You can use free weights or a smith machine.
Bench press free weights vs smith machine.
Really the bench press has a lot of versatility to it.
However the intention with smith machines was never to overtake free weights.
However in the smith machine the weight is often lighter.
No weight lifted on any machine is the same as using free weights.
The smith machine can be used for several types of exercises but is mainly used for doing squats and presses.
From personal experience and what studies tell us there s no real competition between free weights and smith machines.
No weight lifted on any machine is the same as using free weights.
For those who are unfamiliar barbell bench presses involve olympic flat benches and free weights whereas the smith machine bench press used a bar that is attached to the machine.
This includes machines like the leg press leg extension chest press lat pulldown and machine curls just to name a few.
The smith machine offers several advantages.
In some cases the smith machine itself has a counterweight that reduces the weight of the bar and often there is no way to know by how much.
The two pillars of weight training.
Each side greatly praises the benefits of each and conveniently downplays the cons.
Different weights can be used.
The smith machine is a tricky one and could potentially fall into this category but for the purposes of this article i ll be considering that on the free weight side.
Machines and free weights.
Equipped with guide rods you don t have to worry about balancing the barbell.
The smith machine is designed to make the bar glide up and down and the apparatus on the sides of the machine that allows it to slide also can make the bar lighter.
Many smith machines reduce the bar s weight by 10 15 or 20 pounds.
Machines refer to fixed standalone pieces of equipment that use pins pulleys cables and weight stacks.
The path of the bar is different for each bench press.
However is the barbell flat bench press the king of benching and chest movements.
Benefits of smith machines.
Free weights are proven to have more benefits.
A standard bench press barbell weighs 45 pounds.
Provides stabilized weight many smith machines include a self balancing barbell.