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question about machine
- Thread starter shifti
- Start date
benchmonster
New member
If you don't know what a smythe machine (smith here in the states) then you are better off not knowing. It is damn near worthless. But that is not what you were looking for, and I am in a good mood, so here goes:
A smith machine is an apparatus designed to make certain barbell lifts easier and more safe. It is basically a barbell attached to 2 vertical shafts with a safety mechanism that is adjustable up and down to catch the bar in case of failure.
the device is utilized by taking the bar off the catches, spaced about every 3 inches or so, and twisting the bar to swing the catch hooks away from the catches, so as to free up the bar for travel.
It is commonly used for squatting, benching and overhead presses. It is a piece of equipment that is in most gyms and most of them could do without it. The stabilizing effect of the vertical shafts takes away a ton of the benefit of doing squats, bench presses, and overhead lifts in the first place: namely working the stabilizer muscles.
Beware the use of a smith machine can lead to the consumption of MuscleTech, and the belief that spandex and leg warmers look good on a guy. Powerlifters avoid this machine like a case of the herpes.
THE POWER RACK
This on the other hand is where I can be found at least 4 hours per week. The rack, as I call it, is a cage made of 4 vertical posts, with holes cut in them every 1 to 3 inches. The purpose of the holes is to allow a place for the placement of J-hooks (for racking the bar) and for safety bars (to catch you when you fall).
I do all my squatting in the rack. Set the pins up where you won't get killed if you miss the lift, then put a box down and get to squatting.
I also do all my benching in the rack. A regular bench is not as versatile as the rack. You can do everything in a rack you can on a regulation bench, and much more. My rack is raised so I can choke bands around the base, I can also do suspended band presses, and the pins are a great place to have the bar for rack lockouts.
The very first thing to invest in for a gym is a power rack.
B.
A smith machine is an apparatus designed to make certain barbell lifts easier and more safe. It is basically a barbell attached to 2 vertical shafts with a safety mechanism that is adjustable up and down to catch the bar in case of failure.
the device is utilized by taking the bar off the catches, spaced about every 3 inches or so, and twisting the bar to swing the catch hooks away from the catches, so as to free up the bar for travel.
It is commonly used for squatting, benching and overhead presses. It is a piece of equipment that is in most gyms and most of them could do without it. The stabilizing effect of the vertical shafts takes away a ton of the benefit of doing squats, bench presses, and overhead lifts in the first place: namely working the stabilizer muscles.
Beware the use of a smith machine can lead to the consumption of MuscleTech, and the belief that spandex and leg warmers look good on a guy. Powerlifters avoid this machine like a case of the herpes.
THE POWER RACK
This on the other hand is where I can be found at least 4 hours per week. The rack, as I call it, is a cage made of 4 vertical posts, with holes cut in them every 1 to 3 inches. The purpose of the holes is to allow a place for the placement of J-hooks (for racking the bar) and for safety bars (to catch you when you fall).
I do all my squatting in the rack. Set the pins up where you won't get killed if you miss the lift, then put a box down and get to squatting.
I also do all my benching in the rack. A regular bench is not as versatile as the rack. You can do everything in a rack you can on a regulation bench, and much more. My rack is raised so I can choke bands around the base, I can also do suspended band presses, and the pins are a great place to have the bar for rack lockouts.
The very first thing to invest in for a gym is a power rack.
B.
endpoint
New member
benchmonster: i was asked to leave my "fitness trainers" class room at school because I "disrespected" the teacher.
We were having an debate about the smith machine. He was telling the class that the smith machine was included in the catagory of "free weights" I got really offended and tried to set him straight.
the only comeback he had was "i have been a personal trainer for 12 years....I think i should know more than my students, what would you know anyway?"
I lost my temper "obviously more than you!" seeing the look on his face made me continue "I am bigger than you, stronger than you, i have been training 14 years less than you....what does that tell you?"
i then was kicked out of class
anyway back to the original thread.
smith machine=crap
power rack=good
We were having an debate about the smith machine. He was telling the class that the smith machine was included in the catagory of "free weights" I got really offended and tried to set him straight.
the only comeback he had was "i have been a personal trainer for 12 years....I think i should know more than my students, what would you know anyway?"
I lost my temper "obviously more than you!" seeing the look on his face made me continue "I am bigger than you, stronger than you, i have been training 14 years less than you....what does that tell you?"
i then was kicked out of class
anyway back to the original thread.
smith machine=crap
power rack=good
benchmonster
New member
Sorry you got kicked out, hope it doesn't get you in trouble, but somebody has to set these fitness fags straight.
The problem with most people in education (and both my parents are grade school teachers, so I know a bit about this) is that they often have the attitude expressed by your teacher. "I am the teacher, therefore I HAVE to know more than the students"
Just being the teacher doesn't mean you know anything. Knowing stuff means something.
I was just visiting the high school weightroom of our 6 time, count it, 6 time defending state football champions, and they have neither a reverse hyper, nor a proper glute/ham raise.
It is amazing. These guys have lost about 4 games in the last 6 football seasons, and they don't even have 2 of the most important devices around for increasing speed.
Fortunately there were no smith machines present either.
B.
The problem with most people in education (and both my parents are grade school teachers, so I know a bit about this) is that they often have the attitude expressed by your teacher. "I am the teacher, therefore I HAVE to know more than the students"
Just being the teacher doesn't mean you know anything. Knowing stuff means something.
I was just visiting the high school weightroom of our 6 time, count it, 6 time defending state football champions, and they have neither a reverse hyper, nor a proper glute/ham raise.
It is amazing. These guys have lost about 4 games in the last 6 football seasons, and they don't even have 2 of the most important devices around for increasing speed.
Fortunately there were no smith machines present either.
B.
shifti said:
That's what the safety bars are for in the power rack. I lifted alone for a long time, and I was never tempted to use the smith machine, because the power rack is just as safe.
Also, if you lift in a commercial gym, you should always be able to find a trainer or another lifter to give you a spot/lift off.
shifti said:
i used to do all excercises without a spotter in my basement and have even gone for maxes i couldnt handle in bench press or related movements... with the bar stuck on my chest i tightened my midsection again and rolled the bar down to my abs and then pulled my legs under me and rotated out from under the bar (this is a bitch with 3 board presses). dont really worry about not having a spot but you probably shouldnt go for any maxes... it would certainly be more effective than a smith machine. most exercises are taken to failure anyway (unless your a bodybuilder i think)
