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the problem of loaders

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jimblanchflowerIconthe problem of loaders10-12-2008 @ 12:27 
Teabagger for hire
Member 54, 237 posts
I should start this post off by saying a big thankyou to all of you generous lifters who help out with the loading and spotting. One of the most onerous tasks associated with putting on a comp is the part where you have to circulate, cap in hand, asking for volunteers.

Loading and spotting is hard work, and, if there are very few volunteers, there is a good chance you will be left on the task for a considerable time.

So, here comes the question. Is there anything we can do to ensure greater availability of spotters in the future? What about incentives?

Any ideas would be welcome, including some serious ones before you all just get dirty - admit it, you were thinking of something dirty weren't you?
LurkioIcon...10-12-2008 @ 12:34 
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as deep as his fat little body will allow
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At the recent All England Jim, loaders/spotters were given the incentive of a free unique t-shirt for the occasion.
jtIcon...10-12-2008 @ 12:46 
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old age traveller
Member 332, 7883 posts
money
little_aIcon...10-12-2008 @ 13:15 
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still a devious weightlifting bastard
Member 43, 14379 posts
jimblanchflower said:
admit it, you were thinking of something dirty weren't you?


I was, as well as thinking about whether to ask for a favour retrospectively from a skankie council estate gal for Sundays effortsGrin

Joking aside, I was personally shocked at how many lifters left before the end on Sunday. Whats the problem with 2-4 first group lifters offering to load in a later group? No one had to load their own weights on Sunday but it only works if everyone mucks in. The lifters concerned will either have to start getting it up or prepare to watch regional lifting dwindle to nothing. You lads are on to a good thing with the likes of Jim, Flettie and Bryn. Piss them off to the extent where they walk away and you're all in a world of trouble. OK so it was a long day, but this is your sport. How many days does competition take up?

Powerlifting isnt available on the Wii fit yet.
b15ape1Icon...10-12-2008 @ 14:26 
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British bum sex champ
Member 450, 1691 posts
SQ 315, BP 212.5, DL 290
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Its a good point to spot out Jim.If i didn't lift at the weekend i would of had me hand up for spotting straight away.

Especially with the squat you always feel more confident if you've got someone behind you to pick you up if you go down like a bag of spuds.I think the t-shirt ideas not a bad one,but otherwise bringing someone else with you on the day(fellow lifter for example) would be great even if there not needed its an extra pair of hands for you.

Something that should be addressed a good month before comps really.....or we could go down the sexual favours route which we all want but know we wont get!! Eek
just_tIcon...10-12-2008 @ 14:29 
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Mr.Fit
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supplements &/Or clothing
little_aIcon...10-12-2008 @ 14:43 
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still a devious weightlifting bastard
Member 43, 14379 posts
Think you guys suggesting things like clothing and stuff are missing the point. Lets hit this from another point. We need a couple of guys to organise everything with regards to competitions in the region and an MC to work keeping it going all day, and generally promote the sport at all levels. Should we offer them a Tshirt for their efforts? Sounds a bit lame doesnt it really?

Dont people do this because they love it anymore? It really wont run itself lads.
JoniIcon...10-12-2008 @ 18:53 
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left the country satisfied
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nah i dont think one needs any more incentives apart from asking, and maybe a wee bit of guilt tripping Grin

Didnt load this time due to the injury, but i have to say, i f**king hate to spot equipped lifters. The f**kers shoot to some random direction without warning.

So much responsibility lies in your hands!

also, i think there should be 5 spotters for big squats, especially on the third round.

It did look like there was some variety of loaders and spotters this time around? And new faces as well? At least it wasnt just couple guys doing it all day...

One suggestion: someone write an article about loading & spotting, some general common sense advice and make it sound easy. Publish it here on SB and put it to the newsletter.
TitchIcon...10-12-2008 @ 19:14 
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One Sexy MoFo
Member 101, 2470 posts
Little A is spot on.

Plans are afoot for me to volunteer as a loader next year, and not just of Jason's ass.
TonyIcon...10-12-2008 @ 20:00 
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Is partial to the odd bender.
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Jim I have been to a few of the NW comps and have never ever been asked if I minded lending a hand.

Are you actually asking people and they are refusing or are you expecting people to volunteer?
RickIcon...10-12-2008 @ 20:20 
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I am a bench-only guy
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I just want to take this opportunity to thank the spotters who picked me off the floor (nearly) three straight times this weekend. Much appreciated, lads.
FatpeteIcon...10-12-2008 @ 20:45 
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Hyper obese Pete
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I believe confidence to be the root of the problem. Most people have never spotted, they are unsure of what to do, of when to go in, or when to leave it. People who train at "normal" gyms will probably be very reluctant to get up on a stage. I have done it in the past and will do it again, but I do it every time I train, I am used to it. people need to be shown what to do, they need to practise, then they will do it and be happy to do it for nothing. But if they lack that confidence, they won't want to know.

How do we change this ? I don't really know, but I believe that is where the problem lies.
AndyHIcon...10-12-2008 @ 20:57 
Member 143, 237 posts
SQ 340, BP 245, DL 310
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From the confidence side, Tracy and I used to run spotter information and practice sessions before a contest if we had new spotters helping out so they knew what was expected and how to go about it. All you need is a competant referee and a willing stooge for the demo stuff. Helped loads when we used to do it.
FinchIcon...10-12-2008 @ 21:28 
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Gonna outlive my opposition !!
Member 123, 4038 posts
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Adding to Lurkio's comments about the all-england competition, we expected that getting spotters would be a problem so we had the shirts made for about £4 each and announced beforehand that all spotters would get one. Consequently we had spotters coming out of our ears, I would estimate about 40 over the two days. This meant that spotters did not have to help out on every session and it also meant that when the big guys were lifting there were at least 5 spotters with a couple more standing by to jump in should anything go awry. Just check out Dean Bowrings All England squats on you tube.

It would be nice if all lifters stayed all day, however some people drive a long way to get there and then have to drive a long way home after a tiring days lifting.
FinchIcon...10-12-2008 @ 21:39 
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Gonna outlive my opposition !!
Member 123, 4038 posts
SQ 202.5, BP 135.0, DL 232.5
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I can already hear you saying F**k M* how many competitions can afford to spend £160 on shirts?

Easy, we expected 80-100 entrants so we upped the entry fee by £2. What you might call a spotter supplement.

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