Planet Fitness is a gym chain that has become known for its cheap prices, lack of equipment, and creepy atmosphere. Though it has become a feverishly popular gym for people who are too lazy to exercise at the actual gym, the cheap prices are still questioned by many. Some even go as far as to give it a bad name. So, in this article, I will guide you in how to know if Planet Fitness has a bench press, and if so, which two types of presses they have.
When one thinks of a bench press, the image of a barbell press comes to mind. However, in the last few years, many commercial gyms have transitioned to using dumbbells to help their members with their upper body workouts. Dumbbells are simple pieces of equipment that you can use for your upper body workouts, but they can still be difficult to master.
Planet Fitness is one of the largest gym chains in the United States, with about 700 locations in 46 states. Their gym clothes are also very popular, with their gym-style hoodies, fitted shirts, and shorts. Although Planet Fitness does not sell gym clothes online, I was able to find some of their clothes at other retailers.
When it comes to developing the upper body, whether for strength or muscle, the bench press may be the most popular gym tool. Whether you’re considering the advantages provided by Planet Fitness, you may be wondering if they offer a bench press.
Is there a bench press at Planet Fitness?
Yes and no are the answers. Although Planet Fitness does not have traditional bench presses, they do have Smith machines.
It may be perplexing. They also offer bagel and pizza days (which don’t appear to assist those who are attempting to lose weight), so why do they choose Smith machines over the traditional bench press?
We’ll go through how to do a bench press and why Planet Fitness uses the Smith machine in their gyms.
The Regular Bench Press vs. The Smith Machine
What exactly do they do?
The bench press, often known as the barbell bench press, is a series of exercises that target the upper half of the body, particularly the triceps, shoulders, and chest. There are no restraints on the weights, so they may travel in whatever direction they choose. If you don’t want to be injured, you’ll need expertise and information.
The Smith machine is widely regarded as a safe and effective workout for novice lifters. Even experienced lifters may benefit from the bar moving around the fixed track and assisting the individual in learning correct methods. It will be simple to repeat the rep and target the desired regions since they can identify the group of muscles to improve and anticipate the course of the bar.
The distinctions
The bar remains on a vertical track in a conventional bench press. The weights will be at their highest point above your shoulders when your arms are completely extended. However, when you lower the bar, it will move closer to your feet.
A Smith machine, on the other hand, cannot move the bar back and forth. It implies that the strain on your chest and shoulders will be reduced.
The weight of the bar in each model is another distinction that not many Planet Fitness reviews mention. The bar weights on Smith machines range from 25, 30, and 35 pounds, but the norm for bench presses remains at 45 pounds.
If this is your first time using a Smith machine, we suggest beginning with the lowest weight and gradually increasing the weight. You can always turn to Planet Fitness instructors for expert guidance!
Click here to learn more about Planet Fitness Personal Trainers.
Safety
If you’re having trouble raising the weights on a Smith machine, use the hooks to secure the bar and take a break. This prevents the barbels from slipping and harming you. When using a normal bench press, however, you will need assistance to rescue you from the weight you are unable to bear.
Furthermore, the bench press is on the risky side, and most beginners aren’t sure how to utilize it correctly.
Why isn’t there a bench press at Planet Fitness?
If you’re looking for a low-pressure workout, this is the place to go.
Planet Fitness caters to a certain demographic of clients who are unconcerned with weight gain and muscular mass. In the meanwhile, having bench presses and squat racks in their gyms will undoubtedly attract serious lifters. The gym rats would not want to miss out on this great deal for just $10 a month.
Many gymgoers may be put off by the sight of such hard exercises, as well as the prospect of being evaluated by the veterans, from visiting Planet Fitness and signing up for a membership. Is it more likely that Planet Fitness will cater to this 85 percent of customers or the veterans? It’s a question of cost-benefit analysis, and you already know the answer.
Without regard for the law
The truth is that most Planet Fitness members have little or no expertise using gym equipment. If one of these newbies drops the barbells and is hurt, the branch will be hit with a lawsuit that is much too costly for a $10 monthly membership.
The alarm of the lunk
While raising the big weights, the individual may make out loud groans or smash them down on the floor, causing pain to others. Newcomers may be frightened and judged. And it will be against Planet Fitness rules if they are unable to workout confidently.
Serious bodybuilders, on the other hand, may still benefit from the Planet Fitness equipment. The clubs offer a range of equipment and gadgets for muscle development, as long as you know how to use them properly.
Why would you want to utilize a Smith machine?
Despite the fact that many gym rats mock Smith machines, the equipment has its benefits! (1)
It is risk-free.
Let’s put safety first here. The longer you exercise, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. The locks are crucial to your safety because if you don’t feel like you can take the weight, you can easily twist your wrists and return the bar to its original position.
Isolated exercise
Second, the Smith machine puts less strain on your muscle groups, allowing you to isolate and strengthen them as needed.
Personal space is important.
Finally, if you consider a training session to be a private and relaxing experience, you will like the fact that Smith machines do not need an assistance to keep you safe.
Smith machines’ disadvantages
Motions that are restricted
Because the bar of a Smith machine travels in a particular vertical direction, benching, deadlifting, or squatting on the machine is impossible. The bar’s motion tends to exert a lot of strain on specific areas of your body, putting them at risk of injury.
There are no stabilizer muscles.
To keep oneself stable throughout the hard portion of a compound exercise, you need strong stabilizer muscles, which the Smith machine cannot develop for you.
If a person has only used the Smith machine, you won’t notice them performing well with the bench press on their first attempt. It’s natural for them to shake and tremble, so don’t be startled if they do.
What is the best way to utilize a Smith machine bench press?
As previously stated, you do not need a spotter to begin practicing. When you can’t complete a rep, the machine has numerous safety hooks to hold the weights. The Smith machine may be used in the following ways:
– Place a bench under the bar at a comfortable angle. When you lay down on the bar, you should be able to see and grasp it.
– Extend your arms forward. The space between them should be somewhat more than your shoulder width.
– Unlock the bar and slide it closer to your mid-chest when you’re ready. Gather additional strength and press the bar backward if the weight is within your capabilities. The tightness in your core and chest will be felt.
– When you’re finished, repeat the action and secure the bar on the rack to avoid an accident.
Also, if you are recuperating from an accident or are worried about any physical incapacity, make an appointment with your doctor ahead of time.
FAQs
Is the Smith machine equivalent to free weights?
Every machine is different from free weights. When lifting free weights, the muscles surrounding your shoulders must work hard to keep the bar steady and move it accurately.
However, switching from a Smith machine to a conventional bench press with free weights may result in injury. With the weights you can’t carry, you’ll need a partner or a spotter to assist you.
Are Smith machines used by bodybuilders?
Serious lifters, in our opinion, may profit from Smith machines!
If you have very strong abs, you may do complete sit-ups by looping your legs over the bar. The upside-down posture is obviously difficult and not for inexperienced gym-goers.
Pull-ups using the bar as leverage are another advanced exercise to attempt. This posture does not need the use of a bench.
At Planet Fitness, how heavy is the Smith machine bar?
First and foremost, the machine bar is often likened to a barbell, despite the fact that it is considerably lighter. The barbell is typically 45 pounds, while the bar is 15 to 20 pounds. The precise weight is determined on the machine’s size.
Conclusions
Is there a bench press at Planet Fitness? You now have the solution as well as a wealth of information. Bench presses are fantastic for toning the upper body, but they are not suitable for the average gymgoer. As a result, Planet Fitness has replaced them with Smith machines in order to preserve a pleasant and safe atmosphere. How do you feel about this solution? Are you thinking about getting a Planet Fitness membership? Don’t forget to let us know so that we can help you!
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These two types of presses are very different, but depending on how you look at them, they might appear to be the same. To the untrained eye, they may even appear to be the same. Basically, the bench press is a compound exercise, meaning it works many muscle groups at once. The two types of presses are the shoulder press and the chest press. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.. Read more about is there bench press at planet fitness and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bench press does Planet Fitness have?
Planet Fitness has a bench press machine that allows you to do up to 100 pounds.
Do they have bench presses at Planet Fitness?
I am not sure if they have them at Planet Fitness, but they do have a variety of other weight lifting equipment.
What is the difference between Smith machine bench press?
The Smith machine bench press is a type of weight lifting equipment that allows the user to perform a variety of exercises.
