I walked in to see a trainer taking someone through a pre-lift form routine I normally see them do for smith-machine squats, difference was he was in front of the squat rack. Dropped my drink and towel off at the chinup/dip station and headed back to grab a plate to add weight and there he was with the guy in the squat rack doing proper squats. Good form and everything (not ass to grass but parrellel at least). This marks the first time I've ever seen someone with a trainer doing squats. Ever. I almost stopped them to ask what brought it about, but hopefully its a sign of things to come [img]smile.gif[/img] .
awesome! yea Ben, I know what you mean about trainers though, they always steer people, no matter what their age or capabilities, towards the smith and/or other machines. That's badass though! [img]smile.gif[/img]
__________________
Renegade HR: Recruit great people. Inspire them to do amazing things. | http://renegadehr.net
Maybe someone can explain to my why women, who have otherwise absolutely perfect form in every freeweight lift they do, still all do their squats on the Smith Machine. It's just painful to watch as someone who could literally be the form model for doing an exercise correctly on exrx.net heads to the Smith Machine to squat.
I would guess that in the last two months I have seen one female use the actual squat cage and a BB to about 50 who have used the Smith machine. Of course, guys also use the SM, but more of them seem to use the cage.
Leading me to another question: so, what exactly, is the SM good for? Since Lou and Alwyn have drilled into us that it is a biomechanically evil torture device, what is it's purpose in the gym? And why do trainers certified from credible national organizations have their clients use the Smith Machine for squats?
Originally posted by Kaiser: Leading me to another question: so, what exactly, is the SM good for? Since Lou and Alwyn have drilled into us that it is a biomechanically evil torture device, what is it's purpose in the gym? And why do trainers certified from credible national organizations have their clients use the Smith Machine for squats?
I've used it for chins, reverse push-ups, and a towel hanger
__________________ No Magic Pill (the log)
My Movember page (yes, I'm slacking on pictures)
Originally posted by caffer: You can set the bar about 3 feet off the ground and do reverse pushups..
I'm not sure if this is the same or not but I use it for what may be called "reverse pushups." It's really a pullup but my body is horizontal and my feet are on a bench. I pull to my chest and typically do an iso hold.
I also like to use it for plyometric bench presses. Bill said "screw that" but my gym wouldn't be very comfortable with me throwing free weights up in the air and (hopefully) catching them!
Maybe someone can explain to my why women, who have otherwise absolutely perfect form in every freeweight lift they do, still all do their squats on the Smith Machine.
My wife was afraid of doing squats on the squat rack.
Plus she said they were harder on the rack. Haha my reply? "No shit sherlock". Silly womens.
Originally posted by Q.: I also like to use it for plyometric bench presses. Bill said "screw that" but my gym wouldn't be very comfortable with me throwing free weights up in the air and (hopefully) catching them!
Bill wanted you to toss a bar in the air and catch it? Screw that! lol... I use the smith machine for those too [img]smile.gif[/img]
__________________
Renegade HR: Recruit great people. Inspire them to do amazing things. | http://renegadehr.net
And why do trainers certified from credible national organizations have their clients use the Smith Machine for squats?
This has always been the one thats confused me. So many experts call it the most unsafe machine in the gym, and yet trainers keep sending people to it. Does the certified training course teach them otherwise, or is it just habit or something? I'm quite curious about it (but not game to ask one of the trainers).
Quote:
The trainers at my gym seem to train everyone to the best of their capabilities...
If it's an older woman they will show them all the machines...
If it's a hockey or football player they will show them the "big boy toys"
Until the one above I've seen them take everyone from little old ladies to guys in really good shape and set them on the Smith machine. That was the strange thing, this guy looked in OK shape, but nothing terrific, I've seen them put much stronger/fitter guys onto the smith machine. Made me wonder what was different.
We do have one of our AFL teams (top level of football in the country) train there, but I'm yet to actually watch them train. It would be interesting to see what they do and how they do it.
To add on to what BJ was saying... Why are older women required to use machines. I know Alwyn has had women in their 70's (and men in their 80's) doing freeweight squats.
I think, given their weaker joints and such, freeweights, which place LESS dangerous stress on the joints would be more beneficial than machines.
__________________
Renegade HR: Recruit great people. Inspire them to do amazing things. | http://renegadehr.net
I was thinking some more about this. I wonder if its simply because despite the information and such out there, they just plain look safer on the smith machine.
Originally posted by BjsAust: I was thinking some more about this. I wonder if its simply because despite the information and such out there, they just plain look safer on the smith machine.
Less work that the trainer actually has to do. That way, he can whip out that cell phone and take the half-dozen calls he gets AND ANSWERS during training sessions.
__________________ No Magic Pill (the log)
My Movember page (yes, I'm slacking on pictures)
quote:And why do trainers certified from credible national organizations have their clients use the Smith Machine for squats?
This has always been the one thats confused me. So many experts call it the most unsafe machine in the gym, and yet trainers keep sending people to it. Does the certified training course teach them otherwise, or is it just habit or something? I'm quite curious about it (but not game to ask one of the trainers).
Quote:
The trainers at my gym seem to train everyone to the best of their capabilities...
If it's an older woman they will show them all the machines...
If it's a hockey or football player they will show them the "big boy toys"
Until the one above I've seen them take everyone from little old ladies to guys in really good shape and set them on the Smith machine. That was the strange thing, this guy looked in OK shape, but nothing terrific, I've seen them put much stronger/fitter guys onto the smith machine. Made me wonder what was different.
We do have one of our AFL teams (top level of football in the country) train there, but I'm yet to actually watch them train. It would be interesting to see what they do and how they do it. [/quote]Its way easier to put someone on a smith machine. I just worked with a guy who was in the 280ish range today who could barely squat. Its not an easy thing for a lot of people, especially overweight, out of shape, and unathletic people to learn. Its pretty easy to do on a smith machine though. Most trainers aren't willing to work on a full progression of lunges and unilateral work and bodyweight squat variations to get someone into the proper groove.
Danny
__________________
Limitations are for people who have them.
Originally posted by DKing: Most trainers aren't willing to work on a full progression of lunges and unilateral work and bodyweight squat variations to get someone into the proper groove.
But they're willing to risk bad biomechanics and possible injury? Or is it just not as bad as we've all been lead to believe?
I work with the majority of my clients from 3-6 weeks at the most. Its going to take a longer time than this for most people to develop injury so they often don't think about it or it doesn't matter to them.
Plus a lot of trainers don't know how bad the smith machine sucks in the first place.
Its like Shark was talking about in this same post, people put old ladies on machines thinking its "safer" because thats what they have been lead to believe but in reality its much worse for them. Its really too bad.
Danny
__________________
Limitations are for people who have them.
Or is it just not as bad as we've all been lead to believe?
Linear Mode
