Smith press machines - good or bad?

[FocusedOne]

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Given all this - what's the point of a smith machine at all? Are there any exercises where a smith is better than free weights?

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Pretty much why they have machines too...it's just easier, people like easy.

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I disagree. Sometimes I use this machine. Sometimes it makes perfect sense to use it. Behind-the-head shoulder presses, for example, are done on here when I want to jack the weight up. I am looking for mass/strength so I want the added support of this machine so that I can do more than I could with dumbells.

I used to do squats on there when I was starting my leg routines, but I don't anymore. It's also nice to use a smith machine when you want to bench alone. I go to the gym at 630 and there is no one there to spot me. This way I can get the weight up there and know that if I run into any trouble I can just spin the bar and be fine.