THE BASICS OF THE BEAST
A Smith machine can be used as a stand-alone or as part of a multi gym. Simply put, it is a barbell that slides up and down along a fixed frame. It has two built in spotter arms for those oh-no-I-can't-do-this-last-rep moments. The spotter arms can be adjusted in height so that if your muscles give out and you drop the barbell, it won't crush your chest. The Smith machine also features barbell hooks and several slots along the frame. These are great when you need to unburden yourself from the massive weight of the fully loaded barbell in a hurry.
SAFETY FEATURES LIKE NO OTHER
Safety is what the Smith machine is all about. Thrive on challenging workouts, but don't have someone to spot you? Use the Smith machine. Some models even combine the safety of a traditional machine with the instability of a dumbbell workout by having the barbell not fixed to the vertical plane. Instead, you can choose to maintain a rigid up and down movement by affixing special attachments or you can forgo the attachments and get in a workout that mimics the instability of using dumbbells.
The great thing about this aforementioned versatility is that you can have the best of both worlds. For instance, affixing the attachments to create a strictly up and down barbell motion is claimed by some bodybuilders to be the best way to perform the bench press movement. The fixed up and down movement may help prevent rotator cuff injuries. On the other hand, it may be better to have an unstable barbell motion when doing squats. Some bodybuilders prefer this because it feels more natural and comfortable than just squatting in a strictly up and down motion.
THE SMITH MACHINE IS MULTI-PURPOSE
This piece of equipment is not just for squats and bench presses. You can also perform dead lifts, inverted rows (also known as partial pull ups), lunges, and shoulder presses, just to name a few. Use your imagination and get ready to have fun. You'll safely build an impressive body with the Smith machine.
Published by StacyP
As a writer, I have found my niche in life. Prior to freelancing, I worked in the education and fitness fields. View profile
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- A Smith machine allows you to train alone.
- Its safety features is what makes the Smith machine a sure winner.
- Several exercises can be done using a Smith machine.
