Inspire Fitness Smith Machines

Strength gains come with less risk, fewer mistakes, and more confidence under the bar. Let’s break down the key benefits.

✓ Safety First: One of the biggest perks of the Smith Machine is safety. Since the barbell is attached to a fixed track, there’s less risk of it falling or moving unpredictably. This makes it perfect for training alone or pushing heavier weights without a spotter. The built-in safety stops add another layer of protection, so you can train with confidence.
✓ More Stability, More Gains: Unlike free weights, where you need to stabilise the bar yourself, the Smith Machine provides extra support. This means you can lift heavier weights while focusing purely on your movement, rather than worrying about keeping your balance.
✓ Target Specific Muscles: Because the bar moves in a controlled path, it becomes easier to isolate specific muscles. The Smith Machine keeps your form in check while helping you zero in on the muscles you want to build.
✓ One Machine, Endless Exercises: Who says machines are limiting? With a Smith Machine, you can do a huge variety of exercises, including squats, bench press, shoulder press, lunges, deadlifts, bent-over rows and even push-ups or hip thrusts! If you’re tight on space or want a single machine that does it all, this is a great option.
✓ Helps You Maintain Proper Form: If you’re new to weightlifting, improper form can increase your risk of injury. The Smith Machine guides your movement, making it easier to lift correctly while reducing strain on your joints.
✓ Perfect for Progressive Overload: Adding weight over time is key to building strength. The Smith Machine makes progressive overload easier by allowing you to add weight without losing balance. You can focus purely on lifting heavier over time—without the fear of failing mid-rep.
✓ Ideal for Rehab & Recovery: For those recovering from injury or dealing with limited mobility, controlled movement patterns provide a safer way to train. Joint strain reduces, and stabiliser muscles don’t have to work as hard. 

Choosing the right Smith machine comes down to training style, experience, and space. Let’s get a closer look. 

A Smith machine should be safe, sturdy, and easy to train with. The right features can make all the difference. Here’s what to look for. 

✓ Angled Bar Movement: Some Smith machines have a slight tilt, so the bar follows a more natural movement. This can make squats and presses feel smoother and more comfortable on the joints.
✓ Cable System: A built-in pulley system adds more variety to workouts. With cables, you can do exercises like lat pulldowns, cable flys, and tricep pushdowns—all in the same machine.
✓ Multi-Grip Bar Handles: Extra grip positions on the bar give more ways to train. Wider, narrower, or neutral grips help target different muscles, especially in bench press and pull-ups. 

✓ Gym Space & Size: Smith machines vary in size. Some are compact enough for home setups, while others need more room. Checking dimensions beforehand ensures there’s enough space to move comfortably around the machine.
✓ Best Fit for Your Training Needs: The best choice depends on experience and goals. Beginners may prefer a simple, supportive design, while more advanced lifters might want extra attachments and greater movement freedom.
✓ Budget & Value for Money: Prices range widely based on features and build quality. Comparing options helps find the best balance between cost and what’s actually needed for a solid workout setup.

There’s a lot more you can do with a Smith machine than you might think. It’s great for classic lifts like squats and bench press, but it also works for a variety of other exercises. Here’s how to put it to good use.

● Smith Machine Squat: A lower-body staple that fires up the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Squat deep for strength and muscle growth, or try a box squat to really target the glutes and improve control.
● Smith Machine Bench Press: A classic for building chest, triceps, and front delts. Switch up the angle—flat for overall size, incline for upper chest, and decline for lower chest—to hit different areas and maximise growth.
● Smith Machine Shoulder Press: A must for strong shoulders, traps, and triceps. Pressing overhead builds size and power, and doing it seated keeps the focus locked on the shoulders without using momentum.
● Lunges: A killer move for legs and glutes. Step forward, drop deep, and feel the burn in the quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Great for balance, strength, and lower-body definition.
● Smith Machine Deadlift: A full-body strength builder that hammers the back, legs, and core. Pull with power, engage the core, and keep the movement smooth for serious strength gains.
● Other Moves to Try: Fire up the glutes with hip thrusts, hit the core with side bends, or use the bar for pull-ups to build upper-body strength. Leg press with a Smith machine, incline push-ups, and bent-over rows add even more ways to train. 

It depends on what you’re going for. Free weights—like barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells—force more muscles to work at once since you have to control the weight yourself. That’s great for strength and balance, but it also takes more skill. The Smith machine keeps things controlled, so you can focus on pushing heavier, breaking through plateaus, and training safely without a spotter. It’s a great option for beginners, anyone working on explosive strength, or lifters who want extra support. Free weights challenge the body in more ways, but the Smith machine gets the job done. 

Smith machine bars don’t have a set standard weight—it depends on the brand, model, and design. Most fall between 10 to 20kg (22 to 44lbs), but some can be lighter or heavier. In most gyms, a Smith machine bar weighs around 10–15kg (22–33lbs). Some Smith machines, especially in commercial gyms, have built-in counterweights that take some of the load off. This can bring the bar’s felt weight down to as little as 2.7–9kg (6–20lbs), which helps with smoother, more controlled lifts. Home Smith machines usually don’t have a counterbalance, so the bar feels heavier right from the start. In commercial gyms, machines are designed for a wider range of users, so the bars tend to feel lighter and easier to handle. 

A little care goes a long way in keeping your Smith machine smooth, safe, and ready for every workout. It doesn’t take much—just regular cleaning, a bit of lubrication, and the occasional check-up. Here’s what to do. 

□ Wipe It Down: Sweat, dust, and grime can build up fast. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after each workout keeps the bar, rails, and frame clean and running smoothly.
□ Keep It Moving: To stop the bar from feeling stiff or jerky, apply a silicone-based lubricant (or whatever the manufacturer recommends) to the guide rods and bearings. Smooth movement means better workouts.
□ Check for Wear and Tear: Every so often, give the machine a once-over. Look out for loose bolts, frayed cables, worn pulleys, or strange noises—small fixes now can prevent big problems later.
□ Make Sure Everything’s Lined Up: If your machine has adjustable weight plates, check they’re properly aligned. Uneven weights can throw off your lift and mess with your form.
□ Test the Safety Stops: Before starting, make sure the safety catches are in place and set at the right height. A few seconds of checking can save you from a bad lift. 

From home gyms to small studios and commercial gyms, there’s a Smith machine out there that fits the bill. Here’s a look at our top picks that offer all sorts of features. 

Your Smith machine can do a lot, but with the right extras, it can do even more. Here are some great extras to mix things up:
✓ Barbell Pad – Adds comfort and support for squats and hip thrusts
✓ Resistance bands – Great for adding extra resistance or assistance in exercises
✓ Dip bars – Target your triceps, chest, and shoulders
✓ Landmine attachment – Ideal for rotation-based full-body movements
✓ Jammer arms – Helps with explosive power training
✓ Adjustable bench – A must for incline, decline, and flat presses
✓ Weight plates – Essential for loading up your lifts
✓ Studio Mat – Provides a comfortable surface for floor exercises
✓ Gym flooring – Protects your space and equipment while reducing impact