I’ve been trying front squats at my gym, but we don’t have a squat rack or a power rack. Also, I have very little space in which to do the squats…so it’s not like I can drop the weight on the floor when I’m done. All this adds up to me not being able to go as intensely as I’d like. Now, when I did front squats on the smith machine I’d load it up as much as possible and when I was done my workout I was sweating and hurting.
Now, people always say don’t go near the smith machine, but I’m starting to think that I’d be better off there since it allows for a much more intense workout. What are your thoughts on this?
I have used a Smith machine in the past and may again. I currently get better work from HS machines and free weights, but you have to find what works for you. If you got better work outs on a Smith machine, then it makes no sense at all to stop using it because someone on a forum claimed it should be avoided.
It sounds like you can get a better leg workout with the smith machine than you can with anything else in your gym because the smith machine is your best alternative.
If you had a Squat Rack to work with, you might find that Barbell Front Squats work better for you.
My Thoughts? I think you need to find a new gym. Chances are if your gym doesn’t have a Squat-Rack then it’s lacking other equipment as well.
Machines have their place but they shouldn’t be the core lifts you concentrate on.
My work pays for my gym membership…so I’m stuck going there since I can’t afford to go somewhere else at the moment. I have a few things I need to pay off and would like to do it sooner rather than later.
I’m on WS4SB so I rotate between front squats and deadlifts. Fortuntely, you don’t need fancy equipment to do a deadlift. So, I’m doing front squats for 2-3 weeks max then I rotate.
[quote]Digity wrote:
My work pays for my gym membership…so I’m stuck going there since I can’t afford to go somewhere else at the moment. I have a few things I need to pay off and would like to do it sooner rather than later.
I’m on WS4SB so I rotate between front squats and deadlifts. Fortuntely, you don’t need fancy equipment to do a deadlift. So, I’m doing front squats for 2-3 weeks max then I rotate.[/quote]
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I have used a Smith machine in the past and may again. I currently get better work from HS machines and free weights, but you have to find what works for you. If you got better work outs on a Smith machine, then it makes no sense at all to stop using it because someone on a forum claimed it should be avoided.[/quote]
Every so often, like today, I get this very strong urge to get a gym membership just so I can romp around the HS machines. Especially the chest press outfit where the grip plane narrows as you get farther out.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Professor X wrote:
I have used a Smith machine in the past and may again. I currently get better work from HS machines and free weights, but you have to find what works for you. If you got better work outs on a Smith machine, then it makes no sense at all to stop using it because someone on a forum claimed it should be avoided.
Every so often, like today, I get this very strong urge to get a gym membership just so I can romp around the HS machines. Especially the chest press outfit where the grip plane narrows as you get farther out.[/quote]
Ahh that was my favorite until I tore my fucking pec on it.
I daresay that if I was in a gym that had it, I would like to use it again… although I, as a general rule, forego machines, there are a couple I was fond of. That, and the rowing machine were my favorites to use.
[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Tiribulus wrote:
Professor X wrote:
I have used a Smith machine in the past and may again. I currently get better work from HS machines and free weights, but you have to find what works for you. If you got better work outs on a Smith machine, then it makes no sense at all to stop using it because someone on a forum claimed it should be avoided.
Every so often, like today, I get this very strong urge to get a gym membership just so I can romp around the HS machines. Especially the chest press outfit where the grip plane narrows as you get farther out.
Ahh that was my favorite until I tore my fucking pec on it.
I daresay that if I was in a gym that had it, I would like to use it again… although I, as a general rule, forego machines, there are a couple I was fond of. That, and the rowing machine were my favorites to use. [/quote]
I can feel the squeeze on that thing just watching somebody else work it.
go with squat rack if at all possible. you get more intense workouts out of the smith machine, yes, HOWEVER; you have no stability when you switch over to the squat rack (if ever you do) and you have alot less capacity to move big weights in the squat rack than you do in the smith machine because your stabilizer muscles are weak. it’s a tossup really, personally I prefer the squat racks. in your case, make best with what you have at your disposal and the best of luck with your workouts.
Im going to jump in on the love fest here and agree with you guys. That chest machine (wide chest?) is amazing. Im a big fan of the iso lateral incline and the seated row is pretty super. The pullover machine is neat too…I think I might have to start working those in at some point.