7 Best Smith Machines for Home Gym (2023)

The smith machine can be a great addition to your home gym. It can be used at any fitness level as it is safer to work out on than power cages and the free weights and allows to work out safely with heavy weights without the need of a partner.

Unlike power racks or power towers, the smith machines have moving parts in them. So, the weight capacity and the strength of the structure are not the only factors that determine the quality of the equipment.

When you are looking to buy a piece of big workout equipment like a smith machine for your home gym, you need to make sure that what you are buying is the best one. Remember, this equipment is going to be with you for a long time.

So, to help you choose the right one we have searched, compared, and picked the best home gym smith machines for you. Let’s learn more about these mean machines.

Best Smith Machines for Home Gym

All these smith cages we have described below are chosen after elaborate comparison among the machines from most of the popular brands and then some. So, you don’t need to waste the time sorting the clutter. You can just go through the description, features, and specifications of these machines and chose the best one suited for your requirement.

Marcy SM-4033 Smith Machine Cage System Home Gym Multifunction Rack 

Bring home the Marcy SM-4033 smith machine, and you won’t need any other exercise equipment for life, except a few additional weight plates as you grow stronger.

This is one of the most versatile gym machines that can work as a smith machine, power tower, power rack, cable pulley machine, pec deck, and much more.  

The smith machine has an Olympic bar attached to the smooth smith track which can be used to perform noiseless presses, squats, etc. There are sixteen different heights where you can stop and lock the smith bar.

The additional features like resistance band posts, weight storge pegs, barbell post, landmine exercise attachment make this machine far better than the other options.

Features and specs:

• 16 height positions on the smith machine
• Bench back adjustment range -27 to 76 degree
• Landmine attachment
• Barbell post
• Ergonomic movement track
• Bench dimensions: 62 x 26 x 55 Inches (LxWxH)
• Material: Steel, foam, PU leather
• Weight Capacity: 600 pounds for the bench, 300 pounds for the smith machine
• Product weight: 600 pounds approximately
• Product Dimension: 70 x 84 x 86 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Multi-grip pull-up station
• Smooth noiseless operation
• An adjustable bench is included in the package
• Weight posts and bar storage
• Cable pulley system for additional exercise options
• Comfortable cushions of arm pressers

Cons:

• Takes up too much space
• Assembly takes too much time
• Can’t use cable pulley and rack together

With features like landmine post, cable pulley, and butterfly arm pressers attached to the smooth and heavy-duty smith machine, the Marcy SM-4033 is the top option for a smith cage workout machine.

Marcy MD-9010G Diamond Elite Smith System

This is another gem from Marcy. This smith cage system is built on a heavy-duty steel frame with a wide base. The smith machine is loaded with precisely machined guide bars and linear bearings that ensure smooth movement of the smith bar.

The machine has multiple workout stations that allow you to perform tens of different exercises to fulfill your workout goals more efficiently. The strong cross cables and lower pulley with 2000 pounds tensile strength can be used in many ways for resistance workouts.

The bench that comes with the machine has contoured padding on the back. It is also fitted with a preacher curl pad and dual-action leg developer to offer more exercise options.

Features and specs:

• 9 adjustable heights
• 2000 pounds cross cables
• Footplate
• Preacher curl post
• Precision bearings
• Bench size: 79 x 28 x 47 Inches (DxWxH)
• Material: Steel, foam, PU leather
• Weight Capacity: 600 pounds for the bench, 300 pounds for the smith machine
• Product weight: 430 pounds
• Product Dimension: 70 x 79 x 85 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Dual-action leg developer included
• Preacher curl post on the bench
• Seated and lying curls setup
• Stable structure with a wide base
• Proper back support on the bench
• Heavy-duty frame

Cons:

• The power rack is not that good
• No pull-up station
• Tough to assemble

The smith machine with so many attachments that you can have an option to exercise each muscle group in isolation or with compound moves whatever you wish. That combined with the super bench that comes with Marcy MD-9010G makes it a great home gym smith machine.

Marcy SM-4008 Combo Smith Machine 

This multifunctional smith machine for the home gym has a vertically moving smith bar that can be loaded up to 300 pounds with Olympic plates. The smith bar can be positioned or caught at nine different heights.

The machine has two top cross cable pulleys and one lower pulley. These pulleys and the butterfly arm presser can be loaded using the sliding weight trolley on the back.

All the accessories needed for the cable pulleys are included in the package. There is also an adjustable bench whose back pad can be set at different angles and it has a leg developer attached to it.

Features and specs:

• Top and low cable pulleys
• 9 adjustable heights
• 4 weight storage posts
• Pop-pin knob
• Multi-position bench
• Bench size: 68.25 x 26 x 45.5 Inches (DxWxH)
• Material: Steel, foam, PU leather
• Weight Capacity: 600 pounds for the bench, 300 pounds for the smith machine
• Product weight: 157 pounds
• Product Dimension: 65 x 79.25 x 84.5 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Easy to rack and unrack smith bar
• Strong cables with all attachments
• Safety catchers on power rack section
• Removable leg developer on the bench
• Noiseless chest fly station
• Pull-up bar

Cons:

• The cable pulley position isn’t adjustable
• Leg developer motion is jerky
• No preacher curl pad on the bench

This is a great setup for beginners and intermediate lifters. The Marcy SM-4008 is a multifunctional smith machine that doesn’t need complicated setup changes to use different functions.

Body-Solid Series 7 GS348Q Smith Machine with Linear Bearings 

This simple and strong smith cage home gym is built using 11 gauge and 12 gauge steel. With all sides welded frame, wide base, and stabilizer plate, the machine is stable and sturdy.

The smith bar is mounted with linear ball bearings on the guide that is set to a 7-degree pitch. The bar can be caught at any of the 20 cross members lock-out points.

The front side of the machine has a free-weight gunrack system with 14 positions for racking and lift-off. With a bar weight of 25 pounds and a weight capacity of over 600 pounds, the machine can be used by beginners to professionals.

Features and specs:

• 7-degree pitch on the smith machine
• 20 lockout points for smith bar
• 14 racking positions for the power rack
• Adjustable safety catchers
• 6 weight storage posts
• Material: 11 and 12 gauge steel
• Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
• Product weight: 280 pounds
• Product Dimension: 56 x 69 x 83 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Needs less space relatively
• Offers natural lifting angle
• Strong and adjustable spotter bars
• Olympic bar holder and weight posts
• Can attach various attachments like pec deck
• High weight capacity

Cons:

• The sliding motion isn’t smooth enough
• No cable pulleys in the package
• No pull up bar

The Body-Solid Series 7 GS348Q is a rock-solid smith machine with top weight capacity and it has a responsive and easy to lock-out smith bar.

Valor Fitness BE-11 Smith Machine 

Constructed using heavy-duty 4×2 inch 12 gauge steel, the Valor Fitness BE-11 smith cage workout machine is a strong and stable workout platform.

The smith bar of the machine slides smoothly over the guide. The linear bearings, case hardened rods, and 3-degree pitch of the machine ensure you move as closely as your natural movement.

The knurled smith bar offers optimum grip. It can be racked and lift off easily with just a small twist of the wrist at 14 different heights. The bar catcher with shock-absorbing spring can be adjusted at different heights.

Features and specs:

• Knurled solid steel smith bar
• 3-degree pitch angle
• Case hardened rods
• 17 inches loading length
• 36-pound smith bar
• Material: 12 gauge steel
• Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
• Product weight: 258 pounds
• Product Dimension: 53.5 x 54.5 x 81 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Bar slide smoothly on the carriage
• Stable structure
• Olympic weight storage pegs
• Bottom catchers can be adjusted
• Optimum room in the cage

Cons:

• Not too versatile
• Bearing need maintenance from time to time
• Need to buy counterbalance separately

The unique feature of Valor BE-11 thatlets you set the shock-absorbing catcher at any height sets it apart from the competition. It reduces the noise and chance of damage to a great extent in case of failed attempt to rack the bar.

Body-Solid Powerline Smith Machine (PSM144X) 

This might be the most space saver home gym smith machine ever made. With a very simple mechanism and uncluttered construction, it doesn’t look nearly as bulky as any other smith machine you have seen.

Unlike traditional solid round bar as a sliding guide, the Body-Solid PSM144X utilizes a heavy-duty square tube for sliding the smith bar. The smith bar is positioned on the guide with super glide nylon bushings.

With 14 cross-member lockout points and a dual-lock safety spotter catch system, this smith cage system is perfectly safe for working out solo in your basement gym.

Features and specs:

• 12 gauge square pillar guide
• Super glide nylon bushings
• Dual-lock safety spotter
• 2 weight posts
• Signe pivot sleeve
• Material: Steel, nylon
• Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
• Product weight: 158 pounds
• Product Dimension: 45 x 76 x 80 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Long-life nylon bushes
• Polished smooth guide bars
• Transfer lifting movement smoothly
• Heavy-duty adjustable safeties
• Can attach pec deck, lat pulley, etc.

Cons:

• Slide not as smooth as linear ball bearings
• Can’t use Olympic weights
• No free weight rack

If you already have a bunch of standard weight plates at your garage gym then this is one of the few smith machines that would match with them. It will provide you a safe platform for high-intensity exercises without taking up too much space.

Deltech Fitness Linear Bearing Smith Machine 

This is a commercial strength smith machine for basement gyms. It fits into just a 50×86 inches area, stands free, and still has plenty of space in the cage to exercise freely.

The strong Olympic bar is fitted with a sleeve and precision linear roller bearing that glides on solid heavy-duty guide bars offering you the weight capacity of 700 pounds.

There are four weight posts on the rear support. The weight loaded on these can act as a balancing force to keep the machine stable at a high-intensity workout.

There is a multi-grip straight pull-up bar at the top. The pull-up bar is knurled similar to the smith bar for better grip.

Features and specs:

• Olympic bar
• Chrome-plated pull-up bar
• Precision linear roller bearings
• 4 weight posts
• Solid steel bar guides
• Material: Steel
• Weight Capacity: 700 pounds
• Product weight: 276 pounds
• Product Dimension: 49 x 49.25 x 81 Inches (DxWxH)

Pros:

• Just 6 inches space between two lockouts
• Long-lasting powder coat
• Heavy-duty spotters
• High weight capacity

Cons:

• Too heavy to assemble alone
• Knurling on the bar is insufficient

If you want a simple, compact, heavy-duty smith machine for your garage gym that would support lifting the weights as high as 700 pounds safely then look no further than Deltech DF4900. It is stronger and durable than most machines.

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Smith Machine Buying Guide

Smith machines come in both types, just a smith machine, or a smith machine with many attachments offering a plethora of exercise options. Even just the smith machine can be used to perform many exercises safely. Having too many options in terms of functions and brands may confuse you.

Here is an easy way to defuse all the confusion. Compare the smith machines you are considering for your basement gym on the following parameters, whichever stands right on all of them, that’s the machine you buy.

• Dimensions: Smith machine sizes vary drastically. You might have some general idea of a power rack or regular smith machine size but some smith machines are way bigger than that. So, check out the machine dimensions and make sure it can fit into your home gym.
• Material used: The material used for the frame, gliding mechanism, and accessories determines the longevity, stability, strength, and safety of the user. The frame should be constructed of heavy gauge steel. The guiding mechanism with high-quality precision linear ball bearings works better. The bar and gliding rods should be smooth and chrome plated.
• Weight capacity: You should be choosing the machine with the highest weight capacity among the options you are considering for buying. Even if you are a beginner and not going to lift heavy for now, it is safer to work out on a machine with a higher weight capacity.
• Operation: The sliding mechanism bearings, slides, guide rods, and sleeves should be maintenance-free, noise-free, smooth, and long-lasting. Your smith machine should be able to offer you a silent and jerk-free exercise experience.
• Bench and accessories: Just because the package includes the bench and bunch of accessories doesn’t mean it is a better smith machine than others. Check out the quality, adjustability, and functionality of the benches, cable pulleys, and other accessories that come with the machine.

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7 Best Power Racks With Lat Pulldown
10 Best Glute Machines
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Conclusion

Every smith cage workout machine we have included in this article has some unique features that set them apart from each other. Check out the review, features, and specs to understand which one fulfills your all workout requirements from the machine.

The buying guide in the article help you understand the process of choosing the right machine. And if you are choosing one among the top seven included in this article, then you don’t have to worry much, you are getting the best machine for your garage gym.