As I train on my own, I usually ask someone to spot me. Although It's rare I see the same person to ask (due to me traing at different times)

When selecting a spotter you chose someone who looks as If they've been training for a while but alot of the time they help me too much which I hate. Before I start I say just help A LITTLE when I'm struggling. It's really annoying as you only get one attempt at your max lift.

I hate it when the spotter uses initative and starts lifting the weight for you from the start even though you can comfortably lift it. I tend not to ask for a spotter anymore and just reduce the weights slightly

Any ideas how to overcome this problem

Just luck of the draw really. Remember the spotter is doing you a favour and doesn't know what you are capable of

On the road with JB - a progress log Rippetoe started and finished in one day

Ask the fitness trainer that works there or the person behind the counter. Tell them how many reps your going for, explain how you want to be spotted and then use this person regular.

If your training at the same time every day. Ask some who trains at the time as you to spot you. Do as above and your good to go on a regular basis.

Getting a good spotter is invaluable. Most strangers will always opt for the safest option which is to be over eager in spotting you as they'd prefer not to have you crushed by the bar.

Communication is the key here. I've had a spotter ruin a bench PB by jumping on too soon.
I explain the number of reps I'm aiming for and will give extra guidance if I need some help. If that means shouting "leave it" as I fight getting the bar back up then so be it.

My Vids  ~  Praise The Lord - My Journal

Yeah If a spotter asks how many reps I respond " I don't know" I think communication is the key. A training partner would be ideal to get that extra push..

I tell the spotter the reps I am aiming for and that I don't want him to touch the bar unless it starts going back down to my chest.

Age - 18

Bench - 95kg (at 62kg)
Deadlift - 120kg (at 62kg)
Squat - 100kgx5 (at 62kg)
Front Squat - 92.5kg (at 62kg)

As Jack says - if it's going up, no matter how slowly, let it go up.
If it's coming down - HELP!!!

There is that grey area where you need a little spot to maybe get past your sticking point but you can't expect a random trainer to know this so as long as you're vocal with the instructions you hopefully should be able to lift safely and effectively

My Vids  ~  Praise The Lord - My Journal

getting a good spotter is invaluable

and almost impossible in a commercial fitness type gym.

My
Applied Nutriceuticals RPM Log

In my experience of commercial gyms, if you consistently train around the same times you should be able to find people who are willing to trade spots who you can "train".

I always used to say "keep your hands behind your back unless I *ask* for help", but then I didn't ever used spotters for forced reps, just to bail me out if I bit off too much.

Of course the opposite is just as bad: people who ask for a spot, need help on the first one, and then say "five more!" Dude, take a weight you can lift, I don't do upright rows today.

when I used to ask someone to spot me. I would say "touch" and only light (ie start with four fingers on the bar)If i need more i'll let you know...

One bloke i spotted years back was like can you spot me for 10.. No prob's.. i think he benched the first 2 and i did the rest.. He was twice the size of me and I was fecked by the time we finished... lol

Never forget that you are unique, just like everyone else

As people mentioned you need to brief the spotter on what is gona happen and what you want. Best is to get the same guy to spot on a lighter set.

I will tell a stranger that spots me on what command to hand off, when to let go, how many reps I am gona get and in what circumstances he can touch the bar.

"Play Stonehenge!"

I had to spot someone last night.
Well, when I say spot them, I mean I had to rush over and grab the bar from them before their red face went *pop* from the immense struggle involved in trying to lift the bar off their chest caused by lifting too heavy a weight with no spotter.

My Vids  ~  Praise The Lord - My Journal

I find the best thing to do is simply talk to them.

Tell them how many reps your doing and if u shout then to help, other wise just stand there and wait...

if your on your last and going from 1-fail then tell them u will shout when u need a little hand.

Doesn't take a second when someone is ready for you to say "ok" and them to grab the bar...

Dronuk: Becoming An Animal - My Journal
PB: Bench 90kg for 4. Deads 80kg for 6.
99% is not acceptable, 100% is.