smith machine - n00b question

[Tallgntlmn]

This may sound like a stupid question to most in here but I am wondering if I am doing something wrong, looking stupid, or whatever. It's a bit off the wall and difficult to search for.

What is the proper position for working in the Smith machine? When you are lifting, do you turn the bar toward you or away from you to hit the hooks when finished? So if I am doing a military press in the smith, should I twist the bar toward me to grab the hooks or away from me to grab the hooks? Like I said, seems like a silly question but form does matter, eh?

[nuppal]

I always sit behind the hooks.

IE turn the hooks TOWARDS my face, then AWAY when I am done. Pretty sure that is the pref method.

[ihop1411]

ill just usually face the mirror...thats what most people seem to do

[rplass]

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask, then you get hurt doing an exercise wrong, so yeah, it's okay to ask.

For Smith machine, no, it doesn't matter which way you turn the bar. It's the same if you "face into" the machine or "face out" of the machine.

[hollisterboii]

Can't answer you question. But let me direct you here

http://www.dietdetective.com/content/view/2247/78/



One day try doing Military Presses with just the barbell. It works your core better.

[Tallgntlmn]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if there was a difference either way so I figured I'd try to be sure. I did my first sets of squats after starting again in one and not long after I finished, I noticed the next person facing the opposite as I was on my sets. I don't use it for squats anymore though.

I will get to just the barbell in due time. I haven't done military press in a while so I want to get the hang of it again before I go free. The only problem I can see having in the smith is that when I fully extend, I am almost hitting the stops on top of the bar that the barbell slides on.

Thanks again for the quick replies, this site rocks for info and motivation, IMHO.

[Nauxz]

For Smith machine, no, it doesn't matter which way you turn the bar. It's the same if you "face into" the machine or "face out" of the machine.

Personally I have not used the Smith machine before, but i'm pretty sure the bar does not go straight up and down, i.e. there is a slight angle the path of the bar makes with the vertical. In this case it does matter where you face.

[-Lucifer]

One day try doing Military Presses with just the barbell. It works your core better.

The Smith works my shoulders very well and I refuse to use the barbell. Also, the Military press is not supposed to be a core exercise.

I do dumbbell shoulder presses though.

[hollisterboii]

The Smith works my shoulders very well and I refuse to use the barbell. Also, the Military press is not supposed to be a core exercise.

The extra core work is what makes it a great compound. If you do it with smith machine, its really not a Military press.

[ferbie]

What is the proper position for working in the Smith machine? When you are lifting, do you turn the bar toward you or away from you to hit the hooks when finished?

towards you. however IMO a newb should use free weights. the only reasonable use for the smith is when you are advanced and need more isolation to get more volume in.