48 exercises
The Best 48 Smith Machine Exercises with Videos & Tips
Discover Smith machine exercises providing a fixed vertical bar path for guided movement. Every exercise features HD video guidance and form tips to help you safely build strength, isolate muscles, and train with added confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Smith machine bad for you?
No. The Smith machine gets an unfair reputation. It is a legitimate tool for building muscle, especially for exercises like hip thrusts, split squats, incline press, and shoulder press. The fixed bar path lets you focus on the target muscle without worrying about balance.
Does a Smith machine squat count as a real squat?
It works the same primary muscles but removes the need for stabilization. It is a different exercise than a barbell squat, not a lesser one. If your goal is building quad and glute muscle, Smith machine squats are perfectly effective. For sport-specific strength, free weight squats are better.
What are the best exercises to do on a Smith machine?
Hip thrusts, Bulgarian split squats, incline bench press, close-grip bench press, and calf raises are all excellent on the Smith machine. These exercises benefit from the stability it provides and let you load the target muscle harder without a spotter.