Bench Pressing on a Smiths Machine - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

Ultimate Buzz · 07-05-2005, 11:33 AM

Awright folks!

On my last couple of chest sessions I've been bench pressing using the smiths machine as opposed to the usual bench. My reason for this is, when pressing with a free barbell and using heavy weight, low reps with a spotter, the nos of reps (and sometiems the weight) I'm hitting is varying with the spotter (who is whoever I can grab at that time). So my plan was to use the smiths machine, without a spotter and build a heavy base weight which I can press safely myself, before returning to the free barbell.

I was going to keep this to a specific time period, as I'm obviously aware of pressing in a fixed position longer term is going to limit the shape of the developing pec and then move back to the free barbell.

Was wondering what yiz thought!? Or am I talking ****e :p

Cheers UB

samurai69 · 07-05-2005, 11:38 AM

I have done similar, though the smith i use is not counter weighted. When you get back to the free weights your stabilizing muscles will be effected, also the path of travel is different.

Its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other

**big** · 07-05-2005, 12:25 PM

Why not just bench in the power rack instead?

The smith machine doesn't have a huge carryover to free weights, because of the lack of stabiliser muscles used while using the smith.

If you don't have a spotter and don't have a power rack, then just to free weight bench not to failure. Going to failure each time is not required for muscle growth.

Smith machine is good for two things: Hanging your towel on, and keeping the free weights area clear for people who really want to gain

Timmy Smooth · 07-05-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big

Why not just bench in the power rack instead?

That's a good idea.

Jock · 07-05-2005, 03:35 PM

The smith is a waste of space, although panthro did make a good point that it does make a good towel rack....

Seriously don't bother, machines make you think you are stronger than you really are because the number of muscles utilized is so limted compared to free-weight exercises.

Like Big said lower the pins in the power rack and bench in there.

Jock

Ultimate Buzz · 07-05-2005, 03:48 PM

Gym hasn't got a power rack unfortunately. Will go back to the free bench and not take it to failure! Cheers lads

Truewarrior1 · 07-05-2005, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big

Smith machine is good for two things: Hanging your towel on, and keeping the free weights area clear for people who really want to gain

totally agree. total disaster of a machine. some machines out there can be useful, but in general freeweights > machines.

07-05-2005, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ultimate Buzz Gym Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Laanddan Posts: 102	Bench Pressing on a Smiths Machine Awright folks! On my last couple of chest sessions I've been bench pressing using the smiths machine as opposed to the usual bench. My reason for this is, when pressing with a free barbell and using heavy weight, low reps with a spotter, the nos of reps (and sometiems the weight) I'm hitting is varying with the spotter (who is whoever I can grab at that time). So my plan was to use the smiths machine, without a spotter and build a heavy base weight which I can press safely myself, before returning to the free barbell. I was going to keep this to a specific time period, as I'm obviously aware of pressing in a fixed position longer term is going to limit the shape of the developing pec and then move back to the free barbell. Was wondering what yiz thought!? Or am I talking ****e :p Cheers UB

07-05-2005, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jock LEAGUE LEGEND! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: UK Posts: 3,039	The smith is a waste of space, although panthro did make a good point that it does make a good towel rack.... Seriously don't bother, machines make you think you are stronger than you really are because the number of muscles utilized is so limted compared to free-weight exercises. Like Big said lower the pins in the power rack and bench in there. Jock __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-05-2005, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
samurai69 Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mid Portugal - by the sea Posts: 3,076	I have done similar, though the smith i use is not counter weighted. When you get back to the free weights your stabilizing muscles will be effected, also the path of travel is different. Its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other

07-05-2005, 12:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
big UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Beer me Posts: 5,276	Why not just bench in the power rack instead? The smith machine doesn't have a huge carryover to free weights, because of the lack of stabiliser muscles used while using the smith. If you don't have a spotter and don't have a power rack, then just to free weight bench not to failure. Going to failure each time is not required for muscle growth. Smith machine is good for two things: Hanging your towel on, and keeping the free weights area clear for people who really want to gain

07-05-2005, 03:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ultimate Buzz Gym Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Laanddan Posts: 102	Gym hasn't got a power rack unfortunately. Will go back to the free bench and not take it to failure! Cheers lads