smith machine

T

TheCrazy88

0
on the smith machine how much does the bar weigh. i kno that regular bar is 45, but it seemed so much lighter on the smith machine.

if it does weigh that much then i got alot stronger over the weekend! haha.

thanks.
 
Yeah, stay away from the Smith machine bro, using free weights uses muscles that the Smith won't touch and it will hurt in the long run.

I think it is 25lbs though, could be wrong.
 
Hey dont go jumping into dissing the smith machine. It doesnt "hurt" you in the long run in just slows down gains. What hurts you more in the long run injuring yourself doing free weights with poor form or using something that assists you in conditioning the muscles to begin using free weights.

The smith machine is useful to many things including my favourite bench press with a swiss ball between my shoulder blades and one under my feet. I feel alot safer doing something like that with a smith machine than with a free weight.
 
NBS 4life said:
Hey dont go jumping into dissing the smith machine. It doesnt "hurt" you in the long run in just slows down gains. What hurts you more in the long run injuring yourself doing free weights with poor form or using something that assists you in conditioning the muscles to begin using free weights.

The smith machine is useful to many things including my favourite bench press with a swiss ball between my shoulder blades and one under my feet. I feel alot safer doing something like that with a smith machine than with a free weight.
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Instead of going 1RMs on the free weights straight off the bat, most people get their form down with low weights and build up to their regular sets. Once you nail your form, its actually a lot safer than the Smith because switching to free weights won't set yourself up for injury, like the Smith does. Get a spotter, ditch the ball and you should be fine with a free weight barbell.
 
ShaftedTwice said:
Instead of going 1RMs on the free weights straight off the bat, most people get their form down with low weights and build up to their regular sets.
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I disagree strongly. This is what people should do (and on that front its a very intelligent post). The reality is, from what I've seen, that most people (mainly MEN) just wade in trying to lift as much as they can without a thought on form etc.

Which I'm sure we all know is a fast path to pain and/or failure.

I'd say disregard the Smith too. You will only ever be trying to move weight through one axis. Not hitting stabalizers is not getting the most of isolation movements, let alone big compound moves, which should be the bread and butter of your lifting regime.
 
I use the smith machine...to lean off of for one arm lateral raises...
I also hang my sweatshirt on it.
that's about as useful as I find it.

as for the bar weight, ti depends. a well oiled smith is ofter counter balanced, so the bar isn't 45lbs. on an older machine that's not maintained, the added friction from the un-lubed sliders can make it a lot more than 45lbs.

either way, you're cheating yourself on stabilization, and not following the body's normal range of motion.
 
NBS 4life said:
Hey dont go jumping into dissing the smith machine. It doesnt "hurt" you in the long run in just slows down gains. What hurts you more in the long run injuring yourself doing free weights with poor form or using something that assists you in conditioning the muscles to begin using free weights.

The smith machine is useful to many things including my favourite bench press with a swiss ball between my shoulder blades and one under my feet. I feel alot safer doing something like that with a smith machine than with a free weight.
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if this isent sarcastic.. then yes, poor form with freeweights will hurt you, so learn to do things propperly. and with the smith machine, if you do squats, for an example, its impossible to use correct form, because the bar only has one way to go, up and down, thats not how the bar goes on a squat.
 
So what we are saying is that the Smith Machine can lead to injury?

I am guilty of using the Smith for squats and bench presses, especially if I do not have a spotter. However I always try to keep up good form on it.

I have had problems with my shoulders in the past. Could this maybe be caused by the Smith?
 
squats don't need a spotter, if you can't hold the weight, you drop it in the squat cage.
if you can't find a bench press spotter, use dumbbells instead.
 
lambo69 said:
I have had problems with my shoulders in the past. Could this maybe be caused by the Smith?
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Depends, do you roll them during shrugs?

Do you try to lift honking great big weights during side raises?

Close grip upright rows?
 
Just for the record my post did have a hint or sarcasm in it :D

But in saying that I do (NO SARCASM) think that the smith machine has a place in a gym. 90% of the clients that I train have issues with stability. I give them smith machine in a conditioning phase. As soon as they can use free weights I give them free weights.

Free weights are more effective but only if you are experienced and have been taught by someone that actually knows the mechanics.
 
Hmmm, the smith machine does nothing to aid in the recovery of stabilizer muscles. If anything, it hurts them worst.

The smith machine has about as much usefulness as my coat-hanger in my opinion.
 
stroutman81 said:
Hmmm, the smith machine does nothing to aid in the recovery of stabilizer muscles. If anything, it hurts them worst.

The smith machine has about as much usefulness as my coat-hanger in my opinion.
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What if you use a smith ball on it! The people that are clients at my gym are generally of the older population and fuctional movements are very important to them. Being able to feel safe is also important to them. I didnt say that the smith machine works stabilizers but it allows people to get used to doing something they have never done before whilst feeling safe.
 
NBS 4life said:
What if you use a smith ball on it! The people that are clients at my gym are generally of the older population and fuctional movements are very important to them. Being able to feel safe is also important to them. I didnt say that the smith machine works stabilizers but it allows people to get used to doing something they have never done before whilst feeling safe.
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I agree. People wanting substandard results should use substandard training methods.
 
NBS 4life said:
What if you use a smith ball on it! The people that are clients at my gym are generally of the older population and fuctional movements are very important to them. Being able to feel safe is also important to them. I didnt say that the smith machine works stabilizers but it allows people to get used to doing something they have never done before whilst feeling safe.
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Everyone is entitiled with their opinion and I respect yours. In your training which isnt beginner then it is of virtually no use. But for a 60 year old women it has definate use.
 
NBS, you are right. We are each entitled to our own opinions. I just think you are going beyond opinions and are going against fact. The smith machine should not be used for a beginner or and elder. There is no reason they should not be using free weights with proper instruction from a qualified trainer.
 
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