Smith Machine VS Free Weights

[maxmurph]

Does anyone have any opinions as to which method they prefer?
I use Smith for flat and incline, and then free for dumbbells.

God Bless,

Max

 

[blackjack]

i prefer free weights for everything.

 

[GymLift]

I never use the smith machine.

 

[Bimmer]

i only use the smith machine if my shoulder is acting up on chest day. Other wise I dont use it, infact I cant even remember the last time I did use it.

 

[SteelSouth]

Same here, although i do use the smith machine for heavy shrugs.

 

[Dizavis]

yup just shrugs

 

[maxmurph]

Thanks Boyz! What, then do you believe to bee the advantage of a free press and a free incline?

God Bless,

max

 

[Jsanti]

Free weights are best but for beginners, the smith machine is great. Helps with form and prevents them from a higher risks of injury then with the free weights.

With the free weights, you could hit a lot more angles therefore, better results. IMO

 

[Vegas]

Moved to the appropriate forum.

 

[hmlacrosse]

you get a whole range of motion with freeweights and free bar, i think it's a lot better, if not 100% better.

 

[Tafman]

only like smith machine for bb rows for my back. otherwise anything else doesnt feel natural.

 

[BigRonWannabee]

Free weights are best but for beginners, the smith machine is great. Helps with form and prevents them from a higher risks of injury then with the free weights.

With the free weights, you could hit a lot more angles therefore, better results. IMO

I dont agree with this at all. How can it help with form when it locks you into a single plane of forced motion? Id rather learn (neurologically, physically, mentally etc etc) with free weights, just keep the weight light.

That said the smith machine has its place. I loved it when I was doing DC style training, it was great for rest-pause incline bench. I did quite well with it.

 

[caladin]

The smith machine is a peice of shit. If you want to find out why go to www.t-nation.com and do a search.

 

[GymLift]

Free weights are best but for beginners, the smith machine is great. Helps with form

I'm going to have to disagree.

Helps with form for what exercise, exactly?

 

[Vennom96]

I don't touch the Smith machine, free weights all the way.

 

[huskyguy]

I don't touch the Smith machine, free weights all the way.

Same here

 

[PowerBuilder]

I don't usually use the Smith Machine but I think it is way too underrated. It is an excellent machine to use if you have an injury. I'm having a problem with my knee so I use the Smith Machine to do squats - which I think it is better than using the leg press machine or something else. I also think that the Smith Machine could be great for millitary press if your shoulders have caused you problems and/or you want to try letting the bar go behind your head.

 

[Eze]

I use a Smith machine all the time for chest, delts, CG Bench, Reverse Bench. My gains have not be effected at all.

If you lift heavy with high intensity you are going to grow. It doesn't matter if you are in the smith machine, or have a DB or BB in your hands.

 

[inked1]

I prefer free weights over smyth. i only use the smyth for seated shoulder press.

I had always thought that the smyth was a piece of shit until more recently when all the DC trainers have done so well with it

 

[Trucker111]

I like using it for shoulder presses sometimes and incline.. simply cause on incline it will keep you from dropping it too low on the chest on the way down.. and it's the best work I get on shoulder presses, always a huge pump afterwards.. But I switch it up a lot, I don't do smith all the time on those exercises, nor do I do free weights all the time..