Smith Machine squats

[djgaler]

Ok bros is it better to use the smith machine or free squat rack while doing squats?? Or does it matter??
Thanks,
DJ

 

[Scotsman]

Free weights. The smith doesn't let your body track properly and can lead to imbalances and injuries. Your body doesn't travel in a straight line when you squat and the smith forces it to do so.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[Illuminati]

free weights. free weights. free weights. pretend that the smith machine doesn't exist. its worthless. you cannot squat properly in that thing.

 

[djgaler]

ty ty ty, for the quick responses
Ya'll have a good weekend
DJ

 

[djgaler]

Another quick question, are you suppose to squat all the way down??
Thanks,
DJ

 

[SPORT SCIENTIST]

Another quick question, are you suppose to squat all the way down??
Thanks,
DJ

By squatting low, you involve your hamstrings and glutes to a greater degree, than when squating in a shallow manner - it is much better to do this, as more muscle is stimulated. However, those who are not particularly flexible find this difficult. Powerlifting dictates that a squat to parralel is an acceptable lift, however, purely from a training perspective, squatting lower than this has added benefits (powerlifters go below parallel in training).

Just don't let the kneees extend over the toes (something which is unavoidable if you try to do traditional squats (not feet placed, far out) on a smith machine. Also Smith machine places extreme shear forces on your joints, and you have to place the bar on a different part of your back - avoid.

 

[djgaler]

thanks bro !!

 

[Scotsman]

By squatting low, you involve your hamstrings and glutes to a greater degree, than when squating in a shallow manner - it is much better to do this, as more muscle is stimulated. However, those who are not particularly flexible find this difficult. Powerlifting dictates that a squat to parralel is an acceptable lift, however, purely from a training perspective, squatting lower than this has added benefits (powerlifters go below parallel in training).

Just don't let the kneees extend over the toes (something which is unavoidable if you try to do traditional squats (not feet placed, far out) on a smith machine. Also Smith machine places extreme shear forces on your joints, and you have to place the bar on a different part of your back - avoid.

Mostly true but some federations make you squat hips below knees such as the USAPL.

Other than that good points.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[djgaler]

thx bud

 

[harhar]

I've heard that PL squats have high carry over value to full Oly squats and that there isnt very much carry over value the other way around.

 

[curgeo]

Dave Tate says it best:

If you take a 1000lbs squatter and ask him to full squat 500 he can do it...it's warmup weight for him, but if you ask a 500lbs olympic squatter to do 1000lbs PL squat he would get crushed.

I have respect for both olympic weightlifters as well as powerlifters. In fact, a lot of the studies that Louis Simmons bases his Westside theories on are of Olympic lifter data. The Russians were very precise with their documentation of programs for their athletes and powerlifting owes a great debt to them.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

If you take a 1000lbs squatter and ask him to full squat 500 he can do it...it's warmup weight for him, but if you ask a 500lbs olympic squatter to do 1000lbs PL squat he would get crushed.

Amen.brutha

 

[Dial_tone]

Dave Tate says it best:

If you take a 1000lbs squatter and ask him to full squat 500 he can do it...it's warmup weight for him, but if you ask a 500lbs olympic squatter to do 1000lbs PL squat he would get crushed.

uhhh, doesn't that kinda go without saying or did I miss something? I wouldn't even consider a Smith squat unless I had some kind of physical limitation.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

uhhh, doesn't that kinda go without saying or did I miss something? Shane Hammon is the man either way.

no since a lot of people criticize a PL squat..

 

[Dial_tone]

Well anyone who thinks the change in stance will double your max is a moron.

 

[Scotsman]

Well anyone who thinks the change in stance will double your max is a moron.

Well not double but Shane hits front squat up to about 700lbs but hits over 1000lbs on pl squats. Regardless you are right Shane is the man well maybe more like gorilla but not in a bad way.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[curgeo]

I believe tate made the analogy concerning the two styles because of the criticism of people on powerlifting squats due to them only going parallel. I don't think the reference was about doubling weights.