Dumbest Smith machine question ever

**I Are Baboon** · 10-25-2004, 08:45 AM

Correct me if I am wrong, but when using this machine for squats, the proper use is having the upward motion ankled back, not forward. So in this pic, your back is on the left of the machine, not the right.

My wife noticed our gym has it backwards, so you have to mount so your back is on the right. I thought I was losing my friggin mind when I was looking at the machine. (so I guess this tells you how often I do Smith squats)

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Correct me if I am wrong, but when using this machine for squats, the proper use is having the upward motion ankled back, not forward. So in this pic, your back is on the left of the machine, not the right.

My wife noticed our gym has it backwards, so you have to mount so your back is on the right. I thought I was losing my friggin mind when I was looking at the machine. (so I guess this tells you how often I do Smith squats)

Yes, the upward motion should be angled back. Looks like you'd have to squat not facing the mirror.

**I Are Baboon** · 10-25-2004, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

Looks like you'd have to squat not facing the mirror.

Exactly, except there is equipment in the way that would make that very difficult.

Thanks for the reply, gopro.

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Exactly, except there is equipment in the way that would make that very difficult.

Thanks for the reply, gopro.

Yes, gyms that do this are moronic.

You are welcome my friend.

Du · 10-25-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

Yes, the upward motion should be angled back. Looks like you'd have to squat not facing the mirror.

Why is it that the upward motion should be angled back?

I do them the opposite way, more because that is the way my gym is set up too. They work for me.

**MtnBikerChk** · 10-25-2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

Yes, the upward motion should be angled back. Looks like you'd have to squat not facing the mirror.

thanks GP. What bothers me is I see people using it backwards for everything.

**Prince** · 10-25-2004, 12:52 PM

what bothers me is when people do squats on a Smith machine.

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

what bothers me is when people do squats on a Smith machine.

Tell that to Dorian Yates

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by du510

Why is it that the upward motion should be angled back?

I do them the opposite way, more because that is the way my gym is set up too. They work for me.

Well, with the forced foward lean you could easily strain the lower back. With the backward lean you can actually keep your feet more foward, your back straighter, and isolate the quads more.

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnBikerChk

thanks GP. What bothers me is I see people using it backwards for everything.

Well, it good to do close grip bench presses on the smith this way.

-President gopro

**MtnBikerChk** · 10-25-2004, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

what bothers me is when people do squats on a Smith machine.

Yeah, yeah, we know

Du · 10-25-2004, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

what bothers me is when people do squats on a Smith machine.

At my gym, a YMCA, we dont have a choice. My only other option is dumbell squats (but dumbs only go up to 90lbs). No leg press either, nor hack squat.

Granted, its not a great gym, but it gets the job done.

**Prince** · 10-25-2004, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

Tell that to Dorian Yates

why?

I also do not agree with many of Arnold's training techiniques and he was huge with 7 Mr. Olympia titles.

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

why?

I also do not agree with many of Arnold's training techiniques and he was huge with 7 Mr. Olympia titles.

Dorian used the smith for squats and had massive thighs!! But I was only playing really as I know that that is actually meaningless. I, however, think the smith is an excellent tool for building larger muscles, although not so much for building a "functional" body, like for sports.

**Prince** · 10-25-2004, 02:55 PM

I knew you were joking.

I just think it can be dangerous because of the way it restricts you from the natural arc movement, more so for a beginner.

**gopro** · 10-25-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

I knew you were joking.

I just think it can be dangerous because of the way it restricts you from the natural arc movement, more so for a beginner.

Beginners should work with real squats for a while. Smith squats are for the more advanced, if you either dislike regular squats, or simply want some variation. I love beginners that never even use free weights and go right to machines. They spend 30 min on cable crossovers for chest.

**MtnBikerChk** · 10-25-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

Beginners should work with real squats for a while. Smith squats are for the more advanced, if you either dislike regular squats, or simply want some variation. I love beginners that never even use free weights and go right to machines. They spend 30 min on cable crossovers for chest.

OMG - tonite we saw a new exercise for the smith machine. I like to call it the reverse smith toss.

First, it's reverse because, well, see post above.... this woman backed an incline bench up to it, sat under it and raised the bar and just as it was over her head, she tossed it up in the air and caught it as it came back down.

What's the real name of that "excercise?" I'd like to know for reference

**Prince** · 10-25-2004, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnBikerChk

OMG - tonite we saw a new exercise for the smith machine. I like to call it the reverse smith toss.

First, it's reverse because, well, see post above.... this woman backed an incline bench up to it, sat under it and raised the bar and just as it was over her head, she tossed it up in the air and caught it as it came back down.

What's the real name of that "excercise?" I'd like to know for reference

oh yeah, that is called the "idiot-idonotknowhowtotrain incline press".

**gopro** · 10-26-2004, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

oh yeah, that is called the "idiot-idonotknowhowtotrain incline press".

I thought it was called press n throw...or in some circles, "Wheeeeeee...catch...wheeeeee...catch."

**Prince** · 10-26-2004, 08:28 AM

I often train at my community rec center and I learn new exercises every time, no kidding.

**MtnBikerChk** · 10-26-2004, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopro

I thought it was called press n throw...or in some circles, "Wheeeeeee...catch...wheeeeee...catch."

it was almost musical - that SSSHUUUSSHHH sound the bar makes when it's freefalling it so soothing.

**CowPimp** · 10-26-2004, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnBikerChk

OMG - tonite we saw a new exercise for the smith machine. I like to call it the reverse smith toss.

First, it's reverse because, well, see post above.... this woman backed an incline bench up to it, sat under it and raised the bar and just as it was over her head, she tossed it up in the air and caught it as it came back down.

What's the real name of that "excercise?" I'd like to know for reference

The moron press?

**CowPimp** · 10-26-2004, 09:28 AM

I dislike using a smitch machine for any exercise. I'm not descrediting their usefulness, but I absolutely cannot stand having my motion controlled by a machine. The list of machines that I will use is relatively small compared to the number available.

I can see how smitch machine squats would be beneficial to a bodybuilder, but bodybuilding is only part of the equation for me. I like functional strength.

DOMS · 10-26-2004, 09:30 AM

I think it's call the Blown Rotator Cuff Press.

10-25-2004, 08:45 AM	#1
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,805 Photos: 10	Dumbest Smith machine question ever Correct me if I am wrong, but when using this machine for squats, the proper use is having the upward motion ankled back, not forward. So in this pic, your back is on the left of the machine, not the right. My wife noticed our gym has it backwards, so you have to mount so your back is on the right. I thought I was losing my friggin mind when I was looking at the machine. (so I guess this tells you how often I do Smith squats)

10-25-2004, 12:52 PM	#7
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,520 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 313	what bothers me is when people do squats on a Smith machine.
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10-25-2004, 02:55 PM	#15
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,520 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 313	I knew you were joking. I just think it can be dangerous because of the way it restricts you from the natural arc movement, more so for a beginner.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips!

10-26-2004, 08:28 AM	#20
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,520 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 313	I often train at my community rec center and I learn new exercises every time, no kidding.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips!

10-26-2004, 09:28 AM	#23
CowPimp Fueled by Testosterone Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 15,405	I dislike using a smitch machine for any exercise. I'm not descrediting their usefulness, but I absolutely cannot stand having my motion controlled by a machine. The list of machines that I will use is relatively small compared to the number available. I can see how smitch machine squats would be beneficial to a bodybuilder, but bodybuilding is only part of the equation for me. I like functional strength.
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