Smith Machine for Bigger, Faster Gains? - JP Fitness Forums

Jimbo · 07-27-2006, 08:12 AM

I found this interesting. Not sure what I really think of it...did anyone else see the article? It's one of those toungue in cheek articles (more humor than substance) but I wonder if their is something to this? Why would this be? Just looking for comments...

Link to full article: http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1177046

Smith Machine for Bigger, Faster Gains?

Researchers from several Midwestern universities got together to compare muscle force production and aggregation of strength gains between trainers using a Smith machine versus free-weights.
Sixteen men and sixteen women were used for this study in which one-rep maximum (1RM) for both squats and bench press were evaluated. After an eight-week strength training program (ten sets of three, twice a week), 1RMs were retested.
The findings? Subjects made quicker and overall greater gains on Smith Machine squats, while just the opposite was true for bench! This study obviously doesn't address joint issues or translation into real-world strength. [J. Strength Cond. Res. 19 (1); 169-176, 2005]

Jimbo · 07-27-2006, 08:15 AM

I really should have finished the article before posting this. crap. Feeling like a toothless southern hillbilly now. sheesh.

Too fast on the draw...

OK. Ignore this thread.

EdChap · 07-27-2006, 08:17 AM

Haha, bump!!!!

Jimbo · 07-27-2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdChap

Haha, bump!!!!

I have a bad feeling about this....you turkey.

My first post was actually serious.. The full article has like 7 different unusual and interesting studies but the article ends by saying that one of the studies is BS. They all sound far fetched.

I dunno...maybe this will still generate some conversation surrounding the possible uses of a Smith machine. (there I said it)

PS - I haven't used one in a lonnnng lonnnnng time.

karky · 07-27-2006, 08:32 AM

maybe you could get faster gains on a smith machine, who knows. but if you put those guys to do a normal squat, i bet they would get pwned :P

I. Kay · 07-27-2006, 08:53 AM

Well, like a few people said over at t-nation: makes sense that you could make faster gains on the Smith. I mean, it doesn't say that their free-standing squat went up, but rather the Smith Machine squat went up. It's easier to do, so the gains could be made more quickly, no?

karky · 07-27-2006, 08:54 AM

yeah thats what i meant :P

I. Kay · 07-27-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karky

yeah thats what i meant :P

Hehe, didn't even see your post there, karky! Yep, same idea!

karky · 07-27-2006, 09:11 AM

I know a guy who used to do LOTS of smith machine stuff, squats, bench, everything. he had good numbers on them too. when he finally decided to start doing the exersices free weighted, he got very humbled.

Newlife · 07-27-2006, 09:25 AM

Since the smith machine focuses on a fixed plane of motion, it would make sense that the plane of movement would get stronger. The key is the stabilizer muscles get no work with the Smith, and the balance is done by the machine. It's a great way to hurt yourself down the road when you go back to free weights, and try to move the same weight.