How to Spot the Bench Press | On the Platform

Starting Strength Coach Brent Carter teaches proper spotting during the bench press platform session at a Starting Strength Seminar.

[vishybreh]

Thank you for mentioning a spotter can’t save you from a falling barbell. I’ve seen lifters use suicide grips, lose the barbell to end up crushing them, and blaming the spotter for not saving. Great words

[brandanmentch]

I’ve missed so many prs because people pre jacked their job. It’s to the point where I gotta emphasize “don’t help unless the bar starts to come back down, not if it stalls or slows down”.

[dianasimantov]

This was super helpful. I’ve recently been asked to spot some amazing guys I work with and aside from being super flattered, I just wanted to make sure I knew what I’m doing so this video was awesome for me, thank you.

[singko]

I remember like it was yesterday.

Dude was benching 385 and told a random guy to spot him. I was watching this happened and as soon as I saw the spotter touch the bar as it came down, I knew it was over. Did not see that guy the next few days at the gym. Man did he tear him a new one lmao

[DKsasquatch]

How do you feel about Earl Grey? I like loose leaf better.

[Rdgelinecantpark]

Today was my first day spotting my team over at school, and I realize I have done a lot of things wrong and some rights, thank you for teaching me although this is an old video

[owenent]

If you're going for a PR/PB then this is the best way to spot. If you're trying to pinch out those last reps then its ok if the spotter touches the bar to give it a tiny bit of momentum

[TheBeckyMc]

If only everyone would watch this video!!

[phenababitol]

Should I send this to my spotter? He works at the gym as a personal trainer, but he is also a friend. Would he be butthurt?

[yupinaa]

LOL this just happened to me... I asked strangers to spot me and I gave clear instructions on how to but they didn't even give me a fighting chance and assisted me when I was trying to PR 🙄. I wish i showed them this video

[Von.NorthEnd]

This should be a mandatory video whenever you sign up for a gym membership. It pisses me off having to tell somebody midway through "don't touch it".

[justindavis]

This is good advice except when performing a 1 max PR. If your spotter takes even 2 whole seconds to step in and take it, thats enough for you to die without safety bars. The hands need to be pretty much under the bar to immediately grab it in case of failure - because the lifter's life is in their hands. When I asked my mate to spot me for a 1 Max PR of 130kg bench press, he was a step away and his hands were not near the bar - like this video instructs and how his friends told him to spot. I assumed he would have known to be closer and ready, but I think because videos like this don't even address the difference between 5 reps and a 1 max attempt, he just followed what he was taught. I didnt succeed on the lift and the weight slowly fell onto my chest and slid down onto my neck for about 2 seconds. I literally thought I was about to die. Miraculously i've only got temporary voice damage and a bruised neck. Its the last time I ask anyone to spot me for a 1 max PR. I'm using safety bars from now on.

[GEEZYEA]

One time I used a mixed grip to get a guy in his lockout position and some random tried to “fix” the way I spot. He told me to use two fingers the whole time. I just said “whatever thanks”

[zukodude]

My bro is trains like a bro. He was mad that i didn't come in with my fingers to grind that last rep, he says it still gives hypertrophy if he grinds it out with a little help.

[iandavid]

What a good job this guy has done... Very educational. Much appreciation from the 254🇰🇪🇰🇪..

[YashSharma-tfxn]

I've read your articles. Very nicely Explained. 💪🏻👍🏻

[lowkeylife]

dam this guy is so alpha, i felt like my testosterone is now 200% capacity

[franzeck]

Literally perfect video, i need that my gymbro see this

[SilverDaysFail]

Ty.
Someone random asked me to spot them for the first time.
Watched this and saw how wrong I did everything for that guy.
I feel like such a dingus dang it

[keithgreenan]

I was spotting a man who was trying to bench 325 with a thumbless grip and his wrists flipped over about halfway up and the bar fell out of his hands and headed towards his throat and I grabbed it real fast and probably saved his life. I should have said I saved your life.