The History of Smith Machine

Walk into any commercial gym and you’ll likely see a Smith Machine sitting in the corner, collecting towels. The Smith Machine is a great piece of equipment that allows you to do squats and other barbell exercises with a pulley system that guides the bar up and down.

It’s a great machine because it allows you to do exercises like squats by yourself, which is perfect for those that don’t have a spotter or are working out alone. The Smith Machine is also great for beginners because it makes it easy to lift heavy weights.

You’re probably wondering, “Who is this Smith guy?” Well, there is a Mr. Smith. The Smith Machine was invented by bodybuilding champion Rudy Smith. Rudy loved to squat, but hated the imbalance of a free barbell. He’s told me that on multiple occasions he was mid-squat and the barbell would slip off his shoulders and the plates would go rolling. Not fun.

Rudy set out to create a solution to the problem and teamed up with a friend to create the first Smith Machine.

In the 1950s, fitness was also booming thanks in large part to the wonderful Jack LaLanne. You may not know that Jack was also a pioneer of gym equipment. He invented the leg extension machine and… the Smith Machine.

Rudy met Jack and they discussed the problems of weightlifting, particularly the need for a squatting machine. Many of you have tried lifting weights while doing squats, but I’m sure many of you are alone at the gym and don’t have a spotter. Rudy and Jack would sketch out ideas on napkins and the vertical squat machine with a barbell on it was born.

Rudy teamed up with machinist Paul Martin to perfect the machine. The updated Smith Machine was born and Rudy installed it in the gym he managed at Vic Tanny’s in Los Angeles. It was a huge success and guys were lining up to use it. When the gym guys couldn’t have the machine, other health clubs requested it. And the “Smith Machine” was named.