bent over rows on the smith machine

[judochoke]

i know, i know, the smith machine is gay. only for girls. but i have been using it for my bent over rows, and its pretty good. the up and down movement of the machine seems to take stress off my lower back.
I'm able to do 275 for reps, which probably equates to 225 on a big bar. things you do when you get older

[ritch]

Muscle Center had a thread on them. I may give them a try.

[HTexan]

i know, i know, the smith machine is gay. only for girls. but i have been using it for my bent over rows, and its pretty good. the up and down movement of the machine seems to take stress off my lower back.
I'm able to do 275 for reps, which probably equates to 225 on a big bar. things you do when you get older

the only problem is the movement is natural. But yeah if you back isn't hurting keep doing them.

[Nether Animal]

Might try this. I have thoracic back issues and I don't feel comfortable doing it with a loose bar.

[Mr Anabolic]

i know, i know, the smith machine is gay. only for girls. but i have been using it for my bent over rows, and its pretty good. the up and down movement of the machine seems to take stress off my lower back.
I'm able to do 275 for reps, which probably equates to 225 on a big bar. things you do when you get older

Try doing 225 with a barbell.  I bet you couldn't do it for 3 strict reps.

[Henda]

Doing them with a regular barbell paused in the floor each rep is easier on the lower back

[Grape Ape]

Doing them with a regular barbell paused in the floor each rep is easier on the lower back

x2.

Takes out the band reflex and makes the use of heavier weights more difficult.

[_aj_]

x2.

Takes out the band reflex and makes the use of heavier weights more difficult.

Put the pins down to chest level and do dead-stop reps. You have to shave at least 20% off your weight.

[Old-Skool]

The issue with smith machine movements is they are absolutely vertical up and down. Very few movements are linear like this , which creates shear forces as rep is performed. I recommend barbell with way less weight as natural path of motion.

[El Diablo Blanco]

It's cool if the gym is empty, but if it's packed and some asshole is hogging the smith to do rows then you're a fucking cocksucking asshole.

[Dave D]

It's cool if the gym is empty, but if it's packed and some asshole is hogging the smith to do rows then you're a fucking cocksucking asshole.

I'm curious, what movement would you consider as an acceptable use of the smith machine?

[guyincognito]

Greg Kovacs was very strong on the Smith machine.

[bigmc]

impedes your natural range of motion

you are better off doing it free weight with better form and lighter weight

[SquatsRule]

Barbell rows while laying on an incline bench are pretty good. The range of motion is shortened though so sometimes I use dumbells.

[Donny]

If an exercise works for you then do it, who cares what other "Hardcore" meatheads think. If i could not do BB rows cause of injury i would do what ever i could to work my back. Seated cable rows are a good exercise if you can´t do a free weight row, close grip and wide grip. Build muscle too, infact one Gym i worked in i remember a Kick Boxing Trainer who did just seated cable rows and wide grip chins. His back was very good.

[lilhawk1]

I'm curious, what movement would you consider as an acceptable use of the smith machine?

None

[Grape Ape]

I'm curious, what movement would you consider as an acceptable use of the smith machine?

Inverted chest row.

Gym towel holder.

[TTfit]

It's cool if the gym is empty, but if it's packed and some asshole is hogging the smith to do rows then you're a fucking cocksucking asshole.

Idiotic stance. I use the smith machine when injured or healing and it's a fucking godsend. The only unacceptable aka retarded use I've seen for the smith machine is a hammer type curl. And by type I mean I had no idea what was going on with the form.

[ritch]

Idiotic stance. I use the smith machine when injured or healing and it's a fucking godsend. The only unacceptable aka retarded use I've seen for the smith machine is a hammer type curl. And by type I mean I had no idea what was going on with the form.

or upright rows!

[TheShape.]

I'll have to try it

[El Diablo Blanco]

I'm curious, what movement would you consider as an acceptable use of the smith machine?

Shadow Boxing, Intimidating stares and checking yourself out in the mirror.

[Coach is Back!]

i know, i know, the smith machine is gay. only for girls. but i have been using it for my bent over rows, and its pretty good. the up and down movement of the machine seems to take stress off my lower back.
I'm able to do 275 for reps, which probably equates to 225 on a big bar. things you do when you get older

Chest supported rows.

[bigmikecox]

Smith machine bent rows are the BEST!!!  You can use a good amount of weight AND hold it at the top for a second! Aint nothing pussy about it! Whatever works, works! Do my squats on the smith machine too

[Donny]

impedes your natural range of motion

you are better off doing it free weight with better form and lighter weight

would this be the case for Bench press too? 

[DroppingPlates]

The issue with smith machine movements is they are absolutely vertical up and down. Very few movements are linear like this , which creates shear forces as rep is performed. I recommend barbell with way less weight as natural path of motion.

Good point