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I do bodyguarding/security for a lot of people/events here in LA/Hollywood and also some fights in Vegas so I get to meet a lot of people. I also worked for the Gov. when he was campaigning to be gov of California. That and the fact that these guys are in my social circles make it bit easier to come across them.
I used to hear all the time from guys who mistakenly thought they knew what they were talking about saying "smith machines are bad", "Smith machines are dangerous" and all they were doing was repeating what they heard instead of something they researched on their own. I wanted smith machine for my home and wanted to make sure that it was safe. Since I had no plans of putting up 550-600 pounds on it and the fact that these guys said they use(d) it convinced me. I ended up getting one of these - Parabody Smith Machine and am very very happy with it. Has gun rack so I can use both the smith AND regular olympic bar.
That's pretty cool dude!
Whatever works works, but in the end it's undeniable that free weights are more efficient for building muscle and increasing coordination than a smith machine.
Whatever works works, but in the end it's undeniable that free weights are more efficient for building muscle and increasing coordination than a smith machine.
Just a thought, as it was the way I went years ago.
Isn't a power rack the solution to all this? Just set the safety bars correctly, but lift with the free weights?
That being said, some muscles seem, to me to be easier to actually train with some specific machinery. Leg curls come to mind. Never did find a good way to hit the back of the legs with just free weights.
Just a thought, as it was the way I went years ago.
Isn't a power rack the solution to all this? Just set the safety bars correctly, but lift with the free weights?
That being said, some muscles seem, to me to be easier to actually train with some specific machinery. Leg curls come to mind. Never did find a good way to hit the back of the legs with just free weights.
'course I'm not, nor never will be a pro either.
Yeah machines aren't always the devil I just think the building block of all programs should involve free weights, and if you like leg curls and see results from them why not do them?
If you want to try some more ways to hit your hamstrings, you can try stiff legged (or romanian) deadlifts, pullthroughs (using cables and it works your whole posterior chain), hypers, or glute ham raises.
My personal favorite is pullthroughs- i think they're one of the most underrated exercises and even though you look like an idiot doing them sometimes, they're very effective and have directly helped my deadlift numbers
Whatever works works, but in the end it's undeniable that free weights are more efficient for building muscle and increasing coordination than a smith machine.
Because of the use of the stabilizer muscles I agree. I use them both equally but my squats are usually done with the free weights.
Well, I use both. However, I use free weights first then machines. Its alot easier to lower weights on a machine compared to getting a plate or switching dumbells especially when its busy. For example, I do decline, incline, flat bench press or dumbell flys depending on how busy it is then I proceed to do a machine or two. Sometimes, you just have to use what you can when its packed...I dont feel like waiting 5 minutes for each item I like to use when its not busy.
For abs, I hardly ever use machines. I do alot of my ab stuff on a mat with a 10 pound plate.
I'm no expert. I'll just say that I work with a certified trainer once a week, and she has me use free weights over machines 80% of time. Considering that I am paying her, I follow her suggestions when I work out on my own too.
Really? I don't see many women bench pressing nor squating. When they do, its usually with low weights and more reps which is good for a women. I have only seen a women bench pressing a handful of times in years of working out.
Really? I don't see many women bench pressing nor squating. When they do, its usually with low weights and more reps which is good for a women. I have only seen a women bench pressing a handful of times in years of working out.
the problem with a lot of women is that they think they'll get too big and strong if they do compound lifts and heavy weights. They don't have the testosterone to get as big as males and unless they take a lot of supps and completely alter their diet for getting stronger, it's very unlikely that they will get too big to the point where they wouldn't like it.
I sometimes see a woman at my gym doing 135 pound deadlifts and squats for high reps (at least on deads). She looks really dam hot and she's in her 30s.
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I just think the building block of all programs should involve free weights, and if you like leg curls and see results from them why not do them? 
