regular squat vs smith machine squat?

[CowPimp]

Alright, I've been silent long enough. BULLSHIT!!! The Smith machine is NOT the dreaded knee/back destroyer that it's claimed to be. The only reason I've heard so far is that it forces you to move in a single plane which isn't natural, therefore it MUST be bad. Again I say BULLSHIT. If that were the case then the linear leg press would be getting lambasted every bit as much as the Smith machine.

As a matter of fact, in some cases the Smith is superior to regular squats. For people with little or no Achilles flexibility, it allows them to place their feet a bit forward of the bar, keep all the weight on their heels. This isolates the quads and takes stress off the knees.

Are Smith machines better than free weight squats? Of course not but, that doesn't make them bad.

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.

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.

 

[klc9100]

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.

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.

 

[ALBOB]

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.

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.

 

[CowPimp]

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.

 

[ALBOB]

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.

 

[PanterA]

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....

 

[Merkaba]

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.

like glutamine?

Not all supplements are worth the wasted time and money either, like the smith.

 

[WINSTON]

somew coaches says the smith machine takes the hamstrings out of the squat . so the danger . . smith machine . not heavy for sure . coach poliquin never recommend smith machine .

 

[Dr.G]

EDD if smith machine is your only option then you can use it ..but use it carefully. keep your back straight 9your feet a bit forward as if you are almost leaning on the bar backwards) and do not go all the way down just go down to a tiny bit more than 90 degrees. feet apart a bit pointed outwards. knees aligned with feet. no heavy weights.
you can also use the smith machine and a step for a very good calves workout.

 

[Big Smoothy]

As we know, the smith machine is not a natural body-motion for squats. BB always best.

Better than nothing, but I'd be careful when going heavy.

 

[theCaptn']

Smith has allowed me to isolate my quads better without hammering my lower back so much. Smiths have their place imo

 

[WINSTON]

problem that is mostly for bodybuilding . doesnt have much athletic carrover . takes the hams out of the squat .

 

[skinnyguy180]

Thread revival from 2010!!


I use smith machine all the time for seated shoulder press. It has a perfect motion and usually after doing DB shoulder press.

 

[IronAddict]

Sure the Smith has its place, you use it like cap says. You ever see the pro's using a Smith?

manageable weight, slow and controlled. If it had no uses they would stop making them...

Like the Tucker or the Edsel.

 

[RokSolid15]

Smith machine is worthless IMO. Unless you are doing ballistic bench press you should never use a smith machine for ANY exercise! Get 2 ppl to help you lift the weights and stand as spotters and if that isn't possible get in a different gym. When you are able to do squats don't only do the regular back squats. Do a 4 week block of front squat then the next 4 weeks switch to over head squats for 4 weeks then 4 weeks with the regular back squat. Or in any order you want to do them in, the point is don't just do regular squats. You could also add some squat presses into your routine for more of a whole body compound exercise.