Ladies who squat with weights
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I love doing squats, I actually have a little bit of a butt now!
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Yup. Not a small reason why I'm doing them...0 -
I mean, in my opinion, if you have 2 similar options, why do the one that is not going to yield the best results? Doesn't make sense...
Anyways, I agree that squatting with a barbell makes for feel like more of a badazz. And I'm all for that!
Cool. It looks like the barbell + rack option is coming up as the clear winner here.0 -
Barbell + plates with a squat rack/power cage. If my gym did not have one I would change gyms.
That's what I did0 -
Barbell FTW, no contest.
The smith machine screws with your range of motion, and doesn't allow you to use your core/stabilizing muscles, so in the future, if you THINK you can squat 120 (or whatever weight) because "I did it in the Smith", and you try with a barbell, you will find that you will fail miserably. It fools you into thinking you can do it when you really can't.
IMO smith squats don't count. If someone told me their 1RM was higher than mine, but they only do smith, they are NOT higher than me!
Yeah, I've definitely thought about the bragging factor. I would hate to have to qualify that I squatted so many pounds... but it's on the machine. :-P0 -
I squat with dumbbells. There is neither a Smith machine nor a barbell where I go. It's a "ladies" gym, and not my first choice, but the only place close enough I can get there regularly, so you do what you gotta do.0
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Free weights! Form is KEY! I can't stand the Smith Machine. It's very awkward for me.
Sara0 -
Another vote for Olympic Barbell and plates. My entire body is engaged. You should not need a spotter for this.0
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Barbell..plates.. power rack.. hands down the most challenging full body engaging strength workout. My heart rate soars and every muscle feels it.
That's why I want to do it!0 -
I'm glad I read this thread! I've been using the Smith machine. I just use the bar with no added weight, but it has never felt comfortable. I'm very careful with my foot position, etc., and I feel lucky I haven't been injured!
So, my next squats workout will be a new one. I will need to be taught the best way to squat for my body and experience level, which really is a beginner.
Thank you all for the posts!0 -
Wow. I really appreciated everyone's input. Definitely no Smith machine for me now.0
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The Smith machine really does not allow one to maintain proper form and alignment when doing squats. Stick to the barbell.You shouldn't need a spotter for squats if you use a squat rack. I always use a barbell with weights to get a better range of motion. You're restricted in the smith machine and it makes it dangerous.0 -
Back squat to parralel or lower if you can keep your form and keep your heels planted. Start with just the bar till you have the movement down.I'm glad I read this thread! I've been using the Smith machine. I just use the bar with no added weight, but it has never felt comfortable. I'm very careful with my foot position, etc., and I feel lucky I haven't been injured!
So, my next squats workout will be a new one. I will need to be taught the best way to squat for my body and experience level, which really is a beginner.
Thank you all for the posts!0 -
I don't like the Smith machine. It just isn't for me.
I like using a barbell w/ a power cage at the gym or I'll use a dumbbell at home and do goblet squats. I love goblet squats. I can get much deeper than a traditional back squat. You just can't get as heavy when you're doing those.0 -
Barbell 100%. I also like to mix it up and do some high rep work doing Goblet & Narrow Front Squats w/a Kettlebell0
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I don't like the Smith machine. It just isn't for me.
I like using a barbell w/ a power cage at the gym or I'll use a dumbbell at home and do goblet squats. I love goblet squats. I can get much deeper than a traditional back squat. You just can't get as heavy when you're doing those.
Sez who? Did you mean "I can't get as heavy..." Check out the women doing NROL4W. Heavy and deep A2G so to speak.0 -
I use dumbells and a weighted vest, but then I do it at home and that's all I have. But it works just fine.0
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read what rippetoe says about squatting in the smith machine.... He should know.0
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Power rack with barbell...act like the Smith machine doesn't exist. It shouldn't. Also, reading other replies...if you're able to do more than say 8 reps with the weight...you should lift heavier. Another point regarding spotters...if you are properly using a power rack with the bars set at an appropriate height...you never need a spotter.
agree 100$0 -
I only use free weights when I do my squats, or a sandbag.0
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Barbell in a squat cage, you engage your core and your form is better than when using a Smith machine.
The smith machine at my gym pretty much gets dusty lol0 -
You can't use as heavy a weight doing goblet squats as you can doing back squats. It's simple biomechanics. I'm personally not a fan of goblet squats, way too much emphasis on the quads, not enough on the posterior chain and hamstrings, but they're a good assistance exercise.I don't like the Smith machine. It just isn't for me.
I like using a barbell w/ a power cage at the gym or I'll use a dumbbell at home and do goblet squats. I love goblet squats. I can get much deeper than a traditional back squat. You just can't get as heavy when you're doing those.
Sez who? Did you mean "I can't get as heavy..." Check out the women doing NROL4W. Heavy and deep A2G so to speak.0 -
:ohwell:
I generally use a squat rack/power cage and a free weight but if I'm doing something weird, like trying to target my glutes or something, I'll use the Smith Machine. I don't like the smith machine because its range of motion doesn't follow my body mechanics and I feel awkward.
Some people are squat nazis. I'm not. I'm training for aesthetics, not strength.
Lol @ "squat nazis"! I much prefer free-weight barbell squats, but my gym does not have a squat rack :sad: :sad: , so yeah, I do both. I can't lift 150 lbs up safely over my head and rest it on my shoulders--sorry. I use both--until my dam gym gets a squat rack!!0 -
If I dont have a spotter I am stuck with the Smith since where I workout does not have a rack.
My wife and I changes gyms because of this, you should too.
That's not easy for everyone. I live in a very small town, and driving an extra 30-40 minutes each way just doesn't work with a busy schedule and 2 kids. I think you can get good results without a rack--but yeah, I really, really wish I had access to one.0 -
Newbie here... Do you squat just with free weights, i.e. barbell + plates, or do you use the squat "machine" where you push the weight bar up through tracks and where the cage actually holds some of the bar weight for you? I think it's called the Smith machine?
The machine seems more secure, especially when I don't have a spotter. But I like the fact that I have to engage my core a lot more just to stabilize the barbell when squatting with free weights. Plus it just seems more badass.
What do you do?
Free weights. Read "Starting Strength" and the free 5x5 pdf. Start with an empty bar, and go from there.0 -
I agree squatting with free weights. Not sure what level you are at. Be sure you have your form down correctly before adding weight. May sound silly but if you are just starting out... put that broom stick overhead with both arms up stretched, elbows slightly behind the ears, feet shoulder width apart, toes barely turned outward, squat down, hips below knees, core tight. Be sure to keep knees turned out ward slightlly. A lot of people turn their knees in which will cause knee injury. Should be able to do 50 squats like this before adding weight.
I'm thinking, bad *kitten* is in your future!0 -
Your range of motion is awful on a Smith machine. Ditch it now before it becomes a habit.
I guess I need to ditch the Smith machine. It's the only way I have the confidence to actually do it at the gym. I shall try the other ways.0 -
I don't like the Smith machine. It just isn't for me.
I like using a barbell w/ a power cage at the gym or I'll use a dumbbell at home and do goblet squats. I love goblet squats. I can get much deeper than a traditional back squat. You just can't get as heavy when you're doing those.
Sez who? Did you mean "I can't get as heavy..." Check out the women doing NROL4W. Heavy and deep A2G so to speak.
I meant I can't get as heavy doing goblet squats using a dumbbell (I realize it looks confusing how I wrote it) - when I use the power rack doing back squats I can get pretty heavy.
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Barbell & plates.0
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I use barbell, plates and either the squat rack or the power rack (whichever one is open).
I DO NOT use the Smith Machine - The fixed motion of the bar does not promote proper form at all.0 -
I squat with either plates or bar. I do not use the machines.0
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