The Smith Machine

[gerrymck]

Somethings been niggling at my brain recently.  I live in denny and the local gym at wellsfield has a vertical plane smith machine (amongst other things) and it would save me travelling all the way to grangemouth stadium gym to train at the squatting racks when i cant get a lift there.

My question is this....Is all the debate about the smith machine disadvantages true?  Gavin i'd really like your opinion on this.  The disadvantages im referring to is the "Un-natural" place of motion that the smith machine goes through causing a supposed "Lack of development in stabaliser muscles"....Even though this is a complete vertical plane smith machine.

Personally i do feel it easier on my knees and back to squat on a smith machine.  It definately feel a better workout in my legs and in comparison to free weight squats i can safely and confidently get a full squat rather than a parralel or 3/4 squat with the free weights.

Thoughts?

[EZ Sports Inverness]

Increased shearing forces on patella and / or lumbar Vs increased loading on the quads from more vertical torso posture. Maybe when loads are very light the advantage in quad loading is worth the increased shear but as soon as the weight goes up the balance changes.


I'd say squat with the free bar if you can mate - the smith won't kill you immediately but it is NOT good for your body with any meaningful loading.

[gerrymck]

Love having you here....HAHA

[ezsports]

Squatting with a Jones is fine, which moves horizontally as well as vertically... squatting with a straight vertical only Smith, not so good.
I am also training at Wellsfield now. I'd say on leg days, go to grangemouth. Other than that though, great wee gym .

[stu]

i dont generally like smiths but.... wot i do use them for is my range of motion in squats as a warm up. stretch things out n warm up my knees nicely. works for me

[gerrymck]

Nah, after after squating 110 kilos i saw the real constriction to the range of motion in it.  Fair enough for warming up aye but nout else.

[stu]

Nah, after after squating 110 kilos i saw the real constriction to the range of motion in it.  Fair enough for warming up aye but nout else.

yeah i only use it to warm up a bit, followed by more warm up sets on the squat rack.

[gerrymck]

Half took the smith machine off its bolts in the gym the other day, I have to crouch on it because when i  stand up it cant go any further! haha inferior tiny smith machines =(