Angled vs Vertical Smith Machine: Which Is Better?
by Adam Toffan , M.Sc, NSCA-CSCS, CSEP-CPT Assistant Fitness Training and Assessment Coordinator, Recreation Services at the University of Manitoba You may have noticed we have added a new Smith machine to the ALC gym floor! You also may have seen that the new Smith machine is a little different from the old one. Our old Smith machine has a vertical bar path while our new one has an angled bar path. Many people wonder if one is better than the other. Or if there is a proper way to use the angled bar path. So today, I want to explain the differences between these pieces and how to correctly orient yourself to effectively use each Smith machine. Pros and Cons of the Smith Machine The main issue people have with the Smith machine is a common issue with most strength machines. Because the bar has a fixed path, there is far less activation in the stabilizer muscles for the movement. This leads to the underdevelopment of these muscles, which may have an adverse effect when you are