Partial deadlifts in smith machine

[pwr_machine]

The problem with smith for deadlifts is that the bar doesn't follow a linear path during a normal deadlift. Can you do partial deadlifts off the pins in a power rack?

I always feel like I'm nagging, but what path does it follow if it's not linear?

 

[IronLion]

I noticed it too, in a free standing deadlift the bar doesn't follow a linear path, in the smith it does

 

[gonelifting]

The new smiths are made to go up and back at an angle. They advertise it as "the natural motion" of your lift. Instead of straight up it goes about 6 inches to the back by the end of the movement.


edit I`ve never measured it to be 6 inches . just a guess.

 

[bignate73]

The new smiths are made to go up and back at an angle. They advertise it as "the natural motion" of your lift. Instead of straight up it goes about 6 inches to the back by the end of the movement.


edit I`ve never measured it to be 6 inches . just a guess.

i wonder who they used as a model for said motion. definitely not a PL'er. i think they are thinking of just using the "J" path model, but cutting through a straight line instead.

hatfield is endorsing one that travels on an arc. very strange indeed. no substitute for the simplicity of a bar with no counterbalancing, limiting travel path, annoying hooks, or waiting for the full body king to finish his smith machine workout.

 

[IronLion]

I'll be done with it when I am done.........wait your turn........just six more bicep dropsets and I'll be huge

 

[pwr_machine]

I noticed it too, in a free standing deadlift the bar doesn't follow a linear path, in the smith it does

I'm only familiar with a linear, vertical bar path.

 

[IronLion]

I'm only familiar with a linear, vertical bar path.

although slight, the bar does move a little toward the lifter....although this is not enough to notice visually it is enough to make a difference and throw you off when using the smith

 

[gonelifting]

although slight, the bar does move a little toward the lifter....although this is not enough to notice visually it is enough to make a difference and throw you off when using the smith

That`s the whole idea behind the smith that goes up and back. It goes in a straight line, but back toward the lifter. If you look at the machine from the side view, you see the bars going from left to right (although slightly) verticle.

I guess this is the "improved" design.

PS just in case... don`t kill the messenger. lol

 

[pwr_machine]

although slight, the bar does move a little toward the lifter....although this is not enough to notice visually it is enough to make a difference and throw you off when using the smith

Found this article for those interested. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 250–255.
"Biomechanical Analysis of the Deadlift".

It includes a biomechanical analysis of both conventional and sumo style deadlifts. In the sumo stance that I was referring to, it does appear the bar moves about 3 cm closer to the individual. It's quite a bit different with conventional lifters.

Most importantly, keep the bar close to your body and traveling as vertical as possible as this reduces lever arm distance and thus the resistive torque.