Stronglifts 5x5 for Women

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Smith Machine

tawanda6329
tawanda6329 Posts: 139 Member
in Social Groups
Anyone doing Strong lifts with a Smith Machine? If so, are you seeing results? That's all my gym has and I just signed a year contract two weeks ago.

Replies

  • roxylola
    roxylola Posts: 540 Member
    Pretty sure you would have a 30 day cooling off period if you want out of your contract. Also you could argue you were mislead as you were not aware they did not have a full squat rack etc.
  • emirror
    emirror Posts: 842 Member
    I have been using a smith machine. You can make progress, but you will reach a point where you stall out. I got to 6 weeks, then noticed during week 7 that I'm never sore after a workout. I switched up to some barbell exercises while I was away from my gym (out of town for work), and noticed that walking weighted lunges left me sore for 2 days. I'm having to re-design my program today, because the machine really does impede progress past a certain point.

    If you can get in to a gym that has full racks, I would change gyms.

    Otherwise, you'll have to improvise.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    Be careful when you switch from a Smith machine to a free barbell--it really isn't the same exercise, since one of the hardest aspects of squatting and deadlifting correctly is to keep the bar path vertical using your own muscles. When the machine does it for you, the right muscles are not trained (and neither is your brain). So you might think you can squat X pounds, but it will not translate to the same amount with a free bar, and you can easily get injured.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    ... and I agree that the best course of action would be to switch gyms or look into getting your own equipment if you have enough room at home. In the long run, the latter will be a money saver.
  • tawanda6329
    tawanda6329 Posts: 139 Member
    The manager was not at the gym today so I'll find out tomorrow if I can cancel my membership. I'm going to start looking for home equipment as well.

    Thanks for the replies
  • emirror
    emirror Posts: 842 Member
    Be careful when you switch from a Smith machine to a free barbell--it really isn't the same exercise, since one of the hardest aspects of squatting and deadlifting correctly is to keep the bar path vertical using your own muscles. When the machine does it for you, the right muscles are not trained (and neither is your brain). So you might think you can squat X pounds, but it will not translate to the same amount with a free bar, and you can easily get injured.

    Great point! I seriously de-loaded... down to 50 pounds total.

    So, keep that in mind, too. If you start with a smith and then go to free weights, then you will have to seriously back off your weight load and basically start over. It is because the smith doesn't force you to stabilize yourself as much as free weights do, so you aren't using all the muscles with a smith that you would with free.
  • catfive1
    catfive1 Posts: 529 Member
    The manager was not at the gym today so I'll find out tomorrow if I can cancel my membership. I'm going to start looking for home equipment as well.

    Thanks for the replies


    I got all my equipment at garage sales. Great deals on great equipment.
  • tawanda6329
    tawanda6329 Posts: 139 Member
    On Sunday, I performed yard work for almost 4hrs where I was doing a lot bending down with my back. I was sore but didn't think much of it. On Monday, I did my 4th session of Stronglifts 5X5. Tuesday afternoon I got a terrible pain on my left lower side. I had to leave work early to lay down and rest. I'm not sure if this was caused from the yard ward or the work out.

    Now, I'm terrified of using the Smith Machine again. My side & back are a little sore today but much better. I think I will do cardio until the soreness is completely gone.
  • roxylola
    roxylola Posts: 540 Member
    Probably a good idea but also, you could use dumbells to free lift.

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