Im just getting started and wondering which should I purchase a smith machine or Power Rack? Anyone have opinions or suggestions?

My local play it again sports has a few smith machines.

I was also looking at this equipment at my local sams club, they have it for $425

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?mt=a&n=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_0546323332.1074876324_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccceadckhjkfhiicfkfcfkjdgoodfkf.0&coe=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-24845%3a-24846%3a-31069%3a735161

Is it worth buying? Or should I look for something more heavy duty, Im afraid
Ill out grow it.

Lee

definitely the power cage. You don't get a full range of motion with a smith machine, and that robs you of conditioning all of the supporter muscles along with other bad things you can do to your knees in a straight-up-and-down squat (see Dr. Squat for more info).

I got my power cage from Play it Again for about $300... Make sure it has the safety bars for your squats and a pull up bar.

Should I get one with the high/low pull down system?

Should I get one with the high/low pull down system?

by that I'm assuming you mean a cable pull... that's totally up to you. If you can't do many (or a) pull up then you might want to get the cable system and do some lat pulldowns until you can do a few pull ups.

Just want to reinforce the power rack decision. The smith machine is too restrictive. It's nice for a change of pace if you're at the gym, but for the home I'd definately go with the power rack!

i know this is an old post but i was searching and found this. i got a smith which has x overs and i love it but i have a bodysolid rack with lower pully and lat pdown so i get best of both. i somtimes come in from work at 3am and i cant get a spotter then so thats when i use the smith more. at the price i paid for the 2 i cant complain. it gives a good option.

Power rack, no question about it.

It's just me, but I cannot think of a single exercise I'd prefer to do with a Smith machine than with a simple barbell (and power rack if safety is a concern with the exercise.)

Interestingly enough, I have a Tracker 550, which is very similar to the Weider 500. The design is the same except for a few changes. The tracker, however, had 11 or 12 gauge steel and could hold 610 in the rack, too.

Weider Club 500 (http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?coe=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-24845%3a-24846%3a-31069%3a675792&mt=a&n=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_1369021474.1102535888_CS_&BV_EngineID=cccdadddfhlgifmcfkfcfkjdgoodfli.0)