[mlrtime]

I want to add to this. I'm also a Starting Strength alumni, moved on to the advanced programs and last stopped at 5/3/1.

One thing I learned: When I was peak-ego my DL/SQ/BP was ~1300lbs. I remember actively thinking the people on the machines and especially the "Smith" machine were wasting time.

Then after awhile, I switched gyms and noticed the biggest/oldest guys were not olympic lifting, they were all on machines. I got to talking to them and they said the same thing, they weren't chasing power numbers, they wanted to stay safe and the machines allowed them to do that.

You can still get injured on a leg press machine, but it offers most of the advantages without the huge risk of 350lbs dropping on your neck.