Smith Machine Squats

[JDarty6173]

Actually the worst squatting accident I've been around was at my gym about 3 years back.. Ya know that when people squat in the smith machine, most tend to place their feet way out in front of them (to counteract the unnatural movement of the machine I suppose).. Anyhow, the floors at my gym are carpeted with coarse rubber flooring in areas like the Power rack for much better footing.. But there is no such flooring around the smith machine... Well it was a rainy day, so when this 6ft5" 35ish age feller comes in to squat on the smith his shoes are naturally wet.. Not a problem on the rubber matting as it gives even better grip when wet... So he of couse set his feet "WAY" out in front of his body so that his torso remains completly verticle during his squats... His warm-ups were unneventful.. Then he puts 315 (or its smith machine equivalent on the bar) and sets up as in his previous sets, stretched out stance and safety catches on the floor.... Well when your feet are that far in front of you there is no way to recover if something goes wrong... And boy did it ever go wrong... He came down with his first couple reps ok, ok for a half squat anyway... But on about the third he actually comes down to parallel.. It was at this point his feet literally flew out in front of him causing him to violently kick and shatter the wall mirror in front of him while he crashed to the floor with 315 pounds on his neck... Well I would love to say that he wasn't injured, but sadly enough he was.. He suffered I believe 3 crushed vertebrae where the bar landed on his neck, and herniated several in his lower back.... And the moral of the story is.......................

"DON"T SQUAT IN THE SMITH MACHINE" it just ain't safe

 

[SofaGeorge]

The Smith Machine squats are a great leg exercise!

I also like crack as a morning breakfast fuel.

I find cigarettes are a great diet aid.

I reuse condoms to save money.

Oh, and I always recommend listening to trainers at gyms. They really know their stuff.

 

[louden_swain]

Forget the smith machine. . . head over to the cage and load up the olympic bar with some plates. This will build your legs, along with strength, and balance. The smith machine is not natural and will not build functional strength. Plus, the smith machine is hard on your knee joints, especially if you put for feet out in front of you. Dump it man. . . dump it!