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  George Spellwin's ELITE FITNESS Discussion Boards
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  All in all, the Smith machine is a training piece for dorks.

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Author Topic:   All in all, the Smith machine is a training piece for dorks.
mr_Blond
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 36)
posted February 15, 2000 11:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mr_Blond   Click Here to Email mr_Blond     Edit/Delete Message
A Quote from Charles Poliquin.

Any thoughts?

Bark Lil Doggy

[This message has been edited by mr_Blond (edited February 15, 2000).]

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livinbig
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 98)
posted February 15, 2000 11:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for livinbig   Click Here to Email livinbig     Edit/Delete Message
I use a Smith, it has its place but its not as good as free weights.....

livinbig

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Rock_Man
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 150)
posted February 15, 2000 11:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rock_Man   Click Here to Email Rock_Man     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 8696614
Of coarse it's not as good as free weights, I agree. But, it's not a complete waste. It can be very beneficial for those who need to use it in certain circumstances such as... Form, needing a spot and no-one is available, and for those with injuries that need the stability of the machine. So whatever you can say bad about it, there are things that you can say that are good as well. Depends on each person individually. Remember, not everyone drives a porsche some prefer a Z3!

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Rock On!

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mr_Blond
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 36)
posted February 15, 2000 11:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mr_Blond   Click Here to Email mr_Blond     Edit/Delete Message
Well said Rock_Man...that about sums up my feelings as well.

Bark Lil Doggy

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E2
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 608)
posted February 15, 2000 12:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2   Click Here to Email E2     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 54337564
I use it a lot, especially on shoulder day, ever since i blew my shoulder to pieces doing military presses hurts the hell out of it. On the smith machine i have no probs.

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2Thick
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 282)
posted February 15, 2000 02:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 2Thick   Click Here to Email 2Thick     Edit/Delete Message
It feels much lighter than free weights, but I will use it when the free weights are being used. It's better than having my muscles cool down.

Jon

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Check out my Injection and Syringe Info Site= www.angelfire.com/biz5/syringes

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mr_Blond
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 36)
posted February 15, 2000 02:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mr_Blond   Click Here to Email mr_Blond     Edit/Delete Message
Here's Poliquin's complete take on the Smith.
taken from T-mag.com

Q: I use the Smith machine extensively in my training, but I've been hearing that it's not the greatest piece of equipment ever invented. What's your take?

A: To be frank, I don't think much of the Smith machine. In fact, when I design a weight room for a client, I never ever buy a Smith machine. In fact, if a dork asks me a question about chest training during one of my workouts, I quickly prescribe him ten sets of 20 on the Smith machine as my way of getting revenge. One of the reasons that the Smith machine has so much publicity in the magazines is because it makes a great visual picture but, as far as functional transfer, it scores a big zero. It was probably invented by a physical therapist who wanted more business for himself.

What you might perceive as positives with the device are in fact strong negatives. The perceived positives are only short-lived because, in a Smith machine, the weight is stabilized for you. However, the shoulder really operates in three planes. But if you do exercises in a Smith machine, none of the shoulder stabilizers need to be recruited maximally. For example, the rotator cuff muscles don't have to fire as much because the bar's pathway is fixed. That creates a problem when the trainee returns to free-weight training. When that happens, the trainee is exposed to the three-dimensional environment called real life. Since the Smith machine has allowed him to develop strength only in one dimension, it predisposes him or her to injury in the undeveloped planes of movement.

Exercise prescription specialist Paul Chek of San Diego has identified what he calls pattern overload syndrome. In his seminar and videos, he stresses that the Smith machine bench press is one of the most common sources of shoulder injuries:

"People get a pattern overload from using the Smith machine. The more fixed the object, the more likely you are to develop a pattern overload. This is due to the fact that training in a fixed pathway repetitively loads the same muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints in the same pattern, encouraging micro-trauma that eventually leads to injury. If Johnny Lunchpail always uses a Smith machine for his bench presses, he ends up working the same fibers of the prime movers in the bench press all of the time: triceps brachii, pectoralis major, long-head of the biceps, anterior deltoids, and serratus anterior. But he can't change the pathway�the bar will always be in the same position."

Because of the mechanics of the human shoulder joint, the body will alter the natural bar pathway during a free-weight bench press to accommodate efficient movement at the shoulder. A fixed bar pathway doesn't allow alteration of this pathway for efficient movement of the joint, thereby predisposing the shoulder to harmful overload via lack of accommodation.

All in all, the Smith machine is a training piece for dorks. If you're interested in training longevity, you're far better off sticking to the standard barbell and dumbbell exercises or try the newer chest machines from Magnum and Flex.





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chestyII
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 114)
posted February 15, 2000 02:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chestyII   Click Here to Email chestyII     Edit/Delete Message
I think the smith machine is a very valuable tool. If used properly it is of great benifit. But used wrong, it is a crutch. Just like steroids can be a crutch for some.

In short it is a tool adn has its place.

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Joe Juicer
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 107)
posted February 15, 2000 02:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joe Juicer   Click Here to Email Joe Juicer     Edit/Delete Message
In its defense, I attribute a lot of my quad development to smith machine squats.

I've never gotten much out of free weight squats and the smith machine helped me make good gains for several years.

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*** A 23 Gaugue Haiku ***
no more injections
my ass is a pin cushion
take the needle out!

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Rock_Man
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 150)
posted February 15, 2000 02:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rock_Man   Click Here to Email Rock_Man     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 8696614
Well he does make a valid point about this. But again, He is speaking if you were to ONLY use this machine as the means to muscle development. If your smart enough, then you will know that you would need to incorporate the smith machine for those that have trouble targeting chest and also use free weights to continue development in longevity thus including the stablizers in the grand scheme of muscle development.

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Rock On!

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bignate73
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 42)
posted February 15, 2000 02:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bignate73   Click Here to Email bignate73     Edit/Delete Message
its only for dorks if you curl with it. i think its not too bad for a few things and only when used properly. for new people squatting with it, it can be bad news if they get thier feet too far back etc. ive seen some crazy stuff done on it too. so for the experienced person, it can be alright. push and push and dont have to worry bout balance. as long as it doesnt become the maistay of a workout. thats my 2 pennies from my jar.

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big_guy1
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 69)
posted February 15, 2000 03:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for big_guy1   Click Here to Email big_guy1     Edit/Delete Message UIN: 5126477
I don't like smith machines..but I guess it does have it's place..I think it is good for newbies in the gym, better then machines..but worse then free weights...

big-guy

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BigCatratcho
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 57)
posted February 15, 2000 04:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BigCatratcho   Click Here to Email BigCatratcho     Edit/Delete Message
KANT STAND the Smith Machine.

Just personally though. Makes my knees feel weird when I've squatted with it. It feels like my tendons are going to get tangled up or snap or something.

I've used it for inclines, but I just can't get used ot the range of motion. I hate tracking straight up and down.

I have to hold myself back when I use it. I feel like I'm heading towards an injury

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honduran
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GORGEOUS1
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 32)
posted February 15, 2000 04:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GORGEOUS1   Click Here to Email GORGEOUS1     Edit/Delete Message
Its good for working on sticking points in numerous exercises.

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marky
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 95)
posted February 15, 2000 04:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for marky     Edit/Delete Message
cant do w/o it on shoulder days. at my gym the bar is unbalanced-ie if you have more weight on one side it will dip. i get an excellent 6-8 sets on neck presses and upright rows.

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tray renfro
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 181)
posted February 15, 2000 05:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tray renfro   Click Here to Email tray renfro     Edit/Delete Message
behind the neck shoulder presses, shrugs, close grip bench.

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tray renfro?!?!
gotta cumm up

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tray renfro
Pro Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 181)
posted February 15, 2000 05:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tray renfro   Click Here to Email tray renfro     Edit/Delete Message
behind the neck shoulder presses, shrugs, close grip bench. much better on my wrists.

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tray renfro?!?!
gotta cumm up

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bad brains
Amateur Bodybuilder
(Total posts: 75)
posted February 15, 2000 05:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bad brains   Click Here to Email bad brains     Edit/Delete Message
I myself do not like a smith machine for anything, especially the kind with a floating bar. Free weights are the only way, along with some cable movements in finishing sets or excercise.

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