When you go to Planet Fitness and see the weight machines, you might wonder, “How much does the bar weigh?” This is a great question, and the answer is simple for the main bar you’ll use for exercises like squats and bench press: the bar on the Smith machine at Planet Fitness usually weighs very little or feels like it weighs very little, often just 15 to 35 pounds, but sometimes feeling like 0 to 10 pounds because of a system that helps lift it. Most Planet Fitness gyms do not have the heavy, standard free weight barbells that weigh 45 pounds like you see in many other gyms.
Image Source: i.redd.it
What Bar Am I Talking About?
At Planet Fitness, the bar you will likely use for exercises like the chest press or squats is on a machine. This machine is called a Smith machine. It’s different from using a bar that moves freely. The bar on a Smith machine slides up and down on poles or tracks. This helps you keep the bar steady.
Focusing on the Smith Machine Bar Weight
Many people ask, “How much does a Smith machine bar weigh?” This is key at Planet Fitness. The weight of the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar is not like a regular, loose barbell. A standard big barbell you see in weightlifting often weighs 45 pounds (about 20 kilograms). But the bar on the Smith machine at Planet Fitness is much lighter.
The actual weight of the metal bar itself can be more, but the machine uses weights and cables to make the bar lighter for you to lift. This is called counterbalancing. Because of this help, the bar feels much lighter than its real weight.
Most gyms with Smith machines, including Planet Fitness, set them up so the bar feels light. The weight can be different depending on the exact machine model. But a good rule of thumb for the felt weight, or the weight you are actually lifting when no plates are added, is usually between 15 and 35 pounds. Some newer machines are so well balanced that the bar feels almost weightless, maybe only 0 to 10 pounds.
So, for the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight, think in terms of a low number, much less than a standard heavy barbell.
How the Bar Feels Lighter: Grasping Counterbalancing
Let’s get a handle on why the Smith machine bar feels light. Think of a seesaw. If you have a heavy person on one side and a lighter person on the other, the heavy person goes down. But if you put a weight under the lighter person’s side, it can help balance the heavy person.
The Smith machine works a bit like that. The heavy bar is connected to weights by cables and pulleys inside the machine. These hidden weights pull up on the bar. This pulling makes the bar feel less heavy when you lift it.
It’s like carrying a heavy backpack, but someone is pulling up on it a little bit for you. The backpack still has the same weight, but it feels lighter on your back.
This counterbalancing is why the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is not the same as a standard bar. The machine does some of the work for you.
Why the Smith Machine Weight Range Planet Fitness Can Change
The exact weight the Smith machine bar feels like depends on the specific machine. Different companies make Smith machines, and they use different ways to balance the bar. Some machines might have a bar that feels like 20 pounds. Others might feel like 15 pounds. Some very new ones might feel even lighter, maybe only 6 pounds or even almost zero.
This is why giving one exact number for the Smith machine weight range Planet Fitness is hard. It varies a little from gym to gym, and even machine to machine if they have different models. But the key point is: it’s always significantly less than a 45-pound free weight barbell.
Other Bars You Might See
While the Smith machine bar is the main one for exercises like presses and squats at Planet Fitness, you will see other types of bars.
EZ Curl Bar Weight Planet Fitness
Yes, Planet Fitness usually has EZ curl bars. These are the bars that are not straight. They have bends in them where you grip. These bars are typically used for exercises like bicep curls or triceps extensions.
Unlike the Smith machine bar, EZ curl bars are usually found on a rack. They are not attached to a big machine that balances them. These are ‘fixed-weight’ bars. This means the weight of the bar and the weights on the ends is fixed together as one piece.
The EZ curl bar weight Planet Fitness offers comes in a range of weights. You’ll see them labeled with their total weight. For example, you might see EZ curl bars that weigh 20 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds, 50 pounds, and so on.
So, the weight of an EZ curl bar at Planet Fitness is simply the number written on it. You pick the one that has the weight you want to lift.
Straight Fixed-Weight Bars
Just like EZ curl bars, Planet Fitness often has straight fixed-weight barbells in a rack. These look like small barbells with weights already attached. They also come in different weights, labeled on the bar. You might see straight bars that weigh 20 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds, up to maybe 100 pounds or more in some gyms.
These are also not free weight barbells you load plates onto. They are pre-loaded bars with a set weight.
Are There Free Weight Barbells at Planet Fitness?
This is a question many people ask, especially if they are used to other gyms. Does Planet Fitness have free weight barbells?
Generally, no. Planet Fitness gyms are not set up for heavy powerlifting or Olympic lifting. This means they usually do not have:
- Standard 45-pound barbells that you can load with weight plates.
- Power racks or squat racks where you use these free barbells.
- Lifting platforms for deadlifts.
The main bar for squats, bench press, and similar exercises is the one on the Smith machine. You add weight plates to the ends of the Smith machine bar, but the bar itself is not a standard, free-moving barbell.
So, if you are looking to do exercises like free weight barbell squats, bench press, or deadlifts with a standard 45-pound bar, Planet Fitness is likely not the place for that. The Barbell weight at Planet Fitness is mostly limited to the lighter Smith machine bar and the fixed-weight bars.
Standard Barbell Weight Comparison
It helps to compare.
- Standard Free Weight Barbell: Usually 45 pounds (20 kg). This bar is not attached to a machine and moves freely. You add plates to it. Planet Fitness usually does not have these.
- Planet Fitness Smith Machine Bar: Feels much lighter, often 15-35 pounds, sometimes less, because of the counterbalancing. It moves only up and down on fixed tracks.
- Planet Fitness Fixed-Weight Bars (EZ Curl, Straight): These have weights already attached and come in set weights like 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 50 lbs, etc.
Knowing this difference is important. Lifting 100 pounds on a Smith machine is different from lifting 100 pounds with a free weight barbell. On the Smith machine, part of that 100 pounds is the plates you added, and part is the counterbalanced weight of the bar itself. The bar contributes less than a standard barbell.
Sorting Out Different Weights
Let’s look at the different types of weights you will find at Planet Fitness to get a broader view of the Planet Fitness weightlifting equipment weight.
- Smith Machine: Has the special bar that feels light (15-35 lbs felt weight, sometimes less). You add plates (25 lbs, 35 lbs, 45 lbs standard plates are common at PF) to increase the weight.
- Dumbbells: These are the hand weights you use one in each hand, or one hand. Planet Fitness has dumbbells, usually in a rack. They come in many weights, often starting quite light (like 5 lbs) and going up to 75 lbs or sometimes 100 lbs in some locations.
- Kettlebells: These are round weights with a handle on top. Some Planet Fitness locations have kettlebells. They also come in different weights.
- Fixed-Weight Barbells (Straight and EZ Curl): As discussed, these are bars with weights already on the ends, found in a rack, labeled by their total weight (20 lbs, 30 lbs, etc.).
- Weight Machines: Most of the weight training at Planet Fitness is done on machines. These machines use weight stacks (plates connected by a pin). You choose your weight by putting a pin in a slot. The weight is clearly marked on the machine.
- Plates: You use plates (round weights) on the Smith machine and sometimes on other special machines. Planet Fitness typically has plates in standard sizes like 25 lbs, 35 lbs, and 45 lbs. They also have smaller plates like 2.5 lbs, 5 lbs, and 10 lbs. These are the weights you add to the Smith machine bar to increase the total weight you are lifting.
So, while standard free weight barbells are rare, there are many other types of weights and machines available. This gives you many ways to lift at Planet Fitness. The Planet Fitness weightlifting equipment weight covers a wide range, even without heavy free barbells.
Looking at All the Gear: Planet Fitness Bar Types and Weights
Let’s make a simple list of the bars you might see and their approximate weights at Planet Fitness.
- Smith Machine Bar: The main bar for bench press/squats attached to the machine.
- Feels like: Roughly 15-35 pounds (sometimes much less, 0-10 lbs, depending on the machine).
- Does it move freely? No, it slides on tracks.
- EZ Curl Bar: Short bar with bends, in a rack.
- Weighs: Labeled weights, often 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, etc. (Fixed weight).
- Does it move freely? Yes, you pick it up from a rack.
- Straight Fixed-Weight Barbell: Short, straight bar, in a rack.
- Weighs: Labeled weights, often 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, up to 100+ lbs (Fixed weight).
- Does it move freely? Yes, you pick it up from a rack.
- Standard Free Weight Barbell (45 lbs): The long, straight bar for free squats/bench press.
- Weighs: Usually 45 pounds.
- Does it move freely? Yes.
- Found at Planet Fitness? Usually No.
This table helps sort out the different bars and their typical weights at Planet Fitness.
| Bar Type | Where Found | Typical Weight at Planet Fitness (Approximate) | Moves Freely? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Machine Bar | On the Smith Machine | Feels like 15-35 lbs (could be 0-10 lbs felt) | No | Has counterbalancing; add plates |
| EZ Curl Bar | In a rack | Fixed weight (e.g., 20, 30, 40, 50+ lbs) | Yes | Pick up and use; weight is labeled |
| Straight Fixed-Weight Bar | In a rack | Fixed weight (e.g., 20, 30, 40, up to 100+ lbs) | Yes | Pick up and use; weight is labeled |
| Standard Free Barbell | Usually Not Present | 45 lbs | Yes | Common in other gyms, rare at Planet Fitness |
This table gives you a clear picture of the Planet Fitness bar types and weights you are likely to encounter.
Estimated Weight of Planet Fitness Bar: Adding Plates
Let’s talk more about the weight on the Smith machine. We know the bar itself feels light. But you add weight plates to it.
The total weight you are lifting on the Smith machine is the felt weight of the bar plus the weight of the plates you add.
Let’s say the bar feels like it weighs 20 pounds. If you add two 45-pound plates (one on each side), you are adding a total of 90 pounds (45 + 45).
Your total estimated weight lifted would be:
Felt Bar Weight + Plate Weight = Total Weight
20 lbs + 90 lbs = 110 lbs
This is the Estimated weight of Planet Fitness bar plus the plates.
If the bar feels like it weighs only 10 pounds, and you add two 25-pound plates (50 lbs total), your total lifted is 10 lbs + 50 lbs = 60 lbs.
It’s important to remember that the actual weight of the bar might be higher (like 40 or 50 lbs), but the machine helps lift it. The felt weight is what matters for tracking your lifts on that specific machine.
Why Knowing This Matters
Knowing how much the bar weighs, or feels like it weighs, is helpful for a few reasons.
Tracking Your Progress
When you lift weights, you want to get stronger. To know if you’re getting stronger, you need to know how much weight you lifted last time.
If you use the Smith machine, you need to note the plates you used AND the felt weight of the bar (if you know it or can estimate it). If you just write down the plate weight, you are not counting the bar weight.
For example, if you lifted two 45-pound plates last week, and this week you lift two 45-pound plates and two 10-pound plates, you lifted more weight this week. But you also need to include the bar weight in your total if you want an accurate number.
Say the bar feels like 25 pounds.
Last week: 25 lbs (bar) + 90 lbs (two 45s) = 115 lbs total
This week: 25 lbs (bar) + 90 lbs (two 45s) + 20 lbs (two 10s) = 135 lbs total
You increased your lift by 20 pounds!
If you ignored the bar weight, you’d just see 90 lbs vs 110 lbs plate weight, which is also a 20 lb increase, but the total number is higher when you include the bar. It helps you see the full picture of the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight plus the plates.
Moving to a New Gym
If you ever go to a different gym that has standard free weight barbells, you need to know the weight difference.
Let’s say you got strong on the Planet Fitness Smith machine and can lift two 45-pound plates plus the bar (let’s assume the bar feels like 20 lbs). Your total lifted is 110 lbs.
If you go to a new gym and try to lift 110 pounds on a free weight bench press with a standard 45-pound bar, you’d add 65 pounds in plates (110 total – 45 bar = 65 lbs in plates). This would be about one 25-pound plate and one 7.5-pound plate on each side (25+7.5=32.5; 32.5*2 = 65).
This might feel much harder than on the Smith machine! Why?
- The bar weight is different: 45 lbs free bar vs. 20 lbs felt weight on Smith.
- No balancing help: With a free weight bar, you have to balance the bar yourself. The Smith machine keeps the bar steady for you. This balancing takes extra effort and uses small muscles you don’t use as much on the Smith machine.
So, even if the total weight number is the same, lifting on a free weight bar is harder than on a Smith machine. Don’t be surprised if you have to lift less weight at first on a free weight bar. This is normal! The Standard barbell weight comparison shows they are very different tools.
Safety
Knowing the approximate starting weight of the bar (the felt weight on the Smith machine) is good for safety. You don’t want to start too heavy. If the bar feels lighter, you can start with the bar alone to learn the movement before adding plates.
Getting Started
If you are new to lifting at Planet Fitness, the Smith machine is a good place to start. The bar is light and stable. You can learn the motions safely.
Don’t worry too much about the exact, precise weight of the Smith machine bar when you are just starting. The most important thing is to:
- Learn the right way to do the exercise.
- Choose a weight that feels challenging but allows you to do 8-12 good repetitions.
- Focus on doing your best and being consistent.
As you get stronger, you will add more plates. The fact that the bar is there and has a low starting weight helps you begin your strength journey.
Focus on Doing Your Best
Instead of focusing too much on the exact, estimated weight of Planet Fitness bar or comparing it perfectly to a standard bar, focus on these things at Planet Fitness:
- Form: Make sure you are doing each exercise correctly to avoid injury. Watch videos, ask staff if available, or even just use the guides on the machines.
- Effort: Work hard during your sets. Feel your muscles working.
- Progress: Try to add a little more weight, do one more repetition, or do an extra set over time. This is how you get stronger.
- Consistency: Go to the gym regularly. Stick with your plan.
The specific Planet Fitness Smith machine bar weight is just a starting point. What you add to it and how you perform the exercise are what truly matter for your results. The Smith machine weight range Planet Fitness offers allows you to start light and add weight as you improve.
Wrapping Up the Bar Weight
To quickly go over it:
- The main bar for exercises like squats and bench press at Planet Fitness is on the Smith machine.
- This bar feels much lighter than a standard barbell because of counterbalancing.
- The felt weight of the Planet Fitness Smith machine bar is often around 15-35 pounds, sometimes less.
- Planet Fitness usually does NOT have standard 45-pound free weight barbells.
- They DO have fixed-weight bars (like EZ curl bars and straight bars) in racks, with weights clearly marked (20 lbs, 30 lbs, etc.).
- The total weight you lift on the Smith machine is the bar’s felt weight plus the weight of the plates you add.
- Knowing the difference between the Smith bar and a standard bar is key if you lift in different gyms or want to track progress accurately.
The Barbell weight at Planet Fitness is mostly about the lighter, guided options and the fixed-weight bars. The Planet Fitness bar types and weights are designed to be approachable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about bar weights at Planet Fitness.
Q: Can I do free weight barbell squats at Planet Fitness?
A: Usually no. Planet Fitness gyms do not typically have the racks and equipment for standard free weight barbell squats using a 45-pound Olympic bar. You can use the Smith machine for squats.
Q: How much does the Smith machine bar weigh at every Planet Fitness?
A: The exact felt weight can vary slightly depending on the machine model, but it’s usually between 15 and 35 pounds, and in some newer gyms, it might feel like 0-10 pounds due to strong counterbalancing. It is always much less than a standard 45-pound free barbell.
Q: Does Planet Fitness have EZ curl bars?
A: Yes, most Planet Fitness locations have EZ curl bars available in a rack, often in a range of fixed weights like 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, etc.
Q: What are the heaviest plates at Planet Fitness?
A: Planet Fitness gyms typically have standard size plates including 45-pound plates, which are often the heaviest standard size plate you will add to the Smith machine.
Q: Why does the bar on the Smith machine feel so light?
A: The machine uses a counterbalancing system (like weights and cables) that pulls up on the bar, making it feel much lighter to lift than its actual metal weight.
Q: If I lift 100 pounds on the Smith machine, is that the same as lifting 100 pounds with a free weight barbell?
A: No. Lifting 100 pounds on a Smith machine includes the bar’s felt weight and the weight of the plates. Lifting 100 pounds with a free weight barbell means the 45-pound bar plus 55 pounds in plates. Also, lifting a free weight bar requires you to balance it, which makes it feel harder than the stable Smith machine bar, even at the same total weight.