This may sound silly but focus on your stance when you play. First stand with you feet parallel to the game. Push/nudge the lockdown bar forward. You may see that as you push forward you actually knock yourself backwards.
Now drop either your left or right foot back 12-24”. Push/nudge forward again. You should see that momentum is more on your side due to your stable base.
The point is with a proper stance you can get a better nudge without using as much force.
In any event, these machines are built tough and nudging and slap saving isn’t going to hurt it.