Thread: Angled Smith Machine Squatting Technique?

My new gym does not have a squat rack but does have a smith machine with a 7 degree angle. The instructor told me that squatting while standing in the direction so that your shoulders move backword as you stand up is better for the knees (than setting yourself under the bar in the opposite direction) since your knees do not move forward as you stand.

It seems to me that standing in the opposite direction (i.e. shoulders move forward as you stand) more closely mimics the natural movement of the squat. I've seen people squatting, though not many, in both directions.

Can someone please describe the correct technique for performing squats on these types of smith machines?

What kind of gym is that? no squat rack? that's no gym. tell them that they need to supply a squat rack.

Oh, and as far as your question, I don't know because I don't ever use the smith for squats