Smith Machine- Which One Is Better???

[Millineum Man]

I currently have a Star Trac Max Rack 3D Smith in my home gym and am looking to switch things up. I’m looking at a used Bodymasters Smith machine and an old school Magnum. I think both are set at a 7 degree angle, built like tanks, and can get either one at roughly the same price. From personal experience, which one would you buy?

 

[d4ve]

Search far and wide, and get a Cybex instead of any of those, lol.

Half-srs, if at all possible.

 

[grammo13]

Search far and wide, and get a Cybex instead of any of those, lol.

Half-srs, if at all possible.

Second this

 

[Millineum Man]

Search far and wide, and get a Cybex instead of any of those, lol.

Half-srs, if at all possible.

I’ll search around. Just curious, what’s different about the Cybex when compared to the others?

 

[buck]

I would only get one where the bar goes down to the floor. The ones that stop much higher up limit what can be done on them.

 

[Sectør]

Slightly unrelated, but it’s just kind of funny how the perception of the smith machine changed over time

some years ago the smith machine had a horrible reputation, where if you were using it you were considered soft or weak, or less masculine than using free weight, but now it’s a staple in a lot of routines, and we see pros utilizing it heavily and it’s highly regarded (and I too am a fan of it for some movements due to the stability and ability to isolate targeted muscle groups)

 

[SABAGOY]

I have an angled body masters smith in my home gym…yes, built like a tank but I would trade in a second for a cybex that goes to the floor.

 

[d4ve]

I’ll search around. Just curious, what’s different about the Cybex when compared to the others?

It's extremely smooth - The movement quality is just better than almost any other smith you'll use.

It's straight up and down. I don't mind a little backward tilt for certain movements (pressing), but in general, I think it's much better to keep it completely vertical.

It goes all the way to the floor. A lot of brands have catches at the bottom that are too high for things like rows or RDLs.

It's also just sturdy like everything Cybex makes. It'll probably cost you more than others, but it will last.

 

[Millineum Man]

It's extremely smooth - The movement quality is just better than almost any other smith you'll use.

It's straight up and down. I don't mind a little backward tilt for certain movements (pressing), but in general, I think it's much better to keep it completely vertical.

It goes all the way to the floor. A lot of brands have catches at the bottom that are too high for things like rows or RDLs.

It's also just sturdy like everything Cybex makes. It'll probably cost you more than others, but it will last.

Ok. I found this model nearby, but it's in ROUGH shape!

 

[Millineum Man]

 

[Millineum Man]

This is an older Life Fitness Smith that has a vertical design like the Cybex. It doesn't go all the way to the ground, but I probably still could do rows with it because of my height(6'3.5"). So, these are my immediate choices to pick from.

 

[Millineum Man]

Does anyone have any personal experience with Precor? It’s has vertical rods like the Cybex and not on an angle.

 

[SABAGOY]

Does anyone have any personal experience with Precor? It’s has vertical rods like the Cybex and not on an angle.

Yes. That’s a nice smith machin, my gym has both. If I am not doing something from the floor, this one works perfectly fine.

 

[Samson250]

View attachment 230701

Man I would ONLY buy the “rough” one. I want every scratch, dent and quirky issue it has! Look at that beautiful stoic piece of history. If it were me looking for the right smith and this was my 1st pic my 2nd pic would be it standing proud in its new home gym. Mine!

Then I would come here and tell everyone I bought it from Brian at Metro Flex.

 

[Millineum Man]

Yes. That’s a nice smith machin, my gym has both. If I am not doing something from the floor, this one works perfectly fine.

Well, the deal for the Cybex is a no go. So, I guess it'll be the Precor over the Bodymasters.

 

[comedycentral]

Both body masters and the magnum would be great purchases as well. The cybex that everyone is talking about is a great piece but has a huge footprint which could be an issue for a home gym. My smith doesn’t go all the way to the floor and don’t feel I’m missing g out on anything. I can do deadstop chest supported rows with arms fully extended. I can do deadlifts which would put me about shin height starting. Even floor presses.

 

[Inkniron87]

Body masters

 

[Millineum Man]

Both body masters and the magnum would be great purchases as well. The cybex that everyone is talking about is a great piece but has a huge footprint which could be an issue for a home gym. My smith doesn’t go all the way to the floor and don’t feel I’m missing g out on anything. I can do deadstop chest supported rows with arms fully extended. I can do deadlifts which would put me about shin height starting. Even floor presses.

Well, you snooze you lose. The Bodymasters got sold 2 days ago. Now, I’m looking at a Magnum smith. It’s almost identical to the Bodymasters. The same footprint and angle. The guy will even deliver it for free since he’s less than a mile away.

 

[Millineum Man]

 

[massephase]

So don't keep on snoozing I guess