Bench press with smith machine or barbell? - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

Nick B · 08-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Hi,

Just wondering which one is best for BP'ing with? I use both, but when I train on my own I prefer the Smith machine. however, I find it easier than a barbell. Is it best to train with the smith or with barbells.

I often find I can BP more witht he smith machine, is that because the movement is guided?

Cheers

**big** · 08-10-2006, 08:43 PM

Barbell is by far superior

**hackskii** · 08-10-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big

Barbell is by far superior

Bump that.

I see the guys use the smith machine who cant seem to get the hang of regular bench.
I also see guys use the smith machine because they can use more weight.

The smith machine at my gym is counterweighted by about 45 lbs or the amount of the bar.
So, you arnt really doing more.

Smith machine is too guided for my liking.
Shurgs maybe but never any pressing with the exception of military press due to injury.

Nick B · 08-10-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackskii

Bump that.

I see the guys use the smith machine who cant seem to get the hang of regular bench.
I also see guys use the smith machine because they can use more weight.

The smith machine at my gym is counterweighted by about 45 lbs or the amount of the bar.
So, you arnt really doing more.

Smith machine is too guided for my liking.
Shurgs maybe but never any pressing with the exception of military press due to injury.

Yea thats what my feeling was. As I'm trying to improve my bench (as mentioned in a previous post), I've been trying to stick to the barbell when I trian with a mate. I've moved my bench from 70kg to 85kg on the barbell, in about 3 weeks. But on the smith I can do 100kg, thought it was too good to be true, lol.

Cheers guys.

crazycacti · 08-10-2006, 10:01 PM

BB, by a mile....

a smith machine does have its place by allowing you to overload the muscle a little more, however this done regularly increases the chance of injury imo...

Nick B · 08-10-2006, 10:09 PM

Does the bar on a smith machine have no weight then? Is it counter weighted so u only lift the weights u put on it.

Unlike a barbell which includes the bar and the weights you put on it.

Captain Hero · 08-10-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big

Barbell is by far superior

bump that

Captain Hero · 08-10-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangst

Does the bar on a smith machine have no weight then? Is it counter weighted so u only lift the weights u put on it.

Unlike a barbell which includes the bar and the weights you put on it.

im pretty sure the smithy bar is weighted mate

kathleenbilly · 09-10-2006, 12:30 AM

Well depends on what results your looking assisted bench serves well, I train alone and train safe because of it. Good equipment as far as I'm concerned.

However, yes free weight is always superior proven no-where to hide from the set of a free weight I'm afraid lol. :lift:

**hackskii** · 09-10-2006, 01:05 AM

Hey boss, do the bench in bar or dumbell.
Benefits are far better.

now go and hit that each week and try to blast one more rep from last week.
good goal that would be.

invisiblekid · 09-10-2006, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackskii

Hey boss, do the bench in bar or dumbell.
Benefits are far better.
.

Absolutly. As Hacks said, also try dumbell. Gives you a greater range of movement as you are able to come down slightly further because obviously you have no bar on your chest! Also works each side equally as you are unable to compentsate one arms slight weakness.

pitchy · 09-10-2006, 03:25 PM

how heavy is an olympic bar ? the smiths machine i use is not counterweighted , its just basicaly the bar and the two rotating handle mechanisms , i guess it at 15-20 kgs ? i load it with 100kg for 3 sets of 6 , this is cos i train alone , strange how different it is to free weight , id say i could only safely lift 80kg free weight

OnePack · 09-10-2006, 03:52 PM

personally, and most will agree, the barbell is better. the smith machine just doesn't feel natural cos you are being guided by the machine. but i do think they are ok for shoulder presses though.

**big pete** · 09-10-2006, 04:19 PM

as said, barbells will always give better results. more fibres used=more gains

a standard oly bar is 20kg.

pitchy · 09-10-2006, 04:37 PM

would u say its a bad idea to use it ? would i benefit more if i maybe drop my weight to a safe level ( train alone ) on the free weight ? altho i do follow the smith with flat flys , inline/decline flys and pec dec machine ?

08-10-2006, 07:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nick B Why so serious? Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 605	Bench press with smith machine or barbell? Hi, Just wondering which one is best for BP'ing with? I use both, but when I train on my own I prefer the Smith machine. however, I find it easier than a barbell. Is it best to train with the smith or with barbells. I often find I can BP more witht he smith machine, is that because the movement is guided? Cheers

08-10-2006, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
big UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Beer me Posts: 5,278	Barbell is by far superior __________________ 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.

08-10-2006, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
crazycacti Fat and bulking... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Isle of Man/Newcastle Posts: 1,417	BB, by a mile.... a smith machine does have its place by allowing you to overload the muscle a little more, however this done regularly increases the chance of injury imo... __________________ Insulin Spikes? Glycemic Index? Just ask Timmy Smooth... 'Well I've just downed 4 Iceland sausage rolls and my arms are shaking like an epilectic on a bucking bronco.'

09-10-2006, 01:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 23,164	Hey boss, do the bench in bar or dumbell. Benefits are far better. now go and hit that each week and try to blast one more rep from last week. good goal that would be. __________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin Scott To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-10-2006, 03:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
OnePack UK-M's Mascot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 1,494	personally, and most will agree, the barbell is better. the smith machine just doesn't feel natural cos you are being guided by the machine. but i do think they are ok for shoulder presses though. __________________ Thank you. Last edited by OnePack; 09-10-2006 at 03:56 PM.

08-10-2006, 10:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nick B Why so serious? Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 605	Does the bar on a smith machine have no weight then? Is it counter weighted so u only lift the weights u put on it. Unlike a barbell which includes the bar and the weights you put on it.

09-10-2006, 12:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
kathleenbilly Newbie Trainer Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 85	Well depends on what results your looking assisted bench serves well, I train alone and train safe because of it. Good equipment as far as I'm concerned. However, yes free weight is always superior proven no-where to hide from the set of a free weight I'm afraid lol. :lift:

09-10-2006, 03:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
pitchy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: derbyshire Posts: 46	how heavy is an olympic bar ? the smiths machine i use is not counterweighted , its just basicaly the bar and the two rotating handle mechanisms , i guess it at 15-20 kgs ? i load it with 100kg for 3 sets of 6 , this is cos i train alone , strange how different it is to free weight , id say i could only safely lift 80kg free weight

09-10-2006, 04:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
big pete UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: south midlands Posts: 3,797	as said, barbells will always give better results. more fibres used=more gains a standard oly bar is 20kg. __________________ any questions?? feel free to email me on.... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 'there is greatness inside all of us, how deep are you willing to dig? '

09-10-2006, 04:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
pitchy Newbie Trainer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: derbyshire Posts: 46	would u say its a bad idea to use it ? would i benefit more if i maybe drop my weight to a safe level ( train alone ) on the free weight ? altho i do follow the smith with flat flys , inline/decline flys and pec dec machine ?