the way.  Had the pins been lower, it would surely have ended in major injury.  Had there only been 1 spotter, there is no way I would have been able to get the bar off him alone.  The combination of proper spotting and good rack setup ended with Mike getting the lift 5 minutes later and walking away injury free. Now I'm not saying you should have 3 spotters and go crazy unless it is called for -- but you can prevent a lot of injuries if you take the possibility of injury seriously.  Here are some simple ways to keep yourself and your partners and those around you in the gym safe: -       Always load and unload the bar evenly (don't let one side of a 7' bar have more than 45lbs on one side than the other) -       Always use safety collars on barbells when they are loaded with weight. -       Always use safety pins in the power rack and set them up so they can be as high as possible without being in the way of your lift. -       Always use spotters when a barbell or dumbbells are above your body in any direction (standing, lying, etc.). -       Communicate with your spotters so they know where to spot you, how many reps you are doing, and when to offer help if needed. -       Stay focused during your sets -- everyone likes to chat between sets, but when you (or your partner) has weight in your hands --