Is A Weight Training Spotter Required For Significant Muscle Building?

One of the most important bodybuilding concepts for maximum muscle building is achieving failure on each workout set, where a bodybuilder takes a certain weight training exercise to the point where no additional repetitions are possible, and this necessitates some form of spotting on several exercises, especially those involving the chest and legs, so many choose to pair up with a weight training partner so that they can always have a safety mechanism to protect against injury.

Even bodybuilders who otherwise prefer performing bodybuilding workouts alone decide to seek out a partner specifically to protect themselves when reaching failure on certain weight training exercises, and for those who cannot find a friend for such a purpose, they will inevitably join a gym and bother other busy weight lifters to provide spotting during various sets, which is not only agitating to any bodybuilder who seeks to complete a workout without distraction, but realistically, finding such a spotter is not always possible depending on type of gym. Although there are certain bodybuilders who can locate trustworthy weight training partners to accompany them for each workout, the chances are great that this will prove impossible, leaving either the random spotter technique (asking various gym members for a watchful eye), which as mentioned is quite rude and distracting to others, or requires using machines exclusively, which naturally prevents the need for all spotting.

But what if a bodybuilder wishes to train with free weights on workout exercises such as the bench press, shoulder press, and triceps press, and wishes to perform these particular weight training movements alone, without the benefit of a spotter? This is easily possible through use of a power rack, where two beams allow positioning at various locations to guard a bodybuilder from becoming trapped underneath a heavy weight during his or her workout session. Since a power rack has adjustable spotting bars, the unit is not only helpful for upper body weight training exercises such as the bench press, but also for the squat and calf raise, lower body movements which many wish to perform with a free weight barbell instead of machines.

Some mistakenly choose to use a squat rack instead of a power rack, and this is a serious mistake given that the spotting beams which comprise a power rack are designed specifically to serve as a protective mechanism in case a bodybuilder loses control of the bar, while a squat rack does not allow this vital level of protection. With a power rack, spotting is possible without assistance from a weight training partner, as you can place the barbell on a small set of pegs for initial lift off, and the large, long spotting beams are positioned lower for complete protection during each weight lifting set. Many gyms provide power racks, although some may only invest in one, and any bodybuilder who understands the value of this specific piece of workout equipment will quickly monopolize the device, which requires those who also seek benefit to either "work in" (which is very inconvenient unless both bodybuilders are using the same workout exercises and weight, which rarely will ever occur), or wait for the power rack to become available, which is wasted time (and others may then ask you to "work in" as well!). So, if you have sufficient space at home, purchasing a power rack for your basement or home workout room is a far better option, as combining a power rack along with a workout bench, barbell, two dumbbell collars and free weight plates, dramatic muscle building is possible at home, alone, as you will reach failure safely on all weight training workout exercises without need for a spotter.

The other issue with attempting to locate a weight training partner to spot during heavy bench pressing and other similar workout exercises is that, unless you are surrounded by an army of numerous very powerful bodybuilders, it's quite easy to become trapped underneath a weight even when a spotter is watching, as reaching failure, by its very definition, requires that you can no longer produce the energy to complete a repetition on your own power, and for a spotter to hoist dead weight from a standing position is extremely difficult, to the point where the spotter may be unable to help you avoid becoming stuck underneath a barbell as your available strength declines during a workout set. But with a power rack, this is not an issue, as you simply transfer the spotting beams to a position where the barbell cannot cause you to become trapped underneath, regardless of how monstrous a weight you may be using for your bodybuilding workouts, so I strongly recommend, even if you train with a trustworthy and very powerful partner, to always use a power rack for spotting during all pressing exercises so that you can ensure a high level of safety and substantial intensity without unnecessarily risking a severe and dangerous mishap.