Narrow Smith Machine Squat

Exercise Info

LevelIntermediate
Muscle GroupQuads
Secondary MuscleCalves, Glutes, Hamstrings
Exercise TypeStrength
Equipment RequiredMachine
Force TypePush
rating3

Tips

  1. Its crucially important that you keep a straight back when you squat! You can ensure your back is straight by keeping eyes facing forward, chest out, shoulder blades back, and back arched. Keep your core muscles tensed throughout the movement to help hold your back in place.
  2. Always push up through your heels. Curling up your toes can help you get the technique right.
  3. Using squats to their full potential requires squatting down at least until your thighs are around parallel to the floor.
  4. Dont point your knees in or out when youre lowering or pushing the weight. This puts unnecessary strain on the knee joints.

Instructions

  1. Set up for the narrow stance smith machine squat by setting the bar to around shoulder height and loading the weight you want to use.
  2. Stand under the bar with your legs in a narrow stance (feet around 3-6 inches apart).
  3. Grasp the bar with a wide grip and position the center of the bar on top of the muscles on your back. The bar should not sit on your neck!
  4. Keeping your back straight and eyes facing forwards and take the weight off the rack. Take a slight step forward.
  5. Keeping your eyes facing forwards with a straight back, slowly squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  6. Pushing up through the heels, raise the the bar back to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for desired reps.