Hi, sorry if this has been asked being... I couldn't find an answer to my question so...
Are smith machine squats back for your back? I've done loads of free weight squats at decent weight and never hurt my back but my current local gym has no squat rack!!!! So I've been using the smith machine and have hurt my back a few times doing it (pulled a muscle across the middle of my back). Anyone else had this problem? Does the forced ROM cause injuries?
Thanks
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Results 1 to 13 of 13
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07-02-2005, 05:10 AM #1Registered User
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- Age: 41
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Squats on Smith machine bad for back?
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07-02-2005, 05:51 AM #2Registered User
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Looks like you answered your own question. Usually exercises in a forced ROM are not the best. You're better off finding some other alternative. Lunges, DB squats, one legged squats, etc.Originally Posted by xenny"Franco is pretty smart, but Franco's a child, and when it comes to the day of the contest, I am his father. He comes to me for advices. So it's not that hard for me to give him the wrong advices." - Arnold Schwarzenegger - Pumping Iron
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07-02-2005, 09:09 AM #3
They aren't that hard on your back if you alter your form somewhat. I find that on a smith you need to put your feet in front of you a little and then drop your butt down.
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07-02-2005, 09:23 AM #4back with half the reps
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smith machine is bad for everything
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07-02-2005, 09:32 AM #5Registered User
- Join Date: Jan 2005
- Location: LA, CALI
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Personally I agree with this statement becaused of the forced range of motion and the inability to allow the body to enter in to its own natural "groove". Our body does not perform on a plane, as the smith machine, so in my opinion I think it is only good to use as an absolute last resort.Originally Posted by SDFlipStyle
Try using the heavy dumbbells and holding them (one) up under your chin and doing front squats, these really get the job done.
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07-02-2005, 10:02 AM #6Man, I'm Big- RIP
- Join Date: Apr 2002
- Location: Ottawa ON
- Age: 39
- Posts: 1,498
- Rep Power: 600
I love smith for chest and shoulders, but LEGS? Blechh!
Stats: I figured I earned them, why not post it.
6'5
Weight: 260
Waist: 36"
Legs: Sittin' on trips (30's)
Arms: L: 19, R:18.7 (cold)
BF%- meh, I don't miss a meal
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07-02-2005, 10:07 AM #7Registered User
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- Age: 40
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i can't do squats on the smith machine because i can't get the motion down right. i have tried them and that's just to strange of a movement for me. like was said, i would try and find a different alternative to squats rather than do them on the smith machine. to me, and this is only me, squats on the smith machine felt like a leg press with a different range of motion than other leg presses.
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07-02-2005, 10:30 AM #8Train smarter, not harder
- Join Date: Sep 2004
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yes
except towel hangingOriginally Posted by SDFlipStyle
<->
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07-02-2005, 10:50 AM #9E-stats: 6'5" 575lbs 6%BF
- Join Date: May 2005
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A gym with no Squat Rack!?...thats like a brothel with no whores ...where do you work out?
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07-02-2005, 11:01 AM #10Registered User
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Put your feet in front or you quite a bit, so that when your legs are right at parallel that your knee is 90 degrees, so your lower leg is perpendicular to the floor. Keep your back completely straight throughout the whole range. Squats on the smith machine are much, much different then free weight. I have noticed it isolates your quads, and ESPECIALLY YOUR GLUTES.
This can be a good and a bad thing, free weight squats will help so that you can work multiple muscle groups, but if you want to isolate for toning then smith machine is not the best, but its not that bad either. Realize that you wont be able to do as much weight either since your not using as many muscles groups.
Be careful though, the reason you hurt your back is most likely and I would bet 100 dollars on this, is that you had your feet to far back, and when you went down you were forced to bend at your hips, and torque your but out. This takes all the power out of your legs and puts it on your lower/middle back, which is not not straight probably bent down, and the weight is now being moved by your back as you try to pull your but in on the way up, which you will pull a muscle badly in no time because of the bad form.5'10
1/15/05=247
12/20/05 shoulder surgery
4/04/06 First week back to lifting 208, roughly 14%
6/07/06
Bench: 3 reps @ 275
Squat: 5 reps @ 275
Weight: roughly 213
Bf%: Roughly 13%
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07-02-2005, 11:01 AM #11Train smarter, not harder
- Join Date: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by cheezefacta
suprisingly, lots of places don't have power racks<->
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07-02-2005, 11:13 AM #12Registered User
- Join Date: Feb 2005
- Age: 41
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I know, it sucks. In the past I've balanced a barbell across the dip bars and used that as a squat stand. A gym worker told me not to because it's dangerous, I agreed and said that's why they need a squat rack.Originally Posted by cheezefacta
Thanks for the feedback guys. I did my last workout in that gym today and will probably never do smith squats again, if I do I'll make a point of having my feet out in front, I think not doing that was the cause of the problem.
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07-02-2005, 11:15 AM #13Train smarter, not harder
- Join Date: Sep 2004
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i did that too for front squatting - not that dangerous - the main drawback though is if you have to dump the bar, no safety catchesOriginally Posted by xenny<->
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