???

weird reason, cause i just felt more comfirtable doing it in the smith machine..lol

psychological feeling ? hehe.. cuz when u think u cant lift anymore u can just hook it back ?

or maybe the bar of the smith machine is lighter than normal free benching barbell..

or also maybe u don't need to use your smaller muscles to balance the free barbell with weights..

i personally like the free barbell as i go up on a small arch when im pushing upwards.. and plus the balancing part is good for smaller muscles groups think i..

There's no wrong with using the smith machine, as long as you don't injure yourself.

I'd either do free weights, or use specific machines.
Smith machine simply doesn't suits my workout. I feel damn weird when I was trying to squat using it last time.
And most people don't squat properly in the smith machine anyway... just half squat.

Most forumers here don't hold the smith machine in high regard.
I'm not sure whether I want to encourage you to try free weights... it might be good for you, but that would mean more people queuing to use the power cage/squat rack. =P

the trap that most people fall into when using the smith machine is that when one hand uses more strength than the other(during bench presses eg.).

I prefer using the smith machine over barbell when I'm alone during my workout and I dont have anyone around to spot me incase i cannot lift the bar back up during those final reps.

Do a combination of both and you'll be alrite

The Smith machine does the job of balancing the bar for you. All that you need to do is push it up.

Therefore, you normally find that you can add more plates to the Smith machine when you perform a certain exercise because there is no balancing involved. I've stopped using the Smith machine for that very reason.

Try doing the regular bench press with the standard-size Olympic bar. If it's your first time, you might have difficulties pushing the bar up straight.

Smith machine to bench press = Can't feel the koyak orgasm

Smith machine can do a lot of things.

I have used both with smith machine and squat rack for my full squats.

If you get tired stabilizing the bar, smith machine is better as it can somewhat isolate the effects.

However, I don't really like doing full squats on the smith machine.



This post has been edited by kianweic: Mar 28 2009, 08:10 AM

They both have their uses and place in the gym. Personally, I will only use them if I'm either pressed for time (read: idiots taking up the benches, rushing to an appointment, etc) or the most common reason, right after I do free weights. Do all the free weights you can first, then move on to machines.

I use smith machine to do calf raise.

The only reason i use smith is because there is no spotter around, free weights are the best no doubt.

However, safety comes 1st. Don't try to push your limits without a spotter, you might get yourself killed.

People who have used the Smith even for squats:-
Dorian Yates
Wong Hong
Bob Cicherrillo

Some forummers are against the Smith because of the wannabe hardcore mentality that the Smith is for pansies. Try incline benching close to 300lbs on the Smith, it doesn't make it any easier despite the anticipated arguments of counter weight.

darkie..u can do incline bench press with 300 lbs??!..u're a cyborg man!!
giler kuat...

This post has been edited by D_Predator: May 16 2009, 10:58 PM

darkie's level is a totally different level.
he has been training for a decade.
well, i somehow feel harder to bench press using a smith machine compared to normal bench press.
is it coz of the friction on the slides of the machines?
or the angle which i push is making it harder?
or... the smith machine in mmu melaka gym sucks. =.=
hahaha...

i can bench press around 70kg 10-12 reps, but i cant do incline smith 60kg.
i get so frustrated... maybe i need to figure out why...

ya la..why is it when i tried to do my incline i feel kinda weak..i'm sad to say that even if i put 25kg on each side for smith machine..i canot tahan la..is sumthing wrong with my technique?or am i lifting the wrong weight?or is it that's my limit to push is only 25kg per side?..damn..u guys are strong la..

i can do 70kg 12 times on normal bench press.
but i cant even do incline smith 45% for even 60kg.

so what's ur weight for incline? ..damn..u mean 70kg plus both sides with the olympic bar izit?

yeah... 70kg for all...
incline around 50kg... =.=
hahaha

nice..wait till we hear how heavey darkie bench press and incline..hahaha..pengsan..

u can see his journal for his normal workouts.
bout his 1rm, i not sure its in there or not...

btw wats a 1rm?i read it on the net..but i dun understand..