Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

[toppjimie]

Research Published in 2012 showed Greater muscle activation from Free-weight squats compaired to smith machine squats by 26% in the Biceps,34% in the calf muscle and 49% in the vastus medialis, which is the tear shaped quad muscle, while using a 8 RM Load.SO..,the Short answer is NO! Free-Weight barbell squats Activate the Quads MUCH MORE than Smith Machine squats

[creekrat]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

absolutely correct. With free weights your body is required to activate ancillary muscles to help maintain balance and stability. Smith squats would basically do straight on glutes, quads and hams where a free weight squat does side loading and the ability to balance the bar on your body. This is not a strictly linear lift when done with free weights as it is with the smith machine.

[Dzone]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Yeah this is a no brainer...no comparison...sorry...when I see some dude in the smith machine loading 5 plates to squat and he goes down 2 inches and slams it back up while his friends cheer him and he screams like an animal...Oh Lord...lol

[mikeyg51]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Free weight squats are definitely more effective than smith press, without a doubt...however, I have never seen the science behind it before now!

I am man enough to admit, though, that I do enjoy a smith press once in a while because I felt like it helps isolate my movement....maybe I'm wrong lol

[6p6]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

No contest here, free weights are always better. That being said here is my "getting older" old man advise.

I never touched a smith until I started training with a pro. He's older, just under 50 but still trains like a 20 year old. After years of building the base of free weights there is nothing wrong with moving to the smith if done properly. We've all seen the fools like said above^ with idiots moving the weight an inch. BUT you can get full range on a smith, avoid injuries, and train longer/harder on a smith.

I'm still a huge believer in free weights but some of my movements I primarily (not always) do on a smith now; incline bench, shoulder press, box squat/pause squats, front squat, and extreme wide row (for rear delts).

For me this works.

[Heavy Hitter]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Hey what's wrong with going only half way down with 500lbs on the smith?? I do it everyday around 5:00 when all the hot chicks are there.!!!

[animal87]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

lol, i say never use a machine unless you have to.

[guage]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

maybe its age but heavy squats on your standard rack seems to cause me water on the knee. dam thing looks like a freaking orange where on the smith I don't get the water on the knee. very well could be that it doesn't activate other muscles, I always thought that being it kept you strictly in one motion it isolated muscles a bit better. I think the free weight rack is better tho however if going heavy will use the smith.

[mikeyg51]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Ok, what about incline bench on the smith? I know this thread is about squats but I will ONCE in a great while do incline on the smith because I really can concentrate on my upper chest by making that bar hit higher...I am 30 now and my joints are already killing me because I have been weight training since 15...How do you guys feel about other movements on the smith?!

[Ezskanken]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

I use the Hammer Strength squat machine in my rotation, feels much better then a hack machine to me. BB squats are a must for me, I love the way I hobble off the platform and find the nearest bench to fall on after a set lol!

[6p6]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Ok, what about incline bench on the smith? I know this thread is about squats but I will ONCE in a great while do incline on the smith because I really can concentrate on my upper chest by making that bar hit higher...I am 30 now and my joints are already killing me because I have been weight training since 15...How do you guys feel about other movements on the smith?!

Definitely incline bro! I'm with you there, 100%. I can keep my chest higher and peaked during the squeeze and much more
Concentration. The smith incline revitalized my upper chest.

[mikeyg51]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Couldn't agree more...Revitalized was a great way to put that! My upper chest pops out of a v-neck like never before lol..

[colochine]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Is monopoly money as good as real money?

[6p6]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Is monopoly money as good as real money?

Lol!

[Heavy Hitter]

Re: Are smith machine squats as good as free-weight squats?

Is monopoly money as good as real money?

I thought you died.