Smith machine squat!?

[irish27]

I saw one of the new gym instructors working out on the smith machine the other day while I was squatting beside him in the rack.

I asked him if he could watch my form. He then went on to tell me that he thinks squatting in the smith machine is alot better than the free rack!?

He was going on about something to do with how it's better because you can place your feet more forward in the smith machine.

He was a big guy too which made me think, but was questioning him saying isn't it worse in the machine because it's only one range of motion?

Even though he was a big guy he then went on to do lots of bicep curls for the remainder of his workout.

[ironwill2008]

Squatting in a Smith has some advantages, but only after you've already built a fair amount of quad mass with regular barbell squats. Yes, on a Smith you can use some different foot positions to accentuate different areas of your quads. But you have to have mass in order to refine that mass. Until you have some decent quad size, just stick with good old barbell back squats.

BTW, the biggest guy in the gym isn't always the smartest.

[irish27]

I know that, just find it annoying he's instructing people like me to use that instead and because he's that big they will probably listen to him.

[mulata54]

I actually prefer squatting on the smith machine.. because when I do it with a regular barbell I find my form isn't the greatest and I feel like I can't quite get the same burn as I do on the smith. I like to lift heavy also so it just helps me keep good form and get a nice burn going.

I'm no gym expert but my trainer had me doing them and I fell in love. I would say to just try it out and see which one you like better!!
Good luck!

[ironwill2008]

Originally Posted by irish27

I know that, just find it annoying he's instructing people like me to use that instead and because he's that big they will probably listen to him.

This is a common problem in gyms everywhere. Next times he bugs you, tell him thanks, but you're on a program, and intend to stick to it. Then turn up your iPod, and keep squatting! Unless he's a total knucklehead, he'll get the message, and go bother someone else.

[DavisForman]

Iron, I have a question for you. I have a bad lower back, and it prevents me from squatting the regular way (any slight twist and my back is shot, so even with perfect form I am still susceptible), but its okay when I use a smith machine because it keeps me perfectly straight.

Can I still get big legs by doing smith machine squats and heavy leg press?

[maui-jim]

Originally Posted by DavisForman

Iron, I have a question for you. I have a bad lower back, and it prevents me from squatting the regular way (any slight twist and my back is shot, so even with perfect form I am still susceptible), but its okay when I use a smith machine.

Can I still get big legs by doing smith machine squats and heavy leg press?

Of course you can. If you do ass to ground you will see results.

[ironwill2008]

Originally Posted by DavisForman

Iron, I have a question for you. I have a bad lower back, and it prevents me from squatting the regular way (any slight twist and my back is shot, so even with perfect form I am still susceptible), but its okay when I use a smith machine because it keeps me perfectly straight.

Can I still get big legs by doing smith machine squats and heavy leg press?

Sure. It may take a bit longer, but the results will be basically the same. Your muscles don't know or care how they're being stressed, they just know stress. Train to your limits, eat and rest, and you'll grow.

Don't worry about what you are unable to do; just work hard and consistently on what you can do. It's the effort that makes the difference.

[DavisForman]

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

Sure. It may take a bit longer, but the results will be basically the same. Your muscles don't know or care how they're being stressed, they just know stress. Train to your limits, eat and rest, and you'll grow.

Don't worry about what you are unable to do; just work hard and consistently on what you can do. It's the effort that makes the difference.

Thanks a lot man, that really reassures things. I REALLY want to do regular sqauts, but until that day comes (if ever), your right. Ill just have to focus on what I can do.

[Mikael92]

Originally Posted by DavisForman

Iron, I have a question for you. I have a bad lower back, and it prevents me from squatting the regular way (any slight twist and my back is shot, so even with perfect form I am still susceptible), but its okay when I use a smith machine because it keeps me perfectly straight.

Can I still get big legs by doing smith machine squats and heavy leg press?

what causes your bad lower back?

[DavisForman]

Originally Posted by Mikael92

what causes your bad lower back?

One of my back joints (I believe the doc said my right L-5) is inflamed. And anything that involves a twisting motion has the potential to aggravate it.

[Colawa]

Originally Posted by maui-jim

Of course you can. If you do ass to ground you will see results.

can you even DO a2g squats on a smith??

[DavisForman]

Originally Posted by Colawa

can you even DO a2g squats on a smith??

yes

[Mikael92]

Originally Posted by DavisForman

One of my back joints (I believe the doc said my right L-5) is inflamed. And anything that involves a twisting motion has the potential to aggravate it.

did you get an mri? you may find some relief in doing lots of lower back endurance exercises...hip extensions, rdl's, planks...i know they helped out my lower back alot...but so did fixing my posture

[gymcandykid]

Originally Posted by DavisForman

Iron, I have a question for you. I have a bad lower back, and it prevents me from squatting the regular way (any slight twist and my back is shot, so even with perfect form I am still susceptible), but its okay when I use a smith machine because it keeps me perfectly straight.

Can I still get big legs by doing smith machine squats and heavy leg press?

All i have used is a smith machine for squats, my gym doesn't have any racks... so it has worked well for me.

[dimasso69]

i dont have acess to a squat rack..and ive gained about 40lbs in a year and some size in my legs from 100-145lbs then i lost weight again..and working back up..so i use 1 legged squats with dumbells in my hand for extra weight..would that be fine to keep doing that for a while..any advice here welcome

[brighamw]

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

Squatting in a Smith has some advantages, but only after you've already built a fair amount of quad mass with regular barbell squats. Yes, on a Smith you can use some different foot positions to accentuate different areas of your quads. But you have to have mass in order to refine that mass. Until you have some decent quad size, just stick with good old barbell back squats.

BTW, the biggest guy in the gym isn't always the smartest.

Ahhh! What a smart man...

[mr.anderson]

Originally Posted by irish27

I saw one of the new gym instructors working out on the smith machine the other day while I was squatting beside him in the rack.

I asked him if he could watch my form. He then went on to tell me that he thinks squatting in the smith machine is alot better than the free rack!?

He was going on about something to do with how it's better because you can place your feet more forward in the smith machine.

He was a big guy too which made me think, but was questioning him saying isn't it worse in the machine because it's only one range of motion?

Even though he was a big guy he then went on to do lots of bicep curls for the remainder of his workout.

Nothing beats barbell squats IMO, balancing the weight on your shoulders is half the fun

[Diskd]

not to mention of how much more your muscles work by stabilizing yourself throughout the entire movement (glutes, hammys, quads, ab/adductors, core, etc etc)