At Planet Fitness, the bars you use for lifting have different weights depending on what they are. The most common bar people ask about is the one on the Smith machine. The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is usually much lighter than a standard gym bar. It often weighs between 10 and 20 pounds. This is because it has a special system to help lift it. Other bars, like fixed weight barbells or bars for cable machines, also have specific weights or are very light attachments.
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Grasping Bar Weights at Planet Fitness
When you go to a gym, you see many different types of weights. Dumbbells are easy; they have the weight printed on them. Weight plates also show their weight. But bars are tricky. Their weight is not always marked. At Planet Fitness, the bars are a bit different from what you might find in other gyms, especially when it comes to free-standing barbells. This is part of how Planet Fitness makes its gyms a comfortable place for everyone, including people new to working out. We will look at the weight of the main kinds of bars you will find there.
Deciphering the Planet Fitness Smith Machine
The Smith machine is a popular piece of equipment at Planet Fitness. It looks like a squat rack, but the bar is fixed. It moves only up and down on rails. This design helps people feel safer. The bar can be locked into place at different heights. People often want to know, how much do Smith machine bars weigh?
Most Smith machines in gyms have a bar that weighs around 15 to 20 pounds. This weight is not the real weight of the bar itself. It is the weight you feel because of a special system called a counterbalance.
Comprehending the Counterbalance System
Imagine a seesaw. If someone heavy is on one side, the other side goes up easily. A counterbalance system on a Smith machine works a bit like that. There is a weight hidden inside the machine that is connected to the bar with cables or pulleys. This hidden weight pulls up on the bar. This makes the bar feel much lighter than it actually is.
Think of it this way: If the bar itself weighs 30 pounds, the counterbalance might pull up with 15 pounds of force. So, you only feel like you are lifting the difference, which is 15 pounds.
The Typical Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight
Because of this counterbalance, the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is usually around 15 pounds. Some machines might have bars that feel closer to 10 pounds, while others might feel like 20 pounds. Planet Fitness machines are often set up to be beginner-friendly, so the bar is kept light. This lets people learn movements like squats or bench presses with a light starting weight. Then, they can add weight plates.
- Common Estimate: 15 pounds
- Range: Could be between 10 and 20 pounds depending on the exact machine model.
It is important to remember that this is NOT the bar’s physical weight. It is the effective weight you lift because of the counterbalance.
Different Bar Types You Find
While you won’t find standard free-weight barbells (the long ones you use on a bench press rack or for deadlifts) at Planet Fitness, they have other kinds of bars. These are:
- Fixed weight barbells
- EZ curl bars (both fixed weight and cable attachments)
- Cable attachment bars (like lat pulldown bars)
Let’s look at what these Planet Fitness bar types weigh.
Inspecting Fixed Weight Barbells
Planet Fitness gyms have racks filled with barbells that already have weights on them. These are called fixed weight barbells. The weight is set, and you cannot change it. They usually start at a low weight and go up in steps.
- How they look: These are often shorter bars with a weight head attached to each end. The weight is clearly marked on the ends.
- Common weights: You will find these typically starting at 20 pounds. They go up in 10-pound steps (30 lbs, 40 lbs, 50 lbs, etc.) or sometimes 5-pound steps at the lower end.
You might use these for exercises like lunges, rows, or curls. Since the weight is marked, there is no guessing needed for these gym equipment bar weights.
Understanding EZ Curl Bar Weight
The EZ curl bar is a special type of bar. It is shaped like a ‘W’ or ‘M’. This shape helps reduce stress on your wrists and elbows when doing exercises like bicep curls.
At Planet Fitness, you will see EZ curl bars in two places:
- Fixed weight EZ curl bars: These are part of the fixed weight barbell rack. They work just like the straight fixed barbells. The weight is already on them and cannot be changed. The weight is marked on the ends. They come in the same weight steps as the straight fixed barbells (e.g., 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, etc.). The marked weight is the total weight of the bar and the fixed weights together. So, the EZ curl bar weight here is the marked weight.
- Cable attachment EZ curl bars: These are bars you hook onto a cable machine.
We will discuss the cable attachment bars next.
Fathoming Cable Attachment Bar Weights
Cable machines are very common at Planet Fitness. These machines use cables and weight stacks. You choose how much weight you want to lift by putting a pin in the weight stack. To use the machine, you need different handles or bars to grab onto. These handles and bars are called attachments.
- What they look like: You will see straight bars, EZ curl bars, ropes, single handles, and the big lat pulldown bar weight.
- Their weight: The weight you lift on a cable machine comes from the weight stack you select. The attachments themselves are very light. Their weight is usually not counted in the exercise because it is so small compared to the weight stack. A cable bar attachment might weigh only a few pounds. This small weight does not really change the total weight you are lifting from the stack.
So, when you use a cable machine, you worry about the weight you pick on the stack, not the weight of the bar you are holding. The cable attachment bar weights are not the resistance you feel; the weight stack provides that.
Examining the Lat Pulldown Bar Weight
The lat pulldown machine is a type of cable machine. It uses a long bar that you pull down. This is the lat pulldown bar weight we listed as a keyword. Like other cable attachments, this bar itself is very light. It is just a piece of metal. The weight you lift comes from the weight stack you choose on the machine. So, while it’s a bar, its own weight does not add much to the total lift. The weight you feel is the weight you set on the machine’s stack.
Interpreting Gym Equipment Bar Weights
Let’s sum up the gym equipment bar weights you typically find at Planet Fitness:
- Smith Machine Bar: Around 15 lbs (due to counterbalance).
- Fixed Weight Barbells: Marked weight (start around 20 lbs, go up in steps).
- Fixed Weight EZ Curl Bars: Marked weight (start around 20 lbs, go up in steps).
- Cable Attachment Bars (Straight, EZ Curl, Lat Pulldown, etc.): Very light (a few pounds), their weight is not usually counted towards the lift, as the resistance comes from the weight stack.
It is useful to know these weights. This helps you keep track of how much you are lifting.
Why No Standard Gym Bar Weight?
Many traditional gyms have standard gym bar weight bars. These are often called Olympic barbells.
- Men’s Olympic Barbell: Usually weighs 45 pounds (about 20 kg) and is 7 feet long.
- Women’s Olympic Barbell: Usually weighs 35 pounds (about 15 kg) and is a bit shorter.
These bars are used for big lifts like squats, bench presses, deadlifts, and overhead presses. They are typically used in power racks or squat racks, which allow you to lift heavy weights off the floor or from safeties.
Planet Fitness does not typically have these standard 45-pound barbells or the racks to use them with. There are a few reasons for this:
- Focus on General Fitness: Planet Fitness aims to be welcoming to everyone, including beginners. Heavy free weight lifting with standard barbells can seem scary to new people.
- Safety: Lifting heavy with free weights requires proper form and sometimes a spotter. The machines at Planet Fitness, like the Smith machine, are seen as safer for people working out alone or those new to lifting.
- “Lunk Alarm”: Planet Fitness has a policy against dropping weights or making loud noises. Heavy barbell lifting, especially deadlifts, can be noisy and involve dropping weights. This does not fit the quiet atmosphere they try to create.
- Equipment Model: Their business model focuses on a wide range of cardio and machine-based strength training, plus the fixed weight and Smith machine options, rather than heavy free weights.
So, if you are used to lifting a 45-pound bar, you will need to adjust at Planet Fitness. The Smith machine bar is a much lighter starting point.
Using the Weights You Find
Even without standard barbells, you can still get a great workout at Planet Fitness.
- Smith Machine: Start with just the bar (around 15 lbs). Add weight plates (the round metal or rubber ones) onto the bar ends. The weights usually come in sizes like 2.5 lbs, 5 lbs, 10 lbs, 25 lbs, 35 lbs, and 45 lbs. Put the same amount of weight on both sides to keep the bar balanced.
- Fixed Weight Barbells/EZ Bars: Just pick the bar with the weight you want from the rack. They are ready to go.
- Cable Machines: Choose the attachment bar you need (like the lat pulldown bar weight or an EZ curl attachment). Hook it to the cable. Put the pin in the weight stack at the level you want.
Remember that the weight you lift on machines (Smith machine with plates, cable machines with stacks) is the combination of the bar’s starting weight (if any) and the weight you add.
Progression with Planet Fitness Weights
If you are getting stronger, you just add more weight:
- Smith Machine: Add bigger or more weight plates.
- Fixed Weights: Move up to the next heaviest barbell or EZ curl bar in the rack.
- Cable Machines: Move the pin further down the weight stack to lift more weight.
This makes it simple to track your progress and challenge yourself as you get fitter.
Comparing Bar Weights: Planet Fitness vs. Others
Let’s look at a quick comparison:
| Bar Type | Found At Planet Fitness? | Typical Weight at PF | Typical Weight Elsewhere (if applicable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 7ft Olympic Barbell | No | N/A | 45 lbs (20 kg) | Used in free weight racks. |
| Standard 6ft Olympic Barbell | No | N/A | 35 lbs (15 kg) | Shorter version, often for women. |
| Planet Fitness Smith Bar | Yes | ~15 lbs (counterbalanced) | 10-40 lbs (can vary, sometimes not counterbalanced) | Lighter due to special assist system. |
| Fixed Weight Barbells | Yes | Marked (e.g., 20-100+ lbs) | Same | Weight is set, not changeable. |
| Fixed Weight EZ Curl Bars | Yes | Marked (e.g., 20-80+ lbs) | Same | Weight is set, special shape. |
| Cable Attachment Bars | Yes | Very Light (a few lbs) | Same | Weight comes from machine stack. |
| Preacher Curl Bar Weight | Often part of fixed set | Marked (e.g., 20-60+ lbs) | Could be fixed or free weight bar | Special bench for curls. |
| Lat Pulldown Bar Weight | Yes | Very Light (a few lbs) | Same | Attachment for pulling exercises. |
This table helps show the main differences in gym equipment bar weights.
Details on Specific Bar Weights
Let’s get a bit more specific about some key Planet Fitness bar types.
Deciphering the Smith Machine Weight Again
It is worth repeating because it is the most asked question. The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is light. This makes it good for learning. If you lift 100 pounds on the Smith machine, it means you are lifting the bar (about 15 lbs) plus 85 pounds of plates. Someone lifting 100 pounds on a standard barbell is lifting the 45-pound bar plus 55 pounds of plates. The effort feels different because the Smith machine bar is guided and lighter.
- Starting point: The low bar weight (around 15 lbs) means almost anyone can start using it.
- Adding weight: You add standard weight plates to the ends. Make sure the collars or clips are on so the plates do not slide off.
- Safety: The hooks on the bar let you rack it quickly if you need to stop.
Fixed Weight Barbells and EZ Bars
The fixed weight barbells and EZ bars are simple. Their weight is marked. You just grab the one you need for your exercise.
- Range: Planet Fitness usually has a good range, maybe from 20 pounds up to 100 or 120 pounds. Steps are typically 10 pounds.
- Uses: Good for many exercises like curls, triceps extensions, lunges, and overhead presses if the weight is low enough to lift into position safely. The preacher curl bar weight is often one of these fixed EZ bars used on a preacher bench.
Cable Machine Bars
As mentioned, the cable attachment bar weights are very light. Their main purpose is just to give you something to hold onto.
- Lat Pulldown Bar Weight: This is a common attachment. It is a long, straight or slightly angled bar. Its weight is maybe 5-10 pounds at most. All the resistance comes from the weight stack pin setting.
- Straight Bar Attachment: A shorter straight bar. Also very light.
- EZ Curl Bar Attachment: A wavy bar attachment. Also very light.
When you do a lat pulldown and set the weight stack to 100 pounds, you are lifting close to 100 pounds. The bar’s weight is too small to make a big difference in the total.
Why Knowing Bar Weight Matters
Knowing bar weight helps you:
- Track Progress: If you lift 50 pounds on the Smith machine this week, and 60 pounds next week, you know you are getting stronger. You need to add the bar’s weight to the plates to know the total.
- Compare Workouts: It helps you compare your workout if you use different types of bars or machines.
- Plan Your Workout: You can pick the right starting weight for an exercise.
For instance, if you know the Smith machine bar is 15 lbs, and you want to start your squats light, you know 15 lbs is your minimum. If you add two 10 lb plates, you are lifting 15 (bar) + 10 + 10 = 35 lbs total.
If you grab a 30 lb fixed barbell, you know that is your total weight for that exercise.
If you use a cable machine with the lat pulldown bar weight and set the stack to 50 lbs, you know you are lifting 50 lbs (plus the tiny bar weight, but you don’t usually count it).
Grasping the Range of Gym Equipment Bar Weights at PF
Looking across all the different options, the gym equipment bar weights at Planet Fitness range quite a bit, but they start very light and go up in marked steps.
- Lightest (attachments): Cable bars (a few pounds).
- Light Starting Bar: Smith machine bar (~15 lbs).
- Fixed Weights: Start at 20 lbs and go up.
This setup is designed for a wide range of users and fitness goals. It allows beginners to start very light and provides options for people to lift heavier using machines or fixed weights.
Final Thoughts on Planet Fitness Bars
Planet Fitness offers different kinds of bars than some other gyms. You won’t find heavy standard free barbells. But you will find the Smith machine, fixed weight barbells (including EZ curl bars), and cable machine attachments (like the lat pulldown bar weight).
The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is about 15 pounds because of a special system. This makes it easy to start with. The fixed weight barbells and EZ bars have their weight printed on them. Cable attachment bar weights are very light and do not add much to the weight you pick on the machine’s stack.
Knowing these weights helps you use the equipment well and track your fitness journey at Planet Fitness. Do not expect a 45-pound bar, but know that the bars available let you do many exercises and build strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
H4 How much does the bar weigh on the Smith machine at Planet Fitness?
The bar on the Planet Fitness Smith machine usually weighs about 15 pounds. It might be between 10 and 20 pounds. This is because a special system helps make the bar feel lighter.
H4 Are there regular 45 pound barbells at Planet Fitness?
No, Planet Fitness gyms typically do not have standard 45-pound free barbells used in power racks. They focus on machines, fixed weights, and the Smith machine instead.
H4 What do the fixed weight barbells weigh?
Planet Fitness has racks of barbells with fixed weights. Their weight is marked on the ends. They usually start around 20 pounds and go up in steps (like 30 lbs, 40 lbs, etc.).
H4 How much does the EZ curl bar weigh?
If it is a fixed weight EZ curl bar in the rack, its weight is marked on the ends, starting around 20 pounds. If it is an EZ curl bar attached to a cable machine, the bar itself is very light, maybe a few pounds, and you lift the weight from the machine’s stack.
H4 How much does the lat pulldown bar attachment weigh?
The lat pulldown bar attachment for a cable machine is very light, just a few pounds. The weight you lift comes from the weight stack you choose on the machine, not the bar itself.
H4 How can I tell the weight of a bar at Planet Fitness?
For the Smith machine, assume around 15 pounds unless marked otherwise. For fixed weight barbells and EZ bars, look for the weight marked on the ends. For cable attachments, they are very light and you choose the weight on the machine’s stack.
H4 Can I add plates to the Smith machine bar?
Yes, you add standard weight plates (like 10 lb, 25 lb, 45 lb plates) to the ends of the Smith machine bar to increase the weight you are lifting. Remember to count the bar’s weight (about 15 lbs) plus the plates.