Thread: regular squat vs smith machine squat?

Originally Posted by Merkaba

With all due respect, using this logic, I also know a few people who were on Meth and or Crack...they recovered and now lead pretty normal lives. I would, however, still caution EXTREEEEEEMELY HEAVILY about not using Crack or Meth. ......

well, i appreciate the warning, but it's too late. in my younger years, i probably smoked-up my body weight in crack. i quit all on my own though when i figured it was time to grow up. i guess i'm just hard headed like that, lol.

Originally Posted by Merkaba

Why not put too dumbbells on your shoulders or do front squats, etc......

yeah, i'm going to try out a couple new things that have been suggested here on leg day next week. thanks.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

The torque on the knee joint is different. The center of mass you are fighting against isn't so far away from your knee on a leg press. If you place your legs on the leg press properly, there is not as much shearing force on the knee joint.

If you place your legs on the Smith machine properly, there is not as much shear force on the knee joint.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Again, there are other ways around issues with ankle mobility. Firstly, you should address the problem if you know it's there rather than just working around the problem. Second, there are other alternatives, like split squats or powerlifter style box squats, which don't require as much ankle mobility.

No argument here; if you have flexibility problems, address them first.

Originally Posted by ALBOB

If you place your legs on the Smith machine properly, there is not as much shear force on the knee joint.

Again, it's not quite the same. Anyway, this is all just going in circles. I think it's okay to do a movement like this SOMETIMES. I just think it's a problem when people use the movement exclusively for their quadricep work. It's just like any machine work. I think using some is absolutely fine, as opposed to purists who believe otherwise. However, it has to be changed fairly often, and free weight movements should still comprise the majority of the work you do.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Again, it's not quite the same. Anyway, this is all just going in circles. I think it's okay to do a movement like this SOMETIMES. I just think it's a problem when people use the movement exclusively for their quadricep work. It's just like any machine work. I think using some is absolutely fine, as opposed to purists who believe otherwise. However, it has to be changed fairly often, and free weight movements should still comprise the majority of the work you do.

Ah ha, NOW we're in complete agreement. Machines are a good SUPPLEMENT to free weight work. Just like regular supplements only add to a good diet.

Originally Posted by DaMayor

While the Smith might interfere with proper form, I don't think it is entirely useless.

Well I seen a guy sq'ing on those circus balls and I seen another balancing a loaded bb on his feet while lying on the ground and doing like a vertical leg press with it.... I don't think these lifts are entirely useless, but you can bet I'll never do them, lol.

I love the smith for standing calf raises though. Benching hurt my wrist like crazy from having to twist the bar. I'm talking pain that lasted for days (it's common with bb curls but always goes away quickly) after using it twice. 2 weeks in a row. I couldn't even rest my forearms on my legs without it hurting.

I used to train at home and I did db walking lunges and extensions untill I started rigging something up with a bench... I say get you some straps and start doing lunges. I feel for you not being able to sq....