Smith Squats

[Tennessee Mike]

Ive always had problems squatting(knees,back)..Ive relied mainly on heavy leg presses for development.I use to compete in bodybuilding but now have focused on Powerlifting.Ive accepted that my squat will never be good enough to compete,but the thing is when I do squat on a smith machine I get amazing stimulation and results.Does anybody else out there have the same problem with Regular vs Smith squats?My knees nor back hurt after doing them.But yet no one really talks about incorporating them.What gives?

[Greg Crook]

Never say never my friend!! When Jonathan first started training with us He had to wrap his knee's every set from 135 on. He was a bodybuilder to start with also, in just a couple weeks he never put the wraps on again in training. He has since gone up over 700lbs with no wraps and no pain! The only thing that changed for him was technique. With out seeing you squat it's impossible to tell exactly whats going on. From what I've seen at the gym I do accessory work at the Smith machine allows you to keep your knee's perpendicular to the floor and that will keep you from the knee pain, but most people when they squat out in the open the first thing they do is squat straight down pushing there knees out over there feet which is not correct squatting technique for powerlifting. That always in time seems to cause knee injuries. If your squatting straight down I'm sure your rounding your back over as well. If your within driving distance give me a call and come train with us sometime and I'd be glad to help with your technique. 704-506-0770 hope that helps a little.

[Tennessee Mike]

Thanx bro,I appreciate that.I guess some experimentation with lighter weight cant hurt.I need to squat!

[gopostal42]

hey man you can come to app fitness and use my wraps if you want! less than an hour over the line!

[Tennessee Mike]

I take that back.7 MONTHS LATER AND IM A SQUATTING FOOL!

[Greg Crook]

Glad to hear it man!!