Squat Cage, or Smith Machine?

[Manthus_X]

Hey,

Im just wondering what you all prefer... what have you found are the pros and cons of each. Since they can basically be used for the same exercises. Im looking to buy myself a squat cage but there seems to be a lot more used smith machines for sale.

So what do you think is better, and why?

Ian

[Mike]

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=151299.0

[trab]

Rack @ home less ya got lots of room and $z. Then both.
At the Gym, mix it up.

[Frauhorn]

squat cage for sure

[Sculpter]

I'd go w/the squat cage also.Any leg or chest work you can do on the smith machine can be done in the cage but w/the advantage of the work being done w/good old free weights & not in a fixed range of travel.Having both would always be a bonus for variety however!

[sandpiper]

Sculpter is right.

With a Smith Machine all you're doing is moving weight up and down and don't have to worry about controlling the weight, which I personally don't like.

With a cage everything is free and you work on balancing the weight and it is a legitimate lift, at least in my eyes.

I personally never use a Smith Machine because I feel like it's un-natural in movement and almost like cheating.

[thewickedtruth]

I'd go w/the squat cage also.Any leg or chest work you can do on the smith machine can be done in the cage but w/the advantage of the work being done w/good old free weights & not in a fixed range of travel.Having both would always be a bonus for variety however!

Nothing more needs to be said on this topic.

[pumpster]

Cage; as far as squat machines there are better ones than the smith with it's very unnatural ROM.

http://www.newyorkbarbells.com/powerracks.html


Used:
http://www.Craigslist.org

[NoCalBbEr]

neither. I like the stair case type or I'll squat outside the  cage.  racking the bar on the safety pins. I've added a lot of size some the cage  seens too smal of a space to walk back witha bar. if you walk too far back you'll end up  bounce off the back fame of the cage.

when i did smith machine, it really kills my knees.

[pumpster]

neither. I like the stair case type

Ya

[trab]

neither. I like the stair case type or I'll squat outside the  cage.  racking the bar on the safety pins. I've added a lot of size some the cage  seens too smal of a space to walk back witha bar. if you walk too far back you'll end up  bounce off the back fame of the cage.

when i did smith machine, it really kills my knees.

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=680

Check some of these wide ones. They aint giving them away though.
Know A WELDER?

[Beener]

Get a rack, so versatile, you can squat, deadlift, row, well basically anything, even makes a decent chair when you're in between sets.