guardian7
Level 6 Valued Member
Smith machine for deadlifts if there is no choice?
On the campus where I work there is a gym that I could use for free on a day when I teach fewer classes. I want to maintain my DL. There is a squat rack and benches of course, but a lack of space for deadlifting. Too many little-used shiny machines. The squat rack unsuprisingly is too busy. However, there is a high end new kind of Smith Machine that moves back and forth, horizontally, not just up and down. The groove feels much better than a normal smith machine with the greater range of movement, but not quite the same as a normal lift.
Is it worth using this machine or would it mess up my normal conventional DL groove? Last time I tested I was at double bodyweight. Probably a bit less now. I feel sore in the right places now though. It did not seem to cause me to use my back or anything. The lowest rung is quite low, so it is somewhere between the floor and a rack pull. Actually a nice height. It was harder to wedge and lock in the tension but the bar does roll in the hand which helps grip. The knurling on the grip has too much texture. I think it is made for people wearing gloves.
I do my deadlifts during the winter with a proper program but I am just looking for a once a week maintenance option. I don't have other options for DL right now. Thai boxing twice a week for fitness, bodyweight, and KB is my normal program spring and fall.
Should I use it or substitute goblet squats? The gym has heavy dumbells. I can do KB goblet squats at home.
On the campus where I work there is a gym that I could use for free on a day when I teach fewer classes. I want to maintain my DL. There is a squat rack and benches of course, but a lack of space for deadlifting. Too many little-used shiny machines. The squat rack unsuprisingly is too busy. However, there is a high end new kind of Smith Machine that moves back and forth, horizontally, not just up and down. The groove feels much better than a normal smith machine with the greater range of movement, but not quite the same as a normal lift.
Is it worth using this machine or would it mess up my normal conventional DL groove? Last time I tested I was at double bodyweight. Probably a bit less now. I feel sore in the right places now though. It did not seem to cause me to use my back or anything. The lowest rung is quite low, so it is somewhere between the floor and a rack pull. Actually a nice height. It was harder to wedge and lock in the tension but the bar does roll in the hand which helps grip. The knurling on the grip has too much texture. I think it is made for people wearing gloves.
I do my deadlifts during the winter with a proper program but I am just looking for a once a week maintenance option. I don't have other options for DL right now. Thai boxing twice a week for fitness, bodyweight, and KB is my normal program spring and fall.
Should I use it or substitute goblet squats? The gym has heavy dumbells. I can do KB goblet squats at home.