This is a story about the incredible Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith really has it pretty easy, things have always come a little easier for him than for everyone else. Not only that, he has also had his motion planned out to the point where he does not have to do much thinking about what he is going to be doing any given day. He rises in the morning, he falls in the evening, and he does a little 'light lifting' in between.
Mr Smith is actually a piece of equipment that you will find at your gym.
The 'Smith' machine looks like a typical squat rack but has a bar that is attached to the rack and guided by cables only allowing it to move up and down. It also balances the weight out so the amount of weight you would actually be moving is less than it would be if it were done with free weights.
Unfortunately, those that stick to using only the Smith machine might start to fall behind others that are lifting around them. There are a couple of advantages to using the machine for certain lifts.
One of the benefits is that you can use it without the need for a spotter. Since the bar on the machine has hooks that can be rolled onto pegs in case you are unable to complete a full repetition.
Another advantage to using the Smith machine is that it is versatile to the point where it does not take much time to transition between different lifts. To go from doing bench press to squats all it takes is moving the bar to the top of the pegs whereas on a free-weight squat rack you will have to move the pegs, then move the guides, and then lift the bar up to the pegs. It sounds like a workout in itself.
While those are a couple of advantages to using the machine, they do not out weigh the gains that you could achieve by using a free-weight bar.
Since the Smith machine is a 'defined' path it will not allow all of the smaller secondary muscles around the major muscle groups you are working to also do work. By using a bar that does not have a restricted motion it takes many more muslces to control the weight therefore leading to bigger muscle gains.
Another potential problem to using a machine that has a restricted motion is the potential for injury. If you get to a point where you cannot finish the repetition then your form starts to falter and something has to give. Unfortunately the machine is locked in place leaving that thing that is going to give out to be you.
The next time you find yourself in the weight room and you are trying to decide what to use in order to do your workout, skip over the equipment that restricts your motion and go for the equipment that will allow your muscles to move freely.
If you enjoyed this article then check out Eating To Lose for more free information and books on dieting, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle as it relates to your physical goals.
Mr. Smith really has it pretty easy, things have always come a little easier for him than for everyone else. Not only that, he has also had his motion planned out to the point where he does not have to do much thinking about what he is going to be doing any given day. He rises in the morning, he falls in the evening, and he does a little 'light lifting' in between.
Mr Smith is actually a piece of equipment that you will find at your gym.
The 'Smith' machine looks like a typical squat rack but has a bar that is attached to the rack and guided by cables only allowing it to move up and down. It also balances the weight out so the amount of weight you would actually be moving is less than it would be if it were done with free weights.
Unfortunately, those that stick to using only the Smith machine might start to fall behind others that are lifting around them. There are a couple of advantages to using the machine for certain lifts.
One of the benefits is that you can use it without the need for a spotter. Since the bar on the machine has hooks that can be rolled onto pegs in case you are unable to complete a full repetition.
Another advantage to using the Smith machine is that it is versatile to the point where it does not take much time to transition between different lifts. To go from doing bench press to squats all it takes is moving the bar to the top of the pegs whereas on a free-weight squat rack you will have to move the pegs, then move the guides, and then lift the bar up to the pegs. It sounds like a workout in itself.
While those are a couple of advantages to using the machine, they do not out weigh the gains that you could achieve by using a free-weight bar.
Since the Smith machine is a 'defined' path it will not allow all of the smaller secondary muscles around the major muscle groups you are working to also do work. By using a bar that does not have a restricted motion it takes many more muslces to control the weight therefore leading to bigger muscle gains.
Another potential problem to using a machine that has a restricted motion is the potential for injury. If you get to a point where you cannot finish the repetition then your form starts to falter and something has to give. Unfortunately the machine is locked in place leaving that thing that is going to give out to be you.
The next time you find yourself in the weight room and you are trying to decide what to use in order to do your workout, skip over the equipment that restricts your motion and go for the equipment that will allow your muscles to move freely.
If you enjoyed this article then check out Eating To Lose for more free information and books on dieting, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle as it relates to your physical goals.
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