Smith Systems
As I mentioned on the power rack page, I am a huge fan of squats and the overall blast they deal to my entire lower body. For this reason I thought it was important to include information on one of my favorite machines the Smith System, which, in my humble opinion, is basically the safest self-spotting power cage system on the home fitness market.
When I started weight lifting a fellow gym rat, upon seeing my mistreatment of an unfortunate dumbbell, pointed me towards the Smith system at my local YMCA. Compared to other power racks old Smithy let me fully feel and benefit from the results of free weights, while providing full self-assurance that I wasn't going to injure myself or innocent passers-by.
You see, the difference between the Smith system and other power rack systems lies in notorious smith carriage, which is made up of two steel shafts that house a vertical line of smooth bearings. A 30-pound Olympic bar is guided vertically down the steel shafts via the smooth bearings think of the smoothness that your case of beer is rolled down that beer store conveyor belt. In addition, the Smith carriage can be locked instantly into safety catches at any height providing an instant spotter.
Because the Olympic bar can travel vertically down your entire body with ease, you're able to target any muscle along your entire body including your arms, shoulders, back, calves, hamstrings, glutes, quads, inner and outer thighs and more. When the Smith system is paired with a decline, flat, incline bench and a leg extension curl attachment you can perform safe and quiet military presses, squats, lunges, rows, dead lifts, lat pull downs, triceps extensions and press downs, cable crossovers, biceps curls and more.
Smith systems start at $900 online and can cost up to $1,200 for a full Smith system with all the benches, cable attachments and bells and whistles. Please keep in mind that in most cases Olympic bars and weights are sold separately.
