DEADn

I did a workout today with my brother. We went to the YMCA as he just got a membership. We did work with the smith machine and I have noticed that everytime I go elsewhere other than home I can do more weight at other places than on my bench presses at home. I have an ironmaster smith machine. After looking at the YMCA smith machine I found that the difference is the slide poles. The ones at gyms are cylinders with bears in them so it is very easily slides. The one I have is squared and I spray silicone on it. I find the weight harder to move on mine. I wonder if that means I am getting a better workout on mine then? On the regular bench press I did 210 lbs rest pause. Well, last time I did 12 reps for it and this time I did 17 reps. I am thinking on my machine I probably would have managed maybe 14? I surprised at how easily the weight felt on it. On mine it feels like I am holding up a car. I wondered in the back of my mind about selling the one I have and getting a better one if it exists out there. It is a standard machine and not olympic.

I also wondered if there are any companies who sell smith machine but have attachments on them as well for doing cable moves, dips, etc.

any comments?

DEADn

BobThePotato

Ive never in my life seen a smith machine with any attachments. There isn't a "better" or "worse" smith machine, you will still be pushing the equivalent amount of weight, I have a feeling you just like to look like your lifting more weight which we all of of course but there is no reason to sell your smith, if you do end up selling it invest into a power rack IMO.

__________________
"Geadelt ist wer Schmerzen kennt vom Feuer das in Lust verbrennt."

Drew1200

or just get on a regular bench, smith machines are ok if you workout alone (DBs would be my choice) but they dont work the full range of muscles you would use in pressing movements for your chest.

DEADn

The smoothness of the smith machine at the YMCA I used today is better than what I have and because of that I seem to be be able to push out a few more reps.

Yep, I do work out alone, thus my smith machine though Ironmaster says it isn't a smith machine. It is a half rack.

DEADn

DJSTARER

smith machines DO vary. Friction and bar weight are the two biggest variables.

IMO, your primary exercise shouldn't really encorperate a smith machine. Even if you train alone.... there is no excuse

__________________
My philosophies on training:

"Extreme training yields extreme results"

"Just because you can, does not mean you should"

"The best program is the one you are not doing"





Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass

PGA Professional of America


Current Stats:
474 Squat
601 Deadlift
320 Bench


Goals for next training cycle:

500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition