smith machine ?

[RiotGang]

is benching on the smith the same as the regular benchpress?...when im benchpressin on the smith it feels easier...

[NatiboyB]

No the Smith machine takes away eccentric and concentric motion meaning you aren't recruiting maximum muscle effort. The Smith Machine is good for beginners and people who are injured or for use with various exercises. But it is best to squat and clean with regular oly bars.

[Scud]

The Smith machine is a terrible piece of equipment. Not only does it not allow you to work any stabilizer muscles, but when you press weight, you don't just move the barbell up and down; you move it in an arc. The smith machine can't reproduce this arc and will only put weird strains on your body if you use it (especially for squats)

There is no reason you should be using a smith machine. Use a power rack to squat safely and learn proper form when deadlifting. If you're unsure if you're going to be able to handle the weight when you're bench pressing, ask for a spot. People are more than happy to help. Just make sure you avoid the smith machine at all costs

[RiotGang]

i used the machine cause i sprained my knee a few months ago.....does the smith make it worse????....i been squatting with it to make sure my knee is okay and its actually gave me results....can it really be that bad for u to use the smith??....cause basically at my college they only have the smith because sometimes people are in the weight room alone and s.hit?...so basically the smith is a waste?...my legs feel stronger...but help me out .. if theres no positive for the smith why did they even make?

[NatiboyB]

Lets put it like this

The Smith Machine does hacve its strong points but the squat rack is better overall and the smith machhine should only be used by beginners and those injured which you were. The college has those there because they probally bought the kool-aid about the smith machine or because of concern that a student would drop weight on themselves whereas probally a lot more nagging injuries occur from Smith Machine use. What do the athletes ahve in there gym is this the student gym>

[Ariel Sharon]

the smith is a good idea when performing pretty hazardous exercises (like bench pressing on a ab board)...other than that, man up and use the Olympic bar