Smith Machine for benching

[Kyser1]

I own a smith machine along with a couple of other pieces of equipment,but the smith is where i do all of my benching,and incline, is there something wrong with using the smith for benching .i read that since you are forced to use limited movement that is could hender training is this true. Thanks

 

[mrchristian]

There is nothing wrong with using the Smith Machine for bench per se, however you are limiting yourself by reducing your stabilizing muscles role when benching. You get more bang for your buck if you stick to regular bench press.

 

[Kyser1]

Thanks that's what i was afraid of.

 

[russy_russ]

The smith machine can reduce the risk of injury given the fact the barbell only moves in a linear motion. However, like stated above it will not fully stimulate your stabilizing muscles for the press.

 

[porkhide]

You could add in some pushups to help with the stabilizing muscles, and maybe get a set of dumbells.

 

[dpfisher]

You could add in some pushups to help with the stabilizing muscles, and maybe get a set of dumbells.

Ok this is a tremendously stupid question, but I've been wondering for a long while... how do you get dumbbells UP to do a bench with them? Or is it odd that I can't hammer curl half what I can bench? I know my biceps are a weak point and they aren't for many people but it seems like there has to be an easy way that I'm missing. I mean if I really try hard and kinda roll back to use momentum I can get MAYBE 130 into position but that's not enough to be any use...

 

[russy_russ]

squat them from the floor, both dumbbells to your sides. Then, (hammer curl slightly, if you will?) them on to your thighs and sit on the bench

 

[ThomasRivera]

Ok this is a tremendously stupid question, but I've been wondering for a long while... how do you get dumbbells UP to do a bench with them? Or is it odd that I can't hammer curl half what I can bench? I know my biceps are a weak point and they aren't for many people but it seems like there has to be an easy way that I'm missing. I mean if I really try hard and kinda roll back to use momentum I can get MAYBE 130 into position but that's not enough to be any use...

Dumbbell presses should be harder, but here is a video.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HtBsVPMQeM"]YouTube - 160lbs x 9 Dumbbell press[/ame]

 

[Kyser1]

Thanks for the reply's and i do have a good set of db's so as long as i use them too i should be alright.I got the smith so i would'nt need a spot so i could go till failure.Guess i could take the rails down if i needed to .Thanks

 

[dpfisher]

Dumbbell presses should be harder, but here is a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HtBsVPMQeM

Right, thanks. I meant 130 total not on each side, that would be pretty nuts for someone my size. I knew it was something easy but I hadn't thought of resting it on myself first.