Luan Pra bang

As you know though there are lifts and there are lifts, I use a smith machine to squat which is a totally different thing to a real squat. My training partner puts all the weight in the gym (210kgs its not a body builders gym) on the machine then ties resistance bands to the smith machine to try and make it heavier he can smash that out OK but do it free standing and its a different kettle of fish. Also how far down to you go ? I put a bench underneath and when I hit it my thighs are verticle and its time to go up. Some people can go lower than that though. Its the same with the smith bench press couple of guys in my gym put 160kg's for a smith machine bench but I have seen some of those same guys nearly die trying to do dumbell presses with 40kg dumbells. If people in the tiny gym I go to are that strong there must be some real meatheads in the body builder gyms.

TelBoy

Agree. Smith machine doesn't count, i can look a hero on one of those too!

No, proper bench press, touch the chest, won't insist on a competition pause (but no bouncing).

We have one guy in the gym who can "sort of" do 200, but he wouldn't get a single white light in competition. His true form max is about 170, a lot different, but still impressive.

Chip

I think we have already established that.

1. meathead

An enormously muscular guy who cannot hold a conversation about anything other than weight-lifting and protein shakes. Gets upset very quickly when he cannot complete his own sentences and thoughts. Can be found at nightclubs wearing shirts that are 10 sizes too small (if at all). They are by far the most closely related human beings to that of apes, chimpanzees, and other primate.

Luan Pra bang

Final zero can you confirm whether these are free standing or smith machine lifts ? Still good weights either way.

MicaDan

iTrader: (2)

Only counts if it's free standing and "*** to grass"

Luan Pra bang

I don't have any interest in taking the risk with the *** to the grass idea, even if I had 2 spotters if I collapse and fall there is not much they can do to catch a 100kg bar.
At least dead lifts and such you can just let go.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

MicaDan

iTrader: (2)

You use a properly setup squat rack. Simples

TelBoy

*** to grass comes easier to some people than others. I've always squatted way below parallel because i actually think it's easier and safer. On the Smith machine i've seen weedy guys doing colossal weights and going down maybe 18 inches, a half squat at best, and all i ever say to myself is.... why???

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Pretty much the same as guys loading plate after plate on the leg press and then moving it two inches

MicaDan

iTrader: (2)

Well below parallel is fine, as you are recruiting all of the muscles and get a full range of motion. Sticking on a load of plates and squatting 18 inches won't do anything!

And I definitely wouldn't recommend the Smith Machine for heavy squatts. You follow the path that the smith machine takes. That's not good on your back or your joints!

jef

iTrader: (13)

i agree aswell mate, but i just wouldnt dscount until i saw, if the guys bullsh*tting then hes just embarassing himself, like guys down the pub with there 700bhp imprezas lol

bodybuilding totally different to powerlifting, tho. different techniques entirley. bodybuilding is just about maximum use of entire muscle - and so mnay people do it so differently,

my squat and alot of excersise i dont lock out (unless doing very heavy, like a PB ect), to stop tension transferring from muscle to the bone, fatigues/pumps muscle much quicker, and means you can move much less weight - and to some, seem a less than full rabge of motion.
but this came from many many years of trial and error and learnign how my body reaceted best, and to what excersises. same for grip, i always use suicide grip when barbell bench, pressing, its amazing how just a slight alteration in gripping the bar, can alter how the target muscle is hit.

heres my 200kg squat, when i was bit younger lol

for all the non gym goers, please ignore the grunts and noises - its just an incontollable growth hormone side effect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTLpYwx96t0

edit to say totally agree with dan on smith machine squat, the bar doesnt travel the natural path your body would - its not good for heavy squatting imo - potentially dangerous

MicaDan

iTrader: (2)

Good squatting there Jef .

I completely agree with the suicide grip, just doing back to back benching with a thumbed grip you can feel the difference in muscle tension. Interestingly I go thumbless for a lot of other exercises, such as preacher curls for example. With thumbs wrapped round I often transfer the work into my forearms by gripping the bar too tight on those last few curls, but going thumbless prevents this and helps to keep the concentration and tension on the bicep.

jef

iTrader: (13)

cheers, yeah agree, after i got used to that grip i used it in all aplicable excersises and its much better for me.

my forearms where pretty big, because before all my arm training seemed to pump them up and fatigue before my biceps were, interestingly i had to drop weights right down to 10-14kg dumbells and just do slow concentrated training for biceps, its was only way could pump the bicep before my forerms gave up. but even with low weights arm development was much better after this.

wish i could squat that now lol, also did 140kg front squats, they were fun, i loved front squats to finish off legs - ouch, would leave the gym with jelly legs, or carried out haha

MicaDan

iTrader: (2)

That's the thing about bodybuilding, it's not the poundage shifted, it's doing the maximum amount of damage to the muscle fibres of that particular muscle. I see it day in day out where too many bigger guys hit a plateau and refuse to drop the weights down to a more concentrated curl. I used to train with powerlifters, but i now actually train with a thai boxer who train's like a machine. Two complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to training philosophies but i've learnt so much about how my body responds to both weight and intensity that it makes it easier for me to change things around to keep responding.

Ah the good old front squats, what a finisher!! Possibly one of the best quad exercises out there. 140kg on a front squat is mighty!!