Weird new contraption?

[JMR89GT]

My gym had a new power rack type thing today that i have never seen before, just wondering if anyone has seen or used this. Not sure what it was called but it looks like a power rack or a smith ...er...sorry... smythe machine, but in the middle it has a barbell that is suspended by what looked like cables kind of like a kids swing. Anyone think this type of thing would be useful or does it just sound like a gimmick? I didnt use it or see anyone use it.

[The Munster]

It's probably one of those new self-spotting machines. The way it works, as I understand it, is the bar has a very small cable running along it and when you grip the bar (and fine cable) the bar and cables the bar is hanging from move freely. But, if you let go of the bar (and fine cable) the cables automatically catch the bar in place. It has to do with your grip completing or breaking a current. If there is a current, gripping the bar, it moves freely. If the current breaks, the bar catches.

[rowtogrow]

saw Lee Priest using in on one of the BFO videos. Looks cool.

Did you try it out?

[Richard85]

but if your trying to get out from under it on decline benchpress persay, do you just let go to stop the current? cause if the current doesnt cut immedieatly, its goin straight for your neck

[homonunculus]

Yep, just let go and it does. Work so-so, but the hardest part is often getting the damn thing to release.

Also, you can't use straps w/ it, b/c they disrupt the sensing mechanism (insulate your hands).

I won't even thing abouut trying it for squats - I'm not sure how I would (or could) let go after a tough set w/ the bar dug into my traps...

It is nice for RP sets of presses though, b/c you can finish on a negative and then use the machine to lift the weight back to the starting point.

-R

[Richard85]

Yep, just let go and it does. Work so-so, but the hardest part is often getting the damn thing to release.

Also, you can't use straps w/ it, b/c they disrupt the sensing mechanism (insulate your hands).

I won't even thing abouut trying it for squats - I'm not sure how I would (or could) let go after a tough set w/ the bar dug into my traps...

It is nice for RP sets of presses though, b/c you can finish on a negative and then use the machine to lift the weight back to the starting point.

-R

id like to see a pic of a machine like that

[James]

lol that must be nice, the newest inventions at my gym are the dumbbell and a 17th century smith machine.

[homonunculus]

id like to see a pic of a machine like that

Ye ask... and ye shall receive:

http://www.allaboutfitness.biz/abprospot.htm

-R

[silverfox]

Just something about letting go of a bar with lots of weight on it, that is un-natural, take some getting used to.

[jimpaul]

I don't know how great that is for the fact that hands get sweaty.
What then? I like using chalk, even on the Smythe machine. Also sometimes I like to regrip.

For some it may be a good machine, but I'd be kind of leery about it.
jim