Switching from smith machine to power rack

edavis27

Alright so for the summer I used a smith machine because that is all I had at my disposal for lifitng and now i'm going back to school where I can use a power rack. is the weight that I can lift on the smith machine the same i will be able to lift on a regular power rack. I only ask this because I wasn't sure if the restriction of horizontal motion from the smith machine affects whether or not I can lift heavier.

I only want to know this so I don't lift too much and hurt myself when going to a power rack. Thanks!

meshashesha2012

probably not.

but just see what it feels like when you derack, step back and try a rep. if you need to adjust then just do that

PikaKnight

Alright so for the summer I used a smith machine because that is all I had at my disposal for lifitng and now i'm going back to school where I can use a power rack. is the weight that I can lift on the smith machine the same i will be able to lift on a regular power rack. I only ask this because I wasn't sure if the restriction of horizontal motion from the smith machine affects whether or not I can lift heavier.

I only want to know this so I don't lift too much and hurt myself when going to a power rack. Thanks!

From what I've gathered, no. The problem with machines is that they tend to restrict the range of motion as well as end up supporting some of the weight being lifted.

I would do your warm ups and then try to judge as you get close to your working sets. Maybe think of that first week back as a deload type week as you work up.

dbmata

Yeah, treat it as a deload and drop down your weight, then during the work set try to pyramid up to your failure point.

ana3067

Nope. Smith machine is doing most, or probably all actually, of the stabilizing for you. I'd start off with an empty bar and then add about 10-20lbs to it until you reach a weight that you can work with.

All in all smith machine is basically useless unless used as a coat rack. Or maybe inverted rows if you're feelin' fancy.

ftrobbie

+1 for using your warmup sets to give you a feel for how much work the Smiths machine was doing for you, stabilisation. I am convinced that you will not be able to lift as much with proper form. Use your power rack weight as the new basis point for whatever progressive overload programme you are using to get stronger. Good luck

mustgetmuscles1

Form is going to be what you should be concerned with and not the weight. You are basically learning the lift from scratch. Lower it way down and have someone you trust coach you. Then start building the weight back up. It will probably go up pretty fast after that though.