Smith machine bench press

[youngwiz]

So last year i completely tore my tricep right at the elbow. Ever since i find it extremely difficult to do any sort of bb/db benching without pain or discomfort. This is also limiting my tricep development because when i am done pressing my arm hurts too much to do pulldowns/skulls/ and cgbp. So i tried smith machine bench today and felt no pain and felt it all in my chest. What i want to know is it bad to do smith machine bench as a substitute for bench in my situation?

[houtexans23]

So last year i completely tore my tricep right at the elbow. Ever since i find it extremely difficult to do any sort of bb/db benching without pain or discomfort. This is also limiting my tricep development because when i am done pressing my arm hurts too much to do pulldowns/skulls/ and cgbp. So i tried smith machine bench today and felt no pain and felt it all in my chest. What i want to know is it bad to do smith machine bench as a substitute for bench in my situation?

it can't hurt. you just need to discover what will work for you regarding your current situation.

[darklight79]

So last year i completely tore my tricep right at the elbow. Ever since i find it extremely difficult to do any sort of bb/db benching without pain or discomfort. This is also limiting my tricep development because when i am done pressing my arm hurts too much to do pulldowns/skulls/ and cgbp. So i tried smith machine bench today and felt no pain and felt it all in my chest. What i want to know is it bad to do smith machine bench as a substitute for bench in my situation?

Anything is better than nothing if it allows you to train around your injury.

[E-Tank]

i normally would say no but given your situation id give you the green light

[beau042]

For sure, as your most likely aware everybody is different, some people use different workouts to suit there needs.and sounds like you've found what works for your injury, so run with it until your tricep is better and slowly bring back other workouts. Good luck

[Igmann]

This goes against conventional thinking, but the smith machine is effective (albeit not as effective as free weights) for a variety of exercises. You may also want to try the pullover machine if your gym has one. Back in the day before they knew any better, they did pullovers as the main chest exercise.

[Kadri43fan]

Was about to come in here and say NO SMITH MACHINE! Everything I've read or been told about the smith machine is bad news! HOWEVER if it helps you train during a recovery from an injury then I would say go for it! Something is better than nothing.

My bench form sucks as I can't balance the bar too well yet as those muscles haven't developed (or aren't strong enough). The smith machine would be so much easier for me! But I use free wights because balancing the bar yourself with good form to my understanding is extremely important for real world strength. Would be quite embarrassing if I said I could bench xxx pounds then go to the barbell and can't lift near that weight because my inability to balance the bar.

But if there is a pain (not just muscle soreness) then you might not want to work that body part or find an alternative method. Which in this case is the smith machine! Get better and hopefully you can get back to the barbell.

[youngwiz]

Thanks for the help guys i will stick with it until my tricep is better. So when i do the bench should i bring shoulders back and retracted like a regular bb bench? And where should i bring the bar to on my chest?

[gabrielsyler]

I use the smith machine on my failure set when benching, only because I have to ask randoms for spots and they always assist to much. I find the two exercises (barbell bench / smith bench) feel totally different.

[gabrielsyler]

why dont you try doing db flys?

[MattieTrump97]

So last year i completely tore my tricep right at the elbow. Ever since i find it extremely difficult to do any sort of bb/db benching without pain or discomfort. This is also limiting my tricep development because when i am done pressing my arm hurts too much to do pulldowns/skulls/ and cgbp. So i tried smith machine bench today and felt no pain and felt it all in my chest. What i want to know is it bad to do smith machine bench as a substitute for bench in my situation?

As with most exercises, it's ideal to be using freeweights. But this is the exact sort of situation that machines like the smith are made for! If it allows you do get through your workout with hurting yourself then go for it! Also i would suggest Cable/Flys to isolate the chest without working your triceps.

[Djaye]

nothing wrong with using the smith machine! working around your injuries and allowing it to heal is better the not training at all. get better bro

[lefield]

MAchines have there place and sounds like what works for a person works

[Tommy W.]

Regardless of injuries or no injuries, the Smith is just another tool to take advantage of. If you use it as a crutch all the time that is misusing it. If you use it to supplement a good program of free weights then it's a benefit. I have several exercises I use it for that I feel hit the intended muscle more efficiently than free weights.

[DJAuto]

The Smith is a GREAT tool. Use it, especially if it works with your situation.