Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight (We Actually Weighed It)

The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight was a mystery so we went out of our way and actually weighed it.

Not only did we weigh one bar, but we measured the bar weight at several locations to see if it was the same across the nation. What’s surprising is that some locations Smith machine bar weighed slightly more or less, while most locations had the same bar weight.

For this reason, we’ll share the typical Smith machine bar weight at Planet Fitness, show you how to find the weight of any Smith machine bar, and cover the Smith machine bar weight of common brands seen in Planet Fitness locations.

What’s the Smith Machine Bar Weight at Planet Fitness?

The Smith machine bar weight at Planet Fitness is usually 20 lbs, but Planet Fitness has been around for three decades now so each location may have a different brand with various bar weights so each popular smith machine bar is weighted and listed below.¹ Aside from sourcing differences, Smith machine bar weights can vary depending on several factors.

Consisting of a bar mounted on a set of rails perpendicular to the ground (or, more recently, at a slight angle), the Smith machine was created by Jack LaLanne but was named instead for Rudy Smith, who hosted the first ever model in his gym in the 1950s. These sets of rails are used for securing and reracking the bar at various heights or positions.²

Source: Ichigo121212 via Pixabay⁶

There are multiple types of Smith machines, but all have the aforementioned multi-height locking points and are ideal for strength training and powerlifting exercises such as bench press, squats, rows, deadlifts, drag curls, and the seated overhead press. Some Smith machines made more recently have a system of pulleys and wires that provide a counterbalance which serves to reduce net weight on the user’s body.

Planet Fitness, a fitness center franchise, boasts over 2000 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia, and the Dominican Republic. The franchise prides itself on being great for beginners to the fitness scene, but welcomes lifters of all experience levels.

With so many locations across 6 countries, one can probably imagine the vast array of socioeconomic settings Planet Fitness gyms can be found in; these differences might contribute to the use of different brands of Smith machines from location to location, depending on cost and availability.

With a multitude of clubs available, one should take note that the Smith machine bar weight is not always consistent from location to location. We weighed it to find out.

How To Weigh & Calculate the Smith Machine Bar Weight at Planet Fitness

The best way to calculate the weight of the bare bar on a Smith machine is with a hanging scale. A hanging scale can be held by a person or secured to something; it has a hook that can hold the bar below it and give an accurate weight of the barbell itself.

Anyone trying this method should ensure that all added weight plates and clips have been removed from the bar before weighing for precise and accurate results.

Another potential option for weighing the bar is with a rope: tie a rope around the centerpoint of the bare bar (without hooks or extra plates on) and then toss the other end of the rope over any elevated horizontal rail on the Smith machine or even another machine. One person can hold the tied bar up while someone else ties weight plates to the other (loose) end of the rope, adding more plates incrementally until the bar is perfectly balanced by the plates on the other side, with the rail serving as the fulcrum.

The total weight of all plates added to the opposing end of the rope will be equal to the barbell weight. This will take some trial and error, but should be quite accurate once balance is achieved.

While it is possible to try to place the bar on a floor scale or to stand on the scale and hold the bar, find the total weight, then subtract body weight, these methods can be very inaccurate or imbalanced and are not recommended for an exact reading.

Thankfully most Smith machines have the bar weight printed on a label right on the machine itself, which saves anyone doing their due diligence the trouble of trying to weigh the bar themselves. One final option is to look up the manufacturer’s website and the bar weight should be listed there as well.

Factors That Affect How Much a Smith Machine Bar Weighs

Though most Smith machines at Planet Fitness locations use nearly identical bars, there are several factors that can cause the weight of the bar to vary somewhat between clubs or even between Smith machines at the same club. How much does the bar weigh on a Smith machine?

Variables impacting bar weight include:

• Bar length
• Technology used in the Smith machine
• Ease of gliding along rail
• Presence of lack of counterbalance system
• Counterbalance weight 
• Rail angle of Smith machine frame
• Rail stroke length
• Bar composition
• Brand of barbell

Most bars used on this machine are the standard 7 feet, but diameter can differ from bar to bar, depending on the company who made it.

While the older models didn’t use counterbalances, newer versions of Smith machines often use this system to improve safety in case of dropping the bar, increase proximity or options for re-racking, as well as increasing ease of use by decreasing net weight in certain movements or releases.

As for bar composition, most bars are made from heavy steel, with higher end or updated gyms using stainless steel. Olympic standard bars are created with a higher strength steel to prevent the bar from bending under extreme weight from added plates.

Should You Count the Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight?

It is recommended to count the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight in the total weight one is lifting, as the bars in such machines can easily vary by 15-20 lbs from gym to gym or machine to machine and can cause unexpected overload on the lifter’s body if not prepared or aware.

The exception to this rule is if you use the exact same machine every time and are able to do so consistently.

Remember, not all Planet Fitness clubs use the same brand to supply their Smith machines and bars; most notable are Precor and Hammer Strength. Precor’s default bar weight is 25 lbs, whereas Hammer Strength is more commonly used by Planet Fitness now but their bar clocks in at 20 lbs.

Source: aiden patrissi via Unsplash⁷

These may seem like fairly minor differences, but athletes who are on a hypertrophy mass routine or following a certain load progression strategy should know the precise weight they’re lifting; those on progressive overload programs incrementally add weight or reps to increase strength and/or stamina.³

Something extremely relevant and important to know with progressive overload training is that this increased weight is usually added as a percentage rather than in pounds. Instead of adding 5 pounds for the next increment, one may increase the weight they intend to lift by 5% or 10% instead.

Without knowing the true bar weight, someone on this program cannot properly track their progress, but more dangerously, could significantly hurt themselves by adding much more weight than intended or realized.

Those performing full body workouts such as back squats should also be extremely cautious and aware of the true bar weight, as squats are notorious for causing injuries such as the sports hernia from squats and some sneaky extra weight can easily put added strain on one’s body.

Planet Fitness Bar Weight: Does the Smith Machine vs Regular Bar (Barbell) Weigh the Same?

A standard (Olympic) barbell does not match the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight; in fact, we weighed each and the difference may be much higher than one would think.

Most Smith machines at commercial gyms use bars between 15-25 lbs, with Planet Fitness usually fitting into a smaller range of approximately 20-25 lbs. On the other hand, regular bars weigh in at a much higher 45 lbs.

With the bare bar weight range being so vast that one bar can weigh more than twice another, it is pertinent to inform oneself of the true weight of each. Even different Smith machines in the same gym could have disparate weights, so one should not assume continuity even within the same building.

Notably, free weights do require more stability than Smith machines since they are completely unsecured; with less stability, more muscles and balance are required with free weights so people tend to lift less weight due to more strain. The Smith machine bar moves on a straight plane, requiring less user stability, so anyone using the machine can elude perfect form and still be fairly safe.

Though proper form is always preferable, specifics such as the squat or bench press bar path bar path become obsolete while utilizing the Smith machine.

Are Planet Fitness Smith Machines Good or Should I Use Free Weight Barbells?

For anyone questioning whether Smith machines or free weight barbells are best, this is a bit of a catch 22; each has its own specialties, so there is no perfect linear comparison between the two.

Smith machines are very user-friendly, great for beginners, and ideal for those learning or lacking confidence in proper form. They can reduce muscle strain, especially with the counterbalancing feature and guided squat bar path for stability.

Although they have a marred reputation, Smith machines certainly have their place in the lifting community and can be a great tool for both novices and pros alike.

Furthermore, Smith machines are perfect for targeting specific muscles and are used in powerlifting and bodybuilding to do just that; for example, Smith machine back workout to get a wider, thicker and more defined back, and back squats on this machine can allow for targeted work on the glutes or more clearly show the relationship between different muscles and squat variations.⁴

Since Smith machines offer bar guidance and stability, form can be learned and perfected more safely here before attempting the same motions or exercises with free weights. The same is true for perfecting high bar versus low bar squats before trying them with the free bar.

With less range of motion on the fixed rail and gliding system, one can familiarize themselves with the movements and positions before attempting the same routines with a full range of motion using an unsecured free bar.

One of the primary distinguishing factors to be aware of between Smith machines and free weight barbells is that, when using a free weight barbell, the entire responsibility of balancing the weight rests on the lifter’s shoulders–literally. This activates more muscle groups to ramp up stability and balance throughout the body and can lead to fatigue faster.

With that in mind, anyone transitioning from the Smith machine to free weight squats or other lifts should expect and plan to start out with lower weight and/or fewer repetitions so as not to overwork muscles that may not have been used in full capacity on the machine.

Lastly, anyone moving between the machine and free bar should be mindful of the smith machine to squats weight conversion, smith machine to bench conversion, or any other workout they’re attempting on and off of this machine.

Not only will the free weight barbell likely weigh at least 20 lbs more than its machine counterpart, but any counterbalancing will exponentially increase the net weight difference between the two.

As always, check or calculate exact weights and start light if in doubt.

How Much Weight Does Smith Machine Take Off?

The amount of weight a Smith machine takes off of the total bar weight is inconclusive at best and completely arbitrary at worst because it depends on so many factors.

Most of the Smith machines have angled guide rails that usually range from 7 to 12 degrees, which can make a fairly big difference in the perceived net weight of the bar. The specific model of the Smith machine will serve as another variable, as will the presence (and amount) or lack of counterweight.

Despite the lack of clear or certain answers due to these variables, most Smith machines can reduce the net weight by 10, 15, or even 20 lbs–sometimes up to the full weight of the bar.

Without conclusive or precise measurements, the best way to estimate the amount of weight eliminated by the Smith machine is to gauge the counterweight and subtract that from the true weight of the bare bar.

Even then, this may only get one so far in their calculations because it does not factor in the ease of gliding or any other fluctuations.

One should not only consider the possibility of a discrepancy in exact weight, but should expect it even, so as not to falsely assume a reliable number or weight. When it comes to something so ambiguous, it is recommended to err on the side of knowing the inaccuracies.

So, how much weight does a Smith machine take off? Usually 10-20 lbs, but there is no clear or consistent number.

Different Brands: How Much Does the Bar Weigh on a Smith Machine?

As previously mentioned, gym equipment companies do not provide a universal standard bar weight for Smith machines. The bar weight can vary greatly due to the variables previously mentioned, as each equipment provider likely has their own unique measurements which can slightly or even drastically impact bar weight.

Additionally, many such companies offer multiple Smith machine models, whose bar weights often differ. While the suppliers abound, several well known and commonly used brands are listed here.

The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight does have some variables as laid out above. Other brands of Smith machine bar weights should also be considered by anyone who travels or visits gyms outside of the PF franchise.

Precor Smith Machine Bar Weight: Commonly manufactures a 25 lb bar but also offers an “Icarian” model with a 15 lb bar.
Tuff Stuff Smith Machine Bar Weight: Their bar is 28 lbs with a counterbalancing system that can decrease net starting weight to just 10 lbs.
Technogym Smith Machine Bar Weight: The standard bar is about 42 lbs (19kg) with counterweight offsetting it to a low of approximately 18 lbs (8kg). 
Force USA Smith Machine Bar Weight: Uses the regular Olympic bar with 45 lbs of true weight (does not use any counterbalancing technology).
Rogue Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight: Offers many different bar options including 15kg (22 lbs), 25 lbs, 30 lbs, 20 kg (39 lb), and 45 lb bar weights. 
Hammer Strength Smith Machine Bar Weight: Offers both 20 and 30 lb bars.

The Hammer Strength Smith machine bar weight is the same as Planet Fitness’ since Hammer Strength is PF’s go to provider now; this model has 11 racking positions for the bar and a 7-degree angle with an adjustable safety.

Anyone using the Smith machine to work specific muscles, such as back squats for quad hypertrophy or bench pressing for front delts or triceps, should check for a label, research bar weight, or even weigh the barbell themselves so as to accurately track progress and to be sure not to overwork muscles and cause an unnecessary injury.⁵

Although the Olympic standard barbells are 45 lbs, Smith machines often have bars with either significantly lower weights or counterbalances, making them great for beginners or athletes targeting certain muscles. The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight tends to range from 15-25 lbs, but many variables can alter the exact weight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight