Smith Machine bar

nikeaddict1989 · 10-16-2006, 06:59 PM

I didnt know where to put this so u can move it if necessary...but i was wondering how much the bar on the smith machine ways

USMARINE8152 · 10-16-2006, 07:33 PM

it can depend i have seen some that u can un hook the pulleys but my guess is i know ur normal bb is 45 pounds

the smith machine is any where from 15 pounds to 35

may i ask why ur using a smith machine?

lukebr · 10-16-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikeaddict1989

I didnt know where to put this so u can move it if necessary...but i was wondering how much the bar on the smith machine ways

yeahh its 10kgs at my gym (half a regular bar)

fin_13 · 10-16-2006, 09:13 PM

it's actually not really that measurable cause of the pulleys and such. friction blah blah.

best bet is not to use the smith machine. you could try the equipment section? i got some help with the barbell weights in that section

nikeaddict1989 · 10-17-2006, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMARINE8152

it can depend i have seen some that u can un hook the pulleys but my guess is i know ur normal bb is 45 pounds

the smith machine is any where from 15 pounds to 35

may i ask why ur using a smith machine?

i use the smith bc its str8 power...ucant cheat on the smith machine

madmike253 · 10-17-2006, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikeaddict1989

i use the smith bc its str8 power...ucant cheat on the smith machine

Its also easier to keep the bar straight across.

Sean Casey · 10-17-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikeaddict1989

i use the smith bc its str8 power...ucant cheat on the smith machine

If your using a smith machine your cheating yourself.

edit: The smith machine limits your range of motion and doesn't recruit any additional muscles required for improving balance and flexibility.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 08:34 AM

I use the Smith Machine for incline and decline bench since my gym doesn't have a BB bench that can incline nor decline.

At my gym it weights 15 lbs.

WanTanSoup · 10-17-2006, 08:52 AM

a smith machine doesn't work your stabilizers.

VikingMan · 10-17-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

I use the Smith Machine for incline and decline bench since my gym doesn't have a BB bench that can incline nor decline.

At my gym it weights 15 lbs.

Does your gym have a power rack and an ajustable moveable bench? Anything but the damn smith. Piece of ****!

mjw8204 · 10-17-2006, 09:58 AM

The smith machine will give you herpes. There is no cure for herpes.

Sean Casey · 10-17-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjw8204

The smith machine will give you herpes. There is no cure for herpes.

LMFAO! Good one MJW.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingMan

Does your gym have a power rack and an ajustable moveable bench? Anything but the damn smith. Piece of ****!

They have a moveable bench (adjustable also for incline and decline) but they have no power rack. I unfortuanatly have to do squats on the smith machine also.

VikingMan · 10-17-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

They have a moveable bench (adjustable also for incline and decline) but they have no power rack. I unfortuanatly have to do squats on the smith machine also.

No rack? Then it's not a gym, it's a health club. Find a new fascility. Smiths are bad news all around.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 11:01 AM

It is a company gym/health club that is free for all employees. It pretty much has everything else I need except a power rack and a regular incline BB bench.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 11:02 AM

May I ask why Smith Machines are so bad? Other then not having a Full ROM.

VikingMan · 10-17-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

May I ask why Smith Machines are so bad? Other then not having a Full ROM.

It's not that they don't have a ful ROM, because they do.

It's that they requrie no stabalizing muscles, balance for squats, and lock you into a specific range of motion which can be detrimental to your joints. Your body will want to move a specific way, mechanically speaking, but the smith won't let it.

Mark Rippetoe cries everytime someone squats on a smith.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingMan

It's not that they don't have a ful ROM, because they do.

It's that they requrie no stabalizing muscles, balance for squats, and lock you into a specific range of motion which can be detrimental to your joints. Your body will want to move a specific way, mechanically speaking, but the smith won't let it.

Mark Rippetoe cries everytime someone squats on a smith.

I cry when I squat on a smith machine too, but I figure it's better then not doing them at all.

Would you say it's easier or harder to do squats on a smith machine since your body can't move like it wants to?

I would be scared I'd tip over if I squated on a power rack since I've never done it before. I might buy a day at a near by gym and try squating on a power rack to see if I notice a difference.

nitrored · 10-17-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

I cry when I squat on a smith machine too, but I figure it's better then not doing them at all.

Would you say it's easier or harder to do squats on a smith machine since your body can't move like it wants to?

I would be scared I'd tip over if I squated on a power rack since I've never done it before. I might buy a day at a near by gym and try squating on a power rack to see if I notice a difference.

You almost certainly will not be able to pile on as many plates when you switch over to a rack, but less is more in this case.

VikingMan · 10-17-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

I would be scared I'd tip over if I squated on a power rack since I've never done it before. I might buy a day at a near by gym and try squating on a power rack to see if I notice a difference.

Well, you might have to acclimate your body to squatting without the smith, but you'd be better off for it in the long run.

CroaT · 10-17-2006, 11:24 AM

Thanks nitrored and vikingman. I will go try it at a near by gym and hopefully convince the company to buy one.

VikingMan · 10-17-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroaT

Thanks nitrored and vikingman. I will go try it at a near by gym and hopefully convince the company to buy one.

They are incredibly usefull. You can work damn near every major muscle group in a good rack. And it shouldn't cost that much money really, and it's a write-off for your company.

Forrest319 · 10-17-2006, 04:46 PM

Smith machines are useful, but it should be avoided when possible IMHO. Like others have said, it forces an unnatural range of motion and recruits fewer muscles overall.

That being said, there are several situations where the Smith is useful. i personally use the smith for incline bench and seated military press. I do this because I rarely have a spotter (my gym is full of soccer moms... mmmmm.... soccer moms.....) and the smith machine allows me to use more weight than if I was in a cage or using dumbells. Just don't live in the Smith Machine like I see some people doing.