Should a smith machine not be used for bench press?

rugged79 · 2019-02-20T06:28:39+00:00

Yeah dude.

Just get a spotter.

rpsheepdog · 2019-02-20T06:46:18+00:00

I feel the only real use for a smith machine is either a seat, or for very high level bodybuilders who are looking to hit very specific body parts.

DB benching is pretty safe actually, very easy to bail on them.

barn3r · 2019-02-20T13:30:08+00:00

It’s the same thing except you aren’t working out stabilizer muscles on your chest when you do Smith because the bar is attached to a machine.

I’d recommend a regular bench press though if I had the option of the two

GandMeChattri · 2019-02-20T22:37:14+00:00

Thanks for the reply everyone. As I'm mostly alone, I'll work with dumbbells now.

Throwaway-242424 · 2019-02-20T23:49:36+00:00

I go to the gym in the afternoon when it's more or less, so using Smith machine is my only option for now.

I think you missed some words here because it's not at all clear why going in the afternoon means you can't bench with freeweights.

Throwaway-242424 · 2019-02-20T23:50:59+00:00

If your issue is lacking a spotter, just use a rack and set the safeties so that they can catch the bar if you collapse your arch.

Spotters aren't going to save you in the event of catastrophic failure unless they're stronger and/or multiple anyway, so I consider the use of safeties while benching best practice regardless.

GiraffeOnWheels · 2019-02-20T06:18:23+00:00

Yeah Smith machine is the last option. Here's the order

Barbell-Dumbbells >push ups > Smith machine

Cable flies are what badasses do though. Take the whole cage

Title	Should a smith machine not be used for bench press?
Author	GandMeChattri
Upvotes	0
Comments	15
Date	February 20, 2019 6:07 AM UTC (7 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/asksyf/should_a_smith_machine_not_be_used_for_bench_press/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/should-a-smith-machine-not-be-used-for-bench-press.219238 https://theredarchive.com/post/219238

Comments