Machine Squats vs. freewieght

[dougz]

I'm going to be adding these to my routine..

I have a machine at my gym that I tried out today..

The bar is on a machine that goes straight up and down..

Is it ok to do these for the first little bit, or am I being too much of a pussy?

I feel I can concentrate more on getting my bum out and going low if I don't have to worry about falling over backwards..

Thoughts?

Very hard on my upper back, and my rotator cuffs!! :(

Damn! And that was just 100lbs!!

[Pitysister]

have you watched any form videos for squats?

[dougz]

Yeah..

They're KINDA helpful..

But I'm hoping the trainer will help me nail it down a bit better..

I betcha I could just start with really low weights, get my form down, then start adding..

[Pitysister]

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_..._smith_machine


notice, squats are not in there.

[dougz]

All right, all right..

[_Wolf_]

if you have no injuries, then doing smith machine squats is like driving at 30 mph on the German Autobahn.

[EricT]

Nice analogy.

[_Wolf_]

^^^ Thanks

[dougz]

Ok, ok!!

I GOT it! LOL

[_Wolf_]

^^^ I am glad. Make sure you squat DEEP. Most people (especially me) find it very difficult to do so.

Therefore, I work to improve hip mobility. Look up the mobility vids posted by Pity and start working on this. He has posted some AWESOME information and if I were you I would memorize and take notes on everything. Find the Thread stickied by Eric and you'll know what I mean.

Good luck and safe lifting