Weight lifting equipment has been around since the stone age when the caveman used to lift rocks to stay in shape. We have technologically advanced since then but designing weight lifting equipment still is not rocket science. However, that does not mean that there have not been some new developments in that last century. One of the most recent has been the invention of the Smith Machine. The Smith Machine is a Cadillac version of the power rack and it is ideal for working out in your own home gyms and also at the local club. There are 3 good reasons why you need to conduct your weight training with a Smith Machine.

The Smith Machine provides an element of safety. Working out at the health club does have some benefits, especially if you are into pushing around some heavy weights. Working out with heavy weights requires that safety concerns are taken into account. The number one safety issue is that you have a competent spotter when you are doing the heavy lifts. The Smith Machine features rails on the side walls of the rack in which the Olympic bar has been embedded. There are 2 hooks in the Olympic bar that sit inside the rails and by simply turning your wrists you can catch the bar on one of the 11 metal rungs inside the rail enclosure. Thus, you have a self spotting mechanism. This enables you to workout in safety without asking an inexperienced spotter to sit in, or it can also act as a spotter substitute when there is no other alternative, such as in a home gym environment.

The rails on Smith machines are also ideal for keeping your form/posture correct when doing squats, bench, military press or other exercises. The rails act as guides that keep you in line and don’t let you drift when you are maxing out with heavy sets or lots of reps. This element of the Smith Machine does have its critics however. Their main gripe is that when you are locked inside the rails for your sets the machine is doing the work that normally your stabilizer muscles would be doing instead. This can be seen as a negative because it may not be a complete workout. You may notice that weights seem a bit lighter inside the Smith Machine as compared to when you are using the traditional power rack. It is mainly a matter of preference.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a strong advocate of using the Smith Machine for body building. This is an incredible endorsement because he is the undisputed king of the weight room. The reasons that he sites for using the Smith Machine as part of his squat routine is that you can place your feet farther forward without fear of falling back. The rails keep you in place and this allows you to achieve a maximum thigh burn. This type of exercise was ideal for high reps and lower weight loads. That is a core body building principle it encourages muscle gain and definition. As compared to power lifting when lower reps and heavier weight loads are commonly recommended.

Then Smith Machine is an excellent addition to your home gym for the safety and technique aspect. Plus, other benefits for body building are great reasons to switch over or at least incorporate the Smith Machine into your workout routine. Smith machines are very affordable and come with strong warranty protection.

Author Bio: At Fitness Weights we offer a wide selection of weight lifting equipment and all of our products ship for free to anywhere in the contiguous United States. View the Smith Machine on sale now, all Powerline Smith Machines are 30% off for a limited time only.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: smith machine, weight lifting equipment, olympic weights, powerline smith machine