - and you were going for 6! 6 being your max! This **** would say - right I want 12!! and would end up doing Deadlifts and Good Mornings over your face with his gonads and snake charmed loin in your face!!...was a legendary site! he still didnt get why wed take the piss out of him!

Ha Ha - I had teh opposite when someone asked me spot them with about 120Kg.

So I (obviously) let him take the full weigh after unracking "your bar?" ... "Yep my bar". At which point he lowered it ok and then got it about half way up (if that) so I had to help him get the bar up at which point he said "I've got another few reps in me ..." Twat .... I got a good trap and delt workout though

Spotting is the easiest thing in the world to do though!

Stay away from the bar until you see rep speed bgin to slow. Then simply follow the bar up witha couple of fingers and lightly nudge through a sticking point and then remove again if momentum kicks back in.