Are Smith machines basically useless?

[eazyb81]

After lurking around here for awhile and reading a lot of posts, I see a lot of you are not big fans of smith machines. Before coming here, I had always used smith machines for squats, and my workout partner uses it for military press. This week I am switching over to real squats on the power rack for the first time, thanks to your advice. However, after reading about your dislike of smith machines, I have to ask why do gyms even have them? Are they good for just a change of pace or what? Why wouldn't they just have more power racks? Someone care to enlighten me, because i am kind of confused by all of this. Thanks bros.

 

[Scotsman]

The only exercise I like smiths for is bent over rows. Other than that I never use them. The problem is the eliminate most of the stabilizers. This is also the reason people like them because they can use more weight. The prolem with squatting on the smith is it doesn't let you body track properly and can really screw you up good. Also I see a lot of trainers put people on the smith and tell them they are less likely to hurt themselves than with free weights. Is it a completely useless machine, no. Just mostly useless.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[Backlash]

Well, gyms have them b/c a lot of people do like them, for a variety of reasons. There's usually plenty of "useless" equipment in gyms that common people use (what's with those leg adductor and abductor machines?).

I do still use the smith machine for one exercise - power shrugs. I can set the stoppers to the exact right height for me, and my gym only has squats racks, not power racks with adjustable pins. I think since the shrug is supposed to be straight up and down and the ROM is very short, the smith is ok for that. Thoughts?

 

[makedah]

Here's what I've heard:

Gyms have them b/c they are widely considered to be "safer" than free squatting (or benching, etc.) b/c you don't need a spotter. And because gyms like to have expensive equipment b/c many gym-goers like to feel that they're paying for special stuff.

 

[louden_swain]

smith machines isolate muscles, but fail to build or strengthen stabilizers.

 

[Scotsman]

Backlash- Never thought of shrugging on one, but that isn't a half bad idea. I may try that out here in the near future.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[louden_swain]

One other thing, using a smith keeps you locked in and prevents you from using your natural plane of motion.

 

[eazyb81]

so, when i start squatting w/ a power rack on friday, will i have to dramatically lower the weight i'm using? also, it seems like you could have a tendency to fall backwards w/o a smith, do guys ever feel that way? hopefully i will begin making better gains when i eliminate the smith machine from my leg and shoulder workouts.

 

[IronLion]

usually the first time I try to teach someone to squat i take them to a smith machine so they can understand the difference between back and down. Other than that I don't like it for anything, oh I do use it for bench press throws....that is a safety issue though.

 

[louden_swain]

I can't imagine squatting on a smith machine.

It is a must that I use a barbell. . . . squatting on a smith machine can be bad on the joints.