i guess it’s good for something.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
<<< I think I wasted some serious time fucking around with free weights, and no spotter. I could have been using a Smith the whole time, and throwing up a ton more weight.
[/quote]
And under more control, closer to if not to failure. The 7 degree slant is perfect. That’s what mine has. The bar doubles as a foot stop when using the high cable too.
I’ll hear anybody and I do mean anybody, but I couldn’t care less who thinks I’m doing something stupid if I know it’s serving me well.
Shoulder presses and squats, since we don’t have a real power rack or squat rack.
Stupid gym.
not being able to use one is really holding me back.
I tried using one a few times and I just have no idea how to use it tried benching ones in it and got stuck on the bottom and stuff was stuck in the machine,even though the BB wasnt right on my chest,still was too big to slide out from under the bar.
I do DB presses and use the hammer strength machine because I cant go heavy enough on bench presses without hurting myself,or looking really dumb
for squats I use a hack squat machine and a normal squat sled.
dumb bells and cable machines for everything else
I wish i knew how to use a smith the right way I would have much better workouts I think.
Not a fan of the Smith for two reasons:
- Movement feels unnatural.
- I have difficulty applying equal force on machines, too much work leads to asymmetry for me.
[quote]yogaroots wrote:
i guess it’s good for something.
[/quote]
Yeah, that and many of the most well-built, strongest bodybuilders of all time use it as well. But as we’ve learned, it’s straight up garbage (to quote Flava Flav and ZN).
Somehow, Dorian Yates’ et al advice carries more weight (pun intended) than ZeusNathan’s.
[quote]nichaaron wrote:
not being able to use one is really holding me back.
I tried using one a few times and I just have no idea how to use it tried benching ones in it >>>[/quote]
Let’s not get carried away. It’s not like training isn’t worth doing without one or that everybody should be using one consistently. The trouble arises when people write this, or any piece of equipment, off out of hand for no other reason than they read something that makes them feel uncool for considering it.
That’s the beauty of training for size. The only rule is that the movement produce the desired stress on the desired muscles safely. Never let other people artificially limit your options.
[quote]crod266 wrote:
Hey guys im wondering who here acually uses the smith machine and for what exactly. On these forums I really havent seen to many people that use them. Any people who do or any thought to why you dont. I only use them when I dont have a spotter on the bench.[/quote]
I use them for incline bench press and occasionaly for regular bench pressing so I can go heavier without a spotter. Also use them for squats about half the time and the other half of the time I use the squat rack. The Smith Machine allows me to push a decent amount of weight without worrying about killing myself, I dont have much experience and I get a little weary once I put over 250lbs on the bar (I ran track/xcountry for 7 years and my legs have turned to toothpicks).
Oh and once I used it for deadlifts, only because there really wasnt room to do them anywhere else. It was an interesting sensation, might not be bad for building explosive power although not nearly as good for strenth I m sure.
[quote]bostonbigticket wrote:
<<< Oh and once I used it for deadlifts, >>>
[/quote]
I don’t think I’d deadlift with it.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
bostonbigticket wrote:
<<< Oh and once I used it for deadlifts, >>>
I don’t think I’d deadlift with it.[/quote]
Yea I was kind of desperate…nowhere else to do it and I had to get going. Not sure if I would do it again but it was an interesting sensation, if anyone else has tried it let me know what you think.
I was screwing around with my Smith machine, and I found that I can actually power clean in it.
That 7 degree slant makes all the difference in the world on just about every exercise you do in it.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
I was screwing around with my Smith machine, and I found that I can actually power clean in it.
That 7 degree slant makes all the difference in the world on just about every exercise you do in it. [/quote]
Agreed. I also use it for wide grip uprightISH rows pulling the angle toward me and it’s perfect for that too. Shrugs as well.
EDIT: Almost forgot, great home solution for calves, seated and standing.