10 Best Smith Machines for Your Home Gym

Before you jump ahead on your quest for the best smith machine , take a second to read what exactly they are intended to do.

What is a Smith Machine?

Smith machines are multi-station gyms that are designed to fit into a corner of the room in a trainer’s home. Some of the more premium ones are also used in commercial gyms or sports complexes. Their history dates back to the mid-20th century.

They were economic very expensive and were thus only produced for commercial health clubs, but technological advancements have made it possible to cut costs and produce more affordable machines. But still, the best ones are on the expensive side even by today’s standards.

10 Home Gym Friendly Smith Machines

Considering their costs – and how roughly they are used – it is necessary to only purchase a practical, rugged, and sturdy Smith machine. Our reviews below look at ten of the best ones out there in the hope of assisting you in making a more informed decision.

#10 – PowerLine PSM144X Smith Machine

PROS

A ten-year warranty
Inexpensive
A sturdy frame

CONS

Limited versatility

Tenth on the list is one of the most pocket-friendly Smith machines on the market. Powerline is reputed for producing well-priced, top notch equipment and the PSM144X Smith Machine is no different.

This machine is simple with no frills and does only the basics – and does them very well. It offers fourteen lockout positions, a heavily reinforced glide carriage, and spotter extensions.

#9 – Body Solid Pro Club Line Counterbalanced Smith Machine

PROS

Six storage pegs
Olympic standards
Ruggedness
Comparably affordable

CONS

Too large for cramped spaces

The Body Solid Pro Club Line Counterbalanced machine is designed with military personnel, firefighters, and the police force in mind. It can compare to most premium commercial machines but only comes at a fragment of their prices.

Being counterbalanced means that it eases the lift and puts less strain on the user’s body. It can withstand about 1000 pounds on its steel frame and is designed to hold Olympic weight plates.

#8 – Body Solid Series 7 Smith Machine

PROS

Compact
Customizable
Rust-proof

CONS

Does not include a bench

The Series 7 Smith Machine from Body Solid is a compact machine designed to fit in most homes. It is decently customizable and can be easily beefed up with additional attachments. It comes coated with heavy-duty rubber to prevent scuffing and damage to walls.

This machine fits Olympic specifications and, depending on individual needs, it can either be the main machine or serve as a supplement to other gym equipment.

#7 – Valor Athletics Smith Machine

PROS

Affordable
Compact
Commercial specifications
High material quality

CONS

Benchless

The Valor Athletics Smith Machine may be compact, but it is as sturdy as most of its larger competitors.

Valor has designed this machine specifically for Olympic weights but has allowed parameters for conversion for use with regular weights. It is intended to last for years and can hold a maximum capacity of 1000 pounds.

#6 – Yukon Fitness Caribou System Smith Machine

PROS

Includes Olympic adaptors
Superbly versatile
Beginner friendly

CONS

No upgrade attachments

Yukon Fitness is renowned for the production of long-lasting workout equipment , and their Caribou System Smith Machine continues the trend. Built to last, this machine will outlive most other equipment in the gym.

Although it does not boast of most of the features found in more comprehensive Smith machines, it possesses the essential ones including a chin-up bar, dip station mount, and an adjustable bench.

#5 – Marcy Combo Smith Machine

PROS

Fully-loaded
High material quality
Nice and smooth guide rods

CONS

Difficult to assemble

From Marcy comes the Combo Smith Machine, an excellent fully-loaded home gym with most of the bells and whistles.

It features a Smith style press bar with a 14-gauge steel tubing construction, adjustable safety stops, a multi-position back pad and seat, a total leg developer, an independent motion upper pulley system, and a chin-up bar. It exhibits superior craftsmanship and includes two storage posts for Olympic weight plates.

#4 – Body Solid GS348QP4 Series 7 Smith Gym

Body Solid Gs348qp4 Series 7 Smith Gym For The Home

PROS

Ultimate versatility
Safe and controllable
Maximum stability
Fully equipped

CONS

Large and bulky

The GS348QP4 Series 7 Smith Gym Machine leads the pack of Body Solid products. It enables the user to get virtually the same experience as in a fully equipped gym.

It is based on a 2″x 3″ commercial standards mainframe and allows the user to perform over 50 exercises for expedited results. It provides a linear ball bearing Smith system, a free weight gun rack system, 20 cross-member lock-out safety points, and 14 lift-off and racking positions.

#3 – Inspire Fitness Ft2 Functional Trainer and Smith Station

PROS

Low maintenance costs
Completely comprehensive
Average-sized
Highly customizable

CONS

On the expensive side

The Ft2 Functional Trainer and Smith Station is one of the most extensive workout machines on the market. It is available in two variations: a regular bench less model and a fully loaded model.

The basic set comes with a pair of D handles, add on weight plates, a swing handle, a triceps rope, ankle cuffs, a straight bar, and a curl bar. The Ft2 also provides for a broad range of optional customizations and is rendered with a limited lifetime warranty.

#2 – Weider Pro 8500 Smith Weight Cage

PROS

Strength training features
Stable and safe
An exercise chart
Weight storage and a utility bench

CONS

Comparably costly

The Weider Pro 8500 Smith Weight Cage provides a bench that adjusts to incline, flat, decline, and military positions. It also features a multi-grip pull-up station, hand and ankle straps, a 6-foam leg developer, a curl yoke, a lat bar, and a 4-post squat rack.

It also integrates linear bearings, a low pulley with butterfly arms and a row plate, two high swivel pulleys, and adjustable safety tiers.

#1 – Marcy Diamond Elite Smith Machine

Cage with Linear Bearings

PROS

Economical
Commendable stability
A wide exercise range
High safety standards

CONS

It’s huge

The Marcy Diamond Elite Smith Cage with Linear Bearings gives the best bang for the buck of all the reviewed machines. It retails at a shockingly affordable price but still provides all the features and amenities characteristic of a complete home gym .

It comprises a bench, row and curl bars, a leg developer, two handles, and a foot plate. It is perfect for a long list of exercises and is availed with a two-year limited warranty on parts.

Final Say

Home gyms are time efficient, liberating, economic, and hygienic. Although the initial investment may pose a challenge, the absolute best smith machines are worth the investment in the long run.

A buyer should consider the weight stack, adjustability, weight stations, pulleys, and cables, and build quality before purchasing a Smith machine (a.k.a Smith Cage).

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