I read about pros/cons of a smith machine last night and can't find the post, even in the search box I couldn't find what I was looking for. Basically, my question is this--is it better to use one or use the barbell? My hubby tried to get me to use the machine tonight (I started NROLFW tonight!!!), but I thought I remembered reading some negative stuff about it. Of course he doesn't believe it and I needed some info in case I was wrong. Can anyone give some info or direct me to some info to read? Thanks so much!!
gawd, my husband is the exact same way! He sooooo concerned I'm gonna hurt my little ole self that he *really* wanted me to start in the Smith Machine. I kept telling him no that it's no good cuz it doesn't follow my range of motion and feels very wierd, and he just couldn't accept it.
I use the Smith too, even though it can limit range of motion. It works well enough for me and there are certain excercises where I worry about balance or dropping something on myself. Plus, I do plenty of workouts with dumbells and cables that aren't as limiting. I know I may not be maxing it, but I'm willing to sacrifice that occassionally for feeling safe.
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I teach the LSAT Test. The LSAT Test is not as hard as people think, just like hanging leg raises.
I use the Smith too, even though it can limit range of motion. It works well enough for me and there are certain excercises where I worry about balance or dropping something on myself. Plus, I do plenty of workouts with dumbells and cables that aren't as limiting. I know I may not be maxing it, but I'm willing to sacrifice that occassionally for feeling safe.
Please, please read the Smith Machine link in the FAQ linked above.
I think I'm going to try to use it when I get to the negative chin ups. If it goes high enough, that is. My gym only has one chin up station, and it's usually in use by people doing the cable stations at either end.
Thanks for the reminder about the Smith machine for pull-ups/chin-ups. I've been eying the equipment wondering where I will do them because all the regular places meant for pull-ups are HIGH up. I know I can pull a bench over, but I wasn't relishing that thought. I use the Smith for push-ups, since I'm not yet able to do those (the tricep ones) on the floor.
Now that I'm a member of a gym that has a power cage, I'd only use the Smith machine for inverted rows and the like. These past few months I've been making the transition from Smith to power cage, and it's been an eye opening experience. Use dumbbells or some other method if you to, and your stabilizers will thank you for it.
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Tom
No "happy hours" makes for a lot of miserable days. - Mahler
Oh, ok; I know those; I call them plank pullups, but that's just the name I made up for them. I never know "official" names for things. I didn't even know what the Smith machine was called until recently when a friend described it to me. In fact, she said she does pullups on the Smith machine, and I had to ask "what's a Smith machine?" Turns out it was your inverted rows she does :-)
Oh, ok; I know those; I call them plank pullups, but that's just the name I made up for them. I never know "official" names for things. I didn't even know what the Smith machine was called until recently when a friend described it to me. In fact, she said she does pullups on the Smith machine, and I had to ask "what's a Smith machine?" Turns out it was your inverted rows she does :-)
There are other names for them as well. Fat man pullups and I've seen reverse pushup. I like inverted rows. I used to use the Smith for both pushups and inverted rows for my clients. It is great for these because you can start from almost standing up and progress to completely horizontal.
Question about Smith Machine
Linear Mode
