Smith machine

[JamesAE]

Do you have a separate barbell? If so, what's wrong with cleaning the weight and doing front squats?

[rtalencar]

But I thought the purpose of the Smith was its supposed safety. That's different from isolation. I understand how the Smith machine might cause the quads to be used more in a squat, but that's emphasizing them, not isolating them. If you truly want to isolate the quads, then there are certainly ways to do that that would likely be more effective. I just don't understand the point of doing a squat in a Smith machine!

I think smith machines have two valid uses:

1) For a very new lifter who is scared of a given weight, a smith machine may help initially with getting them comfortable with the basic movement. As long as the intention is to progress to free weights, I think it can be a very good initial foray into lifting.

2) Isolation.

[Lachy]

I think smith machines have two valid uses:

1) For a very new lifter who is scared of a given weight, a smith machine may help initially with getting them comfortable with the basic movement. As long as the intention is to progress to free weights, I think it can be a very good initial foray into lifting.

2) Isolation.

Also,

3) Coat/towel rack.

4) Honey Pot (attracts other people away from the squat rack, so I can use it!)

[notanartmajor]

Works great for inverted rows.

[Benkei]

In addition to inverted rows, I also like to use the smith machine for plyometric benchpresses (if that's what it's called). I push the weight as hard and explosive as I possibly can and see how far I can throw the bar. I feel this helps me in being more explosive on the normal benchpress. Of course, I would never ever do these at expense of the normal bench.

I guess it would be possible to do this on the normal bench too, but I don't think I'm man enough ;p

[notanartmajor]

In addition to inverted rows, I also like to use the smith machine for plyometric benchpresses (if that's what it's called). I push the weight as hard and explosive as I possibly can and see how far I can throw the bar. I feel this helps me in being more explosive on the normal benchpress. Of course, I would never ever do these at expense of the normal bench.

I guess it would be possible to do this on the normal bench too, but I don't think I'm man enough ;p

Do it. Intact ribcages are for suckers.

[jdanger]

Accommodating resistance (benching vs bands or chains), medball throws, plyo pushup variants. All are much better options than "plyometric benchpressing". Yikes.

[Benkei]

I guess you're right, they are all better options. If only my gym had chains or bands. I really want to try using them and see what they can do for my bench. No place in my gym where I can throw a medball either. I don't know about plyo pushups though, as it's harder to control weight.

I just read about doing the plyometric benchpress somewhere and figured I should give it a go. I like to try most things before I bash it, and I do feel this one has made my bencpress more explosive, although there probably are many better options.

[161803398874989]

I guess it would be possible to do this on the normal bench too, but I don't think I'm man enough ;p

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