Do you think the smith is good for...

[JollyRogers]

Do you think the smith is good for...training triceps, (Close-Grip bench press?)

Move the pins 1/3 the way up of your normal rom, shorten the rom and use a heavy weight for 8 reps?, do you think that would be a good growth shock?

 

[revexrevex]

Yea I think its awesome for close grip bench press. Another thing its good for is shrugs and behind the back shoulder presses. I saw one guy do bentover rows on it, and when I tried it it adds very unique feel to the movement because you dont spend any energy stabilizing yourself

 

[gonelifting]

I tried CG BP with a smith but it hurt my wrists. I think because the bar does`nt allow your natural eccentric motion and it FORCES your wrists in unwelcome positions.

That`s why I stopped using them for tris.

 

[jerkbox]

smith machine = worthless

 

[slobberknocker]

I think they should melt them down and make free weights out of them.

 

[gymtime]

Smiths are fine for just about any pulling motion. But for presses, they don't compare to freeweights. The benefits of using the stablizer muscles far outweigh the extra weight you can add.

Also, I've never understood why shortening the range of motion is ever a good thing.

 

[Cochise (M-Wave)]

I would, if you goal is to be a top bencher on a smith machine. Otherwise, I think, you would lose the benefit of engaging a weight in a three dimensional environment. You would be training yourself for something that probably wouldn't have significant carryover to an actual bench movement. This due to the fact that when you normally bench movement it is in a three dimensional environment. As oppossed, to the one dimensional movement on the Smith machine.

 

[SofaGeorge]

Smith machines are great if you need a place to hang your towel while you are using the free weights.

 

[rjl296]

I think they should melt them down and make free weights out of them.

pretty funny

 

[from zero]

SofaGeorge, slobberknocker, and jerkbox pretty much covered it.