Workout Summary
- Main GoalBuild Muscle
- Workout TypeFull Body
- Training LevelBeginner
- Program Duration8 weeks
- Days Per Week3
- Time Per Workout60 minutes
- Equipment RequiredMachines
- Target Gender Female
- Recommended Supps
- Workout PDF Download Workout
Workout Description
When someone walks into a gym for the first time, it may be intimidating to see all the machines and weights. Here’s the good news – all the machines are simply options for you. You don’t have to use them all.
You can easily pick a couple of items to work with and be well on your way to achieving personal fitness success. You can even focus on just the Smith Machine and an adjustable bench and see yourself transform into a better version of yourself.
Don’t believe me? Then take this workout on and see the results for yourself. We put together a full-body, eight-week program that you can perform three days a week, all centered on the Smith Machine. No workout should take longer than 60 minutes, and you will see yourself get stronger and leaner.
What is a Smith Machine?
The original concept of the Smith Machine came from the late, great Jack LaLanne, but it was popularized and commercialized by Rudy Smith, thus the name we know now.
The machine includes a barbell that's in a fixed path of travel like a standard weight machine. It can be loaded with weight plates as a barbell would be, but it can be set in a fixed starting position by the safety stoppers or the hooks connecting the bar to the machine's pins.
Benefits of the Smith Machine
First, it can hold more weight than most weight machines, which allows greater strength potential. Second, the fixed path of travel allows the lifter to isolate a muscle group and lift safely since stability isn’t much of a necessity. Third, it can be a great tool to help beginners learn the ropes of training until they are ready to use free weights.
About the Workouts
There are three workouts here that are all focused on the Smith Machine. Some movements will also call for an adjustable bench. However, if you have access to a Smith Machine, there’s a good chance an adjustable bench is close by. If one doesn’t happen to be available, you can perform alternatives either seated or lying on the floor.
All three workouts are full-body sessions, but each has an emphasis on a certain area. One workout focuses more on push muscles, one workout works pull muscles, and one workout has a little bit of everything. By the end of the third workout, you will have trained the entire body effectively.
Related: Complete Guide To Increasing Workout Recovery
I suggest using this program in one of two ways.
Beginners can train every other day, so they have a day of rest between workouts to recover and prepare for the next session. A sample split for them may look like this:
- Monday: Day 1
- Tuesday: Rest
- Wednesday: Day 2
- Thursday: Rest
- Friday: Day 3
- Saturday and Sunday: Rest
Intermediate and advanced folks may feel like they can train every day on a program like this. You can train all three days in a row but I suggest taking two days off for recovery before getting back after it. So, instead of a traditional weekly calendar, your split may look like this:
- Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Off, Off, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Off, Off, Repeat
Related: Rest Day Strategies: Active Recovery vs. Passive Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Smith Machine bar weigh?
There is not a universal weight for Smith Machine bars, but they can typically vary between 6lb and 45lb. However, in most commercialized gym settings, a standard Smith Machine bar will weigh between 15-25lb.
Where is the ab work?
You can train abs anywhere anytime with or without a Smith Machine. So, you can choose your favorite ab exercises and perform them in conjunction with this workout routine. I would suggest training them twice or even three times a week with those sessions coming after each of these workouts. We have a lot of simple and effective ab workouts you can choose from here on M&S.
Related: Core Destroyer: 8 Week At Home Ab Workout
Can I use this to build muscle or lose weight?
Yes, is the short answer. As long as your cardio, diet, supplementation, and recovery routines all support your primary goal then this workout can be beneficial to you. If your goal is to build muscle, you will need to make sure you're in a caloric surplus. If your goal is to lose weight, you will need to be in a caloric deficit. Just remember that your entire fitness plan should be coordinated to the same goal.
Related: A Beginner's Guide to Zone 2 Cardio
What weights should I use?
Each person doing this will have their own level of strength. That is why specific weights aren’t suggested. However, you can train in one of two ways. You can either start with light to moderate weight and add weight to each set until you get to a top weight for the final set, or you can simply use the same weight for all the sets of that exercise. As long as you feel challenged by the end, the program served its purpose.
Can I change the order or substitute exercises?
You can change the order of the exercises. Variety can be a great thing in training. So, if you like a certain exercise more and want to do it when you feel your strongest, be my guest.
As for subbing exercises in, it depends on the reason. If it’s because of an injury or health-related issue, you should speak to your doctor about that before making the move. If it’s simply because you feel the muscles working better with a different exercise then that is fine.
How much rest should I take between sets?
If you’re new to training or looking to build muscle, take 90-120 seconds between sets and exercises. If fat loss or endurance is your priority, then keep the rest to 60 seconds. Either way, you should be done with these workouts within an hour at most.
How long can I do this before I have to do a new workout?
We suggest doing this for at least eight weeks if you take it on. You can certainly do it longer if you like, but once you feel you maxed out your potential or progress stalls, then take on any of our other great programs here on M&S to help you keep the results coming.
Related: How To Choose Your Next Training Program (Plus Program Recommendations)
The Workouts
Full Body Smith Machine Workout: Day 1
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Smith Machine Squat | 3 | 10 |
| Smith Machine Lunge | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Incline Bench Press | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Bent-Over Row | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Upright Row | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Bicep Curl | 3 | 15 |
Full Body Smith Machine Workout: Day 2
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Good Mornings Off Pins | 3 | 10 |
| Smith Machine Front Squat | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Deadlift | 3 | 12 |
| Inverted Row | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Bench Press | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Calf Raise | 3 | 15 |
Full Body Smith Machine Workout: Day 3
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Machine Hip Thrust | 3 | 10 |
| Smith Machine Leg Press | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Shoulder Press | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Close Grip Bench Press | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Incline Tricep Extension | 3 | 12 |
| Smith Machine Shrug | 3 | 15 |
Conclusion
This program will be an effective way for lifters of all levels to be challenged and progress toward their personal fitness goals. If you have any questions that we didn’t cover earlier, or if you want to share your feedback about the routine, hit us up in the comments section below.
5 Comments
Would it still be beneficial to split each day into two, I really only have about 30 min to workout, maybe workout 6 days a week since it would be different muscles worked from day to day?
I would say to place extra attention to recovery and sleepo, Shanna. That said, your plan does have potential.
I am a 65 year old female diagnosed with osteopenoa (early atages) in my hips. My Dr. recommends running and weight lifting. I would like to start with two days a week since I run 3 days a week as part of my race training. Do you have a 2 day program? I'd like to start with Squats, Lunges, Deadlifts and Shoulder Presses. I have a Smith Machine with 230 lbs, dumbbells up to 35 lbs and various resistance bands. Currently I can do 3 sets of 10-20 (two 5lbs and two 10 lbs) for shoulders and lunges. I can probably squat 35lbs. Also, I am not sure what weight to start with.
Hi Dale, I am not sure how many 2-day a week programs we have, but we have many 3-day programs here. You could simply do the first two workouts on one week, then cycle the third workout on the second week and repeat so you train twice a week. So, a three-week schedule may look like this.
Week 1 - Workouts 1 and 2
Week 2 - Workouts 3 and 1
Week 3 - Workouts 2 and 3, then repeat starting on Week 4.
There are many programs on the link below that you can check out, and I'm sure one of them can help you. Thank you for reading M&S!
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-choose-your-next-train...
Great information, as a beginner this has given me some much needed knowledge.