Squats - Smith Machine or Free weight?

[frorider6]

I was in the grocery store this weekend, killing time while my girlfriend bought a birthday card. Anyway, I ws browsing one of the muscle magazines and saw an article about Smith Machine squatting. From what I read of the article, it said a study was done with electrical impulse sensors attached to the muscles of people doing squats with a Smith Machine and those with free weights. The only difference found was in the muscles of the lower leg; a bit of the calf muscle and the one on the front of the shin. The quads, glutes and hams were the same. This difference was proably due to the Smith Machine squat not needing the stabilization.

So, if there is no difference in the stress on the leg muscles (with exception to the calf stabilizers), wouldn't it be better to do squats on the Smith Machine because of the greater safety.

I'm sure this wouldn't apply to powerlifters because of the need to build those stabilizers. But what about for the normal person? Or even the bodybuilder?

 

[enrage]

i feel that the smith machine squat puts more stress on the knees I also don't like the lack of range from smith mach. because its(smith machine) a fixed plane a person can really screw themselves up if done wrong.There's nothing better for your legs than squatting with free weights. I think box squats rank really high for awesome leg development.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

anyone that has eye-popping legs has built them with squats first, I have been squatting for 14 years with no safety issues. Get under the bar for BIG LEGS!

 

[Madd Hatter]

Yeah, everything I've ever read or heard has said to use free weights, and maybe even the smith machine is hard on your knees. If your knees are ok, and you don't mind if they don't stay that way, then by all means, do the smith. But since the smith is definitely not "better" I don't see why. Seeing as I already have one popping knee, I'm so glad I have to use the machine! I have what I call gangly nerd syndrome, I do not have balance or other athletic traits in abundance. I can not do bent over rows, I can not do free weight squats. I wish I could, but I'm pathetic. What? I said I'm pathetic!

 

[luvs2workout]

mix it up

why not do both? free squat and smith

 

[the nature boy]

I wish I could, but I'm pathetic. What? I said I'm pathetic!

WHAT?!

 

[Scottygunz]

I prefer free weight squats, but I have been on the smith since I messed my back up. Smith seems to be working fine for the legs!

 

[SofaGeorge]

I've used Smith Machine squats for years. They get a bad rap from people who don't use them... of from bodybuilding writers who need something to harp on. The truth of it is... I started doing them because I had knee injuries. I know a ton of people who do them solely because they need the stable motion. This BS about them putting undue stress on the knee is just that... BS. You can work the range of motion WITHOUT hitting the knee stressor.

That said... I am very greatful for the Smith Machine... because it helped me build my legs up enough so that now I can do free weight squats. My legs built okay on the Smith Machine... but now that I am lifting free weight squats... my quads are bursting out of my pants legs. Free weight squats are definitely king.

 

[DR. NOE]

Smith machines are okay if you have a problem with flexability. I don't think one will benifit as much from smith machines, they are so much easier to perform then free weights squat. I always select the harder style for maximum growth. I also think the back takes away from the legs more on smith machines. Watch someone closely and you will see what I am talking about.

 

[JOKER47]

I just bought a smith machine. I don't plan on replacing my squat rack, but to use both. I work out at home without a spotter. I have felt as though I am not able to push my squats as far as I would like due to fear of failure. I am hoping I can use the smith machine and free-weight squats together to increase my over-all squat.

But I agree that free-weight squats are overall better.


.02,
Joker