Barbell squats Vs Smith machine [Forum Archive]

Pages: 1

Barbell squats Vs Smith machine

(CLICK HERE here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Toughenuff

Is it okay to use the smith machine for squats or is it better to use a barbell and squat rack?

Posted by: kraziplaya

i would only use the smith if i had some sort of problem with back or knee that would prevent using just the bar...i have done plenty of smith machine squats and the bar is superior... remember, with free weights u have to use every muscle to stabilize ,support, and do the exercise..that way contributes to most growth.. i stopped the smiths and hit the regular squats only now... some people might disagree but a good tip is to use a heel lift on ur freeweight squat..stick a 5lb plate under ur heels...it makes the lift more comfortable for me and supposedly it helps u focus more on ur legs...something to do with the flexion in ur heel...

Posted by: TJ Cline

Smith machine is great if you don't have a spotter, or like K said, if you have bad knees or a bad back smith squats are safer. The best thing to do is change up you're workout from time to time. Do smith squats for 4 weeks then go back to free weight squats for the next 8 weeks.

Posted by: kraziplaya

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Smith machine is great if you don't have a spotter, or like K said, if you have bad knees or a bad back smith squats are safer. The best thing to do is change up you're workout from time to time. Do smith squats for 4 weeks then go back to free weight squats for the next 8 weeks.

a lot of squat racks or power racks have a safety area just in case u dont have a spotter...but def switch em up if you feel a need for the smith machine..but dont rely on it exclusively

Posted by: HardTrainer

Smith machine hummmmm like that is gonna be better then the bodies natural movment

Posted by: joesmooth20

i use the smith machine. i have no spotter and i have a bad knee. I would rather use
the smith and actualy get to go alot heavier and go to failure and not have to further
injur my knee.

If i had a workout partner "which i never have" i probably would just do barbells though.

Posted by: Doublebase

I used to use a Smith Machine because I didn't have a spot. I didn't want to ask someone I didn't know for a squat spot. You have to know the person a little before that step. Now I go when its busy and the Smith is always being used so I'm forced to use free-weights. I like them a lot better now that I can do that with good form. You feel it more.

Posted by: ChrisROCK

there is no comparison between a smith squat and a free-form squat. Smith forces you to move on an unnatural plane.... Squat free-form with less weight to start...and work up!

Posted by: mervin

I hate the smith machine. It deceives people. There is no way you can move the same amount of free weight that you can on a smith. You need to put 10lbs plates on the one at my gym to keep it from springing up by itself. I use it for calf raises only.

Posted by: ChrisROCK

absolutely...the weight does not translate to what can be done free-form! no way

Posted by: dg806

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...=smith+machine

Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toughenuff

Is it okay to use the smith machine for squats or is it better to use a barbell and squat rack?

The smith machines in my gym have an angle ( closer to a natural movement) to them, the older straight up and down smith is crap and can be dangerous for some exercises.

Posted by: gr81

the natural movement of a squat is not at an angle, nor is it mimicked by a regular smith. If you are really that worried about a spot, and for some stupid reason you need to train to failure every WO (which really just means you need to drop teh weight and learn the movement) get on the leg press. Neither the leg press or teh smith squat is a substitute for a real squat. Get under the squat rack and forget the smiths, thats all there is to it

Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr81

the natural movement of a squat is not at an angle, nor is it mimicked by a regular smith. If you are really that worried about a spot, and for some stupid reason you need to train to failure every WO (which really just means you need to drop teh weight and learn the movement) get on the leg press. Neither the leg press or teh smith squat is a substitute for a real squat. Get under the squat rack and forget the smiths, thats all there is to it

If there is no "angle" then you are moving on a vertical line, which is the line of a traditional smith machine. Moving on a vertical line could be interpreted as moving on a straight angle. I'm not sure what you're point is here.

Posted by: gr81

I misspoke, my point is that a smith does not allow for a natural fluid squat movement, no matter the angle

Posted by: PreMier

Quote:

Originally Posted by dg806

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...=smith+machine

Bump to that. I wish people would search more.

Posted by: vegman

here we go again...

Posted by: vegman

By the way, if you don't have a spotter then use the squat rack - that is what it's for!

Posted by: P-funk

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegman

By the way, if you don't have a spotter then use the squat rack - that is what it's for!

I thought it was hor BB curls and upright rows??

Posted by: Doublebase

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

I thought it was hor BB curls and upright rows??

O MY GOSH! Some dude the other day was doing friking wrist curls on the rack. I had to wait for him to finish 6 sets of this crap. He didn't even have a forearm. Do you say something in that situation? I mean really WTF.

Posted by: PreMier

Yea, tell him your there to squat.. thats what the racks for. Most will move.. bitches wont.

Posted by: hawk05

I've been at my gym for 5+ years and have seen a total of less than 10 people actually squatting at the squat racks.

Posted by: Seanp156

Quote:

Originally Posted by mervin

I hate the smith machine. It deceives people. There is no way you can move the same amount of free weight that you can on a smith. You need to put 10lbs plates on the one at my gym to keep it from springing up by itself. I use it for calf raises only.

That's not 100% true. The smith machine forces you to move in one direction. Your bodies natural plane of movement is probably more effecient at moving a certain amount of weight than that which the smith machine would force you to do. It depends on your body.

I haven't used the smith machine for a LONG time, but I'm using a lot more weight free weight now than I used to on the smith machine.

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36