Smith Machine

chrismon

Ok Iv joined a new gym when I came home from Australia but it has no squat bench, only a smith machine and leg press.
Iv tried to squat using the smith machine but it feels horrible.
Would you recommend it for squats or will I just have to give them up

The Davestator

Smith machines are brutal imo.

I'd try some split squats to start with and you could also do lunges, bulgarian split squats, D/B squats etc. etc.

Use the leg press to finish off your leg session too.

Remmy

Hey did you try front squats in it?They suck alot less if you are relegated to using one.

squod

Un-join the ''gym''. There has to be a squat rack within pissing distance of most places now.

RobAMerc

I did similar - I thought I saw squat rack and smith machine - unfortunately I didn't, smith only - I must say , while I know its not as good I feel the few months I am using it ( will be 4 altogether ) I am better able to concentrate on my technique than was using the squat rack. Admittedly I realise I am losing out on the core stuff that you use to balance in a proper rack but I've learned a few things ( not least check places out PROPERLY first before you sign anything ).

Mellor

RobAMerc wrote: »

I must say , while I know its not as good I feel the few months I am using it ( will be 4 altogether ) I am better able to concentrate on my technique than was using the squat rack. Admittedly I realise I am losing out on the core stuff that you use to balance in a proper rack but I've learned a few things

You really aren't, in fact the technique you are "concentrating" on using now is guaranteed to be a poor technique. You are doing it wrong now, 100%.
When squating the bar doesn't have a straight path of travel, the smith restricts you to this path.
The smith machine is sub-optimal for all the lifts (eg lack of stablising muscles on bench) but it is one of the worst for squat.

chrismon

Remmy wrote: »

Hey did you try front squats in it?They suck alot less if you are relegated to using one.

Im going to give them a go tomorow, thanks Remmy.

squod wrote: »

Un-join the ''gym''. There has to be a squat rack within pissing distance of most places now.

Yeah I will be un-joining the "gym", its only a 3 month contract so its not to bad


Cheers guys

Will Heffernan

chrismon wrote: »

Im going to give them a go tomorow, thanks Remmy.

Yeah I will be un-joining the "gym", its only a 3 month contract so its not to bad
Cheers guys

Your second idea is a good one...your first idea....not so much.

RobAMerc

Mellor wrote: »

You really aren't, in fact the technique you are "concentrating" on using now is guaranteed to be a poor technique. You are doing it wrong now, 100%.
When squating the bar doesn't have a straight path of travel, the smith restricts you to this path.
The smith machine is sub-optimal for all the lifts (eg lack of stablising muscles on bench) but it is one of the worst for squat.

Point taken - but I'm stuck with it for the next 3 months, so I was trying to recover some good out of the situation !

cardio,shoot me

Mellor wrote: »

You really aren't, in fact the technique you are "concentrating" on using now is guaranteed to be a poor technique. You are doing it wrong now, 100%.
When squating the bar doesn't have a straight path of travel, the smith restricts you to this path.
The smith machine is sub-optimal for all the lifts (eg lack of stablising muscles on bench) but it is one of the worst for squat.

Hanley: Its awesome for close grip incline bench

Will Heffernan

The only thing the smith machine is awesome for is hanging your towel on.

d'Oracle

I prefer to hang things on hooks tbh.
Reduces the lateral footprint of the hanging towel.

Unless of course said towel is wet.

Remmy

Will Heffernan wrote: »

The only thing the smith machine is awesome for is hanging your towel on.

Be carefull hanging your towel on that thing.If you so much as touch the bar your knees will turn to dust and you will develop tendonitis in every joint.Dont say you weren't warned.Im off to work my stabilizer muscles they look really underdeveloped.:D

optimistic_

I use the bar on a smith for inverted rows. That's it.