We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Help - Planet Fitness

lizkharvey
lizkharvey Posts: 65 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have a membership at PF because of price, location, and that it's open 24 hours, so it works with my work schedule.

I'd like to do the "good morning" exercise but their smith machine or squat rack - not really sure the difference - is assisted so I can't take the barbell off. When I lean forward to do the exercise I feel like I'm not moving in the proper range of motion that I should be. I don't feel anything. Does anyone have any advice to this? Also, when I do deadlifts (im a beginner) I can't tell if it feels like a deadlift or a squat!! I'm sure it'd be a lot better if the machine wasn't assisted :/

Replies

  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    Easy - Use Dumbbells instead. :)
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    edited February 2016
    It's a smith machine. Don't use it for good mornings, deadlifts, or squats, for the reasons you mentioned. Good mornings aren't good for beginners - i'd stick with deadlifts or romanian deadlifts. Works the same muscles as good mornings with less risk to the spine.
    Which strength program are you following?
  • peachyfuzzle
    peachyfuzzle Posts: 1,122 Member
    You might be able to do deadlifts in the Smith machine, possibly bench presses, but nothing else really. Honestly, it shouldn't be used for anything.

    PF is a great cardio gym, but it is severely lacking the way of weights. If you're looking to weightlift, you should really consider finding a gym with proper free weights, or if PF is the only gym that works for you, look up ways to alter the lifts so that they work with dumbells.

    I'd really advise to avoid the Smith machine at all costs since it not only leaves out the complete range of motion, but can also cause injury because of it.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Try dumbbell good mornings.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    Or a kettlebell or body bar, if they have those.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Good mornings would be difficult without a bar. I guess maybe holding dbs or kettlebells on your shoulders but I wouldn't but it behind my head if it isn't light. It's just so much easier with a bar of some sort
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    peachyfuzzle wrote: »
    PF is a great cardio gym, but it is severely lacking the way of weights. If you're looking to weightlift, you should really consider finding a gym with proper free weights, or if PF is the only gym that works for you, look up ways to alter the lifts so that they work with dumbells.

    I'd really advise to avoid the Smith machine at all costs since it not only leaves out the complete range of motion, but can also cause injury because of it.

    I'd tend to agree with this.
  • lizkharvey
    lizkharvey Posts: 65 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    It's a smith machine. Don't use it for good mornings, deadlifts, or squats, for the reasons you mentioned. Good mornings aren't good for beginners - i'd stick with deadlifts or romanian deadlifts. Works the same muscles as good mornings with less risk to the spine.
    Which strength program are you following?

    I'm doing a small program made by Katy Hearn to get a butt like hers.
  • lizkharvey
    lizkharvey Posts: 65 Member
    peachyfuzzle wrote: »
    You might be able to do deadlifts in the Smith machine, possibly bench presses, but nothing else really. Honestly, it shouldn't be used for anything.

    PF is a great cardio gym, but it is severely lacking the way of weights. If you're looking to weightlift, you should really consider finding a gym with proper free weights, or if PF is the only gym that works for you, look up ways to alter the lifts so that they work with dumbells.

    I'd really advise to avoid the Smith machine at all costs since it not only leaves out the complete range of motion, but can also cause injury because of it.

    I agree, too, but like I said it's the only gym I can do right now :( it sucks. They have nothing there.
  • lizkharvey
    lizkharvey Posts: 65 Member
    WalkingAlong wrote: »
    Or a kettlebell or body bar, if they have those.

    Nope don't have either :( worst gym lol
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    lizkharvey wrote: »
    WalkingAlong wrote: »
    Or a kettlebell or body bar, if they have those.

    Nope don't have either :( worst gym lol

    Dumbbells are fine. Here's a video, if it helps, since you asked the difference between a deadlift and a squat. She's using tiny dumbbells but just for the demo.
    http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/how-do-deadlift-dumbbells

    And dumbbell good morning-
    http://workouts.menshealth.com/exercise/dumbbell-good-morning
This discussion has been closed.

Categories