Squat DISASTER Caused By Smith Machine

[@stonitangawizi1252]

If you're used to machines, then switch to free weights you'll quickly find out that it's not just about moving weight. Machines 'slide' so you don't really feel the weight, but the moment you've loaded that barbell on your body, it's a whole different feeling. It's like the weight has mind of its own and wants to crush you.

[@niksniks4183]

You couldn’t have explained it better

[@pavlab3353]

Exactly. Just like running the treadmill only and then hitting that pavement

[@deesplash7087]

@@pavlab3353I don’t think that’s a valid comparison bro . *edit* sorry guys, I was like half sleep when I typed this^^ comment. I realize the error of my way now that I’m fully awake reading the idiotic comment I made. Never replying to a comment half sleep again smh😂😂

[@jackandrews7821]

​@DeeSplash no its valid. A treadmill does a good portion of the workload for you just like some machines do.

[@maddog1618]

And please don't have anything in your intestines! It will come out. It's still no excuse for not completing your set 😂😅😅

[@encryptedwolf7623]

Props to her for dropping that bar immediately instead of risking potential major injury.

[@Tdawg93a]

She obviously had no choice

[@megatroneata9911]

@@Tdawg93ayou’d be surprised how many people try to push through that and then blow out their back

[@tupakkaonhyvaa]

Bla bla blah

[@coledorillo6685]

I've always done free-weight squats. Yes its a lot harder to progress and you need to work on a lot of mobility and core drills but it gives you so much more functional strength like having a strong core and better mobility

[@Will51781]

Agreed. Getting strong at squats makes you stronger at everything else.

[@lasersnow118]

I only ever use the smith machine for shoulder/calve myself. Tried squatting in it once, felt uncomfortable as hell.

[@weebsarecringe2102]

Simply because Squats are always free-weight. Smith machine Squats aren't a thing.

[@PandoraBear357]

I'm still only squatting 30 lbs. Free weights are about form and control first and foremost like this video says. Heavy weights come after that.

[@TjMurby-wp9it]

"a lot harder to progress" sounds like you dont lift. using free weights, progression comes way faster than machines because you're using so much more muscle.

[@echot.2664]

Props to her though for challenging herself to move on to free weights!

[@encryptedwolf7623]

Props to her for immediately dropping the bar behind her instead of trying to fight to keep it and making things worse!

[@jasonrumsey2197]

@@beastmode9576 are you trolling or you just didn’t watch the video

[@xd._.28234]

I always gradually check how much I can do, I won't put x weight and try, I will for example say... can I with 20kg extra? Yes. What if 25kg? Not feel a thing? Let's go with 32... and like that, and when idk I reach 40 and see my legs tremble I'm like ok, this is my temporal limit, let's work put with this and later keep adding. Idk why ppl always puts 100kg on them without knowing if they can or can't do!

[@343JustMe]

Little too much weight for a beginner

[@itsLayshia]

True. Anybody know her name?

[@hest9750]

Jesus Christ that guy going so deep down with squats and pausing a bit is so incredibly satisfying to watch.

[@AD-mo5sg]

If it’s the guy I’m thinking of, I’m quite sure my trainer had training from him. Blessing and a curse 😂 ass to grass

[@Iheartlifting]

That’s a lot of weight too

[@KeeCruz]

That shit hurts lmfao 😂

[@MichelleseaChelle]

That was so crazy

[@jon.a]

For the thousandth time, PLEASE USE THE SAFETY BARS

[@eepseal6516]

In fairness to them, I've used that rack before and it is awful, the lowest setting for the safety bar was higher than my bottom position and I'm fairly tall, so a lot of people can't use it at all unless they quarter squat.

[@jon.a]

​@@eepseal6516I guess I could see that. But safety is number one. The lowest setting would have worked for her. And when not using safeties, one needs to learn how to properly bail a squat. One could stand on plates, to help with the height (obv not the safest) Or simply just use a machine. If you are a powerlifter or an Olympic weightlifter, many gyms now have the proper equipment to properly squat regardless of height

[@Mozzie7920]

What are the safety bars?

[@TheKlopdokter]

She has the safety bars on them, no?

[@6ixset106]

​@@TheKlopdokter she does.

[@DiaAkin]

The weight was too heavy for her. That's why she tried to rush the rep! I tell people all the time, focus on the MOVEMENT and performing the rep properly! If you have to lower the weight to achieve this, do so! Safety first! Always!

[@markporter8196]

Exactly to much weight. Know your limits

[@championplayerdo7604]

yeah free weights add a better overall strength but like you said know your limits and be safe

[@protoman1214]

I messed up my knee real bad as a kid. Walked with a limp for almost a year, never taken to a doctor (my parents were poor). Pretty sure I tore a tendon, it swelled up to the size of a melon. I stayed away from lower body exercises for a long time due to that injury. I recently started squatting routinely and it has made a huge difference in my life. Thanks for all the content

[@purplehaze8557]

Best of luck with the recovery bruh.

[@AtomicNumber34MaleChromosome]

God bless you brother and stay safe

[@sfsaviation]

have you still never seen a doctor about it?!?! im sorry but even if you can't afford it save up for a checkup!! were talking about keeping your ability to walk in your 60s, this is not a joke. Please get it checked out and maybe x-rayed, even if it feels like it healed

[@sheehabmahdizaman7548]

That’s great to hear. I had some right knee issues as well, and may have something partially torn and have also had patellofemoral pain syndrome. However light weight controlled deep squats and controlled leg presses with light weight kind of fixed my biomechanics. For the first time, felt my entire quads and glutes activate fully. From there slowly added weight but made sure to keep those same mechanics. My knees and legs move and bend differently now and for the better, my knees feel so healthy

[@protoman1214]

@@sfsaviation this was a long time ago when I was like 10. I brought it up with my doctor in College. He checked my mobility and since I didn’t have any pain, he wasn’t concerned enough to order any scans. At that point I was an avid runner which was honestly the only sort of activity that helped me strengthen my legs. I have an usual looking pointy bump on my knee after my it healed. It hurts to kneel on it because its a small surface area that is contacting the ground. The main issue was that the knee became weak and atrophied. Running only does so much to strengthen muscles around a joint. Squatting has seriously made a world of difference in the way my legs feel.

[@YouVSMeTV]

1st guy was ATG, respect.

[@SirCharlesLikesChurros]

That first guy went lower,lower and then lowest 😂. Cool.

[@dirtydevito6925]

Straight ass to grass

[@21350ctw]

😂😂😂

[@mroverdose14]

Below parallel squat

[@Bearme73]

True ass to grass...text book!

[@dariuswilliams3206]

Buddy can listen to his kneecaps.

[@taliaa7856]

Yep, the squat rack is a whole different ball game. Had to start with just 10 lb plates when I switched from the smith. Worked up to 45’s.

[@Lastdayone]

Thank you for pointing this out!! I can not squat on a smith machine. It makes me feel off balanced. It doesn’t require the same coordination and use of the body.

[@321findus]

Every time I go to the gym I start doing warm-up sets with light/no weight, then heavier weight, then machines to squeeze out a few more reps. This is so I can use my muscles to the max without potentially injuring myself.

[@Bogester]

Mario is definitely gonna steal this video 😂

[@Insouciant_Lyfê]

I was just thinking of Mario when I watched the whole video. Functional fitness on top.

[@canz8318]

@@Insouciant_Lyfêmainly depends what your goals are

[@Artaxerxes.]

and he's right. Smith machine squats are ass and bullshit

[@Artaxerxes.]

@@canz8318 let me ask you this ? If you literally fold like a pancake when doing a regular squat, are you even strong ? Have your muscles even developed. Don't pretend that stablization isn't stimulus for the muscle to grow more. squats will always be better than assisted squats so stop justifying your poor workout routine.

[@canz8318]

@@Artaxerxes.I have been bodybuilding for 3 years, I have built some exceptional stench and size and of course in my core. I can execute the squat perfectly. But I sometimes prefer not to do it. The gym is a place for everybody for the main reason of making a better version of themselves. You choose what path you want to take when you go into the gym, yoga, bodybuilding, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, athletic build, strongman, etc. people chase their passions. Everyone does their own thing meaning that they have to do something that works best for their passion and goals, the lord gave us free will so we choose what we want to do with it. It’s Mario/Martin rios fanboys like yourself that go out of their way and criticize and name call everyone that doesn’t do what they want to do, this shows to me that you guys are insecure and that you have to be better than everyone. The problem of the gym today is toxic gym culture and you are a part of it, I support everyone of their own goals and you criticize because people do things differently, so you don’t go ahead and justify you criticizing and mind your own business.

[@tyr0on3.44]

As a smith machine user I can say when I tried benching on the free weights I almost died literally

[@xd._.28234]

I bench on free weights always

[@xd._.28234]

I improved a lot in a month

[@TinyPekka]

And thats why Leon Edwards never uses the smith machine

[@David-ty5jk]

You good kid? This is about squat university

[@TinyPekka]

@@David-ty5jk its a joke buddy

[@David-ty5jk]

Leon isn't a joke. Also the fact you call it a joke is LoL

[@TinyPekka]

@@David-ty5jk its a mario rios joke buddy get up to speed bro, mario rios always talks about how leon edwards is the most asthetic person in the universe so in the fitness community many people makes jokes about it and say stiff like i did, omg get up to speeeeeed

[@David-ty5jk]

@@TinyPekka never heard of Mario Rios and have seen all Leon's most recent fights... Lol

[@RRuss-ov8xm]

Stability and Control using free weights will humble you quickly. Getting your nervous system condition for it is critical and humbling! ❤

[@everydayabstract5270]

The mistake was that she picked up that bar in the first place: Either from fatigue, or not being aware of her lifting capacity, it was clear from the start she didn’t have control. Reminder: there is no shame, zero, none, nada, zip!! in using less weight or stopping a set early. Knowing when to stop, or when to do less, is the most underrated skill in the gym.

[@Beyonder369]

I use the smith to isolate my quads specifically then afterwards I hit the squat rack with pre-exhausted quads

[@jaleesa00]

Have you tried platz squats for isolation

[@mrdave777]

Is it true that whoever wants to squat, especially those that are novice. Should be able to perform BODY WEIGHT deep squats before attempting a regular squat? Asking for trouble putting 250lbs on your back before being conditioned properly.

[@wonhyeukjung3521]

Absolutely. In fact you should be able to perform body weight deep squat for around 10 reps comfortably before even thinking about weighted squats. Weighted squat is great and arguably one of the best if not the best movement human body can perform but if you are struggling with just the bodyweight, putting weight on top of that is not only unnecessary but also dangerous.

[@zekicaneksi]

i'm no expert but sometimes the bar with some weight can put you in a proper position that you can't get into without the bar. just saying. my bodyweight squat isn't as deep as with the bar

[@mrdave777]

@@wonhyeukjung3521 Squats are evidently one of the best movements. But most important exercises in the gym are in the sagittal plane. I’m curious how that helps in the real world besides having larger muscles?!

[@shahbazkhan-ek7hp]

@@zekicaneksi same. I felt i couldnt squat until i had a bar on my back and some weight on it. Everything aligned .

[@zekicaneksi]

@@shahbazkhan-ek7hp yeah but this isn't a solution. i believe still some mobility work is required to be able to get to the proper position without the bar.

[@leahcimolrac1477]

I have no legs and this video has helped a great deal. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@wShadow1]

When I was in high school, I always used to practice my barbell squat form with just the bar or 5lbs on each side, making sure to ask my teacher what I could improve on until I mastered it. Only then did I raise the weight. Worked out pretty well for me

[@cosmicbrownie333]

Recently switched over to the smith machine due to being able to load more weight (my gym’s barbells only go up to 50 lbs). However, my balance and flexibility skyrocketed when I was only using free weights. Currently obsessed with kettlebell exercises. Super awesome when you’re short on time and want a full body burn.

[@theunpretentiousvegan8593]

I strained my lower back pretty bad squatting in a Smith machine, so now i just use the leg press. (I go to the purple gym with no free weights.)

[@chickenwings-fe4lg]

Ahh yes, we love the purple gym don't we? (I do not, I hate it with a passion)

[@theunpretentiousvegan8593]

@@chickenwings-fe4lg it's across the street from my job and around the corner from my house. The next closest gym is 15-20 minutes away and costs 3x as much. It's not perfect, but it works.

[@chickenwings-fe4lg]

@theunpretentiousvegan8593 same sadly. It's just a bus ride down the street for me, and it's not much, but it works. I've just decided to stray away from squatting and focus on floor exercises for strengthening my legs. One day, I'll be able to transfer gyms lol

[@Sirkanythe]

Likewise. Doing squats in a Smith machine screws up my lower back for a week. Even do reverse lunges and front squat tweaks my back. I just used dumbbells with a lot of volume at the purple gym.

[@n8utrera260]

You know what strange… I’ve practically only ever done squats free-weight and the few times i do it on the smith machine it feels more difficult, or maybe it just feels weird? Idk

[@lanenadrz]

I started working out when I was really overweight so I would mainly do free weights since it was less crowded versus the machines and whenever I use the smith machine I feel like my form is off even though my trainer is looking at my form and says no

[@icedragon9097]

If the bar path in your squat is a bit wobbly, smith machine will feel difficult because you will be adding extra friction against the machine

[@user-he4ef9br7z]

It's just a different movement. For a squat you drive up. For a smith machine squat you drive up and back. This allows you to place your legs slightly forward, emphasising the quads over the glutes/back.

[@PlayshotKalo]

Because you never squat in a perfectly linear up and down with free weights. You have to adjust to the linear movement in a Smith machine before they feel comfortable

[@user-he4ef9br7z]

@@PlayshotKalo A squat when executed perfectly should result in a straight bar path. Otherwise there's energy loss. A non linear bar path is a sign of balance issues.

[@azb23]

Wow thanks for explaining. I started doing squats using free weights. Did that for years came back after my pregnancy and started going to the gym and using the Smith machine and it felt off. I couldn’t pinpoint it but it didn’t feel like I had good connection with the bar and I couldn’t get my foot work down. I then started going back to my old gym with the free weights while still using the Smith machine and it felt like the Smith weight a lot less when I was using the same weight. I knew I wasn’t going crazy! Thank you for explaining. I do prefer the free weight as I feel like I have better connection and can adjust easier.

[@FooeyMcgooey]

"Work on the fundamentals first" This is sooooo important and very effective.

[@jordanglasper1064]

Thank you for the breakdown, this is invaluable knowledge.

[@gilwaa]

Higher risk of injury with the smith machine too, since your stabilizer muscles stay weak even though your major muscles are strong

[@Artaxerxes.]

this as well. plus, your tendons and ligaments are involved as well. You don't want your tendons to be weaker than your muscles

[@jinfin221]

​@@Artaxerxes. How to avoid that?

[@Campaigner82]

@@jinfin221 Simple. Dont use the smith machine 😛

[@wixked72]

I wonder if that’s why I feel so awkward and lift a lot less on the smith machine( squat)

[@TheMendo123]

I can't do free weight squats though because my low back

[@Arya_Adarsh]

I have ankle mobility issue and have tight hip muscles too... So it took me forever to get perfect squat form without using any heel elevation aid. I found that piramid sets worked wonders. I start with an easy weight and do it really slow and deep in the first set to reach 10-12 reps. Than with each consecutive set i increase the weight, until I can only perform 5 good reps with a great form. I do max 6 sets. And then 3 more sets of wide squats for inner thighs. Followed by dumbbell walking lunges. For progressive over load i increase the weight a few kg from the first set itself. It has worked wonders for me after years of struggling with squats. I hope it can do the same for others too.

[@grishawinner6727]

It depends with your goals. As he said machines help if you want to target a specific muscle. Tho I agree for beginners it’s best to start with free weights

[@Zer0cul0]

Both seem beautifully symbiotic.That depth and range of movement on the smith machine was amazing. On the flip side, you need the stability of doing free weights to make it useable.

[@mbogucki1]

The only exception I would give is the Nautilus Freedom Rack. It offers some good side stability but nearly full forward/backward movement.

[@Hawttamale]

I remember starting with the smith machine, when I made the transfer to the barbell squat, I had to start out really light compared to what I lifted with machine. The whole process is much different and my balance has improved immensely since I started doing barbell squats. My advice is to start off light, maybe just with the bar, to prioritize good balance and range of motion first.

[@Juandinggong]

I have three busted disc in my lower back and I prefer doing smith machine because it’s lot less demanding on your back and body

[@sarahs1212]

I hope she's okay and keeps going

[@Robnoxious77]

I used to only do free weight squats, until I almost completely destroyed my left leg in a motorcycle accident. Since then i’ve been gradually working my way back. Started on simple machines to get the large muscle groups back into shape, recently got onto the smith machine to get the whole chain working properly again and begin recruiting more stabilisers, once that is manageable, i’ll get back to free weights in the rack. Can’t wait to get the last 10% of my balance, proprioception and stability back. Getting closer every day. It’s taken me about 5 years to get to this point, don’t let anything hold you back. I’ve found, as a general rule, exercises that mimic real world use are the best, but if you cant quite manage, don’t F yourself up, use good form and just drop the weight until you can do the movement properly, then start overloading. Baby steps, you’ll get there soon enough.

[@killerbouquet3220]

I've been recovering from a knee injury and after building up enough strength to finally run, and do air squats, I'm ready to move on to weighted stuff. your videos have been extremely helpful, thankyoul

[@sanketnegi1]

I know machine squats are not as great as free weight.. but I left free weight squats after a knee injury .. Now I keep getting that sound.. and am always scared of the knee.. I prefer my knee over muscles and stability..

[@r.d.x7403]

That Lady had no business moving that weight.

[@clappedshinobi2863]

That man’s squat in the second clip was a piece of art

[@mitchc4474]

Came across a Smith machine that moves along both the Y,Z axis' freely and it was so fun. Never had to worry about moving side to side but it could go forward n back without adjustments. It was truly a great experience

[@johnanon658]

Chuck taylors strikes again

[@biglos5291]

😂😂.. she's obviously too worried about looking cute rather than lifting.

[@Coachkingrod]

Great breakdown and explanation thank you!

[@342MrIncredible]

If free squats hurts your back... Try to fix posture... But if pain don't go away... Just try different excercise like hack squats, front squats, sumo squats many more options available now a days ... Do those excersize first and exhaust your body and then come back to free squats it will give results with minimum weight.

[@JohnTfit]

Smith machine squats are something I should do more.. I usually only do a traditional squat.. smith machine will allow more tension on just quads and glutes.. not full systemic tension

[@josecamacho5522]

You Lost me at stability and balance hahaha Even I have no balance I like free squats because they help me building it

[@Tdawg93a]

You do need stability and balance to do free weighted squat

[@Bettersucksaul]

You 100% need stability and balance for squatting lol my dumb ass has nearly tipped over multiple times

[@julisacastillo574]

Interesting perspective, my first experience with a trainer we did free-weight regular back squats. There was a few times I tried to sub them out with a smith machine when I worked out on my own and I actually hurt myself because it is definitely not the same as a regular back squat

[@Jason-nosaJ]

Smith Machines ignore stabilizer muscle, its best for isolating muscles but not for a overall squat workout.

[@AS-pug]

I want to do squats as it’s such an important exercise but I really struggle to get low because I can’t keep my heels on the floor, I basically use my toes which probably mess me up down the line. Wish I could keep me feet flat.

[@arsenesson8033]

Stopped doing squats for about 4 months because of my lower back, let's just say that I had lost all stability during those months

[@Dweeble233]

I stopped doing barbell squats altogether for that reason. Now dumbell squats only or may barbell squats with light weight. Lower back issues GONE.

[@Yellowfruit65]

I'm no where near professional or expert on this matter, but if your lower back hurts during barbell squats, you are probably not doing it right. I developed lower back issuer due to not exercising much and sitting for long hour during the last 2 years. Now getting back to gym and squatting (plus other exercises) helped my lower back a lot.

[@Dweeble233]

@@Yellowfruit65 I also sit at a desk all day.. Fellow desk jockeys UNITE!!! 😄 In your case the lower back issues are most likely related to a weak core, particularly abdominal muscles as these support the lower back. For me the issue was disc compression resulting from the heavily weighted bar across the shoulders transferring the load downward to an old disc injury. In any case, I've changed over to dumb bells and the issue is gone.

[@ProphetGuardian]

When doing a new exercise or variation of an exercise. Start off with a light weight and gradually build up focusing on form, coordination, and nervous system development. Never assume because you can squat 200lbs on a smith machine no problem. That you could do the same on standard squat, sissy squat, front squat if these exercises are new to you.

[@TunTheOfficial]

I like this as a teaching opportunity ❤

[@ijoseph7343]

Down with smith machine for squats 👎🏽

[@Exile8oh8]

And up with "how many more sets you got?" questions? 🤔 Let them keep using it.

[@CrowandRaven]

Regarding smith machine lower body, they’re great for exercises that would otherwise require a ton of stability using a barbell, such as Bulgarian split squats or reverse lunges. They definitely shouldn’t replace free weighted squat movements though.

[@GBG585]

Smith machine is not good for anything. The reason why someone does a split squat or Bulgarian is to build that stability in that plane. If you take the stability aspect out of the motion what are you even trying to accomplish?

[@CrowandRaven]

@@GBG585 Hypertrophy. What if someone doesn’t wanna think about stability when doing a split squat?

[@jenpachi2408]

Smith machine have value as do free i gind smith machines really allow you to focus on conentric and eccentric since you have to worry far less about balance and more on just contracting and expanding the leg muscles

[@seandafny]

I wish I would have been there I would have RAN so fast to help her out.

[@joekeith2819]

I started on free weights, and moved to an area where the closest gym has only machines. However, using proper technique I learned from when I started, my progression in strength has almost a 1 to 1 carry over when I get the chance to do free weights again.

[@BenjaminBanks615]

It is an adjustment but the gains are astronomical!

[@evettc7887]

Am still using a low stool to do squats, am trying to untrain myself from doing them on my toes and putting my weight on my heels. I fall over or accidentally sit down a lot hince the stool to catch myself and still work the muscles. Its a safery net and yes you have to stand back up only using your legs.

[@GG-jn9fx]

I might be the only person that doesn’t mind alternating between the barbell and the smith machine. I’ve never had an issue so long as I pace myself when switching back. I think the biggest issue is when you think they’re the same and you’ve become very unfamiliar with the barbell, YOU WILL GET HURT. Those tiny muscles adjust way faster than the bigger ones so just be patient and it’ll come.

[@myownfreemind6627]

As a personal trainer I personally put my underweight or weak clients onto smith to build the strength first then free weight or if it’s an isolation exercise. Smith machines shouldn’t be used without free weights. That’s just my personal opinion on the practice though :)

[@teshamiller6001]

This isn’t “caused by” the smith machine, it’s caused by the weight being too heavy for her to lift. If you like the smith machine, use it. Just start lighter with free weight.

[@deenice9169]

The big problem is a lot of modern gyms are gravitating away from free weights because they say they are “scary” and “intimidating”. It’s stupid. I also hate how many gyms no longer have a regular straight pull up bar. If they want machines, cool. I just feel it’s better to have both. Main reason a lot of people don’t free squat now is because gyms don’t have a free weight squat. Or because people tell me they are scared of something going wrong. But if you start light and just put the safety bars, it’s actually not scary at all. I squat alone and always do my last set to failure. When I fail, I just go a little low to rest the barbell on the safety bars and it’s perfectly fine. Failing on squats is scarier in thought than it actually is. It’s 10x easier/safer to fail on a squat than a bench press

[@123ABC488]

"Let me sit my stupid ass down. What am i doing?" 😂😂

[@chaseomb9733]

My new favorite fitness channel. That probably says a lot about me

[@Matrixtruesaiyan]

the more balance is needed, the more control and harder it gets

[@JKDVIPER]

Think about it. The LEG PRESS allows you to get way more weight up working the leg that much more❤️squats are a good compound movement. But they stress the lumbar spine to much. Try doing the leg press. ✅

[@stevejamieson8468]

Honestly, I never liked barbell back squats as structurally I am not built for them. Almost 6'4, very long legs, high center of gravity, small waistline, short torso. I never felt my quads working and always found myself collapsing forward because of my physiology, no matter how hard I tried to stay upright. It was always my lower back, abs, glutes and some hams. I found that going on the smith machine, I could put my feet forward, stay upright, and actually work my quads effectively. Dorian switched over to the smith machine as it was not structurally effective for him either.

[@IndigoCosmic]

Exactly why I only free weight squat with no more than like 40lbs.

[@StefGalasso]

And here I thought I was weird for not being able to do smith machine squats 😂

[@Arkhs]

The balance and coordination element can be relatively rapidly trained though and the Smith machine squat can't get you bigger prime movers faster. So still might as well do Smith machine then switch to normal squat every now and again to play catchup.

[@ThePhysicalReaction]

to that point: its the smaller muscles that will give out first in an exercise. This is why intermediate lifters will save isolation exercises until after they've completed their compound movements.

[@enjoyer6201]

Yeah, it’s important to build free weight squat form from the ground up. But for years I only used the Smith because of injury. Years it took me to move back over to free weights. As I’m getting older I know I will eventually move back to Smith. I got a high percentage of what I am getting from free weight squat anyway and a fraction of the injury risk. I don’t need to be in the top 0.01% of builders. That’s a choice I’ll live with. But for you young’ns, take the time to learn your squats. Big benefits.

[@lionelheisler4887]

Bro's "light weight" @ the end is like my max squat weight ( if I really push myself ) 😭 But with that being said, this motivates me and makes me feel good about doing squats without the Smith machine.

[@muffnxman]

I lift a lot more on free squats that Smith. I don't like the fix up and down bar position on a Smith

[@healthguy79]

I stopped using the Smith machine years ago in favour of free weight squats

[@IRdatank]

Good on her for dumping the weight instead of trying to hold on and going for a ride.

[@johnpalcon7570]

When its happens, its best to pay attention to how you lock you elbow higher and bracing the core for squat increasing stability

[@psyience3213]

Too many people rely on machines. I’m more the opposite, I rather free weights and as I get my groove I’ll move to machines that isolate more. To me balance, stability, mobility are all equally as important. If you’re working out and becoming less coordinated that’s just not even safe.

[@stevewildeagle965]

Smith is an ok way to begin strength training, just have the bars high enough, and don't get stuck on using it for too long, then switch to Normal Squat, also Lunges are a MUST for Legs.

[@RCDiaz-Balart]

It seems like the lady in the first video is used to standing in front of the bar and pushing backwards and up, so she's not traveling in a straight line she's traveling slightly backwards, that's easily fixed by actually using the Smith machine and lining up the bar with your line of travel, this lady is used to standing with her feet far in front of the line of travel

[@djsubliminalreeve]

I never barbell squat anymore occasionally Smith machine as I find I can actually work the quads. I mostly barbell lunge, leg press and do hack squats as these movements work way better for me as compounds with longer limbs. As my legs are so long barbell squats are too much risk on my back again as I have had back issues in the past that took years to fix. Basically I don't care about powerlifting as those movements got me injuries that lasted a long time. I do goblet squats at the end of my session though with a heavy dumbell and let me say 50 slow reps are brutal and will build the quads. I know people will say work on your mobility to avoid injuries but my mobility was great when I slipped my disc deadlifting and as a squat puts similar pressure through the spine I now avoid heavy squats in low bar like I did.

[@megatroneata9911]

that wasn’t a disaster, she executed that failure almost flawlessly as ironic as that sounds. just needs safety bars so that shit doesnt drop on your heels or butt.

[@Macaroni1983]

Still the best fitness channel out there

[@QuietRiot-ci5du]

I personally find the Smith Machine Squat more challenging.

[@xCr0nus]

I’ll stick to hack squats and a healthy spine without chronic pain. Thanks though.

[@damnridge]

stopped doing barbell squats bcz it gave me serious back pain but I still do it once a month to test my strength and replaced it with smith squats bcz i'm focusing on aesthetics rather than strength

[@sweetpoptart9486]

same! It ruined my lower back even more when I used the free barbell to do squats.

[@joeeckersley957]

I do squats to build my legs, if I wanted to do build lower back effectively I’d use an exercise which would target lower back more, such as supermans

[@NSN749]

Exactly why I don’t like the smith machine for squats. Plus it pretty harsh on the back, I feel.

[@canceresbunny]

Brother got more depth than a poet.

[@prof113]

Smith machine squats should be done last after you've exhausted the muscles on squats, leg extension, and other lower body work.

[@dayZburns]

Having long femurs and overpronation has kept me from doing free weight squats. Tried it only once though so I have to try again.

[@aizenosaimafidon1119]

That was DEFINTELY a thought 😂😂😂

[@1stblackx]

That guys fucking legs hit his chest in the squat. That’s wildly impressive.

[@willswanson2145]

Smith machine is great for long legged bodybuilding. Helps you target the quads a bit better.

[@InitialDL84]

Exact reason why I stick with the smith machine 😅 I can do deep body weight squats no problem and do them daily, but I absolutely suck with the free weight squat (although I'm working on it)

[@sonzai5162]

That's because you have to brace your core and stabilize the weight. You can also do belt squats as a free weight version but it depends on what you want to achieve

[@dantro6594]

Props to her for making the switch, but... why on earth would you switch to barbell squats for the first time, and instantly start with weights on the bar? Why not warm up with just the bar?

[@JFK_Peaked_Glaz]

it depends which body parts you want to focus

[@Mr.FilthyGaming]

i grew up doing free weight squats and it actually usually hurts my back to try to squat smith machine because it forces my body into odd positions imo