Smith Machine good for anything?

[Tarheel]

My new gym has one. I'm leary of it, but willing to give it a try if its good for anything.

As pointed out in another thread, drag curls might be a good change of pace from straight bar curls.

Maybe some seated militaries?

 

[PolishHammer1977]

The smith machine is an excellent tool. IMHO it is best used to teach beginner form and/or rehabbing from an injury.

I am sure there are practical uses but I am only concerned with what makes ME grow.

 

[RusPA81]

The smith machine is an excellent tool. IMHO it is best used to teach beginner form and/or rehabbing from an injury.

I am sure there are practical uses but I am only concerned with what makes ME grow.

I personally think it would be more useful for a beginner to learn how lift with free weights while using really light weights, then to learn on a smith press and then have to relearn with free weights. Just my opinion.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I personally think it would be more useful for a beginner to learn how lift with free weights while using really light weights, then to learn on a smith press and then have to relearn with free weights. Just my opinion.

Are you a Personal Trainer brutha?

 

[RusPA81]

Are you a Personal Trainer brutha?

No, I am not. Thats why I said it was my opinion. Its something that I noticed from my own and friends personal experiences.

 

[RusPA81]

I see your point too, and I believe that does depend on the trainie too. Some people have a better ability to grasp form then others. It also depends on a personal training goals and physical ability.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Form is everything in my eyes. "Lets get it right the first time". That is my stance. I think the SMITH machine provides that opportunity while promoting the safest environment possible. You can teach and learn PERFECT form utilizing it.

When the form is correct than we move to free weights and RELEARN form.

Training is all about relearning and applying new ideas to old ones. This is how I train people. They can alway leave I will only teach the correct form in order for anything to progress.

 

[RusPA81]

ok.

Imagine this situation. A person wants you to train them but has no prior involvment in athletics, has serious limitations (knee surgeries) is uncoordinated, and has never lifted a weight.

This is extreme but this is just a minor example. you and your friends may not be fitting into this category of client. I hope this opens your perspective a little.

I just realized this and wrote about that up top.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

No, I am not. Thats why I said it was my opinion. Its something that I noticec from my own and friends personal experiences.

ok.

Imagine this situation. A person wants you to train them but has no prior involvment in athletics, has serious limitations (knee surgeries) is uncoordinated, and has never lifted a weight.

This is extreme but this is just a minor example. you and your friends may not be fitting into this category of client. I hope this opens your perspective a little.

 

[RusPA81]

You are exactly right and what you jsut learned will carry through to the rest of your training life.

you will see that the average American is fat, lazy and out of shape. We can't start at the phase WE started at. We ahve to take a step backward to take a step foreward.

Very true. May orignal statement was not based at average fat, lazy American, but more towards someone with some fitness back ground. In the case you are describing I absolutely agree with you. One cannot go from nothing to advanced movements. The must first get the basic feel for how the muscles move and respond.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I see your point too, and I believe that does depend on the trainie too. Some people have a better ability to grasp form then others. It also depends on a personal training goals and physical ability.

You are exactly right and what you jsut learned will carry through to the rest of your training life.

you will see that the average American is fat, lazy and out of shape. We can't start at the phase WE started at. We ahve to take a step backward to take a step foreward.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Thank you Rus

We made this a solid informational thread for all to read. Karma to you brutha.

 

[RusPA81]

Thank you Rus

We made this a solid informational thread for all to read. Karma to you brutha.

It was really because you pointed out my error in assuming that everyone is a natural athelte. Anyways, karma back at you.

 

[phatman42]

I use a smiths for 2 things

1. Standing calf raises

2. Towel hanging

 

[t3c]

curls

 

[Liftbig]

i like to lean against the smith machine. you can adjust the bar to different hieghts depending on how high or low you feel like leaning. works great!

 

[jerkbox]

i would never recommend anyone use it....except for maybe what liftbig said

 

[collegiateLifter]

arggh.

I'm not really a fan but i've been making liberal use of it recently for DC training.

 

[Tarheel]

Hmm, bench throws too (similar to speed work, except you let go at the top and then catch the weight).

And leaning. Definently leaning.

 

[LftHndPwrHouse]

Its a great tool in the gym if you dont have a work out partner or spotter. If you feel like your going to give out doing squats or your getting a cramp you can just turn the bar hook it in and hit the floor.

Like the hammer said its great if you have an injury. I just tore a ligiment in my lower back. Once i start doing squats again, it will be smith machine all the way. I dont have to worry about balance as much and it will keep the bar level. That way i wont stress one side of my back more then the other.


You can do alot of exercises on it.
Bench press
Incline Bench
Squats
BB back rows.
Im shure you can find more.

 

[blinddeafmute]

I use it for standing calf raises and that is about it.

Oh yeah, I also use it to do the shoulder and bicep stretches DC style. It works great for that too.

 

[Backlash]

2 things for me:

1. power shrugs

2. I rest my forearms over the bar when I'm doing wrist rollers to avoid fatiguing my shoulders

 

[Little Rage]

have to use it when i'm already into my routine and muscles are pumped and it comes down to using it or waiting for a bench. If i wait i lose my pump, which screws up the entire workout.

 

[Dozing21]

I don't understand why people are so negative towards the smith machine. Lots of pros and advanced competitors use it FOR BODYBUILDING. I do realize it probably isn't good for strong man and the likes.

I myself do incline presses and squats on the smith. The latter because I have a lower back injury and free weight front and back squats aggravate it. Smith squats, leg presses and hack squats are my staples and allow me to really hit my quads.

 

[bds20002002]

its great to watch the little hot aerobics chick squat using it.

 

[JollyRogers]

I use it for pin pressing for working my tris heavy for higher benches now. I like it