Smith Machine Questions

azrubael

Dont have a lot of extra cash in the budget, so the only Gym I can afford is a "Fitness" center. As such there are no barbells at all in the entire place. None! Zip! Zero! They do have Smith machines however. I am wanting to do squats and deadlifts instead of just wandering from machine to machine. My question is can these be done with any efficacy on the Smith machine? I know its not ideal, but at this point it comes down to doing them on the Smith or not doing them at all. What are your thoughts?

AJ_G

There's nothing wrong with doing them on the smith machine, but it can't replace barbell squats and deadlifts. The smith machine is basically equivalent to using any other machine in the gym that stabilizes the weight for you. Free weights require that you both lift the weight and stabilize it as you lift causing a fuller more complete muscle development. You don't get that same muscle development with the smith machine or other machines but if your option is smith machine or nothing, than using the smith machine is 1000x better than doing nothing at all.

shor0814

You have to change your squat form for the smith machine as well. Here is a decent thread that explains the form you need.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=128305961

azrubael

That was exactly the info I was looking for thanks.

kirkor

Are there dumbbells?

I wouldn't wish Smith squats on anyone, and Smith deads should not even be contemplated!!!

azrubael

There are dumbbells but only up to 70lbs.