Does Planet Fitness have free weight barbells?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 23, 2026
Overall, the only negative that will be in place across all locations is the fact that there are no free weights at planet fitness. You will get some dumbbells to use and a Smith machine, but outside of that, don't expect to be working on your lifting at this gym.
Are there free barbells at Planet Fitness?
No, Planet Fitness does not have Squat racks or Barbells. The gym does not offer you to have the free weights or free weight training as well. The gym equipment like power racks and dumbbell bench press is nowhere to be found here.
Does Planet Fitness have free weight bench press?
No Free Weight Bench or Squat
Then I have to warn you that Planet Fitness might not be the place for you, the biggest reason being that they do not have free weight bench press or squat racks. You have to use a Smith machine.
How much does a barbell weigh at Planet Fitness?
The Smith machines at Planet Fitness will have the bar weight written on the side of the machine. So, you can just have a look, but they should range from 15-20lbs.
Does Planet Fitness have barbells and squat racks?
“That's not a typical Planet Fitness,” says McCall Gosselin, the company's director of public relations. “Our clubs don't have equipment like squat racks and Olympic benches. Our dumbbells only go up to 80 pounds.”
23 related questions foundWhy did Planet Fitness Get rid of free weights?
The major reason Planet Fitness does not offer these heavier free weights is likely about insurance and liability. The chance of a person getting hurt using a Smith machine is considerably lower than that of a person trying to bench press 300 pounds.
What is the heaviest dumbbell at Planet Fitness?
The dumbbells are limited to 60 pounds. The heaviest fixed barbell is also 60 pounds. They had 95 assorted cardio machines - rows and rows of them.
Does the bar on a Smith machine weigh anything?
A Smith machine bar weighs anywhere from 6 lbs to 32 lbs depending on the material of construction, counterbalancing, and the angle of the rails.
How much is a bar bench press?
A standard bench press bar usually weighs 45 pounds, but you'll find plenty of variation among other types of barbells.
Do you count the weight of the bar?
The bar's weight is part of the total lifted. If you have two forty-five pound plates on a standard forty-five pound olympic bar, you are are lifting 135 pounds, not 90. It doesn't make any sense to log anything but the total weight on the bar--which includes the weight of the bar itself.
Why doesn't Planet Fitness have a bench?
That's because Planet Fitness isn't designed for those wanting to bulk up or work on heavy lifting. As a bench press involves a weight bench and barbell or dumbbell (via VeryWell Fit), it doesn't exactly fit in with the gym's brand.
Does Planet Fitness have chest press?
Standard Machine Chest Press
This is a great machine to start with if you're new to the gym. To begin, select an appropriate weight on the chest press machine and adjust the seat so you are at a comfortable height.
Is Smith machine same as bench press?
For those who are unfamiliar, barbell bench presses involve Olympic flat benches and free weights, whereas the smith machine bench press used a bar that is attached to the machine. The path of the bar is different for each bench press.
Is flat bench press useless?
Ultimately, it's a matter of preference and what your goals are. The flat bench press does a better job of developing your pecs. Many trainers agree that the incline press is safer on your pecs, shoulders, and rotator cuffs.
Can the average man bench press 225?
Yes, 225 is a decent bench press number for a man. Depending on his age and weight, he should be able to bench press anywhere between 70 and 100 percent of his body weight. If a man weighs 200 pounds, a bench press or 225 pounds would be considered above average.
How much do barbells weigh?
Standard barbells are 5 to 6 feet long and weigh between 15 to 25 lbs. Most regular barbells have a load capacity of 100 to 200 lbs. Again, the diameter can fluctuate which will determine the weight capacity it can handle.
Is a Smith machine bar 45 lbs?
In fact, there is no standardized weight for a Smith machine barbell. Unlike Olympic barbells, they have a globally standardized weight of 20 kg (45 lbs).
Why is the Smith machine angled?
An angled smith machine is best, and thankfully most commercial gyms have angled bar paths as it has become the standard. Again, the angled bar path allows for more natural movement for exercises like squats and presses.
Why does Planet Fitness not do deadlifts?
Some gyms ban deadlifts for a number of reasons; Firstly, commercial gyms don't have dedicated deadlift platforms so the deadlift ban is to protect the equipment and flooring. They also don't want to promote a “hardcore” weightlifting atmosphere so try to prevent the noise pollution from dropped weights.
Is Smith machine lighter than free weights?
No weight lifted on any machine is the same as using free weights. In all cases, less effort is required to stabilize the weight, making the lift easier. In some cases, the Smith machine itself has a counterweight that reduces the weight of the bar, and often there is no way to know by how much.
Is a Smith machine as good as free weights?
A study in 2019 concluded that free weights were over 40% more effective at activating muscles in a squat compared to a smith machine. Other studies have reported how free weights are better at improving your strength too.