free gym with smith machine or pay for a gym with a squat rack?

[silverrock]

i just moved into a new apt building that has a "gym" but is heavy on the machines. It's got a smith machine and a seated leg press and no barbell. I have always avoided these. But now I have a chance to cut out an real expensive gym and just use my apt gym.

I'm only concerned about squats and deadlifts. Does anyone think I can get away with cutting my gym membership and using my apt gym? If so, how can I get a good leg workout with no barbell? I have always heard stay away from smith machines, and would have thought the machines wouldn't be around anymore, but someone must think they are okay.

[Docd187123]

Pay for a real gym. A real gym being one that has a free weight barbell and rack to properly squat in.

[Nij]

If using your apartment gym will hinder your ability to do squats and deadlifts it's not worth it.

[jimmyinkedup]

Pay for a real gym. A real gym being one that has a free weight barbell and rack to properly squat in.

So your one of those guys thats always in my way when I want to curl....

[Docd187123]

So your one of those guys thats always in my way when I want to curl....

Lmfao! Yes that would be me. And this is my payback....

[600@50]

Heavy day for squats huh? I saw a guy doing squats with the preloaded curl bars one day. He would take them out of the curl rack then lift them overhead and down to his back then proceed to do maybe quarter squats. Gyms always provide some sort of entertainment value.

[jimmyinkedup]

Lmfao! Yes that would be me. And this is my payback....

LMAO ...wonder how many were actually wondering if I was serious.....

[Lifted1]

thats a great payback gif! at my gym its always guys with horrible form curling in the squat rack and i always hope one of them throws their back out while pelvic thrusting the 85~95lbs up!!

however, if you can curl 135lb+ then you can curl in the squat rack all day, but if you load up less than the preloaded bars...fail.

[Narkissos]

i just moved into a new apt building that has a "gym" but is heavy on the machines. It's got a smith machine and a seated leg press and no barbell. I have always avoided these. But now I have a chance to cut out an real expensive gym and just use my apt gym.

I'm only concerned about squats and deadlifts. Does anyone think I can get away with cutting my gym membership and using my apt gym? If so, how can I get a good leg workout with no barbell? I have always heard stay away from smith machines, and would have thought the machines wouldn't be around anymore, but someone must think they are okay.

I'll be honest... If you're dedicated, it doesn't matter where you workout, or what you have at your disposal.

Does the apartment gym have an appreciable amount of weight?

Are there dumbbells?

[silverrock]

The apt gym Dumbbells only go up to 50lbs. But I'm going to buy a set of 85s or 90s if I cancel my membership.

It's just amazing that smith machines are the go to equipment for the uneducated when buying equipment.

[silverrock]

The apt gym does have an EZ curl bar, so I could get away with doing that. The entertainment value (scenery) will be missed if I cancel my membership.

[Khazima]

If it were me I'd either stick with a gym, or go all out, get my own power rack/barbell/weights/bench and accumulate dumbbells over time. You can actually get a rack pretty cheap, I've heard of decent racks for $300. Personally I much prefer a gym environment though, I find it a lot more motivating.

[PistolPete33]

I would pay for the gym membership with never looking back and use the apartment gym for days when time is an issue. Gym memberships are typically $20-$100/month which is nothing. Worth every penny and more.

[yettibecsuse]

You could always get some powerlifting bands to add to the smith and machine and even use these for deadlifts and bench two each side does create a fair amount of resistance

[SEOINAGE]

What others said, keep your membership, or buy your own power rack, and use the apt gym only when it has everything you need. I just don't think you should remove real deadlifts and real squats from any routine.

[silverrock]

I did keep my membership, can't live without a squat rack. The smith machine is an abomination

[JohnnyClutch]

Squat Rack>Smith Machine

[jackfrost88]

Pay the extra $$

[Trevis]

I would go to aerobics class with ladies!

[Mr.Anderson]

I'd rather pay $.

[Nick147]

Squat rack rules Sure, I would pay for a normal gym.