Gym owner friend needs help choosing a Smith machine
Before we get into a discussion for or against a Smith, let's just say he is getting one. He has a large commercial gym, and one that is a state of the art facility. I don't know another person that has spent the years that he did planning, building, designing and equipping it.
He needs help deciding which of these two machines to get, and I have no clue...
IMHO he should get the top one. As a gym user, I think the bottom option is too "busy" for a commercial setting. While it would be good for a home gym, I think in a busy gym the smith machine should focus on barbell moves rather than the cable stack stuff that the bottom one seems to have. Just my 2 cents!
I agree, too much going on with the bottom one, people would be fighting for it and wanting to do completely different exercises. I'd go for the top one
I'd have to agree, donno what the cable stack would be for that couldn't be done elsewhere.
But, at some shop around here we saw a pretty awesome "smith-like" machine that had cables and pulleys instead of the normal track, and everything was fairly freeweight-ish but safer feeling. If you let go of the bar, it stopped. period. THAT would be the thing I'd get.
I too vote for the top one. With the extra hooks on the front and the side supports, it appears you can get another bar and use it as a regular rack as well.
The top one is the Star Trac Max Rack, which is unbeatable (as smith machines go anyway). It allows the bar to travel not only vertically, but horizontally as well, giving the user more of a free weight experience without compromising 'safety'. I also like the fact that it has built in weight horns, which will free up a LOT more space than one would think (1 weight tree can take up about 35 sq ft or so when accounting for traffic around it). I'm not a huge fan of some of Star Trac's cardio equipment, and some of their older selectorized machines are horrible, but they have put out some good stuff the past couple years.
The top one is the Star Trac Max Rack, which is unbeatable (as smith machines go anyway). It allows the bar to travel not only vertically, but horizontally as well, giving the user more of a free weight experience without compromising 'safety'. I also like the fact that it has built in weight horns, which will free up a LOT more space than one would think (1 weight tree can take up about 35 sq ft or so when accounting for traffic around it). I'm not a huge fan of some of Star Trac's cardio equipment, and some of their older selectorized machines are horrible, but they have put out some good stuff the past couple years.
Just noticed the one on the bottom moves horizontally as well. I'd still go with the Star Trac for the other reasons I mentioned.
If its between those two I'd agree with everyone that the top is less busy, but if space is an issue maybe having multiple things built in would be better.
I went to a TSI Summit a couple of years ago and they had these type of racks there with the "Grab & Go" tech. It was pretty cool, the bar is hanging from a cable and when you touch the sensors on the bar it releases. If you get stuck you just let go of the bar and it stays where you left it!! I thought it was pretty cool, but I'm a sucker for techy stuff.
As far as the Jones on the bottom looking "busy" the lat option in the back does not come with the commercial version; which is what you would be putting in the gym.
The Max Rack will feel most similar to a free-weight movement.
The Jones also has a full range of motion but you are pulling around the racking mechanism with you. This is a plus in that you can lock it in just like a smith, but a drawback in that it also "pulls" you in the direction of the locking mechanism. It can also be locked into place and used as a true smith machine.
Quality wise they are both very well made. Its really a win-win with either one.
When they end up with injuries from benching, squatting, pressing etc in the smith machine, we know what is going to happen... Blame the exercise!! Squats are dangerous!!
Ok, I'm ranting but people should just stick to free weights unless you are a bodybuilder looking to isolate muscles..
When they end up with injuries from benching, squatting, pressing etc in the smith machine, we know what is going to happen... Blame the exercise!! Squats are dangerous!!
Ok, I'm ranting but people should just stick to free weights unless you are a bodybuilder looking to isolate muscles..
Quote:
Originally Posted by galya
Before we get into a discussion for or against a Smith, let's just say he is getting one.
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I agree with the LD and SA the first looks better in terms dualling as power rack. Although there are many other questions; cost, quality, maintenance etc....
Hi guys,
I would like to thank you for your advices and suggestions. We already did make our decision and that is MAX RACK. We are very hapy about it and our costomers like it too....it was good buy for us.
Gym owner friend needs help choosing a Smith machine
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