How much difference does a smith machine make?
Hey bud, the smith machine stabilises the motion so you dont use other accesorary muscles that would come in to play if you done a free standing squate or bench press. And your right when you say there would be a difference in weight if you tried the free standing, would take a bit to get used to it and you wouldn’t be able to go as heavy. As for the exercise its self some say the smith puts more pressure on the knees. This is because the hamstings are not used as much for support during the exercise and this makes the knees less stable.
