Deadlifting on Smith Machine

Is a good idea? How's my form?

https://youtu.be/b-JtK4GoiTs
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Replies

  • richardpkennedy1
    richardpkennedy1 Posts: 1,890 Member
    That's 2 plates by the way. 100kg (225 lbs)
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    Well done on the weight but, IMHO you should not deadlift in the smith machine. Good deadlift form is impossible in this piece of kit. Set up a barbell and use that for your deadlifts.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    That's 2 plates by the way. 100kg (225 lbs)
    Unless your smith machine is 45lbs which most aren't. Then it isn't 225. And you'll always be able to lift more in a smith since it takes all the stability work out of the lift.

  • richardpkennedy1
    richardpkennedy1 Posts: 1,890 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    That's 2 plates by the way. 100kg (225 lbs)
    Unless your smith machine is 45lbs which most aren't. Then it isn't 225. And you'll always be able to lift more in a smith since it takes all the stability work out of the lift.

    There's a sign on the machine saying that the unloaded weight is 45 lbs. I'm pretty sure it's correct because my Smith bench is only slightly higher than barbell bench. As to why I am using it, there is no barbell at the gym. It's just my condo gym, not a commercial gym.
  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    yikes, deadlifting in the smith machine??
  • ljk0615
    ljk0615 Posts: 160 Member
    I thought that was called a rack pull anyway. Someone explain the difference?
  • 35dollars
    35dollars Posts: 832 Member
    ljk0615 wrote: »
    I thought that was called a rack pull anyway. Someone explain the difference?

    A rack pull is a deadlift variant where you start with the weight above ground level, typically supported on the arms of a power-lifting cage - see http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/rack-pulls for example.
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    That's 2 plates by the way. 100kg (225 lbs)
    Unless your smith machine is 45lbs which most aren't. Then it isn't 225. And you'll always be able to lift more in a smith since it takes all the stability work out of the lift.

    There's a sign on the machine saying that the unloaded weight is 45 lbs. I'm pretty sure it's correct because my Smith bench is only slightly higher than barbell bench. As to why I am using it, there is no barbell at the gym. It's just my condo gym, not a commercial gym.

    Do your deadlifts at the gym that you do your bench presses?

    This
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Is a good idea? How's my form?

    https://youtu.be/b-JtK4GoiTs

    This may be the worst idea I have seen in a while...
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member
    edited June 2016
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?

    I think behind back shrugs are the only time I go near a smith, its not worth the looks you get when you invert row haha. Those poor folks waiting who could be doing poor form squats and benching.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?

    For shrugs the bar path is so small the Smith machine's angle will have virtually zero effect. On that basis I'd say you would be fine (similar for calf raises - I sometimes do these in Smith machine, toes on a platform, bar on shoulders). For rows, I wouldn't, the Smith's path will throw you off ideal every time.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?

    I'd say you're fine. Inverted rows were my primary use of the Smith machine. I do shrugs in there once in a while, and can't say I've noticed a difference.
  • JoshuaMcAllister
    JoshuaMcAllister Posts: 500 Member

    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?

    For shrugs the bar path is so small the Smith machine's angle will have virtually zero effect. On that basis I'd say you would be fine (similar for calf raises - I sometimes do these in Smith machine, toes on a platform, bar on shoulders). For rows, I wouldn't, the Smith's path will throw you off ideal every time.

    I'd say that was true of the smith machines angle on regular shrugs, fairly pointless en-devour. Due to your body angle on a behind back shrugs, it is pretty effective, and one I've seen many lifters do in multiple gyms.

    Hadn't considered calf raises.

    Agreed rowing is a terrible idea, but an inverted row the bar is static so there is no issue with the path like the upright row. Horrible enough exercise without a smith never mind with its path getting in the damn way haha.

  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    I do bent over rows on the Smith Machine, do to low back problems. It keeps the pressure off of my back. Is it the most ideal, no, but it still gets the job done. Deadlifts or squats is another story.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    The only thing I use the smith for is calf raises. I use to do heavy shrugs in the smith (as noted above, the path is too short to be affected by the angle) but there's actually a sign on the smith now which reads "Please do not deadlift or do heavy shrugs on this machine."
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    No, just no!
  • hec1985
    hec1985 Posts: 10 Member
    Along with what everyone has said already...doing deadlifts on a smith machine is not a good idea. It's very deceiving, doing two plates on that does not translate at all do doing the same weight free weight. I'd suggest doing them free weight with low weight till you get the form right and by no means try to do two plates free weight starting out, you may hurt yourself.
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    No way to really assess your form since the smith machine has you locked in a specific range of motion.
    There are only a few lifts I'd consider using a smith machine for and deadlifts or squats are not one of them.

    I do shrugs and inverted rows on it. Are shrugs ok on the Smith?

    Lifts I do or would consider in a smith machine:
    Seated OHP
    Shrugs
    Rows
    Calf raises

    That's about it.

    If I'm traveling and a smith machine is the only thing available at the hotel (and a real gym is either too far away or expensive for just a few days) I would do bench in it.

  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Strong Front Double Bicep 10/10, would make into a gif.
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  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    I would rather deadlift heavy rocks outside than use a Smith machine. If you have access to a barbell, use it!
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    edited June 2016
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Is a good idea? How's my form?

    https://youtu.be/b-JtK4GoiTs

    This may be the worst idea I have seen in a while...

    Nah, the deadlift/burpee guy had the worst idea.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/36677833#Comment_36677833