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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: danielson on April 18, 2009, 11:43:55 AM

Title: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: danielson on April 18, 2009, 11:43:55 AM
At my gym I can lift a lot more using the Smith machine. I remember at other gyms it was the opposite, maybe they were older machines and carried extra weight, not sure.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Butterbean on April 18, 2009, 11:45:09 AM
All the ones I've used have been lighter.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: garebear on April 18, 2009, 11:46:12 AM
i can always lift more on the smith machine.

dunno why tho.

Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: FREAKgeek on April 18, 2009, 11:47:23 AM
You don't have to stabilize the weight, peoples.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: LatsMcGee on April 18, 2009, 11:49:08 AM
The bar is also a lot lighter on most smith machines than an olympic bar.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: danielson on April 18, 2009, 11:49:16 AM

You don't have to stabilize the weight

I thought about that, but I think they is some spring or something in it or the bar is lighter as well.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Drama Queen on April 18, 2009, 11:50:53 AM
I thought about that, but I think they is some spring or something in it or the bar is lighter as well.
counterweight
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: The Wizard of Truth on April 18, 2009, 11:51:02 AM
In my gym the smith machines are lighter than free weights,they are new though
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: dr.chimps on April 18, 2009, 12:04:09 PM
counterweight
This.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: wes mantooth on April 18, 2009, 03:57:08 PM
most modern smith machines are counter weighted (as drama states). this equates to the bar on its own being 15-20lbs depending on the manufacturer.

that would make your lifts go up 25-30 pounds from the get. add stability to the equation.....and you have a considerably "stronger" lift...
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: CastIron on April 18, 2009, 05:01:26 PM
At my gym I can lift a lot more using the Smith machine. I remember at other gyms it was the opposite, maybe they were older machines and carried extra weight, not sure.

Because it gives you more balance.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: drkaje on April 18, 2009, 05:14:31 PM
Do they grow muscle like free weights?
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: shrek on April 18, 2009, 05:18:27 PM
This.
it has about 20lbs of counter weight to make the movement smoother so if you bench 300lbs really it is 280lbs
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: fearANDloathing on April 20, 2009, 09:02:36 AM
Smith machines are garbage. Some gyms won't even include them anymore unless members ask for it and rightfully so.
It's grating to see some jack ass with horrible form Smith Squat 4 plates per side when he can't even do 225 on a free bar correctly.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: The Showstoppa on April 20, 2009, 09:06:37 AM
Smith machines are garbage. Some gyms won't even include them anymore unless members ask for it and rightfully so.
It's grating to see some jack ass with horrible form Smith Squat 4 plates per side when he can't even do 225 on a free bar correctly.

they are no more "garbage" than any other machine.  As part of a workout, they are fine.  Don't worry about the bruised ego from seeing somebody act like they can squat 405, because they do it on a SM.  Just worry about yourself.  :)
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Awesomo on April 20, 2009, 09:08:02 AM
Smith machines are garbage. Some gyms won't even include them anymore unless members ask for it and rightfully so.
It's grating to see some jack ass with horrible form Smith Squat 4 plates per side when he can't even do 225 on a free bar correctly.

At the gym about a month ago i had to rescue a guy that got buried doing bench press on the smith machine. He couldn't move the bar the inch upward he needed to lock it in. I still made him work for it though just giving him a couple fingers of spotting, i mean i'm not here to lift the weight for him  ;D
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: MuscleMcMannus on April 20, 2009, 09:11:05 AM
they are no more "garbage" than any other machine.  As part of a workout, they are fine.  Don't worry about the bruised ego from seeing somebody act like they can squat 405, because they do it on a SM.  Just worry about yourself.  :)

Well they are a pretty piss poor machine.  They are terrible for squatting.  I agree who cares if someone wants to use one so be it.  I used to use them for shoulder pressing and still do.  I just get an amazing pump that I don't get from anything else.  But they definitely are an awkward unnatural machine. 
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Awesomo on April 20, 2009, 09:30:13 AM
Well they are a pretty piss poor machine.  They are terrible for squatting.  I agree who cares if someone wants to use one so be it.  I used to use them for shoulder pressing and still do.  I just get an amazing pump that I don't get from anything else.  But they definitely are an awkward unnatural machine. 

If i have a spotter I won't touch that machine for anything besides shrugs. If i am by myself though and I want to go heavy i happily use it.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: burn2live on April 20, 2009, 09:37:03 AM
I hate smith machines  >:(
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: mazrim on April 20, 2009, 09:38:09 AM
I lift less on our smith than with freeweights.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: dr.chimps on April 20, 2009, 09:46:25 AM
I hate smith machines  >:(
Hate!? That's a strong word to use in reference to an inanimate object. Maybe your best friend, named Smith, boffed your girlfriend?     :D
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: The True Adonis on April 20, 2009, 09:50:29 AM
I lift less on our smith than with freeweights.
Same.  Mine has a rather thick bar that makes it a bit more difficult than regular Bench Press with a Barbell.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Awesomo on April 20, 2009, 09:55:22 AM
I lift less on our smith than with freeweights.

Agreed. I do incline press more on free weights than smith. I think the restricted range of motion is the problem. I can't go through my normal lifting arc where I am the strongest.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: affeman on April 20, 2009, 09:59:24 AM
Agreed. I do incline press more on free weights than smith. I think the restricted range of motion is the problem. I can't go through my normal lifting arc where I am the strongest.

Exactly, you can't get all the supporting muscles involved with a guided Range of motion. I lift way less on the smith machine at all lifts opposed to free weigths.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: Mr. Magoo on April 20, 2009, 10:48:16 AM
The smith machine at my old gym is about 30 years old and it's heavy as hell. Most of the time if i'm there the only thing i will use it for is seated behind the neck presses (the gym lacks a military press) and i can only put about 2 tens on each side and that's pretty heavy. I doubt it's been oiled in about 10 years too.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: njflex on April 20, 2009, 10:56:52 AM
USE it in conjuction with free/dumbell movements.too me if your not trying to set personal squat or bench records they are fine,give u good pump and keep from using additional cheating to complete movement.good thing with squatting u can vary foot positions and stance.
Title: Re: Generally speaking are Smith Machines supposed to be lighter than FWs?
Post by: shrek on April 20, 2009, 11:24:43 AM
the smith has been considered the best mass building piece of equipment of all time by famous trainers and pro BBers i have read it in numerous mags and books you are able to lift heavy and forced to have a better form then free weights flat benching on smith will build some great mass because you cant cheat the motion