s.g

just wanted to know the mixed opinions of people on here with regards to using the smith machine

i personally use one due to the safety factors for flat benching and squats as the gym i go to is not one of these you can just ask anybody for a spot.

any way let me know what you think:lift:

Kezz

most people think they are gay, but i like em!!

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NeilpWest

2nd that mate. I like to alternate between dbs smith and free bar each week.

robbiedont

Problem is the bar doesn't go straight up and down when you bench press etc so a smith doesn't allow you to do it correctly...

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simeon69

i used to use it but gain and definatly benifited more on the flat bench i have to say... but its good to start out, but i can gaurantee if you asked someone for a spot they wouldnt mind unless there a complete jackass!!!

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s.g

same here i like to alternate between the dbs and smith so i tend to do the flats on the smith and my inclines and declines with dbs

diaita

I believe its more to do with the smith not bringing the stabiliser muscles into play and unatural plain of movment (straight up and down)

TH&S

Correct although I would say more "non freeform pathway in the ROM" than unnatural. Leg Press anyone...? Thats non freeform, as all most shoulder press machines etc.

Main downside is the stabiliser muscles not being called on so you lose some of that core strength you would gain on the Olly bar, and as a result lose some functional strength that you would otherwise gain from the Olly bar again.

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D: 220 | B: 110 | S: 170 | Target: 550

Kezz

surely it doesnt matter if stabilising muscles are brought in to use or not, i should imagine they would get worked in other movements like dumbell presses and flys etc

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TH&S

Yes and no.

Its going to depend on a persons training as to whether they get trained or not (as you said)

Giving the example of using the Smith to Squat you don't activate your 'core' + other muscles (leave that one for the time being) as much as you would when free weight squatting, so you loose (or dont gain...) 'functional strength'

One would expect to see improvements in deads as a result of improvements in squats to some degree as a result of core muscles being worked in both. You loose some of this when you smith squat.

But I've said before - I avoid suing the Smith, but have no real issue with it - as long as correct form is used for that machine.

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D: 220 | B: 110 | S: 170 | Target: 550

jw007

I think they are good if you are training by yourself with no spotter, as safer.
And ok if not used exclusively

Kezz

one thing i like about the smith is that it allows you to go a lot heavier than when you use free bar and you can use different foot/ seated positions with it unlike free bar when you are limited to one range of movement, i'm not saying its better than free bar but its just as good for building muscle

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samurai69

i like the new startrac maxrack machine

http://www.startrac.com/products/strength/maxrack/

i tried it last september and i managed upright rows and bicep curls on it without it feeling out of its correct running zones


http://www.startrac.com/products/str...ack/video.html

video demo of it

TH&S

Looks a bit like the Jones machine:

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/...hine&dept_id=9

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D: 220 | B: 110 | S: 170 | Target: 550

ah24

Like most things in the gym industry, theres a use for pretty much anything.

I'm not against the smith machine but I prefer free weight barbell....

For clients though, depending on their current abilities/musculature I'll start them on the chest press, then onto the smith, from there either onto free-weights or back to the chest press but we have the Cybex Eagle range so you can 'take it off the tracks' and it's as if your using 2 dumbells.

The key to maximising results in the gym is being open minded and not being scared of trying things or limiting yourself to either free-weights or machines.