Another Smith Machine ?

[CiSmAXz]

How much weight can you figure in for the bar on the smith machine?

[jayz33055]

the bar almost floats...i think u should calculate it at 20 pounds at the most

[Levrone2000]

yea it is like 22 lbs. or something like that...i'd try using another type of machine though esp. for squats b/c smith machines r fuked up

[ctgblue]

If you are talking about a commercial counterbalanced machine, the bars are usually set for 10 - 20 lbs depending on the make.
You can immediately tell a counterbalanced bar because it's so light (sorry to state the obvious) but a non counterbalanced machine will vary from 40 lbs (light duty residential) to over 60 lbs (solid olympic bar + slides and hooks, light commercial-heavy residential).
If you are using a counterbalanced machine at a gym, at least one of the staff or managers SHOULD know the exact bar weight.
Contrary to some opinions, Smith Machines are good for squats but you cannot do them like regular squats, with feet under the bar. You need to get them out at LEAST 6-10" in front of the bar to take the shear stress off the back and knees(find the distance where you feel the pain in the muscle and not the joints). Try mixing these in with regular squats about every 4th time and they will compliment your free squats.
I've got one in the house for self spotting so I'm a little biased, but I got that way from watching almost every really big guy in the gym use the machine on a reguler basis. It really helps when you fail that 8th rep at 350 on bench and are able to crawl out from under it.

[James5567]

that was a very in-depth and accurate answer ctgblue.i really like the smith machine for a lot of exercises, it can really target the quads well, sissy squats on the smith machine are brutal as well

[ctgblue]

Thanks,
A lot of people new to bodybuilding don't really understand the smith.
They rag on it saying, "you can lift way more" etc... Not realizing that MOST smiths in a commercial gym are counterbalanced to about 10 lbs so they automatically get a 35# advantage over a straight bar.
True, they do guide the bar, but they also force you to work in a single plane which really forces growth in the targeted muscle group, IE you can't cheat on bench and use a lot of tri's and front delts if you lift wide in the low/mid chest line, you gotta have some CHEST to push this. They should get hold of a non counterbalanced machine like mine which ADDS 15-20 lbs to the bar and see how hard it is to push 350# compared to free bar low bouncing the weight.
This has added 25#'s to my squat in the past month by forcing me to REALLY "sit down with it" and work the glutes and hams.
Wrap the knees and slam it up there.
I work at the gym for the free weights but it is invaluable at home to be able to rack in mid rep and walk out from under 400+.
Good reps to all..

[khan123]

that was a very in-depth and accurate answer ctgblue.i really like the smith machine for a lot of exercises, it can really target the quads well, sissy squats on the smith machine are brutal as well

Are squats bad to do on a smith machine???

[eelsemaj]

Are squats bad to do on a smith machine???

free weights are better

[CFF]

How much weight can you figure in for the bar on the smith machine?

In stead of everyone guessing the bars weight, why not just weigh it on a scale. If the bar does not come low enough to way it, then put a box on the scale and then let the bar down on top of it. To guess the weight is is silly. I could say the bar weighs nothing or a hundred pounds. The fact is that all smith machines do not have bars that weigh out to be the same; counter balanced or not. Some bars weigh 7 lbs all the way up to 45lbs.
The following is the brand/Model & the bars counter balanced weight:
Make Counterbalanced Weights

Cybex 15 lbs
Nautilus 10 lbs
Precor/Icarian 15lbs
Body Solids Pro club-line 13 lbs
Body Solid Series 7 smith 25 lbs
Legend Fitness 25 lbs
Lamar 8545 10 LBS
BodyCraft Jones 25 & 45 lbs (depends on your bar choice)
Also remember, not all bars are counter-balanced.
You can find the full specs here:
http://www.christiansfitnessfactory....w-all-products
Bottom line, just weigh the bar. No one can say because they do not neven know what model you have.

[stevnoof]

How much weight can you figure in for the bar on the smith machine?

it says it on the machine my gym is 25lb most are 15-35 i believe

[Elliott3548]

Weighing the bar by itself doesn't account for the slide and hooks, as ctgblue said. I think the best way to weigh a bar on a smith is with a hanging scale, like you use to weigh fish. There's a hook on the scale for hooking on a fish so that you just hang it to get the weight. Rig this to your bar and then to some point above the bar, let the bar go and you will see EXACTLY what load your bar + slides +hooks equals. They aren't much money, and you probably know someone who you can borrow on from. Problem is, a lot of them only go to 20 lbs or so. I attached a pic on of one that goes to 75 lbs and is $12.

[Jimbo.]

OP hasn't posted since 2002 . . . I don't think he cares anymore, guys

[CFF]

Weighing the bar by itself doesn't account for the slide and hooks, as ctgblue said. I think the best way to weigh a bar on a smith is with a hanging scale, like you use to weigh fish. There's a hook on the scale for hooking on a fish so that you just hang it to get the weight. Rig this to your bar and then to some point above the bar, let the bar go and you will see EXACTLY what load your bar + slides +hooks equals. They aren't much money, and you probably know someone who you can borrow on from. Problem is, a lot of them only go to 20 lbs or so. I attached a pic on of one that goes to 75 lbs and is $12.

When I said to weigh the bar, I meant while it was still on the machine. That would give you the true weight. If you used a hanging scale, it would not work on a angled smith machine. It would be close, but not accurate.

[Riggaman]

When I said to weigh the bar, I meant while it was still on the machine. That would give you the true weight. If you used a hanging scale, it would not work on a angled smith machine. It would be close, but not accurate.

Why couldn't you just put a scale on the floor and weigh yourself, then put the bar on your shoulders (within the rack) and weight it like that?

EDIT: DAMN IT! This stupid thread is 9 years old.

[Jimbo.]

Why couldn't you just put a scale on the floor and weigh yourself, then put the bar on your shoulders (within the rack) and weight it like that?

EDIT: DAMN IT! This stupid thread is 9 years old.

haha, I tried to tell you guys

[Unbreakable09]

EDIT: DAMN IT! This stupid thread is 9 years old.

[Riggaman]

Are squats bad to do on a smith machine???

Here's the culprit.

Thanks for making me feel like a jackass, buddy.

[dparty82]

I thought the OP was thinking of buying another smith machine.


Laughing leads to a healthy heart.

[Keetman]

Here's the culprit.

Thanks for making me feel like a jackass, buddy.

Yea, I negged him days ago.

Let's see.....the guys here flame you for bringing up old posts, asking about smith machines, and asking how much the weight of a bar is.........troll trifecta.



(I don't thing you really get flamed around here for owning or liking a smith machine, but the subject can certainly become troll bait)


Not to mention, even if he was serious, CTG had answered his damn question 2 post above years ago.

[ironwill2008]

In before three fid.....................................nvm