Is The Smith Machine A Good
Option For Your Home Gym?

The smith machine is a very controversial piece of equipment and for good reason. Many exeperienced weight lifters and bodybuilders hate the machine while many other experienced lifters love the machine.

The barbell slides along fixed vertical bars

I've seen people get into some huge arguments over this controversial machine. I take the middle road on this debate. There's always a use for weight lifting equipment.

You just have to know when to use a piece of equipment and how to use that equipment.

Any machine that allows you to lift progressively heavier weight, will help you make progress. It's as simple as that. But...

Listen to the Arguments!

I don't think either side really understands the other in this debate. Some lifters strongly oppose the machine no matter what is said.

Open your eyes and never be one of those people that will not listen to an argument.

Listen and learn. No matter what side of any argument you may be on, you should always listen.

Many times the other side will have some good points.

Machines can fit into a weight lifting program. You just have to know how to fit them in and why to fit them in. Don't just use them because a sales person is trying to make some money.

I just love these people selling exercise equipment in stores that have never lifted a weight in their lives. I ran into one the other day. I just kept quiet and didn't say anything.

I'm not here to argue about the use of machines, though. I am here to tell you how the Smith Machine can fit into your weight training program.

A Must Read for All Beginners...

Many true beginners to weight lifting get conned into buying a smith machine by many of the weight lifting equipment stores.

They tell beginners that they'll need no spotter to lift weights and that they'll be able to work out safely alone.

So the beginner sees that as a huge benefit and buys the machine. The beginner then uses the machine frequently and becomes locked into a single plane of movement on every exercise performed.

Most likely, this will eventually lead to injury. You may get lucky, but then you might not. Why take the chance? The Smith Machine may seem like an easy way out compared to free weights, but really, it's not.

Don't fall into that trap.

Beginners should always focus on free weights. If you take your time at increasing the weights, you can lift safely with free weights on your own. If you have a spotter or exercise partner available, that would be even better.

Use your common sense and don't do anything stupid.

A power rack will have safety bars that you should always take advantage of when lifting weights. I've been lifting weights for many years, and I've never had one accident.

And I know many other people that have done the same. So, you can lift weights safely at home with free weights if you use common sense and never put yourself in an unsafe situation.

If You use This Machine...

If you decide to use the machine for one of your weight lifting exercises or several exercises, just make sure that you are doing free weight exercises too.

You want to work stabilizer muscles with free weights that the smith machine does not work so that you don't become injured.

No matter what you do, always have some free weight exercises included in your weight lifting program -- never use machines exclusively.

Free weight compound exercises are the absolute best for building muscle because they'll work so many more muscle groups in your body than any machine could possibly work.

That is the truth.

A machine can and does have its place in weight lifting, though. And it's not just to lay your towel on like so many other weight lifters believe.

You see, the smith machine balances the weight for you as you lift the weight. This means your stabilizer muscles aren't getting worked. They need to be worked.

So, a balance of free weight exercises with machine exercises will keep those muscles strong.

Recommended Machines

If you decide you want one of these machines, you should get one that has some other options for you too.

You want one that allows you to use the outside of the rack for free weights. Some racks may also have a cable system, smith, and power rack.

Read More About Available Machines

Learn more about Weight Training Equipment at the Main Equipment Section of the Website: Weight Training Equipment Recommended equipment, what to look for in equipment when buying, and more.

Or, you can go straight to the guides on each of the pieces of weight lifting equipment below...

The guides above will tell you what to look for in each piece of weight training equipment.

Some Related Topics Here At WLC That Might Help You

We want to make sure you've found everything you're looking for so we've given you some pages related to weight lifting equipment here at the website:

• 6 Pieces of Weightlifting Equipment You Should Be Using
• Why Good Gym Flooring is So Important for Your Home Gym...
• 5 Advantages to a Home Gym and Why a Home Gym Works
• EXACTLY What to Look For in a Power Rack
• A Cheap Option for an 'At-Home' Dumbbell Set
• Why Dumbbells Are a MUST in Your Workout Program
• An End to the Smith Machine Debate
• What You Need to Perform One of the Best Upper Body Exercises...
• 4 Options to Look for in Weight Lifting Benches
• Why You Need 2 Olympic Barbell Sets...
• How Many Weight Plates do YOU Need?
• A Weird Barbell You Should Have...
• Every Gym Should Have a Hip Belt
• Build Your Home Gym With This Equipment
• One of the Best Gyms You Can Join...
• Differences in Weight Training Equipment vs. Fitness Equipment
• 5 Pieces of Home Fitness Equipment for Your Fat Burning Workouts

This website is HUGE and includes everything you need to know to build muscle and burn fat once and for all.

You'll finally have the body you want if you follow the WLC System. Get your free copy of the manual right now:

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