I'm thinking about getting a Smith machine for home use. If you don't know what one is, you can probably stop reading now.

There are some days that I just can't get to the gym and it would be nice to get a workout in. Does anyone have one that they use at home? Is it useful or another one of those 'jack of all trades but master of none' gadgets? Any recommendations on brands? I thought about posting in 'sports' forum but this one gets a lot more looks and I'm always amazed at the diversity of this group. Thanks in advance.

 

Smith machines blow. Get a bar and rack, and an olympic weight set. save money, and get a real workout

 

I suggest just buying a gym membership. I've seen my parents buy workout equipment and use it for 2 weeks and it hasn't been used since.

I can't think of brands at the moment, but I'll check the one at my gym tonight and let you know. Its pretty good.

 

Wow...

Smith machines are pretty expensive. The Hoist ones start at about $3000. That's for the full cage. You can get the half cage or just the rack for a lot cheaper, but then it won't only go up and down.


I did some quick searching though and found a Parabody one for $1500. I don't know anything about those ones though. But that place only has stores on the West Coast and they don't ship.

Usually if I want to get a quick workout in at home, I have a couple of dumbbells and a bench. It isn't a strenuous workout, but it works when I'm in a crunch. Push-ups and sit-ups and then use the dumbbells. I'm thinking of picking up a bar and some weights, but then I go to the gym 4 days a week already, so I get in a pretty good workout. It would be nice for the weekends though.

 

Seriously, **** a smith machine. It's complete garbage.. Get a bar, a power rack, a bench, some weights, and adjustable dumbells if you want. The rack, bench, and weights can probably found on craigslist for a few hundred dollars.

 

"Hammer Strength" is a brand I would recommend. They make some pretty nice stuff. However, if you are really set on getting your own equipment, I would suggest just buying a nice bench, with and olympic wieght set. Nothing beats, bars and dumbells. But to get the most for your money, just join a nice gym.

 

don't butter it up... tell us what you really think....

 

Scot, thats funny, I was thinking the same thing. But hey, I asked for opinions and vtec9 has made his clear. Crystal. I already belong to a gym, this would be a supplement. There are times that I just can't get there or if I can, its during a crunch period like 5-8pm and I just don't feel like fighting the crowds. So if I had something at home, I wouldn't skip that day. At least in theory.

I've thought about a bench plus weights, but a Smith machine seems to cover more bases, like squats plus military, inclines and flat presses, without the need for a spotter. To do all these, I'd need a variety of racks or at least a highly adjustable one. But like I said, sometimes something that tries to do everything ends up doing nothing. Again, appreciate the opinions thus far.

 

What? I wrote "love" under that ****.. I don't know why it was censored.

Anyway, the bottom line is this: Smith machine is a poor substitute for the real thing. You can spend a fraction of the money on a weight set, bar, and power rack, and end up with a setup thats infinitely more versatile and one that will give much better results. A power rack won't let you kill yourself, so that isn't an issue.

 

[QUOTE=vtec9,Feb 5 2008, 03:52 PM]What?