Talk:Smith machine

Additional controversy
Please reference this article on WebMD, which discusses the improper form that the Smith machine encourages. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/9-least-effective-exercises?page=2 Quixotism22 (talk) 08:53, 19 February 2010 (UTC)

The entire controversy section needs to be redone, there's no real discussion of what the controversy is (no use of stabilizers, some muscles taken out entirely for certain lifts, bad form that can lead to joint damage), the primary studies mentioned are uncited (especially problematic given that there is no discussion of what method was used to account for specificity in the studies) and no mention of why the amount of weight a lifter can lift with free or smith machine weights would be important. I can rewrite the section, but I don't think I can do a proper neutral point of view unless somebody can come through and give citations in favor of a smith machine (the most I can possibly mention is that I think I saw something once indicating that a smith machine is acceptable for bodybuilding if not athletics, will have to find the source). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.35.196.175 (talk) 01:59, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

Weight Differential
What is the weight differential of a Smith Machine?
 * If you are referring to how much the bar is counter balanced, it differs from machine to machine. --Son0rouS 14:24, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I think he may be wondering what is the weight difference between lifting on a smith machine versus an actual free weight. From working out with a couple of different lifters in the gym, it seems apparent that those who can lift "225lbs" on the Smith Machine(3-5 reps) can only seem to lift about 185lbs (1-3 reps) on a regular barbell.
 * Differs from machine to machine, but generally the bar is about 20kg and the counter weights are 7kg each making for a net total of the bar being 6kg for most machines. Check yourself.

Balancing the Weights on a Smith Machine
I have had several personal trainers giving me conflicting information on the weights you add to the Smith machine. One trainer says because it is counter-balanced, you can put different weights at each end and it wont impact the repetition (where a barbell would leave you off-balanced, and too much weight at one end). Other trainers have told me to place the same weight on both the left and right sides of the bar. I tried my own experiment placing two 45lb. plates on one side and leaving the other side empty. When I bench pressed, it did feel like one side (the side with the weights placed) was a bit more stressed or is this my imagination?Cjnj926 02:48, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

Well Duh. If the difference is 90lb, you are going to feel a difference.

I think the "balance" issue refers to much smaller weight differentials. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.164.101.213 (talk) 03:20, 2 June 2009 (UTC)

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Yikes
Although I'm sure some deletionist would remove this if I posted it in the article proper, here's a video of a guy almost managing to recreate the quadriplegia incident noted in the article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYnUUErz0Yk. Horrors.--Father Goose (talk) 06:23, 12 February 2018 (UTC)