Smith Machine Squats

.......I perform my FULL SQUATS on the Smith Machine.

Since I train alone the safety catches on the machine give me the confidence to go all-out without a spotter/partner.

Problem is my form/feel on this exercise kinda sucks. When I first started doing SQ> on the Smith I read an article that advised slightly LEANING BACK into the bar.

I also find it somewhat difficult
keeping my back straight and depth is also an issue.

I should add I^m tall (6-2" ),
so my bodytype is not advantageous for squatting....

Any tips/advice anyone could give me
specifically adapted for the Smith would be grealy appreciated.

Does your gym have a squat rack?

LOL ....oh yeah> working up the courage to approach it.

Do real squats in the squat rack. You can fail and it is perfectly safe. Much safer and better for the legs than Smith squats.

You' ll find greater benefits from the squat rack and its less hazardous on your body!

I agree with zack. I started doing smith squats because it sort of helps you get your form down, but after doing smith' s for about 2 months, i switched to a squat rack and it is so much different. As long as you stay in the rack, you' re totally safe. When I was doing smith squats i did five sets starting at 135 and goin up to 295. When I switched to the rack, i could barely do 225 for 6 reps. So now I have to get used to the bar. In the long run it will help, but for now it sucks beacuse I can' t go as heavy on it.

My advce is to start light and get right into free weight Squats. The smith machine is cancer IMO and should be avoided.

Good luck.

If your gonna do your squats on the smith just make sure its bolted to the floor or has really good skid pads, dont want the machine to fall on you now

I think you should do full free weight squats in a power rack,because you don`t use a lot of the stabilizing muscles in the Smith machine style. Don`t worry about weight just keep them progressive and go deep. Leave your ego at the door and work the squats hard for high and low reps always keeping good form.It`s one of the best exercises you will ever do.If you aren`t squatting ,you aren`t training.