why does the smith machine hurt my back

This is because there is significantly less demand on the core so its easier to focus your effort on the legs. Answer 1 of 8.

What S Wrong With Using The Smith Machine For Squats Squats Smith Machine Squat Workout

The last two exercises that are commonly performed incorrectly on the Smith machine are biceps curls and upright rows.

. On the contrary youll hear people telling you that the smith machine is superior to free weights. Thats why so many use it. The truth is that any exercise can cause an injury if you fail to use strict form.

Thats why people often experience back neck and knee pain when training on the smith. Lack of Muscle Activation. Lots of evidence shows the Smith machine doesnt activate stabilizing muscles as well as free weights.

Squating on a smith machine is different than free squating. Its also a good way to learn the movement itself. My feet will be a couple of inches in front of the bar.

Smith machines arent more effective than conventional squats in this sense but the exercise can still help. And the vertical movements provided by the Smith machine are not natural. The Smith Machine does eliminate the need for a spotter.

If I dont do this then I have the same issues as you with the back pain. Weak abdominal muscles can cause rowers to overcompensate in the lower spine which can lead to lower-back pain Totton explains. Traditional barbell work is also less likely to create imbalances as while the movement is still obviously repetitive it will also expose weaknesses naturally ie.

Heres the Smith machine definition. Smith machine like all other machines balances the weight for you and thus. Others will tell you that its for cowards and wimps.

When used correctly smith machines are very valuable gym equipment when people perform their workouts in the right order with correct form and with the right amount of intensity. This is linked to the previous claim. The upright row is another upper-body.

Didnt have time to run through everyones responses but smith machine squats are sensitive to your foot positioning. In the smith machine I find I have to lean back slightly into the bar ie. As with any weight training apparatus or exercise the smith machine will produce muscle imbalances weaknesses and the risk of injury when misused.

Especially on exercises like squats and shoulder presses. As such its a popular piece of gym equipment for those who want to train without a spotter because you can easily re-rack the bar at any point. There is no physical way to accomplish this in a Smith Machine without compromising your lower back.

Answer 1 of 9. Now this does likely warrant further investigation but this suggests that for some exercises lifters are able to move more weight on the smith machine. But using a machine does give a false sense of security that makes some people get lax.

The Smith Machine has been one of the most criticized pieces of equipment in the gym for the past 7 or 8 decades. Dont do squats in the Smith Machine unless you want to get injured. A Smith machine is a resistance training machine that offers barbell style training in a fixed plane of motion.

The smith machine is not the best place to do squats. Otherwise try a different leg core exercise. It makes the work-out far easier.

As a result people tend to not grip the bar on their back properly because it takes away the need to independently maintain balance and stability. The straight bar and vertical movement of the machine are too restrictive for elbow flexion even with light resistance. The Smith machine is a machine that forces the bar.

Comparing to the free weight barbell front squat the front squat on a Smith machine is very effective for honing in on the legs particularly the quads. Oddly enough it is still one of the most popular machines. Still most trainers say that a good lifter can do the work-out with free weights.

Some people will tell you that youre missing out on gains if you dont use the smith machine. Bench max 250lbs. A weak lower back will round while the smith machine will hide and possibly further advance these imbalances.

Research from Drake University sates that most experienced lifters do better on the Smith Machine when they trained on free weights. You will never go into a gym that does not have at least one Smith Machine. However if you asked most people theyd likely tell you that you can move more weight on the smith machine than on a barbell.

In most cases implementing one of these fixes will help alleviate neck pain while high bar squatting. This criticism is a fair one. Since this movement is unnatural for your body it will end up stressing your joints and back especially if you are doing heavy weights which is what you were doing when you hurt your neck.

Smith machines can cause or worsen knee issues when squatting. The Smith Machine was created by a man named Rudy Smith back in the 1950s. In other words the bar can only move up and down.

People interested in gym science might tell you that its dangerous to use a smith machine. Mariza Villarreal On Instagram View 2 This Is Called Smith Machine Hip Thrusts My Lower Abs Need Work So I Was Told Th Abs And Cardio Workout Abs Lower Abs The smith machine is not the best place to do squats. Learn the correct technique and do not attempt to lift weights that are too heavy.

Tryin to be an all-around stud. A pair of dumbbells are more effective to strengthen the biceps. Smith machine forces your body into an unnatural straight vertical movement.

The bar path in a squat should stay straight up and down over the middle of your foot. While I agree with Joes answer to a large degree the problem with the Smith machine is the bar runs on a fixed track. Weak abdominal muscles can cause rowers to overcompensate in the lower spine which can lead to lower-back pain Totton explains.

Too far back is definitely gonna put alot more stress on the back. Squatting in a Smith machine the same way you squat with a barbell should be equally as safe.

Smith Machine Training Tip Watch The Angles