Smith Machine

[RIPT]

I use it for shoulder and incline presses. Does it make them less/more effective?? I think that it helps because you can focus on the movement without worrying about stabilizing it etc. I press with DBs too so my stabilizers arn't comprimised.

[Heavy_Hitter]

I switched to smith and dumbells too, my shoulders are my best bodypart and they seem to take over on barbell incline and flat. Even while cutting for the past 6 months I have seen drastic improvements in my upper chest since I've made the switch. Yes I'm not repping 405 anymore on the flat, but my muscle doesn't know that, my chest feels more worked and stressed than ever and it's responded to this new stress, and thats exactly what I want.

[T-Bone]

I use the smith machine for inclines as well. Its always the last exercise of my chest workout. I do DB press and weighted dips before that so stabilisers are already smashed.
I get to concentrate on chest and chest only. I find anyway.

[Blackcat]

Originally Posted by RIPT

I use it for shoulder and incline presses. Does it make them less/more effective?? I think that it helps because you can focus on the movement without worrying about stabilizing it etc. I press with DBs too so my stabilizers arn't comprimised.

This reminds me of a topic once posted. Free weights vs Machines
After much reading I have switched my stance, once I started to understand how the body works.
The thought is if the muscle can operate without having to make adjustments during the coarse of the movement the muscle will operate more efficiently. When performing free weight exercises the muscles are receiving a variable current from your CNS this is what keeps the bar moving in the proper plane, not stabilizer muscles as so many post.
Now some machines have better bio mechanical technology which broadens the gap vs free weights even further. These machines allow a full constant current for greater muscle recruitment.
Now training with free weights will program your body on varied muscle recruitment or moving a weight that is not in a fixed plane in a controlled manner.

[k-mac]

I've always liked using the smith machine now and then just to mix it up, and it does feel like you get a better isolated workout with it. I always do inclines on the smith just because I have little differsnt method than most that can't be executed with free weights.

[RIPT]

I hear it's not so good for flat BPs though because there is a different arc of movement than just up or down(??)Doesn't matter to me really as I do most of my flat presses with DBs.............

[RIPT]

Originally Posted by Blackcat

This reminds me of a topic once posted. Free weights vs Machines
After much reading I have switched my stance, once I started to understand how the body works.
The thought is if the muscle can operate without having to make adjustments during the coarse of the movement the muscle will operate more efficiently. When performing free weight exercises the muscles are receiving a variable current from your CNS this is what keeps the bar moving in the proper plane, not stabilizer muscles as so many post.
Now some machines have better bio mechanical technology which broadens the gap vs free weights even further. These machines allow a full constant current for greater muscle recruitment.
Now training with free weights will program your body on varied muscle recruitment or moving a weight that is not in a fixed plane in a controlled manner.

I think I started that thread(??)..............

[RQH]

Originally Posted by RIPT

I hear it's not so good for flat BPs though because there is a different arc of movement than just up or down(??)Doesn't matter to me really as I do most of my flat presses with DBs.............

You are correct about using the smith machine for flat bench IMO. And I also do all my flat pressing with DBs. You can go deeper at the bottom of the movement.

I use the smith machine for shoulders too because I had an injury once and my shoulder's been a little weird ever since. I also use the smith for shrugs. You can use a ton of weight, esp. if you got straps. It may be my favorite exercise!

[M.I.D.]

as long as you incorporate d.b. work and barbell work for stabilizers and ancillary muscle involvement, smith machine work is very beneficial for isolation. I would use it near the end of your workout though to really swell the muscles.

[dover]

I use it for inclines,shoulders,and preacher curls.

[RIPT]

Preachers???????You curl staight up and down??

[nibbe828]

Originally Posted by RIPT

Preachers???????You curl staight up and down??

Maybe he knows something that we don't?

[dover]

Im sorry about that I dont know what I ws thinking.

[roidman0212]

i also like the smith for incline presses as well as behind the neck presses, and i also incorporate dumbells for the rest.

[feofletch]

I mix it all up. Since I train by myself I use real heavy weight on the machines (Smith) since I am in no fear of not being able to rack the weights. Then the following week I'll using all free weights on the body parts.

I've been using the Smith for military presses for a while now (one body part that I haven't been switching up for various reasons). On my last workout for shoulders I actually did some BB behind the necks and it felt good... cept for the fear of not racking the weight.

IMO, it's good to train both. Different muscle fibers are hit. Love the Smith for Declines though.

[Travelboyd]

All very interesting input. I love using both free weights and machines, but I limit machines to finishing exercises and for blasting the muscles with a pump. For heavy training, I am very wary about restricting my range of motion to that which the equipment designer chose me to use. I am now tempted to try the smith machine for incline bench tho'.