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smith machine squats

maxcdc Posts: 180 Joined: 2005/02/26	2005/08/20, 10:40 AM Why is it bad to use smith machine for squat?
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/08/20, 11:01 AM Who said it was bad? You simply have to position yourself a bit different. However, as always, freeweights will incorporate stabilizers, so more overall muscle is being recruited with free weights. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/08/20, 04:02 PM It isn't a natural movement. In the smith machine, you have to be careful because leaning back tends to neglect posterior chain development as well as causing knee problems and wrecking havoc on your tendons and anterior cruciate ligaments. Like bb1 said, you do have to position yourself differently, but I have seen too many case studies with it causing knee problems to get inside one. -------------- The best feeling in the world is the feeling you get after a tough set of squats after you step back from the power rack and throw up all over the floor.
maxcdc Posts: 180 Joined: 2005/02/26	2005/08/20, 06:07 PM thanks bb and wrestler (i wanted you both to answear, i m lucky) i know freeweight is better but... i m kinda scarred to have a lot of free weight, i guess i ll use the smith during 3 mounths and free weight after :)
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/08/20, 06:16 PM That would be a great idea. A combination of both is probably the most effective way to train. I personally do not use machines other than a reverse hyper, but my goals are probably very different from your's and BB1. BB1 posted in another post about being careful when switching from machines to free weights and to pyramid the weights up, rather than just throwing weight on and seeing what you can do. I couldn't agree more, as after working primarily with machines, weights feel kinda awkward and off balance. -------------- The best feeling in the world is the feeling you get after a tough set of squats after you step back from the power rack and throw up all over the floor.
marckozman Posts: 14 Joined: 2005/04/24	2005/08/20, 07:00 PM be careful with using the smith press machine. i was using it for squats for about 2 months cause i was worried about using the pure free weights. however i found my that i developed knee pain using the smith press so i switched to the free weights it i feel more comfortable now more than i used to. i suggest you try the other one for a light leg workout so that u can test it for yourself.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/08/20, 07:33 PM If you look at good squaters.....they lean forward.....some mroe than others this is normal. NOONE I mean NOONE....can squat, back straight,but down and go paralall. Proper squat is Push butt back, chest up and back...knees in line with toes. If its hard to imagine, get out of your chair...hwo do ? YOu lean slightly forward, and stand up with your chest over your toes. How do you sit down? Stick your butt back, and lower your chest to counter balance.....and sit down. Thats a squat. In a smith....staight up and down...is all you can do. How does this carry over to real life? Or sports? -------------- Friends don't let friends squat high...
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/08/20, 07:41 PM exactly. And, it is this pushing back that can lead to injuries on the tendons and ACL. -------------- The best feeling in the world is the feeling you get after a tough set of squats after you step back from the power rack and throw up all over the floor.
essexs Posts: 38 Joined: 2005/01/09	2005/08/24, 12:13 AM Start out light with the smith machine and make sure you have your form correct.
DeadOnArrival Posts: 95 Joined: 2005/05/22	2005/08/30, 07:06 AM I agree. The lay back smith squat position causes the hamstrings to shut off therefore the quads put excessive sheer forces on the knee resulting in a stretched ACL.
myoung6470 Posts: 75 Joined: 2003/10/30	2005/09/23, 07:24 AM Wrestler125 - "The best feeling in the world is the feeling you get after a tough set of squats after you step back from the power rack and throw up all over the floor." LOL It truly is a triumphant feeling. (Once you get it all cleaned up.) :big_smile: -------------- Happy trails, Mike Young "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Aristotle
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/09/23, 12:51 PM yeah. Its kinda weird, but afterwards your like "at least i know my abs were tight." -------------- Your two most important minerals: Iron and Chalk. If you smoke or don’t wear your seatbelt, please don’t tell me the deadlift is dangerous.
dawgfan77 Posts: 5 Joined: 2005/10/11	2005/11/04, 03:10 PM You should not lean forward during a squat. Your chest does come down but you should be pushing "through your heels." obviously you dont want to lean backwards but the idea of leaning forward is not correct either. you need to stay balanced.
dawgfan77 Posts: 5 Joined: 2005/10/11	2005/11/04, 03:16 PM your chest will come down but it is important to keep your head up and chest up as best you can. "big chest" is a good thought.
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/11/04, 03:46 PM At my gym the free weight squat rack has a bar that comes out from the rack where you climb under the weight. The bar is about 3 ft off the ground and extends about 3 feet out from the rack, so I don't get scare that I have too much weight on my shoulders. I'm short (5'4") so I figure if it's too much and I can't get back up it isn't to far down just to go all the way and set the weights down on the bar and have a seat on the floor to get the weight off me. I used the Smith before and I did more weight then I did on the freeweights, but I get a much better feeling from the free weights cause of the overall work my body puts into it. I love squats...they're one of my favorite exercises.