smith machine squats
- Thread starter inked1
- Start date
ManOfMuscle
Death Dealer
no pros
blackbeard
New member
inked1 said:
you basically take away everything that is good about squats
it does not tansfer over to free weight squats because your body is NEVER in the position that the smith puts you in, does not build stabilizers like free wiegths you cant "sit back" since the bar is straight up and down
all in all avoid it like the plague unless you really have no other options
however you can always do Barbell hacks which would be a lot better than smith..
also you can do zerchers by pulling 2 benches together and having the bar rest on them start bottom up and then just do tem regular as well..again better than smith
the_hulk
New member
I hate the smith machine, and for squats it sucks more. My univ. gym has only one squat rack and all the pussies use that to hold the bar for their bicep work out. I had to get a gym membership so that I would not get into any fights with those chicks. The gym that i now pay to go to is bad ass though...
iron addict
New member
All negative IMO.
Iron Addict
Iron Addict
GymLift
New member
I agree as shown in this thread, but I didn't see many coming to support my claim. Dunno why.LiftTillIDie said:
G
getfitdoc
Guest
i actually like the smythe machine for FRONT squats...
i've had disc problems from sports related injuries
and
the smythe front squat was the only "squat" movement i could do without aggrivating it.
i hope i'll be able to squat again without rekindling my sciatica.
i've had disc problems from sports related injuries
and
the smythe front squat was the only "squat" movement i could do without aggrivating it.
i hope i'll be able to squat again without rekindling my sciatica.
Powerathlete
New member
When I was first learning how to squat I enjoyed using the smith machine. It allowed me to focus on the movement with some weight while using proper form. After I progressed to about 315 on the smith machine, I dropped the weight tremendously and moved to free weight squats with plates under my heels. Then I progressed to removing the plates. After getting used to free weight squatting I cannot go back to smith squats. It is painful for me because it is no longer natural. I would imagine if I kept doing them over time I would become accustomed.
G
getfitdoc
Guest
i see guys doing the "smythe leg press"
where they lay on the bench and put thier feet on the bar.. and do basically a leg press..
i personally don't like it that much..
some of my friends love it
where they lay on the bench and put thier feet on the bar.. and do basically a leg press..
i personally don't like it that much..
some of my friends love it
mike@tpcanada
New member
Im going to play devils advocate here and say that I use the smythe machine for most of my excercises. Everyone says stablizers, stablizers, stablizers, for every thread about the smythe machine or its unnatural. They make it seem like if you use the symthe your muscles will atropy and you will be falling all over the place when you stand or walk. Its not true at all, and I thought the exact same thing before I started using it. But I have been using the smythe machine for about a year and a half and its hasn't caused an injury and my legs have grown quite well.
If someone started squating 135lbs for 6 reps on the smythe, and 2 years later they are squating 600lbs for 6 reps their legs will be much bigger. The argument could be made that free squats will promote better gains, but if someone is free squating 600-700lbs I would hope they have some spotters on hand for safety reasons. I certainly wouldn't want to be doing any free weights without a spotter because I go for my pr every workout, which is why I use the smythe machine so much.
If someone started squating 135lbs for 6 reps on the smythe, and 2 years later they are squating 600lbs for 6 reps their legs will be much bigger. The argument could be made that free squats will promote better gains, but if someone is free squating 600-700lbs I would hope they have some spotters on hand for safety reasons. I certainly wouldn't want to be doing any free weights without a spotter because I go for my pr every workout, which is why I use the smythe machine so much.
mike@tpcanada
New member
pullinbig said:
With those two sports free squat is the only option, I agree. Im refering to BBing only.
blackbeard
New member
well since im pretty sure free weights would cause more growth and QUICKER as well wouldnt a BB'er wanna build those muscles in say 12 months rather than 20 months?
i understand your argument BUT you are completely ignoring the stabilizers muscles AND the smythe or smith machine does not replicate a regular squat the position is not even the same..
would you perform deadlifts on a smith??
i understand your argument BUT you are completely ignoring the stabilizers muscles AND the smythe or smith machine does not replicate a regular squat the position is not even the same..
would you perform deadlifts on a smith??
mike@tpcanada
New member
blackbeard said:
Yes as a matter of fact, well rack deads actually. As well as, bent over rows, incline bench, reverse bench, shoulder press to the front and back, rack chins to the front and back, squats, and a few others. Can you say for sure that the smythe machine will completely hamper your gains- I dont think so. I have used both free weights and smythe so I know for a fact that it wont. In fact I have been growing faster using it because I can bomb away every workout instead of holding back because I have no spotter. Once I know Im going to fail, I can rack the bar quickly. With a free weight you have to ditch the bar, and I dont know about your gym but if I did that in mine,they would kick my ass out of there real quick. Listen, Im not saying that free weights are bad because I like them just as much as the next guy, but the smythe machine isn't as bad as every claims it to be.
Similar threads
