Extremely DumbAss question

[SUSTADEC]

I know that this is probably the most dumbass question that has ever been asked on this board especially when someone has been working out as long as I have but I cant seem to find out the answer and have always wondered. How much does just the bar on a smith machine weigh? Is it the same as an olympic bar and weigh45lbs or is it much lighter? It feels much lighter to me and I would really just like to know what I can actually bench and millitary press. Sorry for the stupid question but if anyone knows please tell me.

[flatblack]

uh yeah i agree, dumb question:D...some smith machines have counter balanced weights which make the bar attached to the machine feel like it weighs next to nothing...some bars just ride in the machines track and arent counterbalanced and so feel more like real weight...to answer yer question tho, the bar taken outta the machine prolly weighs 45lbs...........

[thesinner]

Aside from this, there's less stabilization required to move the weight, thus making it a lot easier to move the weight.

It is in common practice to not brag about anything you do with a smith machine, as you simply cannot cross-reference with free-weights.

[DavidYork]

20kg here in the UK so that's actually 44.0924524 pounds

[ojs]

We tried to weigh our Smith Machine bar and it didn't work. It was too light. So we weighed it with a postage scale. It turned a whooping 27oz. The counter balance does it's job.

[jjgonz]

my old gym measured it and it wasnt completely counter balanced and weighed 20 pounds so i dont know depends on the machine i guess:confused::confused:

[FordTurboDiesel]

uh yeah i agree, dumb question:D...some smith machines have counter balanced weights which make the bar attached to the machine feel like it weighs next to nothing...some bars just ride in the machines track and arent counterbalanced and so feel more like real weight...to answer yer question tho, the bar taken outta the machine prolly weighs 45lbs...........

What he said.

The ones we have aren't counter balanced, and like previously mentioned as well, because it is attached to a couple of rails it would give the impression of feeling lighter.

[The BB Monad]

I reckon it depends on the gym and equipment. I have trained on one that I could lift easily with one finger! Then the other gym really feels like around 20kg so it would be hard to say. In any case, who cares about how much you lift? It is all about progress, looking better each time and not about ego. As long as you always use the same machine just keep on trying to improve!

[mccollumstacy]

Mine is not counterbalanced - it simply rides along to square rails. I have weighed it and it is around 38 pds - It isn't as long as a normal bar. I agree that the weight cannot be compared to complete freeweight - but it is a great machine for those of us who have no spotters - For a BB - it isn't like you are going to step on stage and someone say "he works out with a smith machine" I personally can't use it but for just a few lifts as I don't have the luxary of having it when meet time rolls around - but if I wasn't lifting for competition - I'd utilize it every chance I got. Just eliminates alot of error that can result in injury. IMO

[kevin3987]

I reckon it depends on the gym and equipment. I have trained on one that I could lift easily with one finger! Then the other gym really feels like around 20kg so it would be hard to say. In any case, who cares about how much you lift? It is all about progress, looking better each time and not about ego. As long as you always use the same machine just keep on trying to improve!

Well put Bump!

[trickk034]

Them smith machines sure make it easy for scrawny guys like me to do 2 60ib plates + the bar.:D

[unclevername]

The ones at my gym actually have a label on them with them with all of the disclaimers etc etc. But included in that information is that the bar weighes 15 lbs. Check to see if your machine has a label as well.

[jchh]

Depends on the machine..We have two smith machines in our gym. Both bars are 45lbs, however one machine provides the actual 45lbs resistance, while the other is only 15lbs resistance.

[lola26]

i use a proline smith machine and the bar is 65lbs. it states it right on the machine.

[Alin]

I know that this is probably the most dumbass question that has ever been asked on this board especially when someone has been working out as long as I have but I cant seem to find out the answer and have always wondered. How much does just the bar on a smith machine weigh? Is it the same as an olympic bar and weigh45lbs or is it much lighter? It feels much lighter to me and I would really just like to know what I can actually bench and millitary press. Sorry for the stupid question but if anyone knows please tell me.

find a way to sit it on a scale

[BuffMedic]

should be posted on the machine. I understand that some are different from machine to machine.

[trickk034]

Since we are on the topic of guided weight devices.... How much does the average leg press weight with no plates added on?

[deepblue]

find a way to sit it on a scaleI agree put it on a scale.Put the scale on the bench and let the bar rest on it.This will not be exact but close enough come on its a smith machine.:D

[SUSTADEC]

Thanks for all of the replies guys I think that I am going to try the scale idea and its not that I am so much worried about the weight for bragging rights I would just like to know what I am actually doing. And the reason I use smith instead of regular bench I dont have anyone to spot me and when I ask people at my gym they are usually some 130lb kid that couldnt get the weight off me if he had to. I only use smith to stay safe and to be able to push myself to failure without getting hurt.

[thesinner]

find a way to sit it on a scale

I got an easier method:

-Grab a bathroom scale and weigh yourself. (note your weight)
-Set scale under the smith, and weigh yourself holding the bar.
-Subtract your weight from that number.
That's how much the bar weighs.

[thesinner]

Since we are on the topic of guided weight devices.... How much does the average leg press weight with no plates added on?

The average leg press is set at a 45 degree incline (or thereabouts), the weight you're loading isn't nearly the resistance you're moving anyhow (more like HALF that), so the additional weight is somewhat trivial.

[jag1964]

20lbs lighter.to my knowledge I know that this is probably the most dumbass question that has ever been asked on this board especially when someone has been working out as long as I have but I cant seem to find out the answer and have always wondered. How much does just the bar on a smith machine weigh? Is it the same as an olympic bar and weigh45lbs or is it much lighter? It feels much lighter to me and I would really just like to know what I can actually bench and millitary press. Sorry for the stupid question but if anyone knows please tell me.

[sti360hp]

I think this is all a moot point... Anyone that uses these machines knows that if your squat max is 350 on the smith and then put that weight on a normal bar and do them freestanding, you'll kill yourself. Lighter bar/weight-counter weight, its different.

[jag1964]

right on!! 20lbs on bar alone.plus balance.and the weight .goes thru the plains of whole body. the jag man!!!

[ojs]

right on!! 20lbs on bar alone.plus balance.and the weight .goes thru the plains of whole body. the jag man!!!OK! I'm on the edge with this. And have to ask as there a number of members here that share in my curiosity.

Where, in the world, did you go to school? What grammar is this you use to write? If you grew up in a remote isolated mountain and your skills are self taught, I'll give you a lot of credit for your ingenuity. But if you've had any exposure to a written page, you must know there is a certain expected consistency to written expression.

For example, your random use of the "." (period) is intriguing. You use it in the middle of a sentence. You begin sentences with it. And often you omit it at the end of a sentence. Your extreme lack of writing skill robs you of credibility.

[sti360hp]

^^^ .Harsh!! .but true. !!!! :)

[awelch]

OK! I'm on the edge with this. And have to ask as there a number of members here that share in my curiosity.

Where, in the world, did you go to school? What grammar is this you use to write? If you grew up in a remote isolated mountain and your skills are self taught, I'll give you a lot of credit for your ingenuity. But if you've had any exposure to a written page, you must know there is a certain expected consistency to written expression.

For example, your random use of the "." (period) is intriguing. You use it in the middle of a sentence. You begin sentences with it. And often you omit it at the end of a sentence. Your extreme lack of writing skill robs you of credibility.

http://www.ricesigns.com/real_pictures/bump_signs.jpg

I'm new to these boards so I didn't want to, but I hoped one of the vets would post something like this. It really needed to be said.

[lola26]

thats a big bump....lol.

[IronBod]

My smith machine bar weighs 50lbs even.

No counter balance.

[jag1964]

good. idea.thejagman!!!! http://www.ricesigns.com/real_pictures/bump_signs.jpg

I'm new to these boards so I didn't want to, but I hoped one of the vets would post something like this. It really needed to be said.

[jag1964]

sounds.like it,s a heavyduty smithmachine.my,does,nt weight that much.golds gym unit. the jagman!!! My smith machine bar weighs 50lbs even.

No counter balance.

[jag1964]

sounds heavy duty.my smith.does,nt weight,that much,goldgym .the jagman!!!

[jag1964]

your the one. with the idea.thanks the jagman!! good. idea.thejagman!!!!

[jag1964]

it.s cool,good idea~~~ 6;165834]thats a big bump....lol.[/QUOTE]

[trickk034]

We tried to weigh our Smith Machine bar and it didn't work. It was too light. So we weighed it with a postage scale. It turned a whooping 27oz. The counter balance does it's job.

i love the counter-balance on the bar. it makes me feel much stronger than i really am! :p:p:p

[trickk034]

sounds.like it,s a heavyduty smithmachine.my,does,nt weight that much.golds gym unit. the jagman!!!
Last edited by jag1964 : Today at 04:27 PM.


ahhaha the jag man! edited his own post! :D sorry dude im such a dick today :cool:

[timlewis312]

hey dude the only dumb ass question is the one that don't get asked.

[lola26]

the jagman is talking to himself.. he has real problems

[kevin3987]

the jagman is talking to himself.. he has real problems

I think half us do! including me.