Machines and training, need help pls!!

S

Snowblind

New Member
I move around a bit and currently have a gym from my house that is 3 mins away, its a newer gym and some what of a private club.. anyhow its all brand new machines that are computerized and still have that new car smell to them. I was currently doing 5x5 strength training and my question is ...

With no free standing barbell to use, am i really just gonna be wasting my time using the machines, especially the assisted squat rack to do squats, military and bench?? I have no issues taking some time off deadlifts but im really curious if training on machines will do more good then not. Many of teh people that taught me to lift would probably give me a big smack and knock me on my ass if they read this haha.

Any feed back or insight would help heaps. Thank you!
 
<div>
(Snowblind @ Feb. 11 2008,10:23)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">I have no issues taking some time off deadlifts</div>
Wash your mouth out with soap...!
rock.gif
We never skip deads.

Good luck with the machines, though. Virtually every kind of exercise equipment can be of some value, so long as we learn to use it correctly and optimally.
 
Assisted squats? Never heard of that one, since a squat is a positive lift.
Machines are useful and effective, just not as much as freeweights. You bigger problem will be that you're training for machines and shifting to freeweight will require retraining. Also, be very, very aware of impingements or any nerve signals (pain) from the body. Being forced into a plane of motion that is unnatural (can you say Smith?) is injury prone for some.
If it hurts, don't DOOO that!
 
Machines are not the devil. My advice would be to stick to 8-10 reps or above rather than going lower for 5s. Unfamiliar exercises pushed hard might give you a greater chance of pulling something. Just take it carefully and enjoy the change. Apparently it's as good as a rest!
smile.gif
 
Thanks guys.

what i meant about assisted squads is teh smith style squat racks where teh barbell is secured to teh rack and glides up and down. If they have a name I've never took teh time in my years of lifting to ask what it was ...

I believe i can do squats, bent over rows, bench and possibly power shrugs on it, ill see tomorrow as its my regular training day. Curious if i could even attempt deadlifts or stiff legged deadlifts on it. (**edit) Ive been researching and have heard people say that Romanian deadlift are very doable on the smith machine.**

So would the general mythology be that doing 5x5 on machines is not the best idea and perhaps change things up to HST style program? Seems allot of new machines may in fact have a better range of motion then older ones, i'm worried about under trained stabilizers if i go from machines to free weights again in 6 months. The Gym does have dumb bells that go to 100 or 120 lbs, just no free weight barbell
sad.gif


**If i were to modify the 5x5 like some people do that are advance 5x5 lifters, any suggestions on how i can still squat 3 times a week and do 8, 10's or even 12's ?? would it have to be like (12x2) or something... so that over training isn't a issue? Ive had great results with HST but 5x5 str training really fits my lifestyle at this time. Reason behind sticking with teh 5x5 is im still getting gains with rows, squat, military and deadlift. Bench has come to a halt thou, so i figured i should try and get bigger one rep maxes out of me if i can before starting a new hst.

Thanks again for all the great info thus far.
biggrin.gif
 
I'd use the db's for upper body work and can you afford some weights and a bar for home? At least you could do deads. As for the Smith, squats, bent over rows, bench are the exersizes I've seen people complain about. I don't know what to tell you, except maybe not do 5x5 but rather work lighter with more reps perhaps. Eat a bit more for the volume. I'm doing that myself with a universal style machine at work now, until this job ends.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top