Bodybuilding Forums

what do you think of using the smith machine for bench presses? do they work as good?

I prefer a normal flat bench but due to not having a spot and due to the pre fatigue sets of Peck decks that are done on the THT cycles the smith is a better option in my opinion. If you are not following any of Marks programs than use what you prefer (flat bench in my case). Also do not forget that a lot of Smith machines are lighter you you will have to adjust the weight accordingly. i.e normal bench bar is 45lbs the smiths in my gym are only 20 lbs.

JonnyK92x wrote:what do you think of using the smith machine for bench presses? do they work as good?

The weights are different between machine and bar, but if you don't have a spotter the machines can help you go to failure easier than free weights. Going to failure is more important than exercising the secondary stabilizer muscles.

oh wow. after posting this i googled it and saw that its really not good for you. now im reconsidering, that would be great though because i dont have a spotter.

I do cable machine, sitting pressess.
3 Decline sets, then 3 Incline sets, and then 3 Fly sets.
No one uses this machine, so I can sit there and day dream during my rest periods.
I don't do any straight presses because of postings I've read on this forum and I also couldn't get any gains.