smith rack

[gunit]

currently i'm doing squats with a smith rack because my gym (a quite small cheap one in Korea) doesn't have a power rack. Is it better to be doing squats with a smith rack than to not do squats at all? I'm thinking about buying a squat rack for the gym though.

 

[JL_204]

using the smith isnt as ideal as a barbell, but if thats all you have use it.

 

[Guinness5.0]

I'm thinking about buying a squat rack for the gym though.

That'd be your best bet. There are many reasons why not to use the smith machine- minimal carryover to free squats, strain to the patellar tendon, no balance/stabilization, etc. They suck.

 

[gunit]

Wait, so it would actually be better to not do squats at all than use a smith machine?

 

[Ozz2001]

alterative is lunges with a bar,stationary step forward push back ect...I get great pumps and cut with them then squats and adds balance and strenght too....Squats are probably much better for over all power and strenght....
Hope this helps....

 

[gunit]

how can I do lunges if I dont have a squat rack ㅡㅡ;;

 

[super_rice]

i'd just do split squats with a dumbbell. i would never touch a smith machine.

 

[Fajitas]

db lunges

 

[gunit]

So i'm doing the 5x5 program, should I substitute the squats for DB lunges????

 

[blut wump]

This was my last epistle on the Smith. It leaves you weak in unpleasant and unsuspected ways.
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5090747&postcount=12

Edit: If you are seriously thinking of buying the gym a Power Rack then do it. Your karma will be almost immediately returned in the form of better musculature.