Smith Machines

A Smith machine runs a barbell on fixed guide rails, so you can squat, press and row heavy and rack the bar at almost any height with a twist of the wrists. Muscle D Fitness and Body Solid make up the range, which runs from home-focused Best Fitness and Powerline frames to commercial-grade units with counterbalanced bars and built-in cable stations. Decide how you plan to train, then match the frame to your ceiling height and floor space.

How to choose a Smith machine

Bar path. Most rails run straight up and down. The Body Solid Series 7 angled Smith (GS348B) sets its rails at a 7-degree angle instead, pairs them with a freeweight gun rack, and gives you 20 lock-out points and a Smith bar that weighs only 25 lbs.

Counterbalanced or standard. A counterbalance offsets the bar's own weight so you can start light. Body Solid's Pro Clubline Counter-Balanced SCB1000B handles up to 1,000 pounds on an oval 11-gauge steel frame with six Olympic plate storage posts. The Muscle D commercial-grade Smith with plate storage glides on precision linear bearings, uses a nearly weightless counterbalanced Olympic bar and comes in 85" or 93" heights.

Combo stations. Want cables in the same footprint? The Muscle D Megatron Dual Adjustable Pulley / Smith Combo joins a counterbalanced bar to dual 180 lb weight stacks with 21 pulley height positions. The Muscle D MAX Rack moves its custom rotating 44 lb Olympic bar both vertically and horizontally, with forward, rear and lower racking catches.

Home frames and add-ons. The Body Solid Best Fitness BFSM250B is a home model rated for 300 lbs, with 20 lockout points. The Powerline Smith Gym (PSM1442XS) bundles the Powerline Smith with a flat/incline/decline bench, a 150 lb weight stack, pec, preacher curl, leg developer and lat row stations. Series 7 owners can add the GLA348 lat attachment, made for the GS348 only, which carries its own 210 lb alloy steel stack.

Trainer's take on guided-bar training

I like a fixed bar path for one reason above all: you can work close to failure alone and stop the rep wherever you need to. Before you buy, check ceiling height with the bar on its top hook plus room for your arms overhead, and leave space at both ends of the bar for loading plates. Because the rails set the path, place your feet slightly forward on squats and slide the bench until the bar lands over mid-chest on presses. Progress in small jumps and log every session. I still pair guided-bar work with some free-weight lifts so your stabilizers keep getting trained.

Smith machine FAQ

What is a counterbalanced Smith machine?

It uses a counterweight system to offset the bar's weight, so the starting load is lower than the bar itself. Here, the Body Solid SCB1000B, the Muscle D commercial-grade model and the Megatron combo all use counterbalanced bars.

Where can I buy a commercial Smith machine?

Right here. Muscle D titles its standalone Smith as commercial grade, and Body Solid describes the SCB1000B as commercially rated and suited to all facilities.

How much does a Smith bar weigh?

It depends on the design. The Series 7 bar weighs 25 lbs, the MAX Rack uses a 44 lb rotating Olympic bar, and counterbalanced bars start lighter than their actual weight.

How tall is a Smith machine?

Listed heights include 79" for the BFSM250B, 84" for the SCB1000B, 85" for the PSM1442XS and 90" for the MAX Rack, and the Muscle D commercial model comes in 85" or 93". Compare that figure with your ceiling before ordering.

Prefer free barbell work as well? See our power racks and workout benches, or add cable training with functional trainers. The strength equipment buying guide lays out how guided bars, racks and leg presses compare.