smith machine

[snowman77]

I was wondering if anyone on here owns a smith. Im thinking of buying one. What are some of the best ones?

[sta63bmx]

Run awaaaaaaaaaaaaay, run awaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

A good cage, flat bench, and olympic weight set will probably be cheaper and provide you with much better workouts.

$0.02

That is my opinion.

http://elitefts.com

[snowman77]

I already have the olympic weights & bench. I was just wondering if their worth it.. Looking to add something different to my equipment(pulldowns,seated rows etc..)

[sta63bmx]

The cage is what I'd go for next, since you can do a TON of exercises in it. The squat cage is like the center from which all the power flows.... /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I just personally don't do much outside of the cage that requires anything but an olympic bar, except for dips and some dumbbell work. A cable machine is nice for rotators...a lot of that stuff I can do with bands, though.

But that's MY opinion, and a decaffeinated one at that... /forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Coz]

Yah definetely. My power rack has been priceless to me. No way would I give it up for a Smith Machine. You wanna buy something of value that is 1/3 of the price of a good smith machine...get a power rack.

[crashc2121]

just spend the money on a good gym much easier

[B.A.M.]

The only thing I feel smith machines are good for are shoulder presses. Not worth the money just for that one exercise.

[MaineStag]

What lifts besides squats can be done in a squat cage without a spotter?

[diamondtim]

I recently bought a smith machine. I bought because It came with a lat station, pec dec, lower cable, and the number one reason... it had a squat rack. If had to do it over I would have made a squat rack, then bought the adjustable dbs.

Get a rack then a lat pull down. imo

[Coz]

[ QUOTE ]
What lifts besides squats can be done in a squat cage without a spotter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much any barbell exercises. I use my cage for all variations of squats, flat/incline/decline bench, military press...the list goes on. However the ones I mentioned are exercises that people complain about not being able to do because of not having a spotter. All you have to do is properly set the safety bars and you are all set.

[sta63bmx]

Right on. All bench variations, military, good mornings, all squat variations, push presses (depending on your height), anything you can think of. Floor presses, skullcrushers, curls, EVERYTHING! And you can loop bands around the uprights and stuff and do tricep pressdowns, face pulls, crossovers, all kinds of stuff. Also pull-throughs with bands....the list is only limited by your imagination.

Here is the end-all, be all of home racks...

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=893

Or the combo of death...

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=120&pid=576

The second package is nicer than ANYTHING you're gonna find at your local Gold's or Bally's, unless you're really lucky. At only $1600 and change, it has to be the steral of the century.

[sandspawn]

[ QUOTE ]
The squat cage is like the center from which all the power flows.... /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

now that is a slogan that should be put on all squat racks and in all gyms

[HulkHagen]

The only thing I ever use the smith machine for is shoulder presses. I'd second getting the cage. I use the cage for squats and also for shrugs, since you can sit the bar down on the parallel bars and not have to do a deadlift motion to pick the weight up off the ground.

[MaineStag]

The rack in the 1st link is wicked nice! Think I'd like to build one like that with heavy (1/4") wall tubing. Closely spaced adjustment holes too. Nice rack!

[Sinewy]

Stay away from the Smith squat. LT you are setting yourself up for joint problems.

The cage is everything. I love mine.

S.

[Blux]

i tought smith machine is nice for starters since it helps with stabilizing the bar. is it really bad?

i'm considering buying powercage, seems like i have to choose either:
a) costs more but perhaps better. few shots:
http://193.77.153.101/mike/Herkul.jpg ... from catalog
http://193.77.153.101/mike/kletka.jpg ... RL application

b) i wonder if this is just as good. atleast it doesn't seem to have as good safety
http://www.fitness4home.com/meni/modeli.htm

please advise.

as i see it the main concern is that on "gray" one the safety is smaller. the "white" one has those 2 bars. what do you think?

here are smaller pics on more reliable server:
http://blux.anarxi.sREMOVEt/cage1.png
http://blux.anarxi.sREMOVEt/cage2.png
need to remove word REMOVE from url ... parser won't allow s and t together... no idea as of why

also:
- should i buy smith press for it?
- what about dips ?
- it seems manufacturer recomends "normal" (as non-Olympic) bars and weights. why is that good/bad. i have 2 kettler dumbbells atm, with "screw" are those with springs better?

ty in advance

[mrpaul]

I dont believe beginers should start out doing their lifts with the smith machine, because you want to learn to stabalize the bar by yourself. I like to use the smith machine they have at the gym I go to after I've totally burned out my stabalizers. For example, after doing 5-6 sets on the free weight bench press and my stabalizers are totally destroyed, I'll go over to the smith and put up another set or two. I also use it for military press and a few others. But I agree with everyone else, its not worth buying one.

[TheMac]

[ QUOTE ]
The second package is nicer than ANYTHING you're gonna find at your local Gold's or Bally's, unless you're really lucky. At only $1600 and change, it has to be the steral of the century.


[/ QUOTE ]
Wow JP, that is the best deal i have seen so far. Would have to work all summer to pay for it but looks like it would last the rest of my life lol. Shipping to Canada is gonna be a pain too with the extra $285 but i don't think i will find a deal like that here in Canada.

[Blux]

is lat-console nice/usefull part of the power rack?

checked
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=120&pid=576
... wondering what shipping fee to europe is. I wrote an email, wonder if i will get any feedback. Anyone has experience with this?

[ruthless]

Howabout BowFlex, I'm in a process of getting it????????
any thoughts?? /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bsimpson]

^^ i hate machines

[Blux]

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

url: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04073.html

Consumers should stop using the backboard bench in the incline position and "Lat Tower" on the fitness machines immediately and contact Nautilus Direct toll-free at
(888) 424-3020 anytime to receive a free repair kit that will address both issues. Nautilus is contacting owners of affected machines by direct mail where the name is known to the firm. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's Web site at www.bowflex.com. (http://www.bowflex.com.) (goes on)

CNN Thursday, January 29, 2004 Posted: 9:11 AM EST (1411 GMT)

from: http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/diet.fitness/01/29/bowflex.recall.ap/

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hundreds of thousands of popular Bowflex fitness machines are being recalled because of safety problems that have resulted in more than 70 injuries, the government said Thursday. (again, details are there)
//
The makers of Bowflex are voluntarily recalling about 420,000 machines to address safety issues.
//
The machines in question were sold nationwide from 1995 to 2003 for about $1,200 to $1,600, depending on the model. Consumers are advised to stop using the backboard bench in the incline position, and immediately cease use of the "Lat Tower."
//
Consumers can call Nautilus Direct at 1-888-424-3020 to receive the repair kit. Nautilus is also contacting owners of the machines by mail.
//
so watch what you're buying
//
i think for this price (+1.5k USD) you should get JP's suggestion:


Here is the end-all, be all of home racks...

(this pack is nice)
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=120&pid=576
(but this rack is betterthen the one included in pack ... i think)
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=167&pid=893

it lacks lat console? (someone confirm/correct me?) but it has sled? for back. anywas including shipment costs (250USD) it's still about 1/2 price of this:
http://193.77.153.101/mike/Herkul.jpg ... from catalog
http://193.77.153.101/mike/kletka.jpg ... RL application
that i wanted to buy. Dunno which is better but the price says a lot.

I just wonder if smith and lat console attachments are worth the money. (about 500USD) i got nice offer for
http://www.kettler.net/images/DELTA_100_20040323112100000307.jpg
... used one, 200lbs of weights (Active brand) (non olympic) for 200USD. gonna drive to current owner tomorrow and see it.

But watch yourself about that bowflex ... make sure you buy "updated" version if you do ... or better, buy that power rack in a pack ( http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=120&pid=576 )

ok already repeating myself, time to stop.

have fun,

[ChuckSPB]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What lifts besides squats can be done in a squat cage without a spotter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much any barbell exercises. I use my cage for all variations of squats, flat/incline/decline bench, military press...the list goes on. However the ones I mentioned are exercises that people complain about not being able to do because of not having a spotter. All you have to do is properly set the safety bars and you are all set.

[/ QUOTE ]

Coz,

Can you explain this? I only use the powerrack at my gym for squats, and not sure what you are talking about with the safety bars. I've never seen anybody benching there. I rarely have a spotter, so I do a lot dumbbell benching. I hate using the Smith machine for it. Looking for options.

[Coz]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What lifts besides squats can be done in a squat cage without a spotter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much any barbell exercises. I use my cage for all variations of squats, flat/incline/decline bench, military press...the list goes on. However the ones I mentioned are exercises that people complain about not being able to do because of not having a spotter. All you have to do is properly set the safety bars and you are all set.

[/ QUOTE ]

Coz,

Can you explain this? I only use the powerrack at my gym for squats, and not sure what you are talking about with the safety bars. I've never seen anybody benching there. I rarely have a spotter, so I do a lot dumbbell benching. I hate using the Smith machine for it. Looking for options.

[/ QUOTE ]

Every barbell exercise I do in a power rack, but then again I train at home. I wouldn't hog the power rack for exercises I could perform elsewhere.

Simple, just adjust the safety bars at the proper height and you won't get crushed. You can do virtually any exercises safely in a power rack. It is certainly not just meant for squats.

Here is a guy doing bench partials (rack lockouts). I couldnt find a picture of a basic flat bench exercises but just lower the safety bars to the right height and that's the only difference.

http://www.precisiontraining.com/email/Bench_Press.jpg

[raven13]

[ QUOTE ]
Right on. All bench variations, military, good mornings, all squat variations, push presses (depending on your height), anything you can think of. Floor presses, skullcrushers, curls, EVERYTHING! And you can loop bands around the uprights and stuff and do tricep pressdowns, face pulls, crossovers, all kinds of stuff. Also pull-throughs with bands....the list is only limited by your imagination.
o

[/ QUOTE ]

what are bands?

[ChuckSPB]

"Here is a guy doing bench partials (rack lockouts). I couldnt find a picture of a basic flat bench exercises but just lower the safety bars to the right height and that's the only difference."

Ahhhhh... I thought a powerrack was something different. We don't have this thing :-( Wish we did as I find myself getting paranoid to go all the way down on squats when the legs start burning and fatigue is setting in. Thanks for reply.

[AdonisNY]

I actually love the Smith Machine and use it all the time. At one point, I got really muscular because of it, but right now I'm just "cut" (due to lower caloric intake). If someone spots you when the sets get heavy, I find that the Smith Machine can actually be beneficial to the body. Again, I'm not a huge bodybuilder and I wonder if the Smith Machine actually limits how big a person can get.

[Blux]

consider reading JP's ghetto gym article. there are pictures etc. link is, mhm,

accessable from http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/sho...art=&PHPSESSID= (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=science&Number=1049477&fpart=&PHPSESSID=)

quick access to jurnual articles (http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=science&Number=1049477&fpart=&PHPSESSID=):)

direct is:
http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/homegym.php

[Profly]

[ QUOTE ]
Howabout BowFlex, I'm in a process of getting it????????
any thoughts?? /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAA... I think we should ship you JP in a box just for that comment!!!

GGG

P.S. I like your Avitar.. The Stoppie... MMMMM I miss summer and the bike. Is that you doing a rolling stoppie?