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How Much Do Planet Fitness Bench Bars Weigh? Exact Weight
When you head to Planet Fitness ready to bench press, you might wonder how much the bar itself weighs. It’s a common question! At Planet Fitness, you will primarily find Smith machines for bench pressing, not traditional free-weight barbells on a rack. The bar on a Planet Fitness Smith machine typically weighs much less than a standard barbell. This is because it uses a counterbalancing system. The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is usually around 15 to 20 pounds. This is different from the standard gym bar weight, which is 45 pounds for a men’s Olympic barbell. The bench press bar weight you lift includes this bar weight plus any plates you add. So, the weight of bar on bench press at Planet Fitness is the weight of the Smith machine bar itself, usually 15-20 pounds.
Why Planet Fitness Uses Smith Machines
Planet Fitness wants everyone to feel comfortable working out. They focus on a judgment-free zone. They offer machines that are often easier to use and feel safer for people new to lifting weights. This is a big reason why they use Smith machines for exercises like bench press and squat instead of free weights.
Smith machines guide the bar along a fixed path. The bar only goes straight up and down. This can feel safer for beginners. It means you do not need a spotter to help you keep the bar balanced. With a standard weight lifting bar weight on a free-weight bench, the bar can move side to side or front to back. This needs more balance and control.
The Weight of the Smith Machine Bar
The main thing to know is that the bar on a Smith machine does not feel like a regular barbell. A regular Olympic gym equipment bar weight for men is 45 pounds (about 20 kg). For women, it is often 35 pounds (about 15 kg). But the bar on a Smith machine feels much lighter.
Why does it feel lighter? Smith machines have a system that helps lift the bar. This system uses weights or springs. It is called counterbalancing. The counterbalancing system takes away some of the bar’s real weight.
So, while the metal bar itself might physically weigh more, the amount you have to lift is much less. This is the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight people talk about. It’s the effective weight of the bar.
- Actual Bar Weight: The metal bar itself might weigh maybe 30-40 pounds.
- Effective Bar Weight: Because of the counterbalancing, the bar feels like lifting only 15 to 20 pounds.
This empty barbell weight on a Smith machine is a key difference from free weights.
Comparing Smith Machine Bar Weight to Standard Bars
Let’s look at how the weight of the Smith machine bar at Planet Fitness compares to bars you might see in other gyms or used for free weights.
The Standard Barbell Weight
A typical gym bar weight for bench press in most gyms that have free weights is an Olympic barbell.
- Men’s Olympic Barbell: Weighs 45 pounds (20 kg). This is the average weight of a barbell used for major lifts like bench press, squat, and deadlift. It is 7 feet long.
- Women’s Olympic Barbell: Weighs 35 pounds (15 kg). It is slightly shorter and thinner than the men’s bar.
- Other Standard Bars: Some gyms have shorter, lighter barbells, maybe 25 or 30 pounds, but these are less common for main bench pressing.
The Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar Weight
As we said, the Planet Fitness bar type weight on the bench press is typically 15-20 pounds.
Here is a simple table showing the difference:
h5 Bar Weight Comparison
| Bar Type | Where You Find It | Typical Weight You Lift (Effective Weight) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Men’s Olympic Barbell | Most Free Weight Gyms | 45 pounds |
| Standard Women’s Olympic Barbell | Most Free Weight Gyms | 35 pounds |
| Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar | Primarily Planet Fitness (for bench) | 15-20 pounds (Due to counterbalancing) |
This table makes it clear that the weight of bar on bench press at Planet Fitness is much lower than a standard free-weight bench press bar weight.
Deciphering the Counterbalancing System
How does this counterbalancing work? Think of a pulley system. The Smith machine bar is connected by cables to weights or springs hidden in the machine’s frame. These hidden weights or springs pull up on the bar.
Imagine the bar weighs 40 pounds. The counterbalancing system might pull up with 20-25 pounds of force. This leaves only 15-20 pounds for you to lift.
This system is helpful for some people. It allows users to practice the pressing motion with less weight. It can also make it easier to start lifting weights if you are not strong enough to lift a full 45-pound barbell yet.
However, it also means you cannot directly compare the weight you lift on a Smith machine to the weight you lift with a free-weight barbell. Lifting 100 pounds on a Smith machine feels different and works your muscles differently than lifting 100 pounds with a free barbell.
Using the Smith Machine for Bench Press
When you use the Smith machine for bench press at Planet Fitness, you add weight plates to the bar just like you would with a free barbell. The total weight you are lifting is the effective bar weight (15-20 lbs) plus the weight of the plates.
For example, if you add a 45-pound plate to each side (90 pounds total plates), the total weight you are lifting is about:
15-20 lbs (bar) + 90 lbs (plates) = 105 – 110 lbs total
Remember this when you see someone lifting seemingly heavy weight on a Smith machine. The starting weight is much lower than with a standard barbell.
Benefits of Using the Smith Machine at Planet Fitness
There are reasons why Planet Fitness has Smith machines for bench press, even with the lighter bar weight.
- Safety: The fixed path makes the lift more controlled. This reduces the risk of the bar falling on you. Safety hooks along the frame let you rack the bar at any point during the lift if you get tired. You can also set stoppers below a certain point to limit how far the bar can drop.
- Beginner Friendly: For someone who has never bench pressed before, using a machine that guides the movement can be less scary and easier to learn. They do not need to worry about balancing the weight.
- Focus on Muscle: Because the machine helps with balance, some people feel they can focus more on working their chest muscles.
- No Spotter Needed: The safety features mean you can often lift heavier weights (relative to your strength level) without needing someone to stand behind you and help.
These benefits align with Planet Fitness’s goal of being welcoming to everyone, including people new to the gym.
Drawbacks of Using the Smith Machine
While the Smith machine has benefits, especially for beginners, it also has downsides, mainly because the bar moves in a fixed line.
- Less Muscle Activation: When you use a free-weight barbell, your body uses many small muscles to balance the bar. The fixed path of the Smith machine means these stabilizing muscles do not work as hard. This can limit your overall strength development compared to free weights.
- Unnatural Movement: The human body does not naturally move in a perfectly straight line during a bench press. A free-weight bench press involves a slight arc motion. The fixed path can feel awkward or even put stress on joints for some people.
- Cannot Directly Compare Progress: Because the effective bar weight is different and it works muscles differently, lifting a certain weight on a Smith machine is not the same as lifting that same weight with a free barbell. This makes it hard to track your strength progress accurately if you ever switch to free weights.
- Misleading Weight: The lower starting weight and the different feel can be misleading. People might think they are lifting more weight than they would be able to handle on a free bench press.
For people looking to build strength for free-weight lifting or sports, the Smith machine is often seen as less effective than using a standard weight lifting bar weight and free weights.
Other Bar Types at Planet Fitness (Less Common for Bench)
While the Smith machine is the main bar for bench pressing at Planet Fitness, they have other types of gym equipment bar weight. However, you would not typically use these for a traditional bench press exercise.
- Fixed-Weight Barbells: Planet Fitness has racks of pre-set barbells. These barbells have weights already attached and are not meant for adding plates. They usually range from 20 pounds up to 90 or 100 pounds. You could technically lay on a bench and press one of these, but it is not the standard way to bench press heavier weights. The empty barbell weight concept does not apply here; the number on the bar is the total weight.
- EZ Curl Bars: These are shorter bars with a wavy shape, used for exercises like bicep curls or tricep extensions. They usually weigh around 15-25 pounds. You would not use this for bench press.
- Dumbbells: Planet Fitness has dumbbells, which are separate weights you hold in each hand. They are great for chest exercises but are not bars.
So, when asking about how much do Planet Fitness bench bars weigh, the answer is almost always about the Smith machine bar. It is the primary bar provided for that exercise.
Interpreting the Smith Machine Weight for Your Workout
Knowing the effective weight of the Smith machine bar is important for tracking your workouts.
- Logging Your Weight: When you write down the weight you lifted, make sure to include the bar weight. If you lift 90 pounds in plates, note that you lifted 105-110 pounds total on the Smith machine.
- Setting Goals: Do not compare your Smith machine bench press numbers to someone else’s free-weight bench press numbers. They are different exercises. Set goals based on your own progress on the Smith machine. Try to add a little more weight or do more reps over time on that specific machine.
- Transitioning to Free Weights: If you ever move to a gym with free weights, remember that the 45-pound bar is the starting point. If you can bench 100 pounds on the Smith machine, you might start with just the 45-pound bar or add only a small amount of weight when you first try free weights.
The Planet Fitness bar type weight (the Smith machine bar) is designed to be a starting point and a safer option. It helps you get the movement down.
Smith Machine Variations and Bar Weight
Not all Smith machines are exactly the same. While the 15-20 pound effective weight is typical, there might be slight differences depending on the specific model of the machine at your Planet Fitness location.
Some older models might have a slightly different counterbalancing system. The range of 15-20 pounds is a very common estimate based on many Planet Fitness locations, but there is no single exact weight stamped on every bar that says “This bar feels like 18.5 pounds.”
It is always best to assume the bar is in that 15-20 pound range. It is much closer to this weight than the 45 pounds of a standard gym bar weight.
Gym Equipment Bar Weight Beyond Bench Press
While this article focuses on the bench press bar weight at Planet Fitness, it is good to know about other bar weights for different exercises.
- Lat Pulldown Bar: This bar is part of a cable machine. Its weight is determined by the weight plates you choose on the stack, not the bar itself. The bar itself has very little weight you lift.
- Rowing Machine Handle: Similar to the lat pulldown, the handle’s weight is minor. The resistance comes from the machine’s system (air, water, magnetic).
- Curl Bar (EZ Bar): As mentioned, these are typically 15-25 pounds and used for arm exercises.
- Straight Bar Attachment (for cables): Like the lat pulldown bar, its weight is not significant; the weight is from the stack.
So, the concept of an empty barbell weight mainly applies to free barbells (where you add plates) or counterbalanced bars like those on a Smith machine. The average weight of a barbell used for major lifts (45 lbs) is the benchmark that the lighter Smith machine bar weight is compared against.
Fathoming the Feel vs. The Actual Weight
It is crucial not to confuse how heavy the bar feels with how much the metal bar actually weighs. The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is the effective weight due to the counterbalancing. The actual metal bar is heavier.
Think of it like lifting something while someone helps you a little bit. The object is still the same weight, but it requires less effort from you. That is what the counterbalancing does for the Smith machine bar.
This is why you see numbers like “15-20 lbs effective weight” when people discuss this topic. It reflects the amount of force you need to lift it, not its mass if you put it on a scale without the counterbalancing system. This effective weight is the number you use when calculating your total lift weight.
Tracking Progress on the Smith Machine
Since the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is consistent (around 15-20 lbs), you can still track your progress effectively on this machine.
- Start by finding a comfortable weight: Begin with just the bar or add very light plates.
- Focus on form: Make sure you are using the correct technique. The fixed path helps, but you still need good posture and control.
- Add weight slowly: As you get stronger, add small amounts of weight (e.g., 2.5 lb or 5 lb plates) to each side.
- Record your lifts: Keep track of the date, the exercise (Smith machine bench press), the weight lifted (bar weight + plate weight), and the number of repetitions you did.
- Aim to improve over time: Try to lift slightly more weight or do more reps than your last session.
Your progress numbers will be specific to the Smith machine. Do not feel discouraged if you cannot immediately lift the average weight of a barbell (45 lbs) on a free bench if you switch gyms. Your strength has grown, but the exercise is different.
Safety Features of the Smith Machine
The gym equipment bar weight on a Smith machine comes with built-in safety features that are different from a free barbell setup.
- Safety Catches/Hooks: The bar has hooks that stick out. You can twist the bar to lock these hooks onto pins located along the uprights of the machine. This lets you stop the lift and rest the bar at different points. It’s like having a spotter who can take the weight instantly.
- Adjustable Safety Stops: There are adjustable bars or pins you can set below the bar’s starting position. If you fail a lift and cannot rack the bar on the catches, these stops will catch the bar before it comes all the way down to your chest. This is a key feature that reduces risk, especially when lifting heavy or lifting alone.
These features, combined with the fixed path, make the Smith machine a popular choice in gyms like Planet Fitness that prioritize a welcoming environment for people of all fitness levels. They help users feel more secure when working with weight.
Final Thoughts on the Planet Fitness Bench Bar
So, to sum it up, the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight for bench press is typically 15 to 20 pounds. This is much lighter than the standard gym bar weight or average weight of a barbell used in free weights, which is 45 pounds. This lower weight is due to a counterbalancing system within the machine.
When you are at Planet Fitness and getting ready to bench, remember that the bar itself contributes about 15-20 pounds to your total lift. Use this number when calculating how much weight you are moving.
The Smith machine offers a guided, safer way to perform exercises like the bench press. It is a good tool for beginners or those who prefer not to use free weights. Just remember that lifting on a Smith machine is different from lifting with a free barbell, and the weights are not directly comparable. Your bench press bar weight experience at Planet Fitness starts with that lighter, counterbalanced bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
h4 How much does an empty bar weigh at Planet Fitness?
The empty bar on the Smith machine at Planet Fitness typically has an effective weight of about 15 to 20 pounds. This is because of a system inside the machine that helps balance the bar. It makes the bar feel much lighter than its actual physical weight.
h4 What is the standard weight of a bench press bar?
The standard weight lifting bar weight for a bench press in most gyms with free weights is a 45-pound Olympic barbell (for men). There are also 35-pound Olympic barbells (for women). The average weight of a barbell used for this exercise is 45 pounds.
h4 Why is the Smith machine bar lighter than a free bar?
The Smith machine bar is lighter because of a counterbalancing system. This system uses weights or springs to pull up on the bar, reducing the amount of weight you need to lift. A free bar does not have this system.
h4 How much does the Smith machine bar weigh for bench press?
The Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight specifically for bench press has an effective weight usually between 15 and 20 pounds. This is the weight you should count as the bar’s weight when you add plates.
h4 Does Planet Fitness have regular 45lb barbells for bench press?
Generally, no. Planet Fitness locations typically do not have free-weight bench press stations with standard 45-pound Olympic barbells on racks. They primarily use Smith machines for bench pressing. They do have fixed-weight barbells, but these are not for standard bench pressing with added plates.
h4 How do I know the exact weight of the bar on my Smith machine?
Most Smith machines at Planet Fitness do not have the effective weight clearly marked on the bar. Based on common models and how they are designed, the effective weight is widely known to be in the 15-20 pound range due to counterbalancing. Assume it is within this range for your calculations.
h4 Is lifting on a Smith machine the same as lifting with a free bar?
No, it is not the same. A free bar requires you to balance the weight yourself, which works more muscles. The Smith machine guides the bar in a fixed path, helping with balance. The weight of bar on bench press is also different (15-20 lbs on Smith vs. 45 lbs standard bar). This means the strength you build and the feel of the lift are different.
h4 What is the weight of the bar on bench press at Planet Fitness?
The weight of bar on bench press at Planet Fitness, which uses Smith machines, is typically 15 to 20 pounds effective weight. This is the starting weight before you add any plates.
h4 How much does a typical gym bar weigh for bench press?
A typical gym bar weight used for bench press in gyms with free weights is a 45-pound Olympic barbell. This is the standard gym bar weight for this exercise.
h4 When logging my workout, should I count the Smith machine bar weight?
Yes, you should count the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight (15-20 lbs) when logging your total lift. The total weight lifted is the effective bar weight plus the weight of the plates you add.
h4 Does the Planet Fitness bar type weight vary much?
The Planet Fitness bar type weight for the Smith machine bench press is usually within the 15-20 pound effective weight range across different locations. While there might be minor differences between specific machine models, this range is a reliable estimate.