Machine squats may limit your gains. Canadian scientists say free weights work your muscles harder than the Smith machine, which is the squat station with a built-in bar that runs on guides. “The Smith machine stabilizes the barbell, requiring your muscles to work less,” says study author Phil Chilibeck, Ph.D. Free weights, like dumbbells or barbells, provide a better overall training effect by stressing more muscle fibers in your body. In fact, there is a 43% increase in leg-muscle activation doing free-weight squats instead of using a Smith machine.

Source: Muscle Bulletin; Men’s Health Magazine, March 2010

Since 1997, Move Your Mind FITNESS has been providing fitness services to the community of Upper Arlington and the surrounding neighborhoods. Within the walls of this 10,000 sq. ft., co-ed fitness center, you will find fully-equipped resistance and cardio centers, private Pilates & Gyrotonic studios, the latest Group Fitness Classes, and other amenities such as a staff of Certified Personal Trainers, a Supervised Playroom, and full-service locker rooms.