nerdexam
ACSM

010-111 · Question #121

What is the correct spotting technique of the seated barbell shoulder press?

The correct answer is D. Keep hands in an alternate grip position close to the bar, and assist only when necessary. Spotting the seated barbell shoulder press requires an alternate grip close to the bar, with the spotter intervening only when the client cannot complete the lift independently.

Exercise Leadership and Client Education

Question

What is the correct spotting technique of the seated barbell shoulder press?

Options

  • AKeep hands in an alternate grip position on the bar.
  • BWrap your arms around and underneath your client's arms.
  • CKeep hands underneath your client's elbows and assist only when necessary.
  • DKeep hands in an alternate grip position close to the bar, and assist only when necessary.

How the community answered

(44 responses)
  • A
    9% (4)
  • B
    14% (6)
  • C
    2% (1)
  • D
    75% (33)

Why each option

Spotting the seated barbell shoulder press requires an alternate grip close to the bar, with the spotter intervening only when the client cannot complete the lift independently.

AKeep hands in an alternate grip position on the bar.

An alternate grip alone without specifying proximity to the bar or a conditional assist rule is incomplete and could result in late or ineffective intervention.

BWrap your arms around and underneath your client's arms.

Wrapping arms around and underneath the client's arms does not give the spotter control of the bar itself, making it impossible to safely redirect a failed lift.

CKeep hands underneath your client's elbows and assist only when necessary.

Holding under the elbows is the correct cue for a dumbbell shoulder press spot, not a barbell press, where direct bar control is required.

DKeep hands in an alternate grip position close to the bar, and assist only when necessary.Correct

An alternate grip (one hand pronated, one supinated) close to the bar gives the spotter maximum control over the barbell's path and weight. Assisting only when necessary preserves the client's effort and avoids disrupting their natural movement pattern, which is the standard protocol taught in NASM and ACE personal training curricula.

Concept tested: Barbell shoulder press spotting technique

Source: https://www.nasm.org/docs/default-source/PDF/nasm-essentials-of-personal-fitness-training-chapter-16.pdf

Topics

#spotting technique#shoulder press#barbell exercises#exercise safety

Community Discussion

No community discussion yet for this question.

Sign up to join the discussion
Full 010-111 Practice