Smith Machine for Squatting?

[Ciggalicious]

Since I've started working at Gold's I've been doing squats on a SMith Machine. Is it a huge difference to do it on the Smith or just regularly? Will it lessen my size and strength by doing it on a Smith machine as opposed to straight off the rack?

[whitetail]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

Most exercises on a smith machine are a bad idea because it is a fixed plane of motion. This could lead to injury due to the unnatural movement with heavy weight. And, yes there is a huge difference between the two.

[Ciggalicious]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

Most exercises on a smith machine are a bad idea because it is a fixed plane of motion. This could lead to injury due to the unnatural movement with heavy weight. And, yes there is a huge difference between the two.

My lower back hurts too when I do it. But I do 250 on that so does that mean I could only do like 225 on the rack?

[Phreak]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

the smith machine is no replacement for barbell squats. none of the assistor muscle groups are used, and like an earlier poster said, the range of motion may not be natural and could lead to injury.

forget about the smith machine for now. stick to barbell squats and don't worry about the weight. just get your form down. the weight will come with time.

if you want to compare the load between smith and barbell... i look at it like this- 225 on the smith is like 155 free.

[daved150]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

I ALTERNATE BETWEEN SMITH, AND FREE WEIGHT. FOR SQUAT AND INCLINE PRESSES. I THINK IT WORKS FOR ME THIS WAY

[kite]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

I use the smith machine for shrugs sometimes aside from that it's pretty much a waste of space imo.

[NATE]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

try doing pause squats without a smith....


yeah right!

[mrthnhmn]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

I feel to stricted using a Smith for squats, bench press is a different story.

[a-bomb83]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

i'd stay away. more harm than good as opposed to free weight squats.

[T-Man007]

Re: Smith Machine for Squatting?

The only time I use the Smith is if I'm doing front squats and I have access to the Cybex one that goes straight up and down. However, I don't do that very often, only if all the squat racks are full. As for using the smith to do back squats, I wouldn't do it. As mentioned by nishnish and whitetail, you greatly reduce the use of stabilizing muscles and you don't get that natuarl range of motion. This will eventually lead to unbalanced developement and possible injury doing natural movements like running. You want the body to be free to move and not limited to a fixed plane.