Marcy Smith Machine Diamond Elite

Question

I am thinking of purchasing the Marcy Diamond Elite Smith Machine. I have found a guy locally who bought one never used it and it selling it @ about half price. (Retail $749 asking $400) I notice that the SM4000 recieved poor reviews. Marcy has updated the 9010 to have cross cables and uses linear bearings not bushings anymore. I do not have much to spend and was wondering ifg you thought this was a good deal.

I am 5'9 200 pounds. The 300 pound limit should be more than enough for me. Thanks for any help you can provide in this matter. I wish I could purchase the smith machine  you recommend but with a baby on the way every penny counts. Once again thank you and have a nice day.

Answer To Marcy Smith Machine (Diamond Elite 9010)

I'm not going to stand on a soap box and scold you for even considering buying a Marcy Smith Machine but I will tell you this. Yes the Marcy looks like a good deal priced at around $800 bucks new, but there are some things you should be aware of before you invest your money on this smith system.

For starters, I see the smith carriage is not a bushing system anymore - it now uses bearings. I don't know the quality of the bearings, but be certain they're not Thompson bearings like the higher end smith machines use - in other words be very careful if you buy this gym and have to take it apart then reassemble it so you don't mess up the bearings on the carriage.

Second, there still aren't enough latch points for the carriage on the uprights. That means less adjustability for lift-offs and racking a heavy weight above your head when you're arms give out.

Third, the cable cross on any smith machine is about 50% worthless because you won't be able to get a good stretch on them.

And fourth, the pec deck on the back of the smith isn't adjustable either. Manufacturers like to throw them on there for the WOW factor but they'd be better off adding more latch points or making the smith carriage beefier.

With all that said, if the Marcy Msith Machine (Diamond Elite 9010) is all you can afford and you're getting it for under $400 bucks it might make sense to start off with this smith and move to something better when the time is right.

Bret

P.S. Here are the maximum weight specs for the Marcy Smith Machine from their manual

Maximum user’s weight: 300 lbs.

Maximum weights on the rack: 600 lbs.

Maximum weights on Leg Developer: 100 lbs.

Maximum weights on Cross-over, Lat Pull: 200 lbs.