Smiths machine - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

Paul_TT · 04-05-2008, 08:48 PM

Since I injured my shoulder last year I have a little weakness in my right shoulder.

Started using the smiths machine for benchpress for chest and quite like it as gives me comfort factor on right shoulder.

SOmetimes use dumbell press from bench as a change. Is the Smiths machine OK as allows me to use heavier weights compared to BB bench allowing for right shoulder

nathanlowe · 04-05-2008, 08:52 PM

Id suggest using lighter free weights and build up that way.

flex899 · 06-05-2008, 08:09 PM

although, there's nothing wrong with using a smith machine. just remember you will be able to lift more weight using it.

redman · 07-05-2008, 12:56 PM

Good advice for a 16 year old nathan.

Drop the smith, you need to stabilise your shoulder first. If you carry on using the smith you will strengthen your chest and front delts. Sooner or later you will experience an imbalance between your ability to bench and your ability to hold/stabilise the weight you are benching, this will spill over into real life activity/playing sport/digging the garden etc and your likely to cause further injury. You will also be pushing more with your strong/none injured side even though you dont realise it.

IMO the only thing the smith is good for is raccking to the top and using it as a chin up bar.

nathanlowe · 07-05-2008, 03:57 PM

Not got exp in this department but you may build up the weight using a smith machine and come down to reality and realise you cant lift that much and lose some confidence.

Start with free weights, build up with them and then get stronger with them.

YetiMan · 07-05-2008, 04:11 PM

My gyms free weights go up to 30k :/ which is annoying as well they dont do any thing really. I use the smith for my squats ( no squat rack ), calf raises (110k is heavier than any machine) my bench I do from 70k-110k.
I dont have a spotter though, so I feel using the smith is best for me at the moment. I will move on to a bigger gym once I have finished my cutting, but now I am only looking at maintenence.

I do hate the fact I have to use the smith but beggers cant be choosers and I would prefer to be doing something than nothing.

redman · 07-05-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YetiMan

My gyms free weights go up to 30k :/ which is annoying as well they dont do any thing really. I use the smith for my squats ( no squat rack ), calf raises (110k is heavier than any machine) my bench I do from 70k-110k.
I dont have a spotter though, so I feel using the smith is best for me at the moment. I will move on to a bigger gym once I have finished my cutting, but now I am only looking at maintenence.

I do hate the fact I have to use the smith but beggers cant be choosers and I would prefer to be doing something than nothing.

Move gym now!!!!

A gym without a squat or power rack inst a gym in my book.

YetiMan · 07-05-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redman

Move gym now!!!!

A gym without a squat or power rack inst a gym in my book.

I know mate im looking in to it, its more of a fitness gym ya know, got a million and one cardio machines -.-

Lost Soul · 07-05-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_TT

Since I injured my shoulder last year I have a little weakness in my right shoulder.

Started using the smiths machine for benchpress for chest and quite like it as gives me comfort factor on right shoulder.

SOmetimes use dumbell press from bench as a change. Is the Smiths machine OK as allows me to use heavier weights compared to BB bench allowing for right shoulder

What are your goals from training?

04-05-2008, 08:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul_TT Newbie Trainer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 30	Smiths machine Since I injured my shoulder last year I have a little weakness in my right shoulder. Started using the smiths machine for benchpress for chest and quite like it as gives me comfort factor on right shoulder. SOmetimes use dumbell press from bench as a change. Is the Smiths machine OK as allows me to use heavier weights compared to BB bench allowing for right shoulder

04-05-2008, 08:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
nathanlowe Getting HUGE! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,437	Re: Smiths machine Id suggest using lighter free weights and build up that way. __________________ "If you hungry its too late" .................................................. ..................... Please take a look at my training journal. It has pictures To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-05-2008, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
flex899 rIpPeD! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London Posts: 49	Re: Smiths machine although, there's nothing wrong with using a smith machine. just remember you will be able to lift more weight using it. __________________ -- Flex --

07-05-2008, 12:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
redman Superbad Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 455 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Smiths machine Good advice for a 16 year old nathan. Drop the smith, you need to stabilise your shoulder first. If you carry on using the smith you will strengthen your chest and front delts. Sooner or later you will experience an imbalance between your ability to bench and your ability to hold/stabilise the weight you are benching, this will spill over into real life activity/playing sport/digging the garden etc and your likely to cause further injury. You will also be pushing more with your strong/none injured side even though you dont realise it. IMO the only thing the smith is good for is raccking to the top and using it as a chin up bar.

07-05-2008, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
nathanlowe Getting HUGE! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,437	Re: Smiths machine Not got exp in this department but you may build up the weight using a smith machine and come down to reality and realise you cant lift that much and lose some confidence. Start with free weights, build up with them and then get stronger with them. __________________ "If you hungry its too late" .................................................. ..................... Please take a look at my training journal. It has pictures To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-05-2008, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
YetiMan Thor "The Hammer" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aldershot Posts: 1,752	Re: Smiths machine My gyms free weights go up to 30k :/ which is annoying as well they dont do any thing really. I use the smith for my squats ( no squat rack ), calf raises (110k is heavier than any machine) my bench I do from 70k-110k. I dont have a spotter though, so I feel using the smith is best for me at the moment. I will move on to a bigger gym once I have finished my cutting, but now I am only looking at maintenence. I do hate the fact I have to use the smith but beggers cant be choosers and I would prefer to be doing something than nothing.

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