Any opinion on a Smith Machine

[ironwill]

I found a slightly used Smith machine for cheap $$. The downside I can see, although a good safety feature is the barbell slides on 2 chrome rods which allows you to hook it in to the beam if ur in troublw without a spotter. The disadvantage I can see is its held in place, so you will lose the stabilizer muscle action. Is that big enough of a diadvantage to keep looking? Any opinion? I will be lifting alone quite a bit!! Appreciate any input.

[ironwill]

Disregard...when I searched I hadn't tied the words smith and machine together, so didn't get the right results. Got it, straight from Troy.... no smith machine, stay off that peice of trouble

[Boss Man]

People have differing opinions.

In my opinion, Smith is fine for some things. I Squat on it, because trust me, squatting alone Freebar, and not necessarily having a spotter, is not a risk I'd be prepared to take.

As for Benching, some do it, when there is no other option, as it's safer than Benching with an Olympic Bar, and no spotter.

You need to do what you feel is best. I don't feel there is a necessary right or wrong with a Smith. I've read plenty of people saying Smith is fine in some instances, and others not so positive.

[ironwill]

Thanks for the input. I used to lift weights 6 days a week when I was in the military, but never used a Smith, so didn't know much about it. The other piece I'm looking at is basically a squat cage (rack) it has safety rods, adjustable in the center of the rack. (I'm sure you know what it is.) Pretty sure I can bench in the center also with the safety rods to bail me out if I get in a mess. It also has a Lat pull down set-up which I would like. Hoping I can get my wife to work out with me some, but I'm sure she won't always.