squats

[luke101]

I tend to use the squat machine for work out.( the one where your backs to the floor.) rather than use a barbell which tends to dig in to shoulders. same amount of weight seems easier on the machine though. guess what im asking is, is the squat machine effective or as effective as plain old squats?

[Aitrus]

I tend to use the squat machine for work out.( the one where your backs to the floor.) rather than use a barbell which tends to dig in to shoulders. same amount of weight seems easier on the machine though. guess what im asking is, is the squat machine effective or as effective as plain old squats?

Not as far as I understand it... Freeweights recruit more synergists and bb squats force you to stabilize the weight, working your core - additionally. Only trouble is plain old squats are really hard compared to hack squats or leg press =o imo. If its digging in to your shoulders, I'd say you don't have enough meat on your back or your form is improper (this is more likely)

[mzaruba423]

just make sure you never use the smith machine
i'd suggest doing actual squats instead of that leg pres though

[ride4lamar]

The gym I go to doesnt have a squat rack, just a smith. What are the reasons I should not do it on the smith? Should I use the leg press machine if not?

[luke101]

about the form. how many different ways can you really set a bb on your shoulders. maybe theres some kind of padding. that wont make me look like a pansy

[luke101]

Like I said, you could try a front squat:

http://www.criticalbench.com/images/fro ... _small.jpg

http://stronglifts.com/7-benefits-of-the-front-squat/

that might just work. i'll give it a try next time in the gym. thanks

[swanso5]

that lying squat is going to kill your back, probably more so then smith machine squats (botgh totally shit exercises)

your options:

1 - use a towell or some foam padding for your back

2 - as suggested by the lovely katie, do front squats

3 - try deadlifts (no rack required)

4 - do more single leg work (lunges, step ups etc)

[luke101]

A towel. cant believe i havn't thought of that. after all i always have one handy working out. as for the deadlifts. i started doing them a few weeks ago. never fails to make me sore the next day. great excercise

[giselleb]

A certified personal trainer can answer that:

http://www.physicalfitnet.com/ask_the_f ... ts-35.aspx

[luke101]

well the towel helped enough to put regular squats into routine. the front squats feel a little akward but im sure if i do enough they'll work just as well. Funny thing is i do half the weight as opposed to the machine squats, but the efficiency feels ten fold. Thanks everyone

[ride4lamar]

How about dumbbell squats?

[swanso5]

there's 2 grips you can use:

1 - you can use a clean grip like the olympic wt lifters use like the bottom of a shoulder press except that you need good wrist flexibility as you'll need to get your elbows out in front to keep bar at the base of the neck

2 - a crossed forearm approach where you cross your arms over each other so your hands are on the opposite shoulder with fingers over the bar that is resting across your shoulders/base of neck

option 1 might be easier intially but eventually you'll probably need to go to option 2

[madmaxx]

Do front squats use different leg muscles than regular squats? Or is it the same workout just having the bar in a different position.

[swanso5]

same muscles but you won't use as much wt obviously then back squats...more quad dominant but great for the core as the anteriour loading requires the core to work extremely hard to keep your torso upright

[luke101]

I wore a hoody working out today and i'd have to say it's perfect for squats. the hood lays in the perfects position for maximum comfort