Opinion on the Smith Machine

[blut wump]

I must admit that guys on this board have opened up my eyes to the huge compound lifts, such as the squat, the benchpress, the row and the military press. Believe it or not, my physique has changed dramatically, my strength has increased and I do feel much better once I leave the gym.

They are a good bunch these EF ppl

I'm really glad that you're continuing to make progress Erik. Have you thought about posting a log of your workouts? Soon you'll be saying "we EF people".

 

[Illuminati]

can't agree more with what has been said already. doing compound lifts that use more muscle groups is always a better idea.

 

[perp69]

The single best reason to not use a Smith is to do whatever lifts you were doing on the Smith with a barbell. Then you will see the difference. Its not a natural planel.

Perp

 

[al420]

I would have to disagree with most posts on here, like certain machines the Smith Machine has it's place in certain workouts.

Personally, I train alone most of the time and it allows me to do benches and shoulder presses closer to my max than I would try with free weights and no spotter. Not everybody has the luxury of training parters and for this, the Smith can be a useful piece of equipment.

That being said, free weights are always my first choice.

This is a mental battle I fight all the damm time - today is a max effort chest, shoulder, tri day and I would LOVE to go from flat bench to incline on the smith...I went w/ DB's as I have been programed to do...but I fight the temptation as much as possible.

I do think that for a vet it is a entirely different story. I train at a gym where a top level heavyweight pro trains and he is all over the smith machine, and for that matter the hammer strength's. This is w/ a spotter......and so many plates the smith looks like it is going to cave in!