Thank you for the video. I was REALLY intimidated to try this machine; however, after your video, I feel confident in trying out some of the exercises. Thank you for helping out us newbies by not talking down to us.
Hi, fmlaugust. I’m so glad this video could help you feel less intimidated! Once you try a few exercises on the smith machine out, you’ll get the hang of it and might even make it a staple in your routine ☺️. Of course. Want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident in the gym. Let me know how it goes! 💪🏼
The only way to fail at the gym is to focus on others. A little over two months back in the gym at planet fitness and I was nervous as hell.. until I stopped caring about others. Happy lifting and crushing calories lol
Thank you. I was doing the hip thrust wrong. I was putting the middle of my back on the bench, I was doing it at the top of my back. Now tomorrow I will try it right, and see if it doesn't feel better. I just decided I would do bridges instead, because I felt it more in my glutes, but maybe if I'm positioned right for hip thrusts I will feel it more in my glutes. 👍
This has been one of the machines that I am reluctant to try. Now I'm all pept up to go out to my planet fitness and give this a full trial! I'm a 70-year-old woman who's done weights off and on for 40 years and believe me folks you need to keep it up or you lose it.
Thank you! With new machines I like to sneak in early morning, the gym is usually empty. Then I can experiment a little without feeling awkward. Your videos help a lot in advance!
You’re welcome! That’s an excellent way to go about getting the machines. Totally worth waking up earlier. Happy these videos could help. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. I’ve been going to the gym for 3 months everyday now. But I’m still not performing a lot of crucial exercises. Like literally everything in this video. So I’m going to give the smith machine an honest try. Should be a riveting moment for my health journey.
Thank you for this, very detailed. As funny as it sounds, I’ve only ever used free weights to deadlift/squat/bench and had no idea how to use this machine when I joined PF, appreciate the vid!
Thank you for all your videos. I’m learning a great deal from your great descriptions and examples. So many talk over our heads but your vids are easy to understand.
Hey, Orven! Thanks for leaving such a nice comment. It’s my pleasure and means the world to me that you’re learning from my videos! More are on the way!
Signed up recently to planet fitness for tanning specifically. But noticed a lot of smith machines and benches for each machine. I never use smiths at 24 hour fitness because there’s usually only one. I can’t wait to try all these smiths workout variations including hip thrusts at Planet to get my moneys worth. Thanks for sharing!
Don't forget you can use the adjustable safety stops instead of the hooks when doing exercises such as bent-over rows, upright rows, shrugs, and dead-lifts to name a few. It's easier to just set the weight down than it is to rotate the bar to engage the hooks, especially if you're tired or if you have to put the weight down quickly.
Thank you so much for this! I feel so intimidated by this machine, it helps to at least know how to use it.. now to muster up the courage to try it next time I go! Or maybe the next time after that! 😅
The thing that confuses me most is the angle. My PF has the same model of Smith Machine as you're demonstrating on, but when it comes to chest press/incline press, I thought I should be facing inward looking toward the far side so the angle is up and away from my chest like / . When I'm doing dumbell bench press, I'm moving the dumbells slightly lower on my chest as I raise them as I extend my arms, I thought I would mimic that motion on the Smith machine. Sitting the other way feels really weird and unnatural to me.
The Planet Fitness I go to has a different Smith Machine. The machine at the gym I go to has a straight-up and down movement. This machine looks like it has an angled movement. The machine in the video is how a smith machine should be because it would allow for a normal range of motion and put less pressure on your rotator cuff when bench pressing. Is the one at my gym an older model?
I was thinking the same. This guy's videos are simply excellent, especially for newbies. But one caveat I have here is that he should have addressed this angle issue and stated whether there is one side the user should be facing , and which one. The video shows that he is always facing a specific side, but he should have said it out clearly imo. Still tho, this guy's content is priceless for inexperienced people getting started at PF.
Is the only way to hook it to rotate the bar? I seem to have problems catching it on the hook by accidentally rotating it too much (I only just started using it for deadlifts only)
very helpful thanks gonna try some of these out i basically been just using the smith for bench pressing but i wanna get into some dead lifts an squats
For the hip thrusts, or any of them really, does it matter which direction you're facing in the machine itself? I hate that these things are directly in front of the mirrors. I wish they had one that wasn't front and center lol
Why did p.f remove all their sqaut racks ?its a myth that no people who are serious lifters go to p.f . Ive seen plenty of people who are serious lifters at p.f but they maybe lower income folks who appreciate being able to work out 5 days a week for 10 bucks a month but would have preferred the squat racks to still be in the gym .
I think it is safe to say that free barbells and squat racks are just not part of the PF model. They are not a gym for "serious" lifters, hence the whole "lunk" meme. Also, it could be liability issues, etc. Having said that, I think PF is an excellent option for those who lift light or want to get started on their fitness journey. Can't beat the price, and the ones I go to are kept much cleaner than far more expensive gyms I have used. Staff is generally friendly and professional.
It’s probably a safety reasons. If people don’t load and unload weights properly you’d have barbells tipping all over the place plus a lot of people don’t have spotters so weights would be crushing inexperienced lifters.
Hey there, Dmichoacan. The smith machine is designed in such a way that you’re relatively safer training to failure using it as opposed to a free weight alternative. However, a spotter can still be helpful as you’re training to failure with really heavy weights, adding an extra layer of safety. So it’s possible but a spotter isn’t a bad idea.
See how the vertical bars go through the end of the bar you lift? Doesn't that reduce the actual weight you're lifting? Doesn't the contact with the other two bars mean that the weight is reduced?
Hey RoganBits! Those are called guide rails and they don’t impact the weight of the barbell or plates. They only affect the movement of the barbell as a fixed vertical path for it to move along, making it so certain exercises feel more controlled and stable. However, since you’re limited to moving in the up and down motion, it’s taking away the requirement for your body to stabilize the barbell in the same way you would in a squat rack, making it less engaging in comparison.
Hey, Anna! The vertical track that the barbell is connected to via cables is meant to make it easier for beginners to perform exercises like squats with added safety.
Yes. That is one of the reasons I had a problem with this video. Says nothing about foot/shoulder alignment while performing these exercises. I know he is speaking to very new people to the gym atmosphere, but it is crucial to get the form correct especially when you start adding in more weight.
@@kingdomcome1617I’m glad someone else caught that. The bar path would make more sense for squats specifically on this machine if the squatter turns the other way. It just doesn’t make sense to squat with a bar path that forces a bar path forward, potentially tipping someone forward and/or placing unnecessary sheeting force on the spine. You can kinda see it in his form too.
Thank you for the video. I was REALLY intimidated to try this machine; however, after your video, I feel confident in trying out some of the exercises. Thank you for helping out us newbies by not talking down to us.
Hi, fmlaugust. I’m so glad this video could help you feel less intimidated! Once you try a few exercises on the smith machine out, you’ll get the hang of it and might even make it a staple in your routine ☺️. Of course. Want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident in the gym. Let me know how it goes! 💪🏼
The only way to fail at the gym is to focus on others. A little over two months back in the gym at planet fitness and I was nervous as hell.. until I stopped caring about others. Happy lifting and crushing calories lol
@@KevTheTrainerThe starting weight is 20lbs or 25lbs? Machine said starting resistance is 25lbs
Thank you. I was doing the hip thrust wrong. I was putting the middle of my back on the bench, I was doing it at the top of my back. Now tomorrow I will try it right, and see if it doesn't feel better. I just decided I would do bridges instead, because I felt it more in my glutes, but maybe if I'm positioned right for hip thrusts I will feel it more in my glutes. 👍
This has been one of the machines that I am reluctant to try. Now I'm all pept up to go out to my planet fitness and give this a full trial! I'm a 70-year-old woman who's done weights off and on for 40 years and believe me folks you need to keep it up or you lose it.
You got this, Cathy! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Thanks king I was too anxious of looking ridiculous doing deadlifts the wrong way
Thank you! With new machines I like to sneak in early morning, the gym is usually empty. Then I can experiment a little without feeling awkward. Your videos help a lot in advance!
You’re welcome! That’s an excellent way to go about getting the machines. Totally worth waking up earlier. Happy these videos could help. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. I’ve been going to the gym for 3 months everyday now. But I’m still not performing a lot of crucial exercises. Like literally everything in this video. So I’m going to give the smith machine an honest try. Should be a riveting moment for my health journey.
Thank you for this, very detailed. As funny as it sounds, I’ve only ever used free weights to deadlift/squat/bench and had no idea how to use this machine when I joined PF, appreciate the vid!
Thank you for all your videos. I’m learning a great deal from your great descriptions and examples. So many talk over our heads but your vids are easy to understand.
Hey, Orven! Thanks for leaving such a nice comment. It’s my pleasure and means the world to me that you’re learning from my videos! More are on the way!
I’ve been very intimidated by this machine and only lift with dumbbells.. Now I know how to use it and can try it out. Thank you!!
I always used free weights but wanted to try incline bench with the smith machine. Thanks for the rundown.
You’re welcome, Jedi! Enjoy!
Signed up recently to planet fitness for tanning specifically. But noticed a lot of smith machines and benches for each machine. I never use smiths at 24 hour fitness because there’s usually only one. I can’t wait to try all these smiths workout variations including hip thrusts at Planet to get my moneys worth. Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate it! Just gotta wait until one of these are finally unoccupied...
Thank you! Oh yes. They’re a hot item in the gym. Definitely make the most out of it when you do acquire one!
I feel like I need to set a quarter down like at an old arcade 🤣🤣
I always make sure to use the gym at 12am to 6am 😂
Super appreciate this easy to follow vid! Very intimidated by this machine :’)
Been meaning to use the smitch machine for a few days now. Will try these next time I go.
new to the gym and as a kid this 100% helped me learn how to use it, thanks ❤
Great video, super helpful!
Thanks! Glad it could help!
Don't forget you can use the adjustable safety stops instead of the hooks when doing exercises such as bent-over rows, upright rows, shrugs, and dead-lifts to name a few. It's easier to just set the weight down than it is to rotate the bar to engage the hooks, especially if you're tired or if you have to put the weight down quickly.
I just bought a power rack with a built in smith machine. I never use smith's but since I have one now might as well train with it
Thank you so much for this! I feel so intimidated by this machine, it helps to at least know how to use it.. now to muster up the courage to try it next time I go! Or maybe the next time after that! 😅
I agree with Cathy ! This video was very helpful, thank you so much.
Im new to the gym. Very informative video, thank you!
Absolutely Excellent video!
Such a detailed video! Thank you!
Your videos are so helpful! I really want to try squats tonight!
Thank you!
They should have a qr code that links to your videos at PF
Thank u. Very helpful
Great video, cool keep it up.
Good informative video maing!
Do I count the bar in the total weight when using the smith machine? Than you!
Yes! Bar + each plate
The thing that confuses me most is the angle. My PF has the same model of Smith Machine as you're demonstrating on, but when it comes to chest press/incline press, I thought I should be facing inward looking toward the far side so the angle is up and away from my chest like / . When I'm doing dumbell bench press, I'm moving the dumbells slightly lower on my chest as I raise them as I extend my arms, I thought I would mimic that motion on the Smith machine. Sitting the other way feels really weird and unnatural to me.
The Planet Fitness I go to has a different Smith Machine. The machine at the gym I go to has a straight-up and down movement. This machine looks like it has an angled movement. The machine in the video is how a smith machine should be because it would allow for a normal range of motion and put less pressure on your rotator cuff when bench pressing. Is the one at my gym an older model?
I was thinking the same. This guy's videos are simply excellent, especially for newbies. But one caveat I have here is that he should have addressed this angle issue and stated whether there is one side the user should be facing , and which one.
The video shows that he is always facing a specific side, but he should have said it out clearly imo.
Still tho, this guy's content is priceless for inexperienced people getting started at PF.
Love this 😍😍😍
Thank you.
thanks
Is the only way to hook it to rotate the bar? I seem to have problems catching it on the hook by accidentally rotating it too much (I only just started using it for deadlifts only)
Thanks
It kind of hurts your wrists though, having to unlock it. It puts your hands in an awkward position.
ahhh i’m so glad i found you
For the row, why do you say your torso should be parallel to the ground? That would be a crazy difference haha.
very helpful thanks gonna try some of these out i basically been just using the smith for bench pressing but i wanna get into some dead lifts an squats
Appreciate it, Ry’ham! Your legs are going to thank you 👍! Great exercises to perform on the smith machine. Have fun!
For the hip thrusts, or any of them really, does it matter which direction you're facing in the machine itself? I hate that these things are directly in front of the mirrors. I wish they had one that wasn't front and center lol
Omg thank you
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
Why did p.f remove all their sqaut racks ?its a myth that no people who are serious lifters go to p.f . Ive seen plenty of people who are serious lifters at p.f but they maybe lower income folks who appreciate being able to work out 5 days a week for 10 bucks a month but would have preferred the squat racks to still be in the gym .
I think it is safe to say that free barbells and squat racks are just not part of the PF model. They are not a gym for "serious" lifters, hence the whole "lunk" meme. Also, it could be liability issues, etc.
Having said that, I think PF is an excellent option for those who lift light or want to get started on their fitness journey. Can't beat the price, and the ones I go to are kept much cleaner than far more expensive gyms I have used. Staff is generally friendly and professional.
@@Frennemydistinction Can confirm the cleanliness. Every PF I've walked into has been so much cleaner than the Crunchs and YouFits I've gone to.
It’s probably a safety reasons. If people don’t load and unload weights properly you’d have barbells tipping all over the place plus a lot of people don’t have spotters so weights would be crushing inexperienced lifters.
Do you have a good planet fitness workout routine?
I've never used the smith machine. I'm looking to mix up my workouts
You got this!
@@KevTheTrainer I might give it a shot tomorrow. Leg and shoulders tomorrow
@jdub4500 Squats and Shoulder Presses 🙌🏼
Thank you for this!
You’re welcome, Lexi!
How do you move the bench under this machine all 3 of them had the bench underneath and I couldn’t figure out how to move it
Hi there. The benches at my gym had a handle in front of the seat that you lift up so the wheels on the opposite side would activate.
if you're trying to train to failure, do you need a spotter with this machine?
Hey there, Dmichoacan. The smith machine is designed in such a way that you’re relatively safer training to failure using it as opposed to a free weight alternative. However, a spotter can still be helpful as you’re training to failure with really heavy weights, adding an extra layer of safety. So it’s possible but a spotter isn’t a bad idea.
I needed a spotter before because the bar was too low to the nearest hook.
I always heard you're supposed to squat on smith machine facong the opposite way for your lower back not to get fd up.. is that not true?
I think it was same for bench press but i could and likely am mistaken
If you’re doing squats on a smith machine you should be going as low as possible aka deep squats
Nolan Row
how much does the smith machine bar weigh? 25 lbs?
20 lbs
Thank you I switched this gym due to money
Erling Skyway
You want to exhale on the push. You want your diaphragm to be full to help with spine and core stability coming down.
Can you do a new video that shows your feet too? Thank you!!!
See how the vertical bars go through the end of the bar you lift?
Doesn't that reduce the actual weight you're lifting? Doesn't the contact with the other two bars mean that the weight is reduced?
Hey RoganBits! Those are called guide rails and they don’t impact the weight of the barbell or plates. They only affect the movement of the barbell as a fixed vertical path for it to move along, making it so certain exercises feel more controlled and stable. However, since you’re limited to moving in the up and down motion, it’s taking away the requirement for your body to stabilize the barbell in the same way you would in a squat rack, making it less engaging in comparison.
Abshire Burgs
When squatting
Hodkiewicz Knoll
Simonis Summit
Webster Key
The Barbell weights 20 lbs? I thought it was 45
A normal free-weight barbell is 45, the bar on smith machines specifically can vary but is usually 25lbs.
@phychz7112 wow! Thanks a lot!
At my gym there’s a sticker on the bar with the hooks that says the base weight, if it’s not there I’m sure a staff member would know
It depends on the type of Smith Machine. Many Smith Machines are counter-balanced, so it's probably a 45-pound bar counter-balanced to 20.
Robinson Frank Martin Brenda Gonzalez Thomas
Wilson Melissa Johnson Cynthia Garcia Jennifer
Stiedemann Unions
2:25
I don't understand the point of having a cable connected to barbell. ?
Hey, Anna! The vertical track that the barbell is connected to via cables is meant to make it easier for beginners to perform exercises like squats with added safety.
@KevTheTrainer they should have a hook/unhook cable system. I have to add 5kgs each to nullify the cable effect prior racking actual weights 😅
I don’t like these machines cause it’s slanted
Nice video kid! But truth be told. It’s training wheels for weightlifters. Also the largest waste of steel every made.
Well, i’m not a body builder so i’m chillin
Weird roid comment
Well, their business model is quit literally for beginners and people who are not regular gym-goers. 😊
Its great for people learning to lift and who are afraid of dropping it and getting hurt
@devonnalta8903 it’s also nice for people who lift solo and wanna get to failure by themselves.
is that smith machine at an angle ?
Yes. That is one of the reasons I had a problem with this video. Says nothing about foot/shoulder alignment while performing these exercises. I know he is speaking to very new people to the gym atmosphere, but it is crucial to get the form correct especially when you start adding in more weight.
@@kingdomcome1617I’m glad someone else caught that. The bar path would make more sense for squats specifically on this machine if the squatter turns the other way. It just doesn’t make sense to squat with a bar path that forces a bar path forward, potentially tipping someone forward and/or placing unnecessary sheeting force on the spine. You can kinda see it in his form too.
Thank you!