I started lifting weights (again) and accurately tracking my progress (I bought a “cheap” workout and weight loss plan, which requires a lot of data so you can see your progress (or regress)). When bench pressing and doing squats on the (Cybex) Smith Machine I had assumed that the bar weighed 45 pounds like a free bar does and added it to the total weight. It wasn’t until my most recent session (finished about 30 minutes ago) that I realized that the bar doesn’t in fact weigh 45 pounds…but weighs anywhere from 7 to 30 pounds, according to what I saw from a quick search. I should have realized that it wasn’t 45 pounds because it felt pretty light. Google says that the average weight tends to be about 15 pounds, but I have no idea.
I was also using the (Cybex) overhead should press machine and saw that the plates past 50 pounds went in 15 pound increments. Then I noticed the additional weight at the top, disabled by a pin. When I lowered it down on to the stack there was no number on it. Was it 5 pounds? 7.5 pounds? 10 pounds? Who knows?
How are people supposed to know how much weight they’re lifting if things aren’t numbered properly? They have these huge stickers that say everything, but they can’t put “bar weighs 15 lbs” on it?
I was also using the (Cybex) overhead should press machine and saw that the plates past 50 pounds went in 15 pound increments. Then I noticed the additional weight at the top, disabled by a pin. When I lowered it down on to the stack there was no number on it. Was it 5 pounds? 7.5 pounds? 10 pounds? Who knows?
A trick for these machines if you want to add weight in smaller increments and also know the weight you’re adding is to place a small plate on the pin (On the yellow pin in the image below). It would look something like the second image below. You can do that instead of using the unlabelled weight on the stack.
And as many others have already said, the actual number doesn’t matter much. If you go from one machine to another, even if it’s the same brand and same model, the same weight is going to give different resistances. The part that matters is that you progress. You know that if you add weight on the smith machine, then you’re moving more weight and you’re progressing. If you enable the small weight on the shoulder press machine’s weight stack, then it’s more weight than not having it enabled, but less than moving the pin down the stack.
Thanks! I’ve seen people do that, and I did it as well on the Lat Press machine but couldn’t do it with the Shoulder Press machine since the stack is enclosed in a shroud 😑
I figured progress at any rate is what really matters.
Step on a scale holding whatever you want to weigh.
Put down the thing
Step on a scale not holding the thing you want to weigh.
Subtract the second number from the first.
I realized I didn’t need a special scale to weigh light things if I just did it like that.
Now lift it up 11 more times. You’ve done a set… do it four more times, move on to the next object.
(I think OP is more talking about thinks you can’t bring to a scale)
This is a great method if you own the object in question… Sounds like OP is curious about equipment at their local public gym though.
I was under the impression most gyms had a scale, but I have a sample size of one gym that I’ve ever been to, and that gym had a scale.
Maybe that’s not as common as I imagined it was.
My gym has a scale, but not a digital one and it would be… Unusual, if not somewhat dangerous, to bring a bar across the entire place to where it’s placed.
I can see reasons why they wouldn’t want to do that, even if there is a scale.
First, I am sorry for everyone just dismissing this question. There are many valid reasons for wanting to know the unloaded weight of machines, including just being curious. If you want to change up your routine or compare results between machines, you absolutely want this info.
Some machines will have this information in fine print on the main instruction panel or some small label on the machine. You have to search for it.
The most reliable way to know would be to ask the staff at your gym. A gym-employed trainer would be a great resource if they are off without a client. At my gym, I just put in a request that they label all of the machines with this info. It seems like a big quality of life increase for the cost of some printer paper and packing tape.
Keep lifting heavy and pushing for the details you want. I know on my leg press sled, I absolutely want credit for the 105 lb. sled in addition to the plates I put on it.
Curiosity would be the only valid reason for knowing. You can’t compare between machines, even if they’re the same model.
I would mildly disagree. Knowing your numbers for a lift can help you estimate where you should be on related lifts. It can also help you very roughly gauge your progress compared to others. The mechanical advantage, friction, and other physical aspects of any given machine play a huge role for sure, but one can broadly make comparisons.
where you should be on related lifts
What does that mean? You are where you are. Where you should be is where you end up when you do your best. Knowing the absolute resistance on a machine doesn’t help with that.
gauge your progress compared to others
If you mean comparing to other people, I strongly recommend against this. Compare against your past self, and only your past self.