smith machine for squats

[samurai69]

read that the smith machine is sh*te on the knees when doing squats.

I like to go real low and dont seem to get any pain (more pain from leg extensions)

The gym i go to has no squat rack or power rack, the only place to squat is the smith machine (it must be quite old as there is no form of hydrolics the only problem seems to be the line of movement)

Leg press machine is a nautilus ladies - even 1 leg presses on this are easy for at least 10 - 15 reps

any suggestions

just looked down the forum and seen other thread sorry folks for posting similar

[Slashmonay]

honestly, if your gym has no squat rack, go to a new gym. Its important bro.

[ROCKETW19]

Originally posted by Slashmonay
honestly, if your gym has no squat rack, go to a new gym. Its important bro.

:agree: but i still use the smith machine for squats it allows me to put my feet farther out in front of me. this way feels better on my back&knees.

[Face]

Yeah, i find the smith machine is still really good for squats, and safe too if your training alone......

[Mr I]

Personall I like smiths, once I'm warmed through I can do faster more explosive reps without having to worry about form as much as squat rack.

[Pumpdogg]

Change gyms man for the love of God, how can they call it a gym without 1 squat rack? Machines have their place but lets be honest boys and girls.... You need to do squats without the assistance of a machine to build your stablizer muscles lower back etc... If you had an injury that prevented it okay, otherwise buck up and squat. Too many people are trying to take the easier route now days and they lack the complete package. Squats.. Deads.. and Bench are a must. Okay I am done now :D

PD

[BBAddict]

I totally agree. While a smith squat is OK once in a while, there's no replacement for the real thing. I use a smith once in a while just to change things up. I can position my feet to hit my quads more and I also feel more comfortable going to heavier weights. I also have used it lately when I already had a sore back, but like PD said you've got to do the real thing. Like someone said to me once, if you want to put on mass, squats (not smith squats) are an absolute necessity. Change gyms!!

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by Pumpdogg
Change gyms man for the love of God, how can they call it a gym without 1 squat rack? Machines have their place but lets be honest boys and girls.... You need to do squats without the assistance of a machine to build your stablizer muscles lower back etc... If you had an injury that prevented it okay, otherwise buck up and squat. Too many people are trying to take the easier route now days and they lack the complete package. Squats.. Deads.. and Bench are a must. Okay I am done now :D

PD

I have honestly found that smith machines are BETTER for leg development. For beginners I would reccomend learning the squat with free weights but when you become an advanced lifter squats get to the point of being counterproductive I think (weighing positives and possible negatives-mostly injury). Smith machine squats gave me the intense burn that I want when I squat but i don't feel because too much of the workload goes to my lower back. as well benching is a strictly genetic movement. either you are builr for it or you are not. Short arms and deep chest cavities are good at it. long arms and shallow chests just don't cut and should waste their time when other movements are more productive to people who have longer levers.

[Pumpdogg]

Perhaps for you Stone they work better, I will give you that, I used to think leg presses built better legs.... nah it was just a cop out for me, I could throw 12 plates on each side and a hot little chick on top and look like the king pimp juice when I worked my legs, plus they ( leg presses) are easier than sqauts. If all of the machines were better everyone would be making use of them like power lifters, olympic lifters, football coaches etc...
As for the bench press I think it is the same gig. I am 6'2" 228lbs with some long limbs and done well using power movements to increase size and strength. I agree that a shorter arm person can move the weight easier because of their short range of motion, but just look at Arnold... he built that whole body with squats, deads, bench, and yes many other exercises, however he as well as countless other champions have all done the same. It is just my opinion though, lots of trial and error since I have been in this game. For me at least the more I concentrate on basic exercises and do not waste time on isolation ex. I grow more. This has been my experience.

PD