Lifters/Gym Rats

[MLCKAA 574]

I used to be really fit from running all the time.  Kids came along, gradually stopped running and gradually got out of shape.  Lost a lot of muscle.

Couple years ago my daughter was taking a weight training class in school because she had finished all her requirements to graduate.  One day I realized she was stronger than me.  Oof, that sucked.

So now I’m back in shape, stronger than my daughter.  

But, I just ran across some info.  I am reading that some people say what you lift on a smith machine is bullsh*t and they don’t even count it.  What’s this all about?  I bench and squat using the Smith and when I’m finished, I sure as heck know I lifted.

[BeenHereBefore 1,522]

Really your just minus some of the Olympic bar weight like maybe 20 lbs lighter on Smith.

[MDC 7,425]

You don’t need to stabilize / balance the weight on the Smith machine so it’s easier than lifting free weights. It’s also safer and will give you more or less the same workout, but serious lifters will tell you it isn’t working your stabilizing muscles.

[MLCKAA 574]

1 minute ago, MDC said:

You don’t need to stabilize / balance the weight on the Smith machine so it’s easier than lifting free weights. It’s also safer and will give you more or less the same workout, but serious lifters will tell you it isn’t working your stabilizing muscles.

Yeah, and that’s true.  When you move to a regular bench, you can tell you’re working a little more.  I think this is all just snobbery from the DYEL bros.

[MDC 7,425]

16 minutes ago, MLCKAA said:

Yeah, and that’s true.  When you move to a regular bench, you can tell you’re working a little more.  I think this is all just snobbery from the DYEL bros.

Unless you want to brag it doesn’t matter. You can get a fine workout on the Smith machine and it’s closer to a typical weight or squat bench than general nautilus equipment/machines. You can also mix in free weight dumbbells for chest press and lunges every once in a while.

[BeenHereBefore 1,522]

At our ages smith and dumbbells are the way to go. Dumbbells will give ya the free movement, thing I like about smith is, it gives you way better form then Olympic bar. I'm all about form and strictness lifting now days and builds better muscle in my opinion.

[edjr 6,586]

I pick things up and I put them down

[BeenHereBefore 1,522]

2 minutes ago, edjr said:

I pick things up and I put them down

So you could easily be replaced by AI ?

[TBayXXXVII 2,545]

1 hour ago, MLCKAA said:

I used to be really fit from running all the time.  Kids came along, gradually stopped running and gradually got out of shape.  Lost a lot of muscle.

Couple years ago my daughter was taking a weight training class in school because she had finished all her requirements to graduate.  One day I realized she was stronger than me.  Oof, that sucked.

So now I’m back in shape, stronger than my daughter.  

But, I just ran across some info.  I am reading that some people say what you lift on a smith machine is bullsh*t and they don’t even count it.  What’s this all about?  I bench and squat using the Smith and when I’m finished, I sure as heck know I lifted.

There's nothing wrong with Smith, they're fine.  Not sure whi you're hearing that from, but I'm guessing they're free weight lifters who just don't like machines.

[shorepatrol 1,870]

3 hours ago, MDC said:

You don’t need to stabilize / balance the weight on the Smith machine so it’s easier than lifting free weights. It’s also safer and will give you more or less the same workout, but serious lifters will tell you it isn’t working your stabilizing muscles.

100% correct

[Pimpadeaux 2,406]

The bench press gave me a shoulder problem that led to a visit to a doctor, who said the flat bench and squat rack were the two most injury-causing lifts in the gym.

For inclines, I use the rack with the bar on a track, and then I use three different machines for the rest, including dips, fly and whatever is similar to the flat bench. 

I haven't had an issue since then.