Ask The Coach: Cassie Lambert

Hey Fit Fam!  Today we’re talking about the Smith Machine and how to correctly use it to build lean muscle. In some fitness circles, this piece of equipment unfairly gets a bad rap; but according to Fitness Coach Cassie Lambert, it’s the perfect mechanism for hypertrophy, exercise variation and working around injuries.

We also think the Smith Machine is a great start while learning proper form or if you’re not quite ready to use the free barbell.

That’s why we’re sharing excerpts from her article: The Ultimate Smith Machine Guide To Build Muscle. Complete with videos on proper form and sample workouts, her guide will have you ready to hit the gym with confidence!

The Ultimate Smith Machine Guide To Build Muscle

Author: Cassie Lambert

I LOVE incorporating the Smith Machine into my workouts!

The Smith Machine is basically a barbell on a track housed inside a squat rack and has a predictable trajectory that goes straight up and down, which makes it great for training solo, working around certain injuries.

The barbell has a hook on either side, and a simple twist of the wrist spins the bar, locking it onto any of several notches along the outside of the track. This means you can set the bar at any starting height, allowing you to transition easily from standing and lying to sitting and more.

Smith machines also have safety stops that can be set to any height along the machine, preventing the barbell from descending further, thereby protecting you from injury and acting as a virtual training partner.

Despite all of the AWESOMENESS the Smith Machine has to offer, there are plenty of internet haters who bash this versatile muscle building apparatus for its lack of functionality and then something about stabilizer muscles, but I tend to tune anyone out whose argument solely rests on functional fitness as the holy grail.

What about the person who has bad knees or back and uses the smith machine to stay more upright and take pressure off these areas so they can squat pain-free?

What about the person who does not feel comfortable with the barbell on their back yet but is able to build the confidence in the Smith Machine and then transition to the squat rack?

What about the person who wants to focus on glutes and hamstrings when they squat and take the emphasis off the quads or vice versa?

Then the Smith machine is the perfect mechanism for all of these.  Not to mention all the other benefits the Smith Machine offers for hypertrophy and exercise variation.  

I say to the naysayers, take a few moments to step outside of your functional fitness tunnel vision and realize that building muscle is not just about function and includes an aesthetic appeal as well, tailored to the preference of each individual.

Check out these 12 Smith Machine exercises that you can easily incorporate into your workout plan.

1. SMITH MACHINE SUMO SQUAT

 

2. STIFF LEGGED DEADLIFT

3.  BENCH PRESS

4. BENT OVER ROW

5. BOX SQUATS

6. LEG PRESS

 

7. HACK SQUAT

 

8. SHOULDER PRESS

 

9. SPLIT LUNGE

 

10.  SINGLE LEG LEG PRESS

 

11. REVERSE LUNGE

 

12. KNEELING SQUAT

 

Here is a sample Upper Body and Lower Body workout that effectively incorporates the Smith Machine.

Lower Body (Hamstring/Glute Focus)

3×12 Smith Machine Siff Legged Deadlifts

3×15 Lying Leg Curl

3×10 Smith Machine Split Lunge

4×20 DB Hip Thrust

3×20 Banded Hip Abduction

 

Upper Body (Back/Shoulder Focus)

3×15 Wide Grip Lat Pulldown

3×12 Smith Machine Bent Over Row

3×8  Smith Machine Shoulder Press

3×20 Cable Rope Face Pulls

3×20 DB Lateral Raise 3×15

 

 To learn more about Cassie and her fitness programs that help women lift their way to a Rockin' Bod, check her out HERE!  Or read her article in it's entirety  👉🏼 Full Article

As always, we'd love to hear your questions or comments below. If you found this article helpful feel free to tweet, pin or share on FB.