Smith Machine One Leg Squat

One major difference between the barbell squat and the smith machine squat is how far you can bring your feet in front.

Smith machine one leg squat. The free weight squat is better overall for muscle activation of all leg muscles during the lift but the smith machine squat might be better for activating the glutes and hamstrings. The counterbalanced system in the smith machine can lead to one leg doing more work. In contrast the smith machine follows a fixed path thereby removing the need to balance it so you can bring your feet out to various distances. Smith machines are generally more expensive than squat racks.

And the sms has also been shown to allow for a greater 1 rm when compared to the fws. Position a flat bench or some type of raised platform around 2 to 3 feet behind the smith machine your back will be to the bench. With the barbell there is only one position feet directly under the bar. For example a study comparing free weight and smith machine squats found free weight squats produced greater activation of the prime movers in the legs and one leg stabilizer than smith machine squats.

Assuming a lifter maintains an upright torso position in the squat the quadriceps will be used the most. However there were no differences in activation of trunk stabilizers between free weight and smith machine squats. That s a pretty daunting list of workout potential that will keep you busy on many training sessions. On the main part of the machine you ll find a dual function leg developer a press bar a low pulley with a footrest a pec deck station high cable crossovers and a free weight squat rack.

While a squat rack is a very basic piece of equipment.