Smith Machine squats

[brisk walk]

You will recruit more fibers doing free weight squats because you will recruit more ancillary and stabilizing muscles. However if you can't do full range reps, have poor ankle or hip flexibility (just not built for squatting), smith machine may be better for YOU (keyword).
On trial: barbell squats vs. Smith machine squats: What's the difference between doing squats with a barbell and squats in a Smith machine? | Flex | Find Articles at BNET
This link quotes a study in a journal (albeit not a peer reviewed one).

I love when people say Ronnie squatted, Dorian didn't, Kai flat benches. Like if one was to emulate their workout routine they would have the same results.

Dorian did squat early on his career (or at least that what he claims in interviews) T NATION | Dorian Yates Speaks
and I bet most all pros did at one point in there lives.

Regardless you need to experiment and see what works for you.

Dorian did free weight squats early in his career.....but then switched to the Smith machine version......Craig Titus did Smith machine squats.....as does our own Emeric Delczeg......I use the Smith machine for squats and really like them. Try both and decide for yourself.

 

[PeterBobJohn]

J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Dec;23(9):2588-91.

A comparison of free weight squat to Smith machine squat using electromyography.

College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Schwanbeck S, Chilibeck PD, Binsted G.

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether free weight or Smith machine squats were optimal for activating the prime movers of the legs and the stabilizers of the legs and the trunk. Six healthy participants performed 1 set of 8 repetitions (using a weight they could lift 8 times, i.e., 8RM, or 8 repetition maximum) for each of the free weight squat and Smith machine squat in a randomized order with a minimum of 3 days between sessions, while electromyographic (EMG) activity of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, lumbar erector spinae, and rectus abdominus were simultaneously measured. Electromyographic activity was significantly higher by 34, 26, and 49 in the gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and vastus medialis, respectively, during the free weight squat compared to the Smith machine squat (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between free weight and Smith machine squat for any of the other muscles; however, the EMG averaged over all muscles during the free weight squat was 43% higher when compared to the Smith machine squat (p < 0.05). The free weight squat may be more beneficial than the Smith machine squat for individuals who are looking to strengthen plantar flexors, knee flexors, and knee extensors.

That was exactly what I was looking for thank you

 

[PeterBobJohn]

As long as you go hard, IMHO its like 99% of everything in the world.

"The similarities are many and the differences are few"

There are a lot of potential variables to that question. Go hard with either and you should be happy. Do both.

Are you waiting for someone to say one will be 17.85% better? For you specifically based on the zero information about yourself that you provided?

yes

 

[PeterBobJohn]

You will recruit more fibers doing free weight squats because you will recruit more ancillary and stabilizing muscles. However if you can't do full range reps, have poor ankle or hip flexibility (just not built for squatting), smith machine may be better for YOU (keyword).
On trial: barbell squats vs. Smith machine squats: What's the difference between doing squats with a barbell and squats in a Smith machine? | Flex | Find Articles at BNET
This link quotes a study in a journal (albeit not a peer reviewed one).

I love when people say Ronnie squatted, Dorian didn't, Kai flat benches. Like if one was to emulate their workout routine they would have the same results.

Dorian did squat early on his career (or at least that what he claims in interviews) T NATION | Dorian Yates Speaks
and I bet most all pros did at one point in there lives.

Regardless you need to experiment and see what works for you.

thanks this is also what I was looking for thank you very much

 

[aussiebulldog]

I do my squats in the smith.
back issues make it unsafe for me to do them with free weights.
you do what you can , and whats works for you.

 

[aussiebulldog]

I

Cedric McMillan shares his views in this video;
Bigger Tube - Cedrick McMillan Trains Legs: Road to the Nationals

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Cedric is very impressive.