[Rocky]

Me and Evo were looking at this as a potential addition to our gym and reading the thread about whats better "smith or free weight squats" thought this was a pretty good comprimise. Effectively like spotter free squatting. Any of you guys used this?

[renox]

i think free squats better :X

[luke24]

thanks , never seen that before , thanks for keeping it fresh !

[fahad]

nothing beats free weights.......

Rectus Femoris (Quadriceps) % iEMG MAX
Safety Squats (90 Degree Angle, Shoulder-Width Stance) 88
Seated Leg Extensions (Toes Straight) 86
Hack Squats (90 Degree Angle, Shoulder-Width Stance) 78
Leg Press (110 Degree Angle) 76
Smith Machine Squats (90 Degree Angle, Shoulder-Width Stance) 60

[Lineski]

Guys, he's not asking whether you like free squats or machine squats better, he's asking, as someone who's opening and gym and purchasing equipment, if you've tried it and what you thought of it. I'm fairly certain that he's going to have places in his gym where you can perform free squats and that's he's well aware of their benefits.

Sorry for not being able to offer input of my own Rocky because I've never tried it, but I think that does look like a better piece of equipment than a Smith Machine seeing how it'll allow for more of an arch like movement; I'm just hoping it works smoothly.

[Rocky]

I believe free squats are better yes, and you're right was just informing you people of it's existence as a sort of halfway house between free and smith! I think it looks pretty cool and a good introduction for people who want to learn to squat but don't feel safe with a free squat or don't have a spot that day.

[lil-d]

that looks like a nice piece of equipiment

[ruel]

i never seen that equipment before.. it makes me feel like i comes from the past..

[mindstar]

Rocky, can you try it yourself? I think the best way to evaluate the equipment is to try it yourself. Maybe take someone new to squats with you to see how a new person might approach it.

[TrueOutlaw]

never seen it b4 looks alot like the smith being that the bar is fixed but im not sure what the forward and backwards movement is for. interesting though were did u find that and did it have a write up about its funtions and reason why?

[Rocky]

Outlaw - it is basically a smith but the forward and back movement is to create the movement of a free squat (or whatever exercise you are doing with it) byt not having the bar moving in a fixed plane so allowing the bar to travel in a better ROM yet still with the safety of a smith. We found it when looking for equipment: www.ironcompany.com

Midstar - I agree totally. Especially with cardio and machine type equipment as they can all differ greatly in how they feel, Trying it out will definately be the plan if we get it!