Smith Machines have been a staple piece of equipment in commercial and home gyms across Canada for decades. Consisting of a fixed barbell that glides up and down along a set of vertical rails, the Smith Machine is versatile and has a number of unique benefits.
The primary benefit of the Smith Machine is that it is designed specifically for controlled barbell training. The fixed vertical movement pattern eliminates the need for advanced balance to perform certain exercises. Without the challenge of finding and maintaining balance, you can perform targeted exercises that isolate muscle groups and emphasize form.
Another terrific benefit of training on a Smith Machine is that it provides a safer training experience, especially if you workout alone. Because of its fixed design, the bar can’t be dropped, and with limited multi-directional movement, it’s much less likely that you will lose your balance.