GEORGE SPELLWIN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enlightening Men about Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding for over Two Decades
|
 Elite Fitness Bodybuilding, Anabolics, Diet, Life Extension, Wellness, Supplements, and Training Boards
 Training Discussion Board
 Free Weight or Smith Machine Bench
|
| Author | Topic: Free Weight or Smith Machine Bench | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 320 |
Personally, I like to use the smith Machine, I find it doesn't hurt my shoulders as bad. What does everyone eslse prefer? -Blackop     | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 799 |
Variety IS the spice of life! | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 245 |
No doubt about it, free weights rule, all machines suck big time, you get a far superior development with free weight's, as they recruit all stabilizer muscles and allow for a free range of movement. ------------------ | ||
|
Novice 
Posts: 7 |
As your bench pressing on a smith try applying a little pressure to the bar push to your feet as the bar goes up to hit lower pec reverse to hit upper. this cannot be done with free weights, gets a good concerntration without losing stabilisation. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 222 |
smith machine = excellent towel rack. naaaaah, it has its uses. sometimes i use it after i've fatigued my stabilisers with dumbbells. ------------------ | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 280 |
The only time I use a Smith Machine is when I don't have a person to spot me. Once in a while I'll use it just for a different feel. You're right, it doesn't stress your shoulders as much. ------------------ Check out http://pub30.ezboard.com/bhitsgymofbodybuilding -HB- | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1267 |
The smith machine is good for close-grip bench, and for military press. I don't see any reason why you wouldn't use it if it's easier on the shoulders, just incorporate another chest exercise with free-weight dumbells. ------------------ | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1304 |
I believe it is important to vary your exercise cycle every 6 weeks or so. I do use a smith machine occasionally for incline / decline press. As someone else mentioned I believe the smith is good for close hnded press. ------------------ | ||
|
Novice
Posts: 6 |
Free weights are the only weights. Only use the smith when you have to train by yourself and want to try and push that extra weight. | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1044 |
It won't stress the shoulders as much but it also won't give as good chest development as free weights. BB and particularly DB have to be stabilized during the movement which brings auxillery muscles into play, thus allowing for a greater number of muscle fibres coming into play. Smiths are fine for isolating particular areas. I use the smith for close grip presses for triceps as I don't have to worry about balance. | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 303 |
Depends on if I have a spotter. I'd rather do free weights. | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 312 |
free weights are where its at my friend, the Smith doesnt work on your balance while you gotta use your balance and strength with free weights | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 72 |
I use both.. I primarily use my smith for squats when I'm alone or for military press. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 144 |
I haven't used a smith machine since I first began training with weights (about 5 years). I know two strength coaches personally and have read from others who are well known, they say to avoid it like the plague. I like the idea of variety, but never could find a use for it really. If it works for you, stick with it, but do some research too. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 148 |
Free weights. Period. (We can't all be Vince Taylor.) | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 119 |
No one, regardless of how good his genetics may be, can acquire strength and genuine muscle from machines. If you see a huge bodybuilder using machines, it wasn't the machines that made him that way. He got big by beginning with free weights and strength training, then switched to machines. There's no other way. You have to go into the gym, get in the squat rack and do those two or three sets with a very heavy weight. You may hate it; but what would be the point if you liked it but got nowhere? You have to force yourself, realizing that if you want have the physique that make girls turn their heads in awe, and their boyfriends green in envy, you need more than genetics. You've got to go in there and work with the heaviest weights you can handle and persevere no matter what happens | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 148 |
You're preaching to the choir, Sniper. Vince himself said has always been a cable and machine guy, especially during precontest. Dude, it was a joke... ------------------ | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 119 |
I'll have to make sure I read all the threads before I reply in future. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 278 |
Free weights are BEST, but it is good to mix up your routine and keep your body guessin. So incorporating both is a good thing  | ||
|
Novice
Posts: 10 |
man all this bullshit, anything that stresses the target muscle at a high enough intensity will build mass, the smith machine does this, question is that it may not be as safe as free weights as it moves where it wants to go. | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 708 |
Huggy, you score a good point... well not really, but I had nothing better to open with. A machine will always only be an isolation excercise, taking some precious stress off some ancilary muscles, making handling heavier weights more difficult, making mass less likely. Nothing like free weights. ------------------ "how much can you really know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?" Tyler Durden | ||
|
Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 312 |
yes YES | ||
|
Cool Novice 
Posts: 27 |
Eye poppin, shoulder bustin, maybe can't get off my chest, adding stability to the stabilizers, FREE WEIGHTS!!!!!!!!! | ||
|
Cool Novice
Posts: 28 |
Yeah, I'll definitely add to that. Huggy's point is good, but I like to workout on my OWN damn schedule, which means when none of the idiots are in the gym. Since I'm at a university, it goes without saying that idiots=most people at the gym. Hence late-night and early morning workouts. That means it's tough to find a spotter. So I'll usually hit the Smith once a week to go for the extra 10 pounds or so in the bench or squats. | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 63 |
I plan on getting a smity at home so I can really hit some heavy lifts (squat)and not worry about getting hurt. Plus its just nice shrugs, bench, shoulder press, leg press, squat whatever, but I agree nothing can beat free weights. | ||
|
Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1231 |
i use a smith bench i dont feel that it is as good as free weight but its all i have access to ,so i would reccomend db's for chest they work great ------------------ "Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity." "In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take prozac to make it normal." http://pub33.ezboard.com/bburnboy check this board out its just gettin started | ||
|
Cool Novice
Posts: 34 |
I don't like the Smith machine idea as I feel that most who use it are using it as a crutch - you can push up too fast and it never destabilizes, you can cheat a bit more, etc. As for squats on a Smith machine I would recommend that no one do this!!! It won't happen right away, but eventually many will develop a serious low back injury from using the Smith machine for squats. I think women doing light weights on one will be OK. I got the full explanation of the physiology of the Smith machine squat from a guy who sounded like he knew what he was talking about. I can't stand all the skinny punks who don't know how to work out piling plates on the Smith machine and then doing upright rows with no form. Who do they think they're kidding? Smith machine - not a big fan. | ||
|
Cool Novice
Posts: 28 |
I heard that Smith squats put serious shearing pressure on your knee joint too. Anybody know if this is true? | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 148 |
Yes. That's true. DO NOT squat on a Smith Machine. ------------------ | ||
|
Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 119 |
Does anyone know if it is ok to squat on a squat machine in which the bar doesn't go straight up and down like the regular smith machine but goes up and down on an angle because the bar is on an incline? |
All times are ET (US) | |
 |
| |
posted December 03, 2000 01:41 PM
"BITCH! You can't do this to me!" Silvio