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audiophyle
New member
Will benching on a smith machine make it harder for me to grow? I dont have a spotter so i'm always afraid i'm gonna drop the weights on myself when i use freeweights.
Benching on a smith machine
- Thread starter audiophyle
- Start date
I'm sure people will laugh at me for this, but...
When I started working out I benched on the smith all the time, but I eventully moved on to free weights.
If you honestly don't like the idea of benching free weights, go for the smith untill you feel comfortable knowing where your limits are. Once you're comfy, then move to dumbell or barbell bench....
my 2 cents, I'm sure many will disagree....
-Ingra,
When I started working out I benched on the smith all the time, but I eventully moved on to free weights.
If you honestly don't like the idea of benching free weights, go for the smith untill you feel comfortable knowing where your limits are. Once you're comfy, then move to dumbell or barbell bench....
my 2 cents, I'm sure many will disagree....
-Ingra,
Nonerz
New member
I say don't do it...you've got options! I don't like benching without a spotter either...I've witnessed a few guys get pinned at my gym!
Try setting the pins low enough to allow you enough range of motion on the squat rack...it works like a charm!
I'll leave the lecture about how the smith machine is evil--blah, blah, blah--to someone who can sound really smart saying it!
Try setting the pins low enough to allow you enough range of motion on the squat rack...it works like a charm!
I'll leave the lecture about how the smith machine is evil--blah, blah, blah--to someone who can sound really smart saying it!
audiophyle
New member
excellent idea. thanks!
louden_swain
New member
I say do whatever works for you.
If the smith machine can build your chest and provide enough resistance then I don't see a problem.
If the smith machine can build your chest and provide enough resistance then I don't see a problem.
I use the smith for incline work sometimes so the smith isn't all that bad. As far as getting pinned, as long as you can keep it low on your chest theres no real pain just embarrasment. If others are in the gym they will come over and help you out. If not don't use collars and if you get pinned just tip the weight to one side. Been there done that.
JollyRogers
New member
I have never used it before, I like to be in control.
Since no one has covered this yet, I'll step in...
The reason that the Smith Bench Press is worse than a Free Weight Bench Press is the difference they have in muscle fiber recruitment. A Smith machine keeps the bar in a straight vertical line, taking the aspect of balancing the bar out of the lift. When benching on a normal BP, other muscles have to come into play and control the movement of the bar.
When you only do Smith Machine Bench, what happens to some is they get to where they can do a decent amount on the machine, then try to jump into doing free weight and find they cant do the same amount (exp: Bob benches 250 on SMBP, but can only do 225 with free weight).
Free weight Bench is better, but if you have a specific reason to be using the Smith machine, it can be somewhat beneficial.
The reason that the Smith Bench Press is worse than a Free Weight Bench Press is the difference they have in muscle fiber recruitment. A Smith machine keeps the bar in a straight vertical line, taking the aspect of balancing the bar out of the lift. When benching on a normal BP, other muscles have to come into play and control the movement of the bar.
When you only do Smith Machine Bench, what happens to some is they get to where they can do a decent amount on the machine, then try to jump into doing free weight and find they cant do the same amount (exp: Bob benches 250 on SMBP, but can only do 225 with free weight).
Free weight Bench is better, but if you have a specific reason to be using the Smith machine, it can be somewhat beneficial.
Dirty Workout
New member
I use Smith for alot of my pressing exercises because I am doing DC and its such a production to get a spotter and explain to him what I will be doing....
I still use free weight flat bench and boy when I explain how to spot me you think I was talking chinese some of the looks I get
I still use free weight flat bench and boy when I explain how to spot me you think I was talking chinese some of the looks I get
KillerLoop
New member
Why don't you just ask someone for a spot?
little chris
New member
The smith machine is a good machine for newbs or vets. The key to weightlifting is the form you use and not the weight you press. The smith press gives you total control and form not to mention the safety or the guard locks.
I use the regular bench and the smith bench in my workouts. HEHE my gym has the old smith too where the bar weight is 80lbs!!
Guys who rip the smith bench are prob the same guys who either bounce the weight off their chests or only do half reps on regular bench.. It seems to be a macho thing.
I use the regular bench and the smith bench in my workouts. HEHE my gym has the old smith too where the bar weight is 80lbs!!
Guys who rip the smith bench are prob the same guys who either bounce the weight off their chests or only do half reps on regular bench.. It seems to be a macho thing.
OK i confess, I'm a smither!
I bench in the smith machine and i like it. I alternate between the smith and dumbbells and its working good for me. I get very sore in my pecks after a good smith bench session and that is enough proof that its building good muscle.
I do prefer to bench the ordinary way but i usually don't have a spotter and i sure as hell wont trust any of the girls or the 15 years olds to spot me.
I train at a pussy gym but its all good since i get the entire free weight are for my self most of the time.
I bench in the smith machine and i like it. I alternate between the smith and dumbbells and its working good for me. I get very sore in my pecks after a good smith bench session and that is enough proof that its building good muscle.
I do prefer to bench the ordinary way but i usually don't have a spotter and i sure as hell wont trust any of the girls or the 15 years olds to spot me.
I train at a pussy gym but its all good since i get the entire free weight are for my self most of the time.
audiophyle
New member
I used to be able to, but i live in a military town and my gym has lost about 80% of its members since this damn war started. No one's ever at the gym anymore. Plus I've seen some of these threads on here with people getting ridiculously angry just because someone walked in front of them while they were looking in the mirror. I cant imagine how pissed someone like that would get if i asked them to stop what they were doing and come spot me.
