We Lost Count of all of the Smith Machine Benefits
Browsing online fitness gear specials can be an engaging and enjoyable experience…but pulling the trigger on a large piece of gym equipment can be a bit nerve-racking.
Between not knowing exactly how well the piece might function when put to use, how much space it really takes up and, of course, the oftentimes significant price tag, it’s normal to wonder how much “bang for your buck” you can expect.
It’s fair to want to know what your return on investment is going to be, but instead of solely focusing on the potential downsides, you need to consider the possible benefits as well.
If you have your eye on a Smith Machine, you’re in luck; today we’re going to look at the main Smith Machine benefits and how you can experience them during your workouts. We’ll also provide some Smith Machine recommendations that are sure to minimize your downside risks, too!
Major Smith Machine Benefits
- Safety
Straight up, the most significant of all of the Smith Machine benefits is the exceptional degree of safety these machines provide. Because the barbell always moves along the same, perfectly vertical path, there is little opportunity for it to take an unstable or dangerous angle while performing a lift.
Smith Machines like the Buffalo have 9 different bar height settings. This means that during a lift, there 9 areas where the bar can safely be reracked if the weight gets too heavy and it is unlikely that the lift will be successfully completed. This is especially important when training alone and executing lifts like the bench press or squat.
Certain pieces provide additional Smith Machine benefits in regards to safety. The Buffalo’s vertical modular leg press attachment creates a much safer, and more comfortable, lifting experience. It is possible to perform vertical leg presses in machines without this attachment, but it is much more difficult, and dangerous, the steady the bar with only the bottoms of the shoes. The modular leg press attachment takes care of this task with ease.
One last thing to mention is that durable Smith Machines with thicker steel will, by nature of these exercises performed, be safer than others. The Buffalo’s 2x3-inch uprights (50x750-millimeters) and 13-gauge steel puts it ahead of many of its competitors, making it an exceptionally safe machine.
Overall, if safety is one of your main concerns as you consider different equipment options, rest assured that this area is arguably the most significant of all of the Smith Machine benefits. Their promotion of general movement stability is unmatched.
- Versatility
If you’re interested in compound lifts, Smith Machines have you covered. For just about every major lift (bench press, squat, overhead press, bent over row), there is a Smith Machine equivalent, most of which can be done with even heavier loads than their non-Smith counterparts.
Some would argue that Smith Machines actually offer less utility than other equipment, most notably free weight power racks, do. This is mainly because of the Smith Bar’s fixed position within the rack and the inability to move it out to perform non-machine exercises.
In reality, the Smith Bar’s fixed position makes it the ideal apparatus for executing variations of popular movements, especially for those with space limitations. For example, basement lifters may have little-to-no ceiling clearance, making traditional pull-ups impossible to perform. Using a Smith Machine benefits them by allowing them set the bar to a lower level and perform pull-ups on it, keeping their legs tucked close to their body.
Using a Smith Machine benefits your ability to perform high-rep and “burnout” sets with more confidence than you would have using a standard power rack. As you fatigue, you can attempt additional reps knowing that you can easily rack the bar in one of the 9 height positions (if you’re using the Buffalo) rather than having to return it to the starting position.
Finally, while there are a number of solid “base”-level Smith Machines out there, opting for a slightly more expensive model oftentimes has significantly better outcomes. Numerous Smith Machine benefits can be derived from the Buffalo that includes a dual-pulley cable system, multiple-grip pull-up bar handles, dip bars, landmine, and footplate. With this many attachments and inclusions, the sky is truly the limit in regards to workout versatility.
- Form-enhancing
One of the toughest things beginners and even experienced lifters face is perfecting their form. Even the most seemingly intuitive movements can be difficult to properly execute, especially under heavy loads. Using a Smith Machine benefits lifters by promoting effectively “perfect” movement patterns.
The Smith Bar moves in a perfectly vertical manner and does not veer off of its pre-determined plane. It does not veer forward, backwards, or to either side and essentially forces athletes to move with proper form. This is particularly useful for new lifters who are in the process of learning the movements and can also be important when lifting under fatigue (when form is most likely to break down).
Related to this is the fact that the Smith Bar is always perfectly balanced and does not require you to stabilize the weight on your own. This allows you to focus more on executing each repetition with proper form rather than on balancing the weight and agonizing over your form.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you have only ever lifted in a Smith Machine, it can take some time to adjust to free weight lifting, largely due to the manual stabilization required for most lifts. If you plan on performing lifts with non-Smith Machine barbells, it makes sense to opt for a machine that allows you to execute these lifts. Thankfully, the Buffalo possesses both Smith Machine and free weight capabilities due to its power rack components.
Smith Machine Benefits > Smith Machine Downsides
At this point, it’s hard to imagine that any list of possible downsides would surpass this list of Smith Machine benefits.
The safety, stability, and form-enhancing benefits that go a long way in assisting new lifters can be experienced with just about any Smith Machine and are formidable enough in their own rights. The added versatility and free weight capabilities of a piece like the Buffalo allow lifters to maximize their Smith Machine benefits.
We know that things like space and price concerns never really go away, but with so many verified positive aspects associated with Smith Machines, picking one up for your home gym is hardly a gamble.
