The Smith Machine = Faster Gains?

[@SeanNalewanyjShorts]

💪 FOLLOW THESE 2 STEPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR RESULTS: 1️⃣ Get your FREE training and nutrition plan from me by pressing the yellow profile icon above then clicking the link in bio. 2️⃣ Check out my no B.S supplement line over at RealScienceAthletics.com (link also in bio) and use code YT10 to save 10% on your first order. ✅ Follow on IG for more daily tips: @sean_nalewanyj P.S. If you signed up for a free plan and didn't receive it, check your junk/bulk folder. If it's not there then contact info[at]seannal[dot]com to have it re-sent.

[@hurrifanc.3434]

This was the most pointless video you've made in a while.

[@justsomerandomperson4174]

Does using the smith machine target less of your muscles in your chest and arms by not having to stabilize it because ik it’s better to do free weight so the at your muscles aren’t disproportionate I don’t know if this is true or not maybe you could make a video on it

[@Grabthar191]

Wouldn't that be a really good machine if you have some other muscle injuries or joint issues that you are working on healing? Like damaged shoulder muscles/joints?

[@don8244]

W for including John Meadows in this video 🙏🏼❤️

[@MakeAmericaGreatAgainAgain-k2t]

Agreed! He was the best! RIP

[@atmeshwarsingh]

RIP John 😢

[@uncouth420]

Haha I was just gonna comment something similar!

[@lewiwyd]

the goat

[@kishaelgarcia7286]

If he approves hey fuck the world 🔥🔥

[@YoungWarZ66]

I love the Smith machine because i can go to the gym alone and bench whatever i desire with no fear from not having a spot. I get to target exactly what i want with the intensity i want

[@bobross4616]

It’s easier, little bit less proficient with form, and if you ever go to straight bar it does transfers weird with balancing/form ext. But it’s 99% safer and isn’t shameful to do especially if you don’t have a spotter. I personally don’t do it for straight benching, but I do use it for Incline/upper chest and definitely squats.

[@patootie3529]

it's incredibly different than a flat bench but I don't see a problem using incline on it

[@bobross4616]

@@patootie3529 I'm fine with it being a bit easier. My only thing with it, is that it does restrict form by forcing you to go straight up and down at 90 degrees. But the safe aspect makes it reasonable.

[@Whosyourdaddy21]

So as long as your using the right amount of resistance you good. Just be carful not to do too much weight if you switch to normal barbell and get yourself pinned 😅

[@Whosyourdaddy21]

@@bobross4616so ideally when you benching you want to keep your bar path straight. That’s the rule for powerlifting at least, any deviation from a straight bar path can be the difference between a pr and a failed lift.

[@ahmedharajli189]

Smith machine has saved me so many times from being self guillotined lol

[@Alex_Tango]

Mf you're at the level of the mf that passes out during DL

[@Grumboble]

Idk man I feel like it’s the opposite, there’s no way to roll the bar off of you if you fail with it on your chest, I nearly took my head off trying to hit a PR on one at a buddies house, thankfully he was able to lift it off me but if he hadn’t I’d have actually died since I wouldn’t be able to throw the weight off to one side or roll the bar off my chest

[@swissarmyknight4306]

@@Grumboble That's what I'm saying. How do you get out from under the bar if you fail the lift? I can dump or roll off a barbell, but the Smith machine will trap me.

[@psp7690]

@@Grumboble did you make sure the stop pads on both sides were properly placed? 🤨🤨

[@GoldenDuck0]

@@Grumboble that’s why they have the safety stops lmao you gotta use them

[@FreshDougan]

I am a firm believer in smith maching bicep curls.

[@arnekrug939]

Based

[@kirasubaru912]

😆 🤣

[@xkyfal18]

W

[@w.a.domski]

i know this is a joke but how tf bro 🤣

[@deeznuts23yearsago]

I’m a firm believer in the smith machine pp tensing supremacy

[@OgichiGame]

It's literally the same thing but with a safety mechanism.

[@PeterM1-qx1tz]

Exactly, Ive just started going back to the gym after a 15 year absence, in the old days I had a gym buddy to spot for me... nowdays Im all alone... I cant get close to benching to failure because of the fear I am going to guillotine myself. So I will be utilizing the smith machine pretty shortly. I just need to get a few more sessions under my belt for my muscle memory to start to kick in. Seriously, I cant even lift what my old warm-up used to be ; ]

[@adamalarda2723]

@@PeterM1-qx1tzgood job Bro

[@lucidox]

It's literally not.

[@Zure467]

Lol, get pinned under this doing and bench, and you DIE, or you use the safties and get crap rom. It's a good machine but it's not safer for everything.

[@codywirth8190]

You could argue that as you become MORE advanced you need to split the muscles up MORE and thus should favor machines because they don't require a bunch of secondary movers so you can drive the stimulus harder into the primary agonists.

[@DonLyfe]

It’s all we got at planet fitness, and my chest has definitely filled out

[@Haha-nv5gm]

No it hasn’t you go to planet fitness.

[@DonLyfe]

@@Haha-nv5gm Indeed, Steroid free… Just like i like it.

[@TheBlank8234]

​@@Haha-nv5gm lol you just can't beat 10 bucks a month. Doesn't mean we aren't serious

[@joynelbonet194]

@@DonLyfe Hahaha... Steroid free he says...

[@ItsAlpa]

@@TheBlank8234 It’s like YouFit bro. People always clowned me for going there but I literally paid $10. You cant get a better deal than that. It’s always been a very nice gym too.

[@noba0454]

That John meadows cameo though ❤

[@singularEVERYTHING]

Smith machine is nice because you can go til failure without needing a spotter, it’s also versatile asf. You can use it for so many different exercises

[@futbol1972]

But u can go to failure too with barbell and spotter arms

[@dave9928]

I use Smith machine so I can bench comfortably alone without a spotter. I don't use it for squats but my confidence in my arms is just not there so it feels more safe.

[@xerikl]

Go lower in weight and use dumbbells. People don't realise Bench press is more of a full body workout, not simply a chest exercise. Smith Machine cancels out lats, abs, glutes etc and doesn't train stabilisation in the shoulders. Use a smith machine if you want to isolate chest more

[@cheapskateaquatics7103]

If you need a spotter, you need to go down in weight. You need the fear of death when doing bench.

[@dave9928]

@@cheapskateaquatics7103 if you need a spotter you need to go down in weight? What kind of logic is that? I would argue if you don't feel like you need a spotter you should up the weight. I like the fear of death factor for squats but the risk of dropping the weight on my face is not worth it for bench.

[@charliebartlett5768]

But why do you need a spotter? If you're lifting in a typical rep range like 8-12, you're never going to just randomly get stapled to the bench.

[@brianfox340]

​@@charliebartlett5768wow, you really never push yourself on bench?

[@NimbusEntry]

My thoughts: So long as you are exercising in a way that doesn't hurt yourself, who tf cares? Exercise safely, keep your eyes either on yourself or the person you are spotting, don't be a gatekeeping douche, and clean up after yourself at the gym

[@jonathanbarnes693]

I would extend that further and say as long as you’re not exercising in a way that hurts others who tf cares.

[@jonathanbarnes693]

@@ytfeelslikenorthkorea I am amongst a group that believes that fixing your free ranging shoulders into a specific movement does actually hurt you. Point is, I’m not going to try and convince you to not go to the gym and do your thing even though I believe that mindset could lead to injury

[@jamesferreira7743]

Whilst agree that safety is important, efficient and effective movements are important as well. Alot of time, effort and injury potential (from repetitive use in the typical 8-12 reps someones doing over 5 or so sets.) Can be saved if people knew how to multi-joint lifts free weights with proper weight on there if training for Strength. If your exercising then I would say that callisthenics or sport would be more suited than the gym. @NimbusEntry

[@titankios3957]

​@@ytfeelslikenorthkorea

[@rniejx4219]

I think hurting yourself is why people dont like the smith machine. It can cause long term joint issues from some moves due to its restriction of natural joint travel.

[@FirstLast-us6hi]

Bro, all you do is spit facts. I don’t think I have ever NOT agreed with you. Keep it up man, love it.

[@RealTalk1987]

❤

[@hoodratcertified2137]

Rest easy to the man John Meadows.❤️

[@mohammedaminekhali1952]

rip John Meadows.

[@builttobulk]

💯 my chest blew up when I switched to incline Smith machine

[@bwhit7919]

Balance and coordination are so great though. Being more athletic, more smooth, and more dexterous is just as useful as being bigger and stronger. That’s why free weights (especially compound movements) are so great.

[@alexaxy3328]

Yeah, but this doesn't mean you have to train 100% with free weights.

[@Elijah._.7]

Not untrue, but it depends entirely on an individuals goals

[@blackmountain6469]

I totally agree With you. Most of my Training routine are free weight movementes, in my cause it feels more natural und usefull than using machines. For Exempel squats, barbell rows, deadlifts and so on are Good ways to fix youre posture and to get more stretch in youre muscles

[@Anonymous-gq7ho]

Eh, debetable. If somoene wants to have better coordination and balance there are way better exercises than just lifting weights. I mean, there way better exercises for that goal than lifting weights.

[@soonahero]

Imagine caring about anything besides size

[@How23497]

I use the smith anytime I’m at the gym alone. I also exclusively use it for squats and it’s amazing. Smith Squats are seriously underrated, more load on the quads with less load on your back

[@t4d0W]

Funny enough I don't do regular squats on the smith machine. My gym doesn't have a hack squat machine which IMO is also a great squat exercise. So I do it via the smith and its great.

[@castanedaalfredo9217]

Id make sure to do single leg free weights as well. You don't want to get imbalances

[@uplayulay]

Incline Smith Machine was the absolute game changer for my stubborn lagging chest. I have bad rotator cuffs so it helps alot.

[@Superman-xr1oh]

Same here.

[@SeanNalewanyjShorts]

ADDITIONAL NOTES: There’s no shame in using the smith machine if it accomplishes the specific training goal you’re after on a given movement. I’ve personally used it here and there for a variety of exercises over the years, including presses (chest and triceps mainly), squats, hip thrusts, calf raises and shrugs. It’s no better or worse than any other machine and is just another tool in the toolbox depending on your needs and preferences. Do you use the smith machine in your own training? 👇🏻 Credit: @taihoquefitness

[@bobthegreatblob]

Smith machines are expensive af and I'm working out in my home gym, so I don't use em

[@Jake_RF]

I thought smith machines weren't safe for certain movements, because of an unnatural bar path. Like flat benching and squatting

[@axl67]

Yes I do and it helps keep the weight more balanced as I have bad shoulders. It also helps me keep my form better for some reason. I like it for incline.

[@okadiputrabali]

Surprisingly, I can lift heavier weights on a Smith machine, especially on incline bench press. So yeah I use it for my progression. 😀

[@Jake_RF]

@@okadiputrabali everyone can lift more on a Smith machine, you don't have to control or balance the weight

[@npzninja]

facts. I had so many damn injuries over the years, I'm grateful for the smith machine. keeps me in the game when I start feeling off.

[@GreyGrim]

smith machine can also get you injured no compound movement other than a deadlift should be performed on a linear path, barbell bench press moves in a ark and squat moves in the path in which your most comfortable smith machine is decent for deadlifts I guess, maybe over-head press and modified hacksquats

[@zortelno8951]

​@@GreyGrim it can also work for shrugs and it can be used as sort of a negative for s few exercises

[@npzninja]

@@GreyGrim and even planet fit has smiths that have a slight angle, that if you position yourself correctly, I can hit just about anything. I'm not arguing, free weights are better, they just are, but knowing the exact path of travel, maybe it's just a mind muscle connection/comfort zone/placebo for me.

[@WildmanWalters]

@@GreyGrimDepends on how you perform the movement. Smith Machine incline press is of one the best all time chest movements. It’s all about staying in the bottom part of the rom and putting maximum mechanical tension on the chest.

[@aishwarypuranik9161]

I bench 225lbs but I recently used smith machine as planet fitness doesn’t have a rack and I can say I felt better muscle-mind connection on smith than on a regular bench press. Will surely use smith machine in the future.

[@justcausejc2811]

Honestly, I think it also might be that someone told us about an insanely high pr and then you find out they did it on that machine

[@snoopyflick9519]

Ya, using a smith machine can be okay, but don't try to act like the weight is the same or close.

[@jing4945]

@@snoopyflick9519 is smith machine easier to bench so u can add more weight?

[@spoodurmin9742]

@@jing4945 The bar on a smith machine is like 20lbs compared to a regular bench bar which is typically 45lbs. Also the smith doesn’t work your stabilizers, which are crucial to having a good bench. The smith machine is great for muscle building but not strength

[@jing4945]

@@spoodurmin9742 oh ok thx

[@PapiAndrey]

@@spoodurmin9742 it’s not good for building strength? That’s not true. You don’t activate your stabilizers nearly as much, it’s not that they are completely inactive. You don’t have specific stabilizer muscles. You can activate them with high reps

[@soldier-boy-fitness]

Best bit of kit in the gym

[@ProjectMartyr]

Only thing they matters is that you’re working on yourself and becoming better.

[@strings1586]

No. If you're doing the workout wrong and hurting yourself, that matters. If you're acting like a jerk in the gym, that matters.

[@Kauãsouzz]

​@@strings1586 people who are doing it wrong will get better Since they are still improving :)

[@Kauãsouzz]

@driver well if they are doing it wrong Someone will correct them All that matters is that they tried to improve themselves But none does it alone

[@AlbertoGonzalez-tc2ju]

Mountain dog 🤟🏽 but yea I got into an bad accident and for along time couldn’t left free weights had to use smith Machine and it helped immensely!!! You have no ideal it was like physical therapy✌🏽

[@josea6783]

Incline smith is a perfect way for me to work around my shoulder pain. I love it

[@kaitlinjohnson2915]

Love it for split squat! It’s nice to not have to hold dumbbells or worry about balancing a barbell on my back and just focus on my legs.

[@dexuwastaken7079]

“Why do an inferior movement” - Tom Platz

[@Rh92887]

starting out I made such little gains on barbell bench bc I was terrified of unaliving myself. Switched to smith machine and dumbell press and I go way harder now and my chest looks great bc I push so much harder without fear. Do what works for you as long as you're pushing hard the gains will come.

[@RisingKing1024]

Needed to hear that man! Thanks as always Sean. Best wishes to you and your family ✊🏾.

[@themadhanna]

Yeah, I've got that "old school" lifting mentality, I've avoided machines for years and years, but just recently, I started using only machines, and honestly, it's a whole new world!

[@jonchippure52]

Please understand that on a smith machine the bar is counterbalanced such that it only “weighs” 1-5ish lbs, compared to the 45lbs of a traditional barbell. 2 plates on either side of a smith machine is closer to 180lbs of force which is pretty far from 225lbs. Also, because of the additional rail/guide system, less stabilizing muscles are required to act throughout the movement. I would compare 70lb dumbbells on incline bench to 180lbs (2 plates on either side) of the smith machine in terms of difficulty. This rail system can also cause people to develop inefficiencies in their lifts by applying force in a less than optimal direction without consequence. With that said, you can put together some great workouts on a smith machine…. AND ITS ALWAYS OPEN😂

[@BlahBlahPoop617]

I did only bench press for years and swapped one of my bench days for incline reverse grip smith press and it really did add inches to my chest over time. Great machine and great exercise.

[@AshishSharma-yk7qr]

Smith machine is what I use because that is what is only present in my gym. No shame here. Also, smith machine, as you said, keeps the movement more stable allowing me to lift upto 10 to 15 lbs higher than I would do at a simple barbell. It is amazing machine and does not matter really what others think. It also reduces the risk of injury

[@PeaceOfMake]

Not using your stabilisers increases your risk of injury. And guess what is not as active on the machine?

[@slayeroffurries1115]

​@@PeaceOfMakeme on my way to spread blatant misinformation on the internet:

[@PeaceOfMake]

@@slayeroffurries1115 Except not.

[@marklikeashark2222]

​@@PeaceOfMake but if you include some sort of free weight work, this isn't going to be a problem.

[@PeaceOfMake]

@@marklikeashark2222 Sure, so why not simply do the free weight stuff? Instead doing double the work .

[@Domiii_mit_drei_iii]

Most useful Gym knowledge channel on KZbin

[@Stroke999]

I feel like benching and compound movements are important for muscle coordination and stabilizers. However Smith machines are perfect for beginners and the last exercise in a workout.

[@jeepmanxj]

I went to a gym for a while and there were a group of guys who it used the Smith for a long while. When the machines were removed to be replaced they absolutely struggled to move a barbell and dumbbells. When you start getting into compound movements you can get yourself in a bad situation that can lead to some real issues with pain if you don't keep gains even.

[@jw4925]

I just hope everyone has fun

[@figgusriggs6462]

I'm autistic and I have a very, very difficult mimicking body movements/form. Regular weights are just too complicated for me. If I try to balance everything + use proper form, I will fail every time. The Smith's really is a life saver.

[@jjhbball]

Rear foot elevated split squats on smith machine are awesome. So much stimulus with heavy weight because the instability is largely taken out.

[@violetackles9338]

I don't see the problem with them.. I use them regularly and I'm getting the results I want

[@a_fake_koala2528]

IDK biomechanically its debatable whether or not smith machines are good, since they lock you into a fixed ROM, that is the general complaint. However a lot of other machines do the same. Idk, there are def pros and cons to every form of training

[@TheAquaPapi]

My friend is absolutely jacked looks like a professional athlete. He loves the smith machine so no one can tell me shit

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

I'm glute dominate so Smith machine lunges have helped alot to build my quads

[@chrisramos6790]

“Boo this man” 😅

[@davidfiddleman2312]

Perfectly said!

[@cmb4488]

I love the smith machine, I just can't do it at my gym because its too narrow for my long arms.

[@Beavecio2]

It’s amazing to hit squats until failure with a smith machine, I am so afraid even with safeties on barbell squats but on smith the thought of “I can just flick my wrist if I hard fail and I’m gold” makes me push (and especially drop ALL THE WAY DOWN) with much more confidence

[@kazoud290]

I started going to the gym less than 2 weeks ago and started doing squats on the smith machine. This video comes at a good time for me because I was asking myself similar questions. I was not sure if I was executing the movement correctly and it felt like the smith machine might have made it more forgiving, or on the opposite, made the bar more stuck so it felt like I had a bit less flexibility. I was thinking maybe I hone in the technique on a regular bar first and then move to the smith machine once I know I am executing it correctly. Anyone has thoughts/advice/similar experiences?

[@alexbrookma]

Smith machine is more if you want to do quad focused squats, like a hack squat. Regular back squats don't feel great on Smith, it's also the fact you gotta twist the bar on your back which makes it harder to get a nice bar position on your back, cuz your t-shirt gets twisted or your wrists aren't aligned right Just treat the squats as different exercises for different purposes. Bar squat for overall strength and leg size and Smith for quad size

[@vinnymarchegiano]

Include the Smith Machine towards the end of your workouts. It's safe, controls your movement path, and you don't need a spotter. It's a great exercise to burn out with when you don't have a supine chest press machine rather than a lumbar support apparatus.

[@xxargonautxx9790]

These machines are a god send for focusing on a muscle. Many times when exhausted my body tends to cheat to get the reps in focusing on other muscles i wasn’t wanting to focus on. The pump i feel when doing these and how i can know that it stabilises the bar for me.

[@joshmontgomery9942]

Smith incline press is what works for me. Incline dumbbell or barbell pressing just fucks my shoulders up. Smith machine is great for muscle activation, strength and growth. As long as you can overload it, it’s fine

[@lecobra418]

Having unstable shoulders sucks, the mind muscle connection being shut down because you're focused on not hurting your shoulder, so you can't get the most of the exercise is upsetting. The smith machine rules out those shoulder issue to let you get the full benefits of the movement, it's a good deal for me.

[@Lomes]

I always thought of it as a useful tool to help with form, it helped me with squat form, and now I use for Bulgarians

[@michaeljcarn]

I almost always use a smith machine when I don’t have a spotter. It’s really hard for me to maximize barbell sets when I’m constantly worried about the weight crushing me lol Dumbbells are good for this reason too.

[@diehardpizza7107]

for somebody going to the gym for the first couple times it might be scary to get other people to help this seems like a good tool to start training on untill you get that confidence

[@ShorlanTanzo]

Bro, wtf was that row... haha, I cant stop looking

[@Schniebel89]

I completely switched away from barbells for chest because I have no spotter. Now I'm at ease when increasing weight because I know if my muscle fails I can just lay the weight down at the safeties and don't get injured.

[@Black-Circle]

You shouldnt be training to failure

[@vlad_ussr8390]

Only reason I am using one for barbell squats is because my gym has no squat rack, and the weights I do are to heavy for me to lift from the floor.

[@Mitchell4131]

Planet fitness

[@khalilburno9713]

Sean you are always the the sound of the truth👍

[@Psilocin-City]

I love the smith. Being able to rack whenever is very helpful

[@vikramsaini3382]

I m using smith mc for the past 6-7months. It has helped me with joint pains when going heavy. Plus, it helps to focus on engaging chest otherwise my shoulders would take over when i was using barbells.

[@madsjensen6330]

Levrones 405 on the behind the neck Press using the Smith machine is iconic!!

[@nickadams5768]

I love the way this dude lays everything out with such a down to earth non judgmental perspective and seems to genuinely want to help educate and advise anyone who wants to take the time to listen. he's probably amassed his wealth of knowledge over most of his life and freely shares his experience without talking down to people new to their fitness routine and that is unfortunately just too rare. keep it up buddy. and thanks

[@TigerShark316]

Half Baked clip hahaha. And the Mountain Dog!! Hells yeah

[@jasoncarson1043]

Preach these facts!

[@trentfranks4507]

I read something or maybe it was a Jim Stoppani vid years ago on this. He said to include both noting that the smith would reduce delt recruitment in the press and place more emphasis on the chest. He said for strength barbell is king, so do both. If you’d like.

[@charliemmafan8690]

Dude I've seen several of your videos and you're definitely a smart weightlifter and you give really good workout and exercise advice and definitely better than most on this video and others so keep up the good work!

[@ea_gaming]

I prefer the adrenaline spike from fear of dying when I’m about to miss a press

[@harryfieldson]

Personally I absolutely love doing seated smith machine overhead press. Taking the stabilisation problems out of standing OHP and really isolating that front delt has helped me progress way better and meant that I go into my next exercise, incline dumbbell bench, with a better pump in my front delt and less overall metabolic stress fatigue, never going back to free bar for that one.

[@rdotmitchell]

I use both honestly and I don’t have a problem with either one. They both work well for me and I’ve gotten good gains from switching it up between the two.

[@jeremysimons93]

I love it. I love the hooks. Love the stability. Free lift with the mini bench at the house though. Equipment use is ❤️

[@allahsid3180]

It does help „blowing up“ the targetted muscle more, since you can focus on a single muscle better without using as many muscles for stabilization as on a regular bench.

[@maxeluy]

I like the smith for excesses that I want to go to failure without assistance or someone spotting me, and for flat bench press is my savior because I have shoulder pain doing it with a bar and with the Smit I no longer have that pain and im lifting more weight than before with cero discomfort. For me works amazing.

[@ashleysmith7632]

It’s also helpful if you don’t have a spotter they typically have something that will stop the weight from crushing your chest.

[@atdynax]

It just doesn't affect your support muscles. If those are well developed you should have no problem using the smith machine.

[@jaden_kys]

Why do people even judge, everyone is trying to reach the same goals. They should help each other out, not bully each other

[@TurkeyDart]

I use it all the time as a beginner. Its nice when the gym is empty it lets you go a bit harder alone not worrying about safety things like getting crushed

[@52cm]

I mean I think it is a valid point. I am only using smith machine to do shoulder and incline presses and I am getting pretty good results.

[@williamdonovan-pg4yx]

I believe that what ever you feel comfortable doing and is safe and it works and you get good results as someone once said it doesn’t matter!!💪

[@thesonicexplorer75]

Problem is lack of stabilizer muscle training, lack of true strength and fixed bar path hurts alot of joints badly

[@rookless4121]

Smith Machine was definitely pretty useful when I didn't have bro's around to spot me. I did have to work on my balance with the barbell later but I still enjoyed using one.

[@KittyKow]

As someone who works out at home, I had no idea

[@kamk7465]

Smith Machine has something called Friction. Friction only incrrases the Concentric Gorce of the exersice while decreacing the extzentric Force which is the exact oppisite of what you want to build muscle. And i am pretty sure the Amount of frictin espacially with older machines isnt insignifent.

[@codyb1909]

The smith machine is amazing for pt, I have limited ankle and hip mobility. The smith machine allows me to do squats that help with stimulating mobility without the fear of hyper extension due to loss of balance.

[@calebbuildsmuscle2023]

Thanks to Shaun we have good legit advice and knowledge being spread throughout the fitness community. Smith or no Smith muscles only understand tension. I personally find free weights are nicer because they are more convenient being found at any gym.

[@netslum12]

I prefer dumb bells over barbell to prevent imbalances and to use stabilization muscles. Nevermind machines, great for isolation if you want you target muscle to be much stronger than stabilizers

[@klaytonalexandermatthews2047]

as someone with joint instability and nuerological issues, these types of machines are quite literally a potential life/health saver

[@maxton-_-4243]

POV: you do smith machine incline because you like to go to failure but lift alone and don’t want to seriously injure yourself

[@SoftMusicFamily]

I love smith press, insane pump and muscle control

[@voidOfreason2]

Smith machine helped me take leg day to a whole new level. Dunno why but could not do split squats very well until I started doing them on the Smith machine. I'm finally over my plateau & constantly adding weight now to squat & DL's

[@evgeniivorobei69]

Probably, the best tool for safe max reps. But remember to build stability muscles also with good old dumbbells

[@Balachiang]

Good to see John Meadows still relevant in the community! Let the knowledge and gainz spread!

[@OtiumBorealis]

Because I always work out alone I never do regular bench press (I do dumbbell press instead), but I love smith incline bench.

[@Kenandkievs]

Smith machine reverse lunges are fire

[@bemnetsileshi5222]

Hey Sean, nice and honest video; I personally have abondoned the smith machine due to the piercing wrist pain I feel on my left hand which I just realized I don’t feel as much when using a free barbell instead… but I’m guilty of your accusations on believing the smith machine is for the softies or newbies!😅… the freedom barbell g gives you is nice of you have an issue like mine as it allows a more flexible movement in contrast to the smith machine fixed travel… and it is said it builds your tiny balancing muscles.

[@nwah816]

my issue with this is swapping flat for incline. Incline works proportionnaly the shoulder more than the upper chest than the flat bench.

[@reginaldlongbottom]

id argue it would be more beneficial for growth as u stated it doesnt have factors as balance and coordination so the lifter is structured to a good form with consistency, personally i feel i get better quality reps due to those factors

[@Lord_necromancer]

I was always told it is less useful for functional training because it eliminates the stabilizer muscles. You don't have to keep yourself tight in order to control the movement. Thoughts?

[@ai-bino]

I just used one for the first time yesterday at PF and found it to be pretty useful for maintaining the motion for squats and bench pressing

[@TheTrueJayMacc]

I use The Smith Machine because I have torn cartilage in my shoulder, and it makes it easier for me to still be able to lift, or press, without aggravating my shoulder too much.

[@grim_dave]

when i was failing my benches for a while the smith machine came in clutch until i had more confidence again. Currently it's my seated overhead press option since I'm recovering from a back injury. Not always the go to, but a good thing to know is there.