Smith Machine Bar
- Thread starter Red
- Start date
When I am writing in my training logs and I use the smith machine I just indicate that it is a "smith so-and-so" exercise, then if I am using two 45's on each side, indicate weight by simply writing "+90". The reason for this anyway is that most decent smith machines are counterbalanced, so the amount of weight of the bar is nearly irrelevant. You should be able to lift and empty bar with your fingers.
The design of the Smith Machine is so one is using 'free weights'; so counterbalanced? That doesn't seem possible JP ... it isn't used with wires or anything of that nature... lifting the bar with one finger isn't possible. Maybe I'm not understanding what you're saying. I was guessing it to be around 25-35 pounds. I'll keep looking online. Thanks for the advice! 
Smith Machine
The actual weight of a Smith Machine bar will vary from manufaturer to manufacturer, and also if the machine was correctly installed.
Most machines will use a belt or cable system to counter most of the weight of the bar (Atlantis, Cybex) which leaves you with a bar weighting less that 10lbs. This only happens when the machine is properly assmbled and maintained.
Other manufacturers will not counter-weight the bar and you will have the entire weight of the bar (around 40lbs) with the weight of the tracking mechanism which holds it onto the rails (about 10-20lbs).
There is one other fator in the force neede to move the bar on a Smith apparatus - if the machine is mis-aligned or the rails are not properly cleaned and lubricated regularly, the resistance to movement will include not insignificant factor of friction.
Use free weights - it's easier to know what you are lifting.
The actual weight of a Smith Machine bar will vary from manufaturer to manufacturer, and also if the machine was correctly installed.
Most machines will use a belt or cable system to counter most of the weight of the bar (Atlantis, Cybex) which leaves you with a bar weighting less that 10lbs. This only happens when the machine is properly assmbled and maintained.
Other manufacturers will not counter-weight the bar and you will have the entire weight of the bar (around 40lbs) with the weight of the tracking mechanism which holds it onto the rails (about 10-20lbs).
There is one other fator in the force neede to move the bar on a Smith apparatus - if the machine is mis-aligned or the rails are not properly cleaned and lubricated regularly, the resistance to movement will include not insignificant factor of friction.
Use free weights - it's easier to know what you are lifting.