Smith machine

[Psaletta]

How bad is it to use a smith machine bench press? My work out buddy has been MIA the last few weeks and I used the smith machine for decline bench and put up some heavy shit but how much of it is really assisted by the machine?

[kelkel]

It doesn't really matter as long as you're working the muscle to it's limit. Variety will help in the long run.

[Psaletta]

It doesn't really matter as long as you're working the muscle to it's limit. Variety will help in the long run.

That's what I thought. I know you use a lot more stabilizer muscles when not using the smith but weight is weight.

[kelkel]

Yep. I'll routinely use a smith as I train alone and it's safer and easier when I fail.

[Psaletta]

Yep. I'll routinely use a smith as I train alone and it's safer and easier when I fail.

Thanks Kel!

[Lunk1]

Use dumbells along with the Smith

[kelkel]

"Guilt" doesn't come into this. Don't think you "have" to do free weights. Just do what works.

[Psaletta]

Use dumbells along with the Smith

I always do. Incline is much easier on my bad shoulder with dumbbells.

[Xaxist]

I don't like the perfectly straight motion on bench using a Smith Machine, it tweaks my shoulders a bit; I don't think the motion is as natural but whatever works for you.

[Docd187123]

I personally hate smith machines and find them useless. Haven't used one since I was a teenager and never looked back.

[austinite]

I personally hate smith machines and find them useless. Haven't used one since I was a teenager and never looked back.

I never use anything with a straight bar. I used it in the past for upright rows. But switched to DB's since. Easier on m wrists.

[Docd187123]

I never use anything with a straight bar. I used it in the past for upright rows. But switched to DB's since. Easier on m wrists.

Exactly, it forces you to lift in a plane of motion that may not be suitable for your anthropometry. Plus it stabilizes the weight, side to side and front to back so the abs, obliques, spinal erectors etc don't get loaded the same (assuming you do more than just bench on them lol).

[graham0599]

I think it can be a very useful machine due to the fact it hits your muscles different. It also helped me rebuild my shoulders due the it keeping the bar stabilized for you. Just keep switching it up with free weight, smith, and dumbbells.

[Docd187123]

I think it can be a very useful machine due to the fact it hits your muscles different. It also helped me rebuild my shoulders due the it keeping the bar stabilized for you. Just keep switching it up with free weight, smith, and dumbbells.

I think completely opposite. Bc you're locked in a plane of motion that may not be natural for you, it leads to more injuries, pulls, strains, etc. rebuilding your shoulder, IMO, would have been better accomplished with barbells and dumbells. That "stabilization" is just a crutch and a shitty one at that. Glad to hear that you're back from a shoulder injury though, those can be tough to recoup from

[evander87]

OP you can always ask someone for a spot too.

There are shitty spotters but if you've been at your gym for a while you have a good idea who's a serious lifter and who's there to socialize.

[Brett N]

No power racks at your gym I assume?

[crazy mike]

OP, I can tell you what I've learned. For me continual use of the Smith limits the growth off some of my secondary stabilizers and overall my physique grows slower.

When I was beginning my come back I used the smith to get some strength going just in the major muscle in this case my pecs and upper pecs and also my shoulder press. I got into shape quickly, I got stronger quickly lifting more then I could with free weight. In time my overall size was slower for BB.

When I switched to free weights I began another growth period and it for me made a big difference. Like bigger and fuller mass in my chest and into my shoulders. It is good to do both and you can (me) crank out some mega rep sets if you chose to get the rep-range and blood flow as well as a great pump. It is stimulating.

The more stabilizers working is more growth overall, I found. I think that is a simple concept for me to understand and helps me to utilize all the different types of mix it up and shock treatment to break plateaus. With that I make my choice, workout cycle ( if you will) to the next. ...crazy mike, and his long form answer.

[Psaletta]

OP you can always ask someone for a spot too. There are shitty spotters but if you've been at your gym for a while you have a good idea who's a serious lifter and who's there to socialize.

Agreed. At the time there where only a few weekend warriors and some chicks.

[Psaletta]

OP, I can tell you what I've learned. For me continual use of the Smith limits the growth off some of my secondary stabilizers and overall my physique grows slower. When I was beginning my come back I used the smith to get some strength going just in the major muscle in this case my pecs and upper pecs and also my shoulder press. I got into shape quickly, I got stronger quickly lifting more then I could with free weight. In time my overall size was slower for BB. When I switched to free weights I began another growth period and it for me made a big difference. Like bigger and fuller mass in my chest and into my shoulders. It is good to do both and you can (me) crank out some mega rep sets if you chose to get the rep-range and blood flow as well as a great pump. It is stimulating. The more stabilizers working is more growth overall, I found. I think that is a simple concept for me to understand and helps me to utilize all the different types of mix it up and shock treatment to break plateaus. With that I make my choice, workout cycle ( if you will) to the next. ...crazy mike, and his long form answer.

Well said mike. I agree that it helps break up the routine and let's you build strength. I think I will continue to mix it up between DB,BB and smith.

[tdoe11]

Every time I flat bench I end up re injuring my shoulder. I only flat bench/incline on the smith now. That and lots of fly exercises and my chest is growing better than ever.

Like kel said changing it up is always good. I personally love the smith. It's all about forced reps, negatives and the sweet drop sets when I am on there. Much easier to do all those on the smith IMO.

[.45ACP]

Smith machines dont offer the correct plane of travel for a proper bench press. However, they have some uses...shrugs? As long as you dont use them for squats youre not wasting too much time