Drop It Like a Squat? My Barbell Confession from a Smith Machine
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Hello Reader,β Heya Fit Travel Tribe,β β π€ Smith Machine vs. Barbell: Which Should You Use? π€ First off....what's the difference? Maybe it doesn't ring a bell... β Personally, I used to get so frustrated when a gym only had a Smith machine for squats. With my tighter ankles, the fixed bar path felt awkward and, frankly, a bit sketchy. As much as I *roll my eyes* at seeing a sole Smith machine in a foreign gym, it DOES have its benefits. β So, how do you pick which is best for YOU? And even if you prefer the barbell...what if the Smith is your only option? β π Hello from a travel-weary but content-creating soul. I'm back in my home base of Sofia, Bulgaria, and it feels so good to unpack for more than three days. β Anyone else feel like they're dancing through the lightning strikes right now? β‘ππ β Confession time π I'm super tired of travel. It's hitting my motivation and is a bit depressing, yet I always hear "Oh wow, you're living the life!" Yes, but... I dream of not traveling for many months, getting my visa sorted, and just staying put. In the meantime, I'm channeling it all into creating new audio walking tours! β Here are some quick highlights since last time:
Also, literally Life of a Showgirl music ALL THE TIME right now! P.S. Email me back your favorite song My Guide to Budget Gyms in TΓΌrkiye ππΈ Finding a decent, affordable gym on the road is a game-changer. I've been testing them out for you and just published my deep-dives on gyms in two amazing spots (and my third coming soon will be for Istanbul): Inside these posts:
π Bookmark these spots if you ever plan to visit the country of TΓΌrkiye! Though my motivation is waning for lifting while traveling, it's felt good to double-dip and capture some content too! β π The Budget Gym --- where your gains meet travel constraints ποΈββοΈ Walk into a budget gym abroad and you'll often find a Smith Machine but no full squat rack. It's a classic nomad dilemma. So, let's get to the big questions: β¬ β¬ β¬ 1. Which option is best for your squats? β The verdict? For building raw, functional strength and power, the Barbell is the undisputed champion. β 2. But what if you're stuck with a Smith Machine? Key Tips:β In short, don't despair! Just take time to adapt and conquer your workout! How I Fly for (Almost) Free Using Credit Card Points βοΈ I've booked trans-continental flights with points and the fee was less than a fancy coffee. β This isn't magicβit's a system. And I've packed everything I've learned into one simple guide. The 3-step mindset for travel hacking:
Once you get the hang of it, you're basically getting paid to travel. β Unlock the full system in my Credit Card Hacking for Beginners guide
β Always on my mind: More money for more travel! It's often worth a little homework for those savings πΈ If you've found this content helpful, please consider sharing this email with a friend & using these affiliate links in the future. Please note that I never make referrals unless I truly believe this product or service is actually helpful π If you use my affiliate links included in the email, it is at no additional cost to YOU, but it does benefit me. It's a small "thank you" and continuous motivation for me to keep sharing this helpful content. Feel free to always respond back to this email with any thoughts and questions you might have or content you'd love to see in the future. Happy travels and healthy living, Heidiβ Note: Some images and GIFs sourced from Unsplash and Giphy. |