Body-Solid Powerline Smith Machine

I have no idea what other reviewers are talking about in relation to friction. Slides up and down easy no matter what I'm doing. Just make sure you've put the little plastic discs so the disk is inside not outside because that is what it slides on.. put this together by myself in an hour and a half. Also, this exact same machine is being sold elsewhere for £599..

It's power line, so expected thinner construction. Actually very solidly built. I was concerned about the lack of bearings. Very pleased for the money, it's a pig to get the runners in, you NEED to use pliers and make sure they're fully flush. Once in and lubricated, it runs incredibly smoothly.It comes with adjustable catch plates, which are very high quality.

As per the other reviews, the amount of friction is ridiculous, and it jams and provides so much additional resistance, any measure of how much you are actually lifting is pointless. Totally unusable.

I bought one of these before, absolutely useless, avoid at all costs.

have had to rebuild once already, certainly not frictionless movement; unless you lift exactly even the bar jams and requires a lot of extra effort. Because of this all bench press, squat etc has to be done on a lower weight to even near your max. Would hate to struggle with weight as far from smooth getting grippers into holes. Avoid or get a cage.