Questions about squats

CJMAJOR · 03-02-2002, 08:19 PM

Hey I have a few questions about squats for you guys. I was wondering how many people here use a smith machine to do squats and do you gain the same as you would versus a barbell? Also when you guys do squats to you do box squats, I think that is what they are called, its when you go down all the way to the bench and push back up. Can you guys give me some feedback on this? Thanks

Mule · 03-03-2002, 12:25 AM

Smith is ok to me. Yates was big on using the smith!

Box squats I don't like. For some odd reason you might not have smooth control and go down on the box hard and stub your back.

If you don't think you going deep enough set the poll gaurds to where you hit them at parallel to you get the motions down then lower them back down a notch!

Triple Threat · 03-03-2002, 07:43 AM

I've tried both and prefer the barbell. Most of the people who work out when I do prefer the Smith machine. If you are training for body-building, use whatever works for you. If you are training for powerlifting, use the barbell.

Sorry I can't help you with box squats. I've never done them.

rks1969 · 03-03-2002, 03:47 PM

Box squats are ok if you have good control & don't get stupid w/ the weight.Check your ego @ the door if you want to do these.To much weight & not enuff control can make for an ugly accident , quite possibly a broken back.BE CAREFUL!!!

**Prince** · 03-03-2002, 06:14 PM

I do not like doing squats on a Smith, and I think it can be dangerous. You will get much more out of a barbell.

rks1969 · 03-03-2002, 06:53 PM

Have you tried front squats? I tried them a while back and they were ok ,but I just didn't like the pressure on my wrists.Maybe my flexability wasn't good enuff.Maybe you'll have better luck.

Bigtex111 · 03-03-2002, 07:04 PM

I personally like the back squats to about 110 degrees of flexion, maybe a little more. I've tried the bench under me and just feel like the opportunity to bounce and hurt my back is much worse than not going to 90 degrees. The latest EMG studies that I've seen that compared back squats to Smith squats showed only significant difference between the two were in the stabilizer muscles of the lower leg (calf and foot). The activity in those muscles was less in the Smith version. The other electrical activity was almost identical. For that reason, I do mainly back squats but add some lighter weight Smith squats with a variety of foot placements.

realdeal · 03-03-2002, 08:57 PM

I prefer Smith machine because when i do bb squats i get pain in my lower back, and i dont get any pain on the Smith. so try both and see what works for you.

Rob_NC · 03-04-2002, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rks1969
Have you tried front squats? I tried them a while back and they were ok ,but I just didn't like the pressure on my wrists.Maybe my flexability wasn't good enuff.Maybe you'll have better luck.

Try doing front squats with your arms crossed in front of you over the bar. I've tried it with my elbows pointing up in the air and it is a bit more difficult. If you have any shoulder muscle at all, the bar should rest nicely across your shoulders and you shouldn't have to worry about it rolling off.

rks1969 · 03-04-2002, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob_NC

Try doing front squats with your arms crossed in front of you over the bar. I've tried it with my elbows pointing up in the air and it is a bit more difficult. If you have any shoulder muscle at all, the bar should rest nicely across your shoulders and you shouldn't have to worry about it rolling off.

I have tried it that way but the bar was always pushed back to neck by my front delt & inhibited taking good deep breaths between reps.
Maybe hacks from the floor would be an option.

Scotty the Body · 03-04-2002, 10:50 AM

Free bar squats are the best.
I also use the smith as well, I can do more weight because there are less stabilizer muscles used, useing the smith has helped my free weight squat.

I would stay away from box squats, if your not sure if your going down far enough, do what Mule suggested.

CJMAJOR · 03-04-2002, 10:36 PM

Okay thanks

bigheath · 03-05-2002, 08:05 AM

For me barbell works best. The main thing to remember strict form and use weight you can handle. Weight is not as improtant as control and form!

rjp · 03-05-2002, 08:52 AM

I'm against performing any movement that alters or restrict the natural movement of ones body. I believe very strongly that balance plays a very important part in building over all strength and any machine or equipment that hinders and prevents regular bodily balance should be avoided unless the person is recovering from injury or has a structure defect. I only do SLOW deep squats and front squats.

Neil · 03-05-2002, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
I do not like doing squats on a Smith, and I think it can be dangerous. You will get much more out of a barbell.

I agree 100% with this. I have felt weird twinges in my lower back when using the smith and others have told me the same. I think you get more out of using a barbell anyways.

03-02-2002, 08:19 PM	#1
CJMAJOR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 103	Questions about squats Hey I have a few questions about squats for you guys. I was wondering how many people here use a smith machine to do squats and do you gain the same as you would versus a barbell? Also when you guys do squats to you do box squats, I think that is what they are called, its when you go down all the way to the bench and push back up. Can you guys give me some feedback on this? Thanks
CJMAJOR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 103

03-03-2002, 12:25 AM	#2
Mule Great American Nightmare Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Wheeling Posts: 888	Smith is ok to me. Yates was big on using the smith! Box squats I don't like. For some odd reason you might not have smooth control and go down on the box hard and stub your back. If you don't think you going deep enough set the poll gaurds to where you hit them at parallel to you get the motions down then lower them back down a notch!
	Im an Iron Addict!

03-03-2002, 03:47 PM	#4
rks1969 KUTTIN'UP Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington,North Carolina Posts: 219	Box squats are ok if you have good control & don't get stupid w/ the weight.Check your ego @ the door if you want to do these.To much weight & not enuff control can make for an ugly accident , quite possibly a broken back.BE CAREFUL!!!
	YOU CAN SPEND YOUR TIME ANY WAY YOU WANT ,BUT YOU CAN SPEND IT ONLY ONCE. MAKE IT WORTH IT!!!!!!

03-03-2002, 06:14 PM	#5
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,736 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	I do not like doing squats on a Smith, and I think it can be dangerous. You will get much more out of a barbell.
	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! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System.

03-03-2002, 06:53 PM	#6
rks1969 KUTTIN'UP Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington,North Carolina Posts: 219	Have you tried front squats? I tried them a while back and they were ok ,but I just didn't like the pressure on my wrists.Maybe my flexability wasn't good enuff.Maybe you'll have better luck.
	YOU CAN SPEND YOUR TIME ANY WAY YOU WANT ,BUT YOU CAN SPEND IT ONLY ONCE. MAKE IT WORTH IT!!!!!!

03-03-2002, 07:43 AM	#3
Triple Threat ... Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lost Posts: 9,474 Photos: 6	I've tried both and prefer the barbell. Most of the people who work out when I do prefer the Smith machine. If you are training for body-building, use whatever works for you. If you are training for powerlifting, use the barbell. Sorry I can't help you with box squats. I've never done them.

03-03-2002, 07:04 PM	#7
Bigtex111 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 23	I personally like the back squats to about 110 degrees of flexion, maybe a little more. I've tried the bench under me and just feel like the opportunity to bounce and hurt my back is much worse than not going to 90 degrees. The latest EMG studies that I've seen that compared back squats to Smith squats showed only significant difference between the two were in the stabilizer muscles of the lower leg (calf and foot). The activity in those muscles was less in the Smith version. The other electrical activity was almost identical. For that reason, I do mainly back squats but add some lighter weight Smith squats with a variety of foot placements.
	Another Set Now!!

03-03-2002, 08:57 PM	#8
realdeal Amateur Bodybuilder Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 367	I prefer Smith machine because when i do bb squats i get pain in my lower back, and i dont get any pain on the Smith. so try both and see what works for you.
	Keep Educating, KNOWLEDGE is the POWER

03-04-2002, 10:50 AM	#11
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	Free bar squats are the best. I also use the smith as well, I can do more weight because there are less stabilizer muscles used, useing the smith has helped my free weight squat. I would stay away from box squats, if your not sure if your going down far enough, do what Mule suggested.
	Cool

03-04-2002, 10:36 PM	#12
CJMAJOR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 103	Okay thanks
CJMAJOR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 103

03-05-2002, 08:05 AM	#13
bigheath Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 29	For me barbell works best. The main thing to remember strict form and use weight you can handle. Weight is not as improtant as control and form!

03-05-2002, 08:52 AM	#14
rjp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 25	I'm against performing any movement that alters or restrict the natural movement of ones body. I believe very strongly that balance plays a very important part in building over all strength and any machine or equipment that hinders and prevents regular bodily balance should be avoided unless the person is recovering from injury or has a structure defect. I only do SLOW deep squats and front squats.
rjp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 25

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