New gym, no bench

[markphilips]

They just built a new gym right by my house and it is cheaper than the one I currently go to. However they have no bench machine(flat, incline or decline), shoulder bench, or squat rack. They do have a smith machine and plenty of dumbells and machines. I've been bodybuilding for a while now and I have always used free weights. Do you think I can get by with using the smith machine for bench, shoulder press, and squats instead of using free weights? Is it a big deal? Just wanted to get some opinions so I make the right choice.

Thanks

[dolphinsfan270]

you cannot get buy. you can always get a good burn in any movement but you're not working any stabilizers with machines. It sometimes can actually make your bench/squat worse bc you're doing wierd form and it could screw up your stabilizing muscles and form when you get back to free weights.

[markphilips]

What about just using dumbells?

[Wildtim]

They just built a new gym right by my house and it is cheaper than the one I currently go to. However they have no bench machine(flat, incline or decline), shoulder bench, or squat rack. They do have a smith machine and plenty of dumbells and machines. I've been bodybuilding for a while now and I have always used free weights. Do you think I can get by with using the smith machine for bench, shoulder press, and squats instead of using free weights? Is it a big deal? Just wanted to get some opinions so I make the right choice.

Thanks

You could "get by" but its like wanting a steak and getting by with a hot dog. I would continue to patronize the gym that actually has a barbell and a squat rack, because I'm betting this one has a Smith machine if you ever have the urge to have a hot dog.