SMITH MACHINE SQUATS

PURPOSE OF EXERCISE: To develop the
quadriceps. When you do Squats on a
machine, you can work the thighs
intensely while putting less strain on
other areas such as the knees and lower
back. There are a number of machines
designed to approximate the Squat
movement. They use a variety of
techniques to create resistance, including
weights, friction, and even air
compression. Personally, I have always
preferred doing Machine Squats on a
Smith machine.
EXECUTION: (1) Place your shoulders
under the bar and come up to a standing
position. Position your feet to obtain the
desired effects from the exercise (click
here). (2) Bend your knees and squat
down until your thighs are lower than
parallel, then press back up to the
starting position.
Turning your toes out helps develop
the inside of the thighs. Balancing a
barbell in this position could be
difficult, but the machine makes it easy.
Standing with your feet moved forward
helps isolate the quadriceps, especially
the lower area near the knee, and
minimizes strain to the lower back since
you don’t need to bend forward at all.