it is harder cause you are more likely to be doing them correctly
i'm not impressed when i see some meathead squatting 400 pounds with shitty form who has to wrap his knees up like King Tut and wears a belt lol.
i am more impressed with someone doing 150 pounds CORRECTLY raw. this is why i advocate people do box or front squats. also for the love of allah, buddha, and baby jesus stay the fuck away from the damn smith machine. talk about a fast way to injure your hips