Smith Machine Q?

[Glen]

I'm in the process of fitting out my home gym, complete set of dumbells, lots of Olympic weights, benches etc. The one thing I'm confused with is with regards to a "Smith machine" I work out alone so for me it seems like a good idea. With the "Smith" and a good adjustable bench I can do heavy benches, inclines, declines, raise it and do shoulder presses, heavy squats etc, etc. When I was looking at smith machines they have straight up ones and ones on a slight angle. I've seen some bodybuilders in various zines use these but having never used this type myself I kinda wonder what the idea is in having the smith run on a slight angle as opposed to straight up and down. If anyone knows the difference or the specific purpose for this type let me know. The angled one is a better looking machine all around but if its awkward then I'll stick with a straight up smith. Thanks for your time and help....

"GO HARD OR GO HOME"
Glen in Ontario

[ctgblue]

Theoretically, the incline version is supposed to give more of the 'natural arc' to the movement.
I have a standard YorkBarbell linear smith which is the straight up and down style. At my gym, we have the same type except it is counterweighted.
I have no problems doing all of my exercises except deadlifts, curls, triceps ext, with this machine.
One warning: Make sure that you have enough room inside the cage to position the bench properly. IE try before you buy. Many "home smiths" are very shallow and you would not be able to do inclines, etc.. because the angle of the bench and short inside depth would prohibit this. I shopped for months.
Good ones are: Tuff Stuff, Hoist, York Barbell, and the 2002 BodySolid Linear Smith.
Any other questions feel free to pm me.
Good luck

[JEFF7322]

SMITH MACHINES (GOOD ONES like CYBEX and those mentioned in above post) ARE MY BEST FRIENDS WHEN TRAINING AT THE GYM.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE DOING FREE BAR BENCHING AND SQUATS.

[HIT is best]

Originally posted by Glen
I'm in the process of fitting out my home gym, complete set of dumbells, lots of Olympic weights, benches etc. The one thing I'm confused with is with regards to a "Smith machine" I work out alone so for me it seems like a good idea. With the "Smith" and a good adjustable bench I can do heavy benches, inclines, declines, raise it and do shoulder presses, heavy squats etc, etc. When I was looking at smith machines they have straight up ones and ones on a slight angle. I've seen some bodybuilders in various zines use these but having never used this type myself I kinda wonder what the idea is in having the smith run on a slight angle as opposed to straight up and down. If anyone knows the difference or the specific purpose for this type let me know. The angled one is a better looking machine all around but if its awkward then I'll stick with a straight up smith. Thanks for your time and help....

"GO HARD OR GO HOME"
Glen in Ontario

Glen,

The smith machine has few safe uses for training. It's rigid vertical pathway forces you to use an un-natural lifting style. Though you may not feel the discomfort whilst you work out, and all may appear to be well, the smith machine reeks havoc on your joints which will lead to injury, sooner rather than later. Squatting, benching, pressing etc in a smith machine is out. Any full range movement is corrupted by this piece of equipment. Short range exercises such as lockouts are acceptable as the range of motion is very slight.

A power rack is a much better option for self spotting. This piece of equipment is so versitile, and probably much less costly than a smith machine. In a power rack you are not 'locked' into a fixed bar pathway. Though you have to stabilise the bar in a power rack, as opposed to a smith machine where the stability aspect is removed from the exercise in question (which is probably one of the most appealing and drawing aspects of the Smith machine), it is much safer in the power rack. Excellent exercise technique and smooth rep execution will allow you to have full control over the bar in a power rack, and promote injury free training.

Never use the smith machine as a means of self spotting, the price paid in terms of injury is simply not worth the risk. I speak form painful experience.

Peace

[ctgblue]

You are going to get replies like these from people who don't like the smith because they've either hurt themselves or know someone who has.
All I can say is that I've used one for years, the one at my gym is used by HUNDREDS of people each week, and I don't know ANYONE who has ever hurt themselves on it.
It takes some knowledge of how to set up under the bar and starting off light to get the right feel for YOU.
I love mine, everyone at the gym loves it, including ALL the pro bodybuilders and powerlifters that work out there.
We all use it for different exercises from time to time.
Try one for a while, see how it works for YOU and make YOUR OWN decision. If it doesn't feel right, it may not be for you.
Power racks are great alternatives if you feel the smith is not for you.
Good luck

[ScottyAx800]

a power rack would definitely be a better idea. At my gym I only used a smith machine for the first couple of months to get a feel for the movements