I know the popular opinion on here seems to be that smith machines need to be melted down and never used for anything ever. Bench presses are great exercise movements as they seriously work out your triceps, shoulders, and chest. When you can get into a gym you'll likely have to decrease your working weight until you're used to the movement. You could also do sets of 10-15 reps on the leg press you mentioned: a leg press and dumbbells/ kettlebells. If you ever get to transition to real squats, reduce the weight by a lot until you're familiar with the movement pattern. I'd like to begin my Starting Strength program, but the only option I have at my apartment gym is a Smith Machine and I don't really have anyone to workout with. Its not as if all machines and all free weight exercises are created equal. Does that make sense? Free shipping and free returns on eligible items. It's just that they definitely take a second seat to normal barbell work. Powerlifting moves like squats, bench press, and deadlifts now become doable. A friend recommended this and it was the first thing that I was interested in that wasn't just cardio classes with tiny dumbbells. It's not a totalwaste of space. Unlike lifting free weights which engages your entire body, a smith machine only works on specific groups of body muscles. I was just looking for a routine to help my increase my strength/ fitness. If you want gym equipment that you can use for weight training without a spotter and on your own, a smith machine is the real deal. Great prices and discounts on the best smith machines. Surprisingly, not all Smith machines are created equal. But if you're getting stronger, who cares? My gym only has smith machines for benching/squatting. You'll still get 90% of the benefit simply because a novice lifting progressively heavier things (while following the nutrition, sleep, etc advice) almost can't help but get stronger. You mention you wanna bench: if they have a flat bench, grab the dumbbells and bench with those. 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So why do so many people have a hate-on for the Smith machine? OH GOD WHAT AM I SAYING. The Smith Machine was created by a man named Rudy Smith back in the 1950s. For example, a set or two of smith machine shrugs is fine as part of your back workout, or including it as just one of your chest or shoulder pressing exercises would be okay as well. .LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH{fill:var(--newRedditTheme-actionIcon);height:18px;width:18px}.LalRrQILNjt65y-p-QlWH rect{stroke:var(--newRedditTheme-metaText)}._3J2-xIxxxP9ISzeLWCOUVc{height:18px}.FyLpt0kIWG1bTDWZ8HIL1{margin-top:4px}._2ntJEAiwKXBGvxrJiqxx_2,._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{height:24px;vertical-align:middle;width:24px}._1SqBC7PQ5dMOdF0MhPIkA8{-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center} I mean.. it's less than ideal. Admittedly, it can make for dangerous and unnatural squatting and pressing, but with just a few tweaks it can also be an excellent hypertrophy tool while providing a nice change of pace from the usual routine. I'm just so torn about what to believe. ._33axOHPa8DzNnTmwzen-wO{display:block;padding:0 16px;width:100%}.isNotInButtons2020 ._33axOHPa8DzNnTmwzen-wO{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:32px;text-transform:uppercase} Marcy Smith Machine Home Gyms contain a number of other components, such as pulleys, a weight bench, and overhead bar. Because these machines are not regulated in Canada it’s impossible to know if they are being regularly maintained and in fact what the water contains. I guess you could do it, but to what benefit? A few smith machine movements are fine as part of your overall workout plan, but again, use them sparingly. My thoughts exactly. Also the bar path is awkward for many exercises. Most of the people on this thread are "powerlifters" so hate anything bodybuilders use. I can’t see DLs posing as much of a problem as smith squats would, but I agree with Tumbles; just grab any barbell and rep 'em out. Purists will tell you YNDTP. But how bad is this really? After becoming too strong for the dumbbells in my gym,I decided to try out the Smith machine for my incline presses.Afterall,it looked pretty safe and seemed to offer the same benefits as barbells.Things looked good then,I managed to progress to a new nice personal best.Then today the Smith machines were fully occupied so decided to do pressing in the power rack instead.I used the … I don't think any one can say for certain that they know. Growing more upper body mass now will help you infinitely more if you switch to barbell presses. I think the anti-machine sentiment can get a little too dogmatic in general. This eliminates the need for a spotter, providing weight lifters with more independence. Smith Machines are great for isolating the quads. 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