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StarTalk 4 Jun 2026 14 here now

How Physics Can Improve Your Lift

Why can some be a spotter for weight that's heavier than what they can lift? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore how forces work and why you don’t need to have the muscliest guy at the gym spot

For You

Because of what you watch

Comments (20)

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The Arnold impersonation was diabolical 😂4:19
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I've been lifting for many years. I like it so much that I became certified as a personal trainer. I actually had to pause this video, so I could go and hit the weights. 💪:planet-orange-purple-ring:
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@fishhead90 From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 105
1:15 watching this at the gym because it’s my favorite channel 💪💪
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Worlds are colliding!
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6:59 this is true as long as the person lifting the weight can maintain that constant force. Unfortunately, many times, the person is at the point of fatigue. So, if the spotter doesn’t assist while the forces are balanced ( weight is not moving), the weight can start to drop. Now you have acceleration in the wrong direction, and the spotter is going to have to overcome that. 🤕
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@CGReaction From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 168
yes i am one of them, i do lift brah!
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@Lex_XL From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 15
1:49 gym head here & core audience
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Proud to say I'm a lifter and part of the audience!
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00:45 Planet fitness has entered the chat 😂
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@ibrysters From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 99
One thing they neglect to mention is that some people (stupidly,) will stop pushing and relax, the second the spotter grabs the bar. So that little force needed turns into a lot of force needed to help them a lot of the time.
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5:52 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂oh my God
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The final words to my spotter as he tries using 1 finger because Neil said so will be"the forces are NOT equ..."
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Been lifting weights for over 25 years. Big fan of the show!
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@oleikjosen From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 283
Kinda funny you posted this now. Started going to the gym yesterday for the first time in my life
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I go to the gym 6 days a week and I watch you...I clicked this video so fast.

shout out to the people who have made the gym a habit now 💪
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Newly-certified personal trainer here! I love your videos and this might be my favorite of all time. Shoutout to all the spotters in the comments!
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I'm a powerlifter and I watch you guys every week
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I'm an OCB pro bodybuilder (drug-free & tested) and I watch every video👏
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@luiz-firmino From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 1300
not your core audience indeed, but you have some of us here! 💪
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@StarTalk From YouTube ↗ 24 Jun 2026 997
do u even lift, bro?