Mad Spotter Hooks Review

The Mad Spotter hooks are a pair of dumbbell spotter hooks you hang from a barbell.

They solve the same problem J-cups solve for barbells.

Their job is to hold dumbbells while you get in the correct position to press.

So they’re like J-cups for dumbbells.

They’re perfect for bench pressing or shoulder presses without having to kick the dumbbells up while setting up.

This way you can max out your dumbbell presses without wasting energy or sacrificing form.

Unboxing the Mad Spotter

The Mad Spotter Hooks came in a small box wrapped in plastic.

You get a pair of neoprene sleeves to go along with the hooks.

The spotter hooks are made of metal and feel solid.

The neoprene sleeves have velcro and are padded.

From the side you can see the hooks are covered in rubber at the ends.

One end is thicker than the other.

The thicker end goes over your barbell and the thinner end with a horizontal bar is where your dumbbells sit.

Specs

• Weight capacity: 170 lbs each hook

• Compatibility: Compatible with dumbbells with a handle length of 4.7″ or more

• Length: 10″

Setting Up the Mad Spotter Hooks

Setting up the dumbbell spotter hooks is not rocket science.

But you do have to keep in mind the length of the hooks.

The hooks fall about 8.5″ below the barbell so you need to set up your J-cups higher than normal.

I had to move my J-cups from the #8 hole that I use for flat bench press to #13.

Hang the hooks on your barbell.

Here’s what it looks like from behind the barbell.

Hang your dumbbells on the hooks.

The dumbbell handles should sit snug on the hooks.

Here’s a look from the back.

From here you can see the horizontal bar next to the handle.

And a look from the bottom up.

Now wrap the neoprene sleeve around the dumbbell handle and horizontal bar attached to the bottom of the hooks.

Both horizontal bar and handle should be covered with the neoprene sleeve.

The sleeve increases the diameter of the handle and it’s not completely mandatory but makes it more comfortable.

All that’s left now is for you to get under the dumbbells.

Retract and depress your shoulders and start pressing.

I gotta say it feels good to not have to waste energy on lifting these to my thighs and kicking them up.

You start with all your energy just like would with a barbell bench press.

Mad Spotter Benefits

You might be asking yourself, “Is this something that I really need?”

Here’s a few benefits I’ve noticed after using the Mad Spotter hooks for heavy dumbbell days.

Start With Perfect Form

Using the Mad Spotter hooks lets you set up properly so you can lift with perfect form.

Retract and depress your shoulder blades just like you would with a barbell bench press before you pick up the dumbbells.

With good form you’ll hit your muscles better and bang out more effective reps.

Shoulders Saver

Because you’ll be starting with perfect form, this will protect your shoulders from injury.

Pack those shoulders from the get go for a safer lift.

No Wasted Energy

Now you don’t have to waste energy kicking the dumbbells up.

Set them on the spotter hooks and start when you’re ready for your set.

This way all your energy goes into the exercise, none is wasted on the set up.

Mad Spotter Pro Hooks

The Mad Spotter Pro hooks have a different design on the bottom.

Instead of having just two hooks at the bottom, they’ve added a knurled cradle for the dumbbell handle to sit on.

Here’s a comparison of the Mad Spotter Pro (left) and the original Mad Spotter.

The cradle on the Pro is 4.5″ long vs the 4.75″ length of the crossbar on the regular Mad Spotter.

This subtle change in length allows the Pro to be compatible with more dumbbells.

From the side you can see the Mad Spotter Pro has a smaller curve at the bottom and they also got rid of the rubber tips.

Mad Spotter Hooks Exercises

Flat Bench Press

I had no issues with the flat bench set up.

I was able to lift off and put the hooks back without a problem.

Incline Bench Press

Same with the incline bench.

No issues on lift off or re-racking.

Seated Shoulder Press

For the seated shoulder press, I had more of a challenge because the bar is behind you.

Lifting off can be difficult in this position if you have shoulder issues.

Placing the hooks back was also more challenging because it’s hard to see where you are placing the hooks.

Standing Shoulder Press

It’s much easier to do shoulder presses standing up.

This way you have the bar in front of you at all times.

Push off just like a barbell shoulder press and take a step back.

When you’re done with your set, take a step forward, and set the hooks down on the barbell.

Dumbbell Compatibility

UPDATE

Mad Spotter Pro Compact

Mad Spotter has released a Compact version which is now compatible with the adjustable dumbbells shown below (except PowerBlock)

If you look at the pic above, the compact version is slightly smaller than the Mad Spotter Pro.

And that’s enough to fit adjustable dumbbells that usually have smaller handles.

Here’s the Mad Spotter Compact on Core Home Fitness adjustable dumbbells which I couldn’t use on before.

And here it is on the Nuobell dumbbells that weren’t compatible before this compact version was released.

I really like that Mad Spotter has taken feedback from customers and made their hooks compatible with more dumbbells.

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The Mad Spotter website clearly states that the hooks are compatible with 99% of dumbbells with handles 4.7″ long or more.

But I tried it on several adjustable dumbbells even though I knew they wouldn’t fit.

I did this just in case you own some of these dumbbells.

I’ll update this section as I test new dumbbells.

JaxJox Adjustable Dumbbells

The JaxJox dumbbells have a handle that’s 4.785″ long.

They adjust digitally with the JaxJox Interactive Studio software.

Because there’s no adjustment mechanism on the dumbbell or handle, the handle length has a normal length.

They fit like a glove on the Mad Spotter.

Nuobell Adjustable Dumbbells (See Update Above)

Nuobell dumbbells have a straight handle that’s fully knurled.

But it has plastic ends that stick out into the handle and take up space.

Because of the plastic pieces around the handle, the hooks can’t wrap around the handle.

So the Nuobell dumbbells are not compatible with the Mad Spotter.

Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbells (See Update Above)

Core Home Fitness dumbbells are another set of adjustable dumbbells I own.

The handle on these is rubberized and curved but just like the Nuobell dumbbells, it has plastic close to the handle.

The plastic also blocks the Mad Spotter hooks from wrapping around the handle.

Snode AD80 Adjustable Dumbbells

Even though the Snode AD80 adjustable dumbbells’ handle is a bit thicker than normal, I can still use the Mad Spotter hooks on them.

PowerBlock Adjustable Dumbbells

Right from the get go I knew the Powerblock EXP dumbbells wouldn’t work with the Mad Spotter because of the outer cage surrounding the handle.

The only opening you have is for your hand on top of the dumbbell.

The bottom has a bar in the middle and two cylinders so there’s no access to the handle.

Other Dumbbell Spotter Hooks & Systems

There are other dumbbell spotter hooks and systems that are rack mounted.

After a lot of research, the ones I found are way expensive and take up more space than the Mad Spotters.

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Spot Grips

Spot Grips are hooks that are connected to a suspension strap that recoils.

Each handle can hold 200+ lbs.

You squeeze a handle to release the straps support and let go to engage the straps.

Hell of an innovative device that spots you at the top and bottom of your lift but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Price: $499 (Ouch!)

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Black Widow

Black Widow makes custom dumbbell spotter arms.

They can make them for any size upright and holes.

Their dumbbell spotters attach to your rack with a pin they supply.

Price: $375 plus at least $39 for shipping

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Crandall Fitness

Crandall Fitness sells rack mounted dumbbell spotter arms for 3 x 3 racks with 5/8″ holes.

These can hold dumbbells weighing up to 150 lbs.

Only issue with these is that Crandall makes these specifically to fit their racks which are 49” wide and the space between the uprights is 43”.

So you have to make sure your rack has enough space in between for these to fit properly.

Price: $249 ($199 + $50 shipping)

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Mad Spotter Pros & Cons

Pros

• Inexpensive: At $59 (taxes included), the Mad Spotter hooks are cheap

• Easy set up: Throw the hooks over a barbell and you’re done!

• Minimalistic: Take up very little space and can be hung anywhere for storage

• Fits all racks: These hang from your barbell, there’s no need to measure anything on your rack

Cons

• Grip: Having a sleeve wrapped around the dumbbell and hooks makes the grip thicker, takes getting used to

• Seated shoulder press: With the bar behind you, it creates a blind spot. Best done standing up and facing the bar.

• Rubber tips: The tips at the bottom of the hook can fall off at times, doesn’t affect the function though

Mad Spotter Discount Code

The Mad Spotter Hooks are very affordable at $59 for the pair but…

I’ve talked to the guys at Mad Spotter and they’ve agreed to give my readers an exclusive coupon code.

Click here and you’ll automatically get a 5% discount applied at checkout.

If you don’t see the discount applied, use coupon code SHREDDED

Are Mad Spotters Hooks Worth It?

If you don’t lift heavy with dumbbells, then this isn’t something you’ll probably need but…

If you like to go heavy on dumbbell presses and want to preserve energy….yes!

Don’t have a human spotter…yes!

Currently have shoulder problems or want to prevent them…yes!

The Mad Spotter hooks give you a minimal dumbbell spotter system at a very reasonable price.

Check Out The Mad Spotter Hooks