Smith Machine

[dark_venom]

How do you guys feel about doing exercises on the Smith Machine? Some guys swear by it and some guys won't go near it. Just wanted to hear everyone's two cents.

 

[Eze]

I like doing shoulder press and incline presses on the smith machine. I really don't see a problem in using one.

 

[hornedfrogs07]

Well, up until a month ago, I did strictly smith machine squats, and I could max 450+. Then I started back on free weights because I moved and don't have a good smith anymore. The 385 that I could free squat 9 months ago, back before I started doing smiths, had turned into 285, and my form now sucks ass. If you want to work the primary muscle and no stabilizers, be my guest...........just don't go bragging about how much you can lift or anything.

In short, no, I don't like the smith except for foot forward squats to target the glutes and hams.

 

[Beast_19_301]

I only do lunges in the smith machine

 

[Fyre]

I use the Smith Machine for close-grip presses and reverse grip presses. The only other thing I use it for is my Smith Machine Lunges. I don't like squatting on it though. I'd much rather do free squats.

 

[jcp2]

Occasionally i will do shoulder presses, but i don't use it as the core of my shoulder routine. I don't use it for anything else though.

 

[inked1]

Since I have just come back from a lay off and have a fucked back I am using the smith for squats. Hopefully that won't be for long

 

[70w30]

You can really pile the weights on using the smith machine.It gives you better stability....without compromising form.
Typically I use the smith machine for close grip bench and military presses.

 

[buffdoc]

Occassional military press, and lunges only for legs. Just doesn't do it for squats, I feel like I lose half the benefit if I squat on the Smith.

 

[fatchops]

I usually use it for shrugs sometimes, incline, and shoulder press. Just to give it a change but I usually stick to free weight

 

[ranger1504]

If you train on the smith machine you don't get to train the stabilizer muscles, also there is a potentail for repetitive motion injury. Paul Chek's website has some good info on this subject.