Squats and the smith machine

[Zyglamail]

Going real heavy on the Smith is rough on the knees bro....the angle will force your knees past your toes....if you use proper form when doing "regular" squats its like your stiing in a chair and your knees are well behind your toes.

I would say that depends not only on the smith but how you use it, the smiths at my gym the bar isnt straight up and down but travels at an angle which means as you go down the bar moves forward ans you bend at the waist very much like a normal aquat. Granted the smith is not ideal, however if you need to use it do to physical limitations such as injuries and what not it sure beats the hell out of leg presses or other machines since you still get to use the back and whole body, only downside is you dont bring the muscles to stabalize for balance, but it can still allow you to develope a decent set of wheels.

 

[Silent Method]

Going real heavy on the Smith is rough on the knees bro....the angle will force your knees past your toes....if you use proper form when doing "regular" squats its like your stiing in a chair and your knees are well behind your toes.

First, I think regular squats are far superior to smith squats. That being said, the key to safe smith squats, the key that overcomes the problem described by Burgboy, it to position your feet forward of the plane in which the bar travels. The necessary forward depth of the feet is dependent on the users geometry. Make sure the machine is securely bolted to the floor, as some of your force will be directed rearward.

 

[Silent Method]

I'm pretty much ANTI-Smith machine... I feel their benefit is alot less than squats, and will not build up the various stabilizers... and that could lead to and injury down the road.

Great point. This is why I shy away from machines in general.

Take a guy who has never done anything other than smith machine squats. Let's say he works up to 500 pounds. Place him at the real squat rack with a 500 pound bar and he's going to hurt himself.

 

[big4rt]

The only reason I use the Smith for squats is because of my DJD in my spine. Even with a spotter, there are safety concerns that I have on the free barbell. I would DEFINITELY use the regular squat rack if I could, but for those of you like me with DJD of the spine, ruptured discs and herniated discs, use the smith machine.

 

[02gixxersix]

I always use the smith. I bend too much when I use free weights and I am always scared to go as heavy.

 

[JP@Ironology]

Free-weight barbell Squats are my favorite.

Squats seems to build more overall mass for me then smith and with a proper squat rack there is no need for a spotter.

 

[2new4juice]

with a proper squat rack there is no need for a spotter.

please explain just for my knowledge and anyone else who would like to know.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

if you can put the pins/bars of the power rack at the bottom position of your squat you just set it down if you cant push it up. totally safe. but my advice is to throw on some killer tunes and JUST DO IT - dont worry about a damn spot!

 

[gtaman]

There is no comparison.

Free weight squats: real growth all over, a great mental challenge.

Smith squats: too easy to kid oneself/cheat; not as taxing overall as squats; worst of all, can cause disc injuries and other problems (it did for me).

Look into it, you'll see there are a number of reasons that you can eventually be seriously injured if you rely on Smith squats... although it depends on your technique.

I don't think it's as bad for women. For one thing they don't tend to load as much weight on.

 

[JP@Ironology]

please explain just for my knowledge and anyone else who would like to know.

2new4juice,

Heavyware explained it perfectly. If you have the correct squat rack the pins will catch the weight if you are stuck. If I happen to fail on a set I just fall forward and the barbell lands on the pins. Unfortunately, some gyms still do not have squat racks with safety pins, then you need a spotter.