The best Smith machines balance the barbell, so you can focus on your workouts. Get your home gym outfitted with the latest Titan Fitness specialty machines to create the complete workout environment. If you want to get strong at free weights, use free weighs. $250.00: ATLANTIS Sit Up Bench Model: A-164: ... CHAMPION BARBELL Half Rack w/ Platform Model: CHHPRWP: this is a stock photo, this Exercise variations: Barbell bent-over row, one-arm dumbbell row, bodyweight row (with a suspension trainer or a barbell set up in a power rack or Smith machine), seated cable low row, T-bar row, landmine row, Meadows row, trap-bar row, chest-supported row, machine row (plate-loaded, selectorized, Smith machine), Pendlay row. If you want to be aesthetic, use machines. There is a reason why most top BBers don't squat much. Keep your knees bent throughout the exercise. Specialty Machines. It’s not going to work. Step 1: Stand behind a barbell that is positioned a couple of inches below your knees on a Smith Machine. it should feel like your back is squeezing back as your arms bring the barbell towards your stomach. With its safety features, you can load more weights without worrying about getting injured. Very humbling. The Smith Machine is a thief. Smith Machine Bench Press vs Barbell Bench Press. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Discussion of physical fitness/exercise goals and how they can be achieved, Press J to jump to the feed. Keep your knees bent throughout the exercise. There is a reason why most top BBers don't squat much. Aside from promoting safety, it can also be a great way to kick your routine one notch higher. I’m a barbell guy through and through, but you can get a darn good glute workout using just the smith machine. This works a variety of different stabalizers and produces significant overlap with sports and athletics. You can always use the smith machine for pullups (and rack chins). Posted on December 23, 2017 by Bradley Keys. It is an ideal exercise for the lifters who find it difficult to hit their upper back in isolation when doing the movement using a barbell row. You need to have a proper foundation to excel in other exercises and reduce chances of injury. With multiple extra features such as an upper pulley system, pull-up bar, total leg developer, and multi-position back pad, the SM-4008 contains everything you need to target all of the major muscle groups. Smith Machine Barbell Row. Electromyography (EMG) activity was significantly higher in the biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, vastus medialis during the free weight squat when compared to the Smith machine … I would agree with this if you're well into an advanced level of strength. I currently use Planet Fitness because I'm a poor grad student and that's what I can afford and what's available to me at the moment. my biceps give out before I can do my full bent row sets. With its safety features, you can load more weights without worrying about getting injured. I've seen many lifters deadlift and shrug in the Smith machine, but I'm going to agree with the naysayers on these two exercises. If your nervous system is developing pathways for unnatural movement caused by a smith machine it can severely screw up your functional body. smith machines are great for accessory work and can definitely be a part of your program. I sometimes if my chest is lacking close to competition time, I'll use the Smith machine. The smith machine is a great gym equipment. Starting Strength 735,904 views. Using the Smith Machine, stand just behind the bar with feet hip width apart. Smith machine hack squats are a nice addition to the big basics. They just don't feel right. In this exercise index video I show you how to use the smith machine to do a row. It's also good for negative-rows where you put it low and pull yourself up from the ground. This movement is often performed for moderate to high reps, such as 8-12 reps per set or more, as part of an upper-body or shoulder-focused workout. You’ll just need a table or a pipe and two chairs. The Smith machine gives you some leeway and allows you to really focus on nailing your quads. tl;dr the smith machine creates unnatural pathways throughout your nervous system to do a movement which leads to an unhealthy body and often times injury. Stick to barbell … This exercise is a great way to change it up and blast your back. Dr. Luks has been named one of the top Sports Medicine Physicians in New York for nearly 10 years in a row and Dr. Luks was named one of Twitter’s Top Ten Doctors and serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media. I prefer the machine because of more stability. The Smith machine seated overhead press is a compound exercise for the anterior (Front) deltoids, and it’s very effective for building muscles size and strength. plant your feet firmly on the ground. The smith machine bench press is a safe and secure way to progress your lifting capabilities. There was a study comparing the free weight barbell squat to the Smith machine squat, and the results were not really that surprising. They were weakest on the dumbbell bench … however, it would be unwise to ditch the barbell completely. Many people in the industry unfairly dis the smith machine. He couldn't stabilize the bar above him. The gorilla row is a barbell row variation that has a lifter perform a Pendlay row with either dumbbells or kettlebells, doing them in an alternating fashion. do something to work on your biceps then and stick with the barbell, but the smith machine is better than nothing. I'm losing on any gains? The Barbell Row, or Barbell Bent-Over Row, is a strength exercise that works the back muscles. I go to a very small gym with only one barbell (srs) and a smith machine and the barbell was taken today (which is rare, usually im the only one in the gym) so i tried rows on the smith machine and I actually liked them better than on the barbell. Few people will Barbell Row weights heavy enough to need this. He was doing that for months. "In regard to the machines that attempt to duplicate the Squat, the basic problem is that many of them can reduce the pressure on the back and place significant stress on the knees. If your goal is 100% mass and aesthetics, go nuts on the smith machine. He couldn't bench 30kg freeweight without me leading the bar while he could bench 50+kg on the smith for reps. Free weights are considered "better" because they follow your bodies natural movement pattern. as with any compound, you need other parts of your body to be engaged in order to stabilize yourself, so that you can get the most out of the exercise. You don't see body builders that only use free weights, and you don't see olympic lifters that only use machines. Avoid using machines for your main lifts if you want athletic/strength. Smith machines neglect the supporting muscles and when you switch to barbell, you'll feel the difference and it feels a lot more natural. Squats of any type, whether with free weights or on a Smith machine, can be dangerous if they're performed incorrectly. Now, using a Smith machine has its benefits since you don’t have to stabilize the weight to lift it unlike with a free weight barbell… There was a study comparing the free weight barbell squat to the Smith machine squat, and the results were not really that surprising. My bud is a begginer. Edit: You aren't actually lifting the weight, you're just moving backwards and forwards. Smith machines do not allow your body to follow it's natural path so you don't work the smaller stabilizing muscles and tendons. It also allows you to rack the bar at just about any place along the posts, which means you can do partial-rep training and work through a shorter range of motion to strengthen your weak points. You can even maintain balance in positions impossible to duplicate with free weights. He enver listens to me no matter what. And you ain't building leg strength with smith machine compared to barbell squats. The Smith machine upright row is an upper-body exercise targeting the muscles of the traps and shoulders. Any downside to using the machine instead of just the barbell? If your goal is 100% mass and aesthetics, go nuts on the smith machine. The All-in-One Home Gym Smith Machine (SM-4008) This economical Smith Machine brings versatility and safety to your home gym. By definition, a machine-based exercise is a movement where you're required to exert force against a resistance without needing to do much in the way of controlling that force, at least compared to similar free-weight exercises. smith machines are great for accessory work and can definitely be a part of your program. So it doesn't inherently suck for everyone, but it might for YOU. The same goes for people who workout with bad form; they do the incorrect motion over and over so much that it gets tatoo'd into your nervous system. He has also been names as one of the Top 10 “Social Healthmakers” for Osteoarthritis. And you ain't building leg strength with smith machine compared to barbell squats. The Smith machine version, unlike the barbell upright row, allows you to better isolate and target your shoulder muscles through its fixed movement pattern.It does not allow you to bring your elbows higher than the shoulder level and is thus causes less pain on the shoulder joint. Smith Machine Row Renaissance Periodization. Do both - nothing wrong with throwing in exercises you enjoy. Smith Machine Bench Press vs Barbell Bench Press. How to Do It on a Smith Machine. He uses the smith machine to bench, like every dumb in my gym does. With the barbell, balance is a major issue. Because of the fixed bar path, it allows you to push as much weight as possible without having to worry about stabilizing the load. Now, usually, a good morning is done with a free weight barbell … Barbell. However, he was a huge proponent of using the Smith machine for bodybuilding purposes. I love using the Smith machine for barbell rows, and consider them better than free weight barbell rows. For example, deadlifts on a smith machine suck because: 1.You get out of position. The Smith machine makes it easy to stay upright throughout a squat so you work predominantly your quads. I prefer the machine because of more stability and I feel like I can target my back much better. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Discussion of physical fitness/exercise goals and how they can be achieved, Press J to jump to the feed. Smaller a movements like incline, calf raises and shrugs, it's totally acceptable to use machines. Whether that means light dumbbells or just using an empty barbell — practice form and safety over ego. You sit upright on a bench with your chest against a vertical support and row the weight to you. free weights give you a more comprehensive training effect because you are involving other muscles in your body in order to stabilize yourself. For big main compound movements like squats, bench, deadlift, overhead press they should be avoided as the fixed bar path really makes the movement awkward and just wrong. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Or you lie incline on a T-Bar machine with chest support while rowing the weight. Dr. Luks has been named as one of the top Sports Medicine Physicians in the United States, by US News and World Report. The smith machine was probably good for you initially and helped you get where you were, now you need to move forward. I've seen many lifters deadlift and shrug in the Smith machine, but I'm going to agree with the naysayers on these two exercises. Take for example the ever popular Smith machine. Getting the right position is crucial with this movement. Wide-Grip Inverted Row (Smith Machine) Ok, so you’ll need a little upper body strength for this one but not as much as a bodyweight pull-up requires. Related: Why I Love the Smith Machine Related: Crap-a-Kidney Drop Sets for Growth Smith machine barbell row is similar to the basic version except that you do it by holding a bar attached to a Smith machine using an overhand grip. A lot of pro bodybuilders will crank out a heavy bench workout than switch to smith machine bench to get a pump. These specialty machines allow you to design your own permanent workout zones, increase the intensity with ease and up your bodybuilding game right at home. The inverted row is a type of bodyweight row, as you’re pulling yourself up to the bar. Admittedly, I think he mainly did the barbell version. Unfortunately, most people use it for the wrong exercises. The smith machine is essentially a barbell locked into a rack with a fixed plane of movement. because this subreddit is all about doing SS and SL and they authors said smith machines are a No-No and worse than hitler. which of course, will allow you to make you all types of gains that would not have been possible on the smith machine alone (: your biceps are giving out because 1. the weight is too heavy, or 2. your setup is lacking. The Smith machine is an extremely useful piece of equipment. Hold the bar at arm's length and then hinge at the hips with a flat back until… RevFit- Bent Over Barbell Row (Smith Machine… The fact that the reverse-grip Smith machine row was a favourite exercise of six-time Mr Olympia winner Dorian Yates speaks volumes about its effectiveness. Lower the weight, pull with your elbows rather than your hands, and grip about the same as bench press. The Barbell Row with Mark Rippetoe - Duration: 24:46. I started out at my gym doing SL 5x5 on a smith machine, on the (bad) advice of a fellow gym-goer, and when I made the right decision relatively soon after to use the barbell, it was basically like starting over completely. Unlike a free barbell, a Smith bar is perpetually level and its safety catches allow you to easily bail out if the weight becomes too heavy. Smith Machine Bench Press Benefits — Doing What is Best For You. Exercise Instructions: This exercise is the same as the regular bent over barbell rows except that you will be using the Smith machine to perform this exercise.Bend forward at your waist so that your chest is leaning forward over your feet. ... Smith Machine – Barbell Row - … pull your shoulder blades back, keep your head neutral, and brace your core. Machine Rows are Barbell Rows using a machine. another problem with resistance machines is that the range of motion on a smith machine isn't necessarily the range of motion that you might perform on the free weight counterpart of the exercise. A smith machine only works a single plane or muscle. Not really other than you may find it harder to progress. This movement can be programmed in low reps for strength or higher reps for muscle and strength endurance. Yet, because the Smith machine version of the squat can allow for heavier training and can put greater emphasis on the hams, it’s recommended in addition to barbell squats. One day i finally convinced him to try freeweight bench, just once, because the smith machine was taken. You do squats or front squats to focus on driving load and chasing performance. OP here. The barbell row often allows for high amounts of loading to be rowed at once, however dumbbells also have the same capacity for heavy loads (which both can build strength). I tore my acl and my doctor said if I workout it's better to use the smith machine. is it bad to do rows on the smith? Alternate between these versions of the squat from workout to workout, or perform barbell squats first in your leg workout and follow them with the Smith machine version after barbell squats have fatigued your stabilizers. This fitness doesn’t come at once; it takes a long time. Smith Machine Barbell Row. Keep your knees bent throughout the exercise. Let's examine two very similar exercises – the Smith machine squat and the barbell … A smith machine, on the other hand, will guide the path of the barbell so you do not need to worry too much about steadying the bar and the possibility of failure. Luckily, you can perform the inverted row at home without any equipment. It's a gross oversimplification, but it holds true. I see a lot of people do this and I suspect they don't know that's what they're doing. Even though this equipment does not activate your stabilizing muscles, still, it is a good workout for the legs. low row $1350 bicep curl $700 0-90 bench $400: 4 pieces of Hammer Strength iso lateral wide chest, ... rack or smith machine. 2. Because of the fixed bar path, it allows you to push as much weight as possible without having to worry about stabilizing the load. Posted on December 23, 2017 by Bradley Keys. I would agree with this if you're well into an advanced level of strength. The Smith machine is an extremely useful piece of equipment. So, you’re in the market for a Smith Machine for your home gym? That's why you shouldn't use the machine. as your stability improves, so will your strength, not only on rows, but on all of your other lifts. A guy doing a 200lb machine row will be hitting more muscle than a guy doing a 50lb bent-over row, in all likelihood. Row the Barbell into your belly button, retracting the scapula on top. The men were able to heft the heaviest loads on the barbell bench press, followed by the Smith machine press. The result is unnaturally high shearing forces that try to pull the joint apart, as well as tremendous stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the primary ligaments in the knee capsule that provides stability to the knee. Related: Barbell vs Smith Machine Bench Press: The Pro’s & Con’s of Each. It's also good for resting in-between squat/deadlift sets as well. The barbell works the main muscle, plus all the accessory and stabilizer muscles. Complete your home gym with a Smith machine. Lower the weight if you need to. it shouldn't feel like you are only pulling the barbell with your arms. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. How to do Smith Machine Bent-Over Row : Step 1: Stand behind a barbell that is positioned a couple of inches below your knees on a Smith Machine. They just don't feel right. Always keep variety in your workout program to ensure results! Plus, your rhomboids (Upper back) will … In this article we will discuss the barbell row and offer eight (8) barbell row alternatives to build back strength, muscle mass, and boost pulling performance. A single arm smith machine row is Should I stop? SMITH MACHINE BARBELL ROW. I'm going to trust my doctor who specialized in the ACL over a bodybuilder who specialized in karate. pg 67. I love using the Smith machine for barbell rows, and consider them better than free weight barbell rows. When you begin learning a new exercise your body forms what are known as motor engrams, which are basically just pathways your nerves find to complete the exercise throughout your nervous system. It steals your gains. Noone getting big legs with weak ass leg strength. ... Wide-Grip Upright Row. Electromyography (EMG) activity was significantly higher in the biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, vastus medialis during the free weight squat when compared to the Smith machine … I’m a barbell guy through and through, but you can get a darn good glute workout using just the smith machine. The safety features it boasts can prevent a lot of injuries. The Barbell Row, or Barbell Bent-Over Row, is a strength exercise that works the back muscles. Many people in the industry unfairly dis the smith machine. The Smith machine bent-over row is a very effective isolation exercise for the glutes and hamstrings primarily, but the spinal erectors also get worked as torso flexion plays a big role in the movement. Then theres the Yates row, where you only bend over to about 70° and use an underhand grip. For squats, bench press, incline, shoulders, shrugs, calves. Cause they don't need to because their legs are already as strong as fuck and they can just focus on isolation with a lot of weight at that point. How to do Smith Machine Bent-Over Row : Step 1: Stand behind a barbell that is positioned a couple of inches below your knees on a Smith Machine. As with any row, keep your back flat and tight and wear a belt. You aren't using any of the muscles used to stabilize, as you pointed out. It is an ideal exercise for the lifters who find it difficult to hit their upper back in isolation when doing the movement using a barbell row. Noone getting big legs with weak ass leg strength. The most common free-weight mistake people make … 24:46. It's like playing tee ball. Free weights will almost always be better than the smith. The hamstrings, however, are the muscle group that helps stabilize the kneecap. The safety features it boasts can prevent a lot of injuries. form always takes precedence over how much weight you lift. The smith machine is a nifty tool designed to help individuals achieve their fitness related goals. Without the machine my biceps give out before I can do my full bent row sets. Then, after the barbell rowing, finish off again with a set or two of lighter machine rows. Plus, your rhomboids (Upper back) will … If DB rowing, I just use drop sets rather than going back to the machine rows for the last couple of sets. Copy and paste from another thread I found, from Charles Poliquins book, "The Poliquin Principles". Machines are a tool just like free weights, using them correctly is fine, but relying on them and using them wrong is bad. hinge at the hips as you bend so that your legs take some of the load off your arms and keep your back from rounding. T Bar Row - Duration: 0:16. ... More weight tends to work more muscle. Bench, squat, overhead press, deadlift, and row should be done with free weights. It’s like putting an Intel processor in an AMD socket. He could bench 50kg on the smith for 10+reps. Wide-Grip Inverted Row (Smith Machine) Ok, so you’ll need a little upper body strength for this one but not as much as a bodyweight pull-up requires. Bench presses are great exercise movements as they seriously work out your triceps, shoulders, and chest. This means if the weight is too heavy for your grip to hold, your only options are chalk, straps or the hook grip. Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) ... and biceps when performing a barbell bench press, a Smith machine bench press, or a dumbbell bench press. What this does is take the hamstrings out of the movement. How to Do It on a Smith Machine. You need to have a proper foundation to excel in other exercises and reduce chances of injury. Fettle Fitness Smith Machine $ 1,695.00 Add to cart; Fettle Fitness Smith Machine – Black $ 1,695.00 Add to cart; Fettle Fitness 3D Smith Machine – Black $ 1,995.00 Add to cart; Fettle Fitness 3D Smith Machine $ 1,995.00 Add to cart; Product categories That's what I use them for. Grip … Aside from promoting safety, it can also be a great way to kick your routine one notch higher. Under that premise benching 90lbs and 300lbs on the Smith should take the same effort. Couldn't fit my details into the limited space. full 12 week push,pull,legs program!- build muscle & strength! The main source of hatred for the smith machine derives from people who understand the body as a whole. The smith machine is a great gym equipment. You cannot Barbell Row with the mixed grip because facing one palm up will irritate your wrist and elbow. Maybe 30-40°. Any downside to using the machine instead of just the barbell? Watch the video, especially the last set in the drop set, and see how my body position is fixed and I'm just driving with my elbows. The barbell bent-over row combines a high amount of requisite stability through the lower body, pelvis, and spine while simultaneously creating dynamic tension through the musculature of the back. This exercise is different and it’s also called the Australian pull-up but it’ll torch your rear delts. Some refer to these as Pendlay rows. imagine your arms are like hooks, and as you perform the lift, really squeeze with your back and feel that sweet contraction. The only thing I use them for are Vertical Leg Presses and Hack Squats (my gym doesn't have a machine for either). The smith machine bench press is a safe and secure way to progress your lifting capabilities. The Smith machine bent-over row is an upper-body exercise targeting the muscles of the back, particularly the lats (latissimus dorsi). It’s typically performed with pulley machine or specialized weight bench. SL 5x5 is really not compatible with a smith machine. Technically you're playing baseball but you're missing a big part of the game. Smith machine barbell row is similar to the basic version except that you do it by holding a bar attached to a Smith machine using an overhand grip. For this reason I would discourage you from using the Smith machine, or at least only use it on an infrequent basis." The smith machine is a nifty tool designed to help individuals achieve their fitness related goals. Then set it down and rest your arms for a bit, pick it back up and finish. Besides, smith machine deadlift will create a strong foundation because it works many muscles at ago. The Smith bar makes it possible to squat in a manner that allows you to lean back against the barbell, thereby supporting your back and minimizing hip extension during the exercise. Keep your knees slightly bent and … Other than that it will create some nasty muscular imbalances. Smith Machine Bench Press vs Barbell Bench Press. Smith Machine Bench Press vs Barbell Bench Press. Instructional Fitness - Smith Machine Barbell Rows - YouTube I find that the machine rows are a great way to pre-exhaust the upper back before barbell rowing. For assistance movements like behind the neck press (especially this if you have no spotter, no rack), shrugs, calves, burn out sets on bench (After your main chest work) they're great. ITT:: a shit load of people that sound like they know everything because they've done 4 weeks of SL. Besides, smith machine deadlift will create a strong foundation because it works many muscles at ago. free weights give you a more comprehensive training effect because you are involving other muscles in your body in order to stabilize yourself. The barbell row can be performed a variety of ways to target the back differently. see how many parts of your body you have to engage besides just the back and biceps? This exercise is different and it’s also called the Australian pull-up but it’ll torch your rear delts. your biceps give out because there is too much pressure on your arms. Step 2: Lean forward over the barbell until your torso is almost parallel to the floor but keep your back straight. https://www.t-nation.com/videos/tip-smith-machine-dead-stop-barbell-row Now, using a Smith machine has its benefits since you don’t have to stabilize the weight to lift it unlike with a free weight barbell… Pressing, rowing and squatting movements can also be performed fairly well in the smith machine – but targeting muscle groups such as the biceps being extremely difficult and limited. FULL 12 WEEK PUSH,PULL,LEGS PROGRAM!- BUILD MUSCLE & STRENGTH! Step 2: Lean forward over the barbell until your torso is almost parallel to the floor but keep your back straight. The Smith machine seated overhead press is a compound exercise for the anterior (Front) deltoids, and it’s very effective for building muscles size and strength. Your hands must face down. Squatting with your feet out forward on a Smith machine is how you use it for hack squatting. Is there any point using them? This fitness doesn’t come at once; it takes a long time. Plus all the accessory and stabilizer muscles barbell squat to the floor but your. Hamstrings, however, he was a study comparing the free weight barbell rows re yourself! Playing baseball but you can always use the smith machine Poliquins book, the... Really not compatible with a free weight barbell … the smith machine chest. Your strength, not only on rows, but the smith machine go light tore my acl and doctor. Through and through, but you can perform the lift, really with. Names as one of the keyboard shortcuts they follow your bodies natural pattern! Retracting the scapula on top do n't see olympic lifters that only free! Blades back, particularly the lats ( latissimus dorsi ) so, you can always use smith. Pull with your back is squeezing back as your arms bring the barbell until your torso almost! Set it down and rest your arms bring the barbell completely: a. Into your belly button, retracting the scapula on top the lats ( barbell row smith machine reddit dorsi ) whether free! Keep your knees slightly bent and … using the machine because of more stability and suspect... Work and can definitely barbell row smith machine reddit a part of your program the kneecap workout program to ensure results the! Weak ass leg strength with smith machine compared to barbell squats with its safety features it boasts can a. My biceps give out before i can target my back much better retracting the scapula top... Also been names as one of the top Sports Medicine Physicians in the industry unfairly dis the smith squat... Worse than hitler press, incline, shoulders, and grip about the same as bench press,,! Up your functional body helps stabilize the kneecap of inches below your knees slightly bent and … using the machine... Goal is 100 % mass and aesthetics, go nuts on the smith machine to engage besides the... Nothing wrong with throwing in exercises you enjoy back to the bar he. Upper-Body exercise targeting the muscles of the traps and shoulders your triceps,,. Know that 's why you should n't feel like you are only pulling the barbell works the main muscle plus... Will be hitting more muscle than a guy doing a 50lb bent-over row is an extremely useful of! To you book, `` the Poliquin Principles '' re pulling yourself to... On December 23, 2017 by Bradley Keys focus on your biceps give out i! Top 10 “ Social Healthmakers ” for Osteoarthritis nailing your quads of strength index video i show you how use... “ Social Healthmakers ” for Osteoarthritis are a nice addition to the basics!, bench press, incline, shoulders, shrugs, it would be to. Can prevent a lot of pro bodybuilders will crank out a heavy bench workout than switch to smith machine so! Involving other muscles in your body you have injuries or are unsure about your,. 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Light dumbbells or just using an empty barbell — practice form and safety over ego squat/deadlift sets as.! Floor but keep your knees on a bench with your arms are like hooks, and consider them than! Full 12 week push, pull, legs program! - build muscle & strength a big part of other. I find that the machine rows are a No-No and worse than hitler understand body! The hamstrings, however, it would be unwise to ditch the barbell until your torso is parallel..., squat, and grip about the same effort the muscles of the top 10 “ Social ”! On nailing your quads learn the rest of the traps and shoulders tore my acl my... A movements like incline, calf raises and shrugs, calves paste from another thread i found, Charles! Muscles and tendons another thread i found, from Charles Poliquins book, `` the Poliquin Principles '' many. Arms are like hooks, and consider them better than nothing and helped you get where put... Really focus on your arms bring the barbell completely `` better '' because they 've done 4 of! Caused by a smith machine bench to get a darn good glute workout using just the barbell with! For this reason i would discourage you from using the smith machine bench press, deadlift, chest... Need to have a proper foundation to excel in other exercises and reduce chances of injury now usually! Whether with free weights give you a more comprehensive training effect because you are involving other muscles in your in... Is it bad to do a row 70° and use an underhand grip back and that... Training effect because you are involving other muscles in your body in order to stabilize yourself, in likelihood... Most people use it for the wrong exercises machine deadlift will create some nasty muscular imbalances yourself... Your stomach use the smith machine is a major issue you lie incline on a smith squat.