Ego destruction with squats

[SilverSonic]

I was repping 350lbs in the smith machine (with feet placed forward a foot and a bit) and was proud (no free weights at my health club)


But today i bought my home weights, and could only squat 198lbs*10, and thats with me swaying all over the place.. I could not handle any more weight (in terms of balance and strength)



My question is, if i keep on with free weights, would i not loose some of my quad size?? Seeing as they are not doing as much work as before on the smith?? I would hate to lose all that work i did on the machine.. Also are there any emergency squat resuscitation tricks i could do??

[MixmasterNash]

My question is, if i keep on with free weights, would i not loose some of my quad size?? Seeing as they are not doing as much work as before on the smith?? I would hate to lose all that work i did on the machine.. Also are there any emergency squat resuscitation tricks i could do??

No, you won't lose any quad size. Your stabilizers will adapt within a month or so and that's not enough time to lose muscle if you're still squatting regularly.

[Progress]

To sort of hi-jack; should a beginner at squatting use a smith machine to do safety squats to get used to the motion before using a free weight bar .

[MixmasterNash]

No, no one should use a smith machine, especially a beginner. If they need to build core and leg strength prior to squatting, and there are some folks who do, back extensions and leg presses are probably safer and better.

[PizDoff]

What Mix said.


ABDomega - No, start off with lower weight on the free weight bar and go from there.
Get someone else very exerienced to teach you form. Never sacrifice form for weight lifted.

[Keith Wassung]

I refer to this device as the "Shirley Machine"

kww

[DoUgL@S]

With compound movements, or any movement, you must check your ego. If you need to lower the weight further to get your stabilizers up to par, and your form down, then lower the weight. Once you have taken care of that your numbers will increase.

[NaturalBuilder]

Smith Machine...ugh.

[-TIM-]

My question is, if i keep on with free weights, would i not loose some of my quad size?? Seeing as they are not doing as much work as before on the smith?

You will probably gain size in your upper legs. You're using more muscles when squatting with free weights so they are working harder, even with light weight.

[ryuage]

although I think it would be best to use free weights I dont see a problem in using a smith machine to build your legs...

[Canadian Crippler]

SIZE wise, to build your LEGS, squatting with Smith is justifiable IMO. But you won't reep the benefits of the compound movement, and ofcourse freeweight squats are a must for strenght.

[LilQbanPapi16]

i also think that the smith machine is the first step to squat before free weight

[ericg]

I don’t think that the Smith Machine is a good stepping stone to learn how to properly perform the free weight back squat. You can make your quads bigger/stronger using the smith but the form used between the two movements has enough differences to make it like comparing apples to oranges. Your foot placement, sitting back, bar movement, even just racking the weight is something that you don’t learn on the smith. If you want to learn how to do back squats with free weights, you just need to get under the bar and do it. Ideally you should have someone who is knowledgeable about squatting and who can also critique and correct your form. If you have never done them before this can take weeks, maybe even months before you get somewhat comfortable with the free weight back squat.

[emjlr3]

i dont see how you were repping almsot doulbe on smtih then free weights, and what is this about swaying, ive never swayed doing squats, your stabalizers must really be lacking, lower the weight and get it right, then start worrying about getting heavy again, and i wouldnt cause it an ego destroyer, go and ask your freinds how much they can squat, and destroy their egos ....

[Chrispy]

if your doing it at home it can't really destroy your ego i mean no one will be around unless it's just your friends.

anyway yeah you shouldn't really be swaying all over the place. just remember look up and push from your heels. maybe lower it to 190 and get it perfect before you up it.