Hey weight lifters, I got a question

[JetboyOne]

What is a Smith Machine? And do I want one to start a weight lifting program? Or should I just get a standard weight bench?
Thanks

[sendero]

1. It is a rack..

... for doing mostly squats and push ups. Think of a inverted U of steel, with the barbell riding in tracks on the sides. In addition to keeping the barbell on a perfectly vertical plane, there are usually settable stops that might prevent you from getting crushed if you try to pump an amount of weight you cannot handle.

You don't need one in a home gym unless you are really getting serious, and not even then probably.

[seemunkee]

2. What are your goals?

What type of exercises are you planning on doing?
Smith machines limit motion except in one plane and are rather expensive. You might consider a squat rack instead.

[flvegan]

3. Well, goals versus "should"

A Smith Machine is a vertical lifting device limited only by it's levity of motion (it is literally up/down).

That said, yes, you do want one. However, you should think of how/why you want it.

To compare a Smith versus a standard bench is apples and oranges, depending on the setup of the Smith.

A standard weight bench (with weights and barbells, dumbells, ez curl bar, etc) allows for far greater diversion of lifting. A Smith machine, though, has a HUGE safety factor, though allowing for multiple exercises to be performed.

A short Smith machine list might include:
Bench press, incline, flat and decline;
Military press, both behind and frontal;
Shrugs (front/back) and deltoid pull ups;
And the recently divuldged one-arm row (damn you M&F mag).

My best advice, join a gym, if possible, that has both. Otherwise, almost anything you do on a standard weight bench, you could do with a Smith Machine (with a sep. bench) with a significant bit of additional safety.

[CarpeDiebold]

4. My advice

is to ignore the Smith. It's good for squats, bench, shoulder press if you think you can't handle the weight. It is a guidance system so the weight won't go out of control and hurt you.

If you're starting out, the best thing is to start with small free weights. Free weights will get you a lot better resuts(you have to use stabilizer muscles with free wts...) rather than try to go heavy on the Smith. Plus, you can use dumbbells with every exercise...you can squat with dumbells by your side, bench with dumbells(incline, decline, flye, you name it), shoulder press, you can even do abs...so start slow, perfect your technique, and then start lifting heavi(er)...

So i say ignore the Smith, get a good set of dumbells and a bench and you're solid for 85% of what beginners will do anyway.