We’ve all seen it in the gym.
The wriggle.
Getting close to failure in a set and … there it is.
The desperate search to reposition joints to bring other, less fatigued muscles into the equation or reduce the leverage of the resistance to make it “lighter”.
Mechanical effects of ‘cheating’ aside, most professional PTs agree that a client trying to wriggle their way out of a rep is not the ideal scenario.
Putting joints in potentially less stable or supported positions increases the risk of injury.
It also decreases the chance they’re focusing tension on the intended target muscles.
So, more risk, less benefit. Lose-lose.
To avoid that, we’re looking for good coaching, and solid composure.
Clients need to switch their mindset away from moving the weight no matter what, and towards holding perfect form – no matter what.
If they get halfway through a rep and require assistance (or, ‘spotting’), or have to abandon the rep entirely – so be it.
[Note: if we’re flirting this closely with failure, it should be with appropriate exercises. No throwing barbells off shoulders during squats or collapsing onto chests during bench presses, please!]
Many clients assume this means failure. It’s our job as coaches to frame it as an achievement. They’ve taken themselves to the limit, and they’ve not taken the easy way out.
The easy way out is not abandoning the rep after having controlled it.
The easy way out is to wriggle and squirm and contort until they've cheated their way there.
When we’ve changed this mindset – ‘spotting’ takes on a whole new perspective.
Usually, spotting is actually a training partner or coach accommodating the fact that the resistance profile of a movement doesn’t match the person’s strength profile.
As a result, they get to a certain point in the movement where they can’t overcome the resistance, and then need assistance.
Helping them through that portion is much safer — and appropriate to their goals — then helping them cheat their way out of there.
It’s also a great way for a trainer to prove the value of their presence, versus the client training alone.
But this only works if you have a calm, composed client who stays strict with their form, even against resistance which is beyond them (for now).
First, you have to teach them to fail — properly.