Why I Love the Smith Machine

by John Meadows on January 9, 2012

The Smith machine is about the most misunderstood piece of gym equipment. Admittedly, it can make for dangerous and unnatural squatting and pressing, but with just a few tweaks it can also be an excellent hypertrophy tool while providing a nice change of pace from the usual routine.

So why do so many people have a hate-on for the Smith machine?

The plane of motion is fixed. Experts argue that it’s unnatural for your body to exercise through a fixed plane. For example, when you squat, it’s more “natural” to use other joints (hip and ankle) outside of just the knee joint.