26/10/2026
“I barely touched the bar!”
Ever been grinding through a heavy bench press, only for your spotter to place two fingers under the bar and suddenly the weight starts moving again?
You swear they’ve lifted half the weight.
They insist they barely helped.
So who’s right?
The answer lies in biomechanics, force production, bar velocity and even the psychology of lifting.
At the sticking point, the difference between completing a repetition and failing can be surprisingly small.
Sometimes, just a few newtons of additional force are enough to keep the bar moving.
But there’s more to it than simply making the weight lighter.
🧠 Sensory feedback
💪 Force production
⚖️ Biomechanics
🎯 Timing and confidence
Good spotting isn’t about lifting the weight for someone. It’s about knowing exactly when—and how much—to help.
My latest blog explores the fascinating science behind spotting, why the lightest touch can feel like enormous assistance, and what separates an experienced coach from someone simply standing behind the bench.
THE SCIENCE OF SPOTTING
🔗 Read the full blog at Poseidon Performance. Link in bio.
Biomechanics StrengthCoach Dartmouth SouthHams