Body Solid GS348QP4 Smith Machine: Perfect for Beginners?

The GS348QP4 offers commercial-grade Smith machine quality with linear bearings and safety features, but lacks the cable systems and exercise variety found in similarly priced all-in-one units.

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Key Specifications

Features
7 included

Best For

How this product scores for different use cases

Home Gym Enthusiast
78/100

The GS348QP4 offers a complete Smith machine with free weight station and commercial-grade linear bearings, providing comprehensive training capability. However, the lack of cable crossover and pull-up bar limits exercise variety for dedicated home gym users.

Beginner / Rehab
75/100

Vertical bar path with linear bearings provides smooth, guided movements ideal for learning proper form. Safety arms add protection, though the lack of counterbalanced bar means higher starting resistance than rehabilitation users may need.

Garage Gym Powerlifter
72/100

Commercial-grade construction with linear bearings and safety arms supports serious compound lifts. Missing weight capacity specifications and lack of band pegs or adjustable features may limit powerlifting-specific training progressions.

Commercial Facility
68/100

Labeled as commercial-grade with linear bearings and vertical bar path for consistent movement quality. The absence of cable crossover, pull-up bar, and multiple training stations limits its utility in a commercial setting where variety is essential.

All-in-One Gym
52/100

Includes Smith bar and free weight station but lacks essential all-in-one features like cable crossover, lat pulldown, low row, leg developer, and pec deck. Limited to 2-3 exercise stations versus the 12-20 attachments found in comprehensive home gyms.

Apartment Fitness
45/100

The 69x98 inch footprint (47 square feet) and 83-inch height requirement are too large for most apartments. The lack of weight plate storage also increases the overall space needed.

Our Verdict

The Body Solid GS348QP4 delivers a focused Smith machine experience with commercial-grade components. You get linear bearings and a vertical bar path for smooth, safe movements. The free weight station adds Olympic lifting capability beyond the Smith bar.

Your $3,125 investment buys solid construction but limited versatility. The machine lacks cable systems, pull-up bars, and plate storage. Most competitors at this price include 8-12 attachments versus the 2-3 stations here.

The 69x98 inch footprint requires 47 square feet of floor space. You need 83-inch ceilings to accommodate the height. This size works for garages but exceeds most basement or spare room dimensions.

Safety arms provide protection during solo training sessions. The vertical bar path keeps weight centered over your body. Linear bearings eliminate the catching or sticking common in cheaper Smith machines.

You sacrifice exercise variety for build quality here. The machine excels at Smith bar movements and free weight exercises. However, you cannot perform cable flies, lat pulldowns, or rows without additional equipment.

Best suited for users who prioritize barbell training over machine variety. Your focus stays on squats, bench press, and compound lifts. If you need cable work or pull-ups, budget extra for separate equipment.

What We Like

  • Commercial-grade linear bearings provide smooth, consistent bar movement for all exercises
  • Vertical bar path keeps the bar directly over your center of gravity for safer squats
  • Safety arms protect you during heavy lifts when training alone
  • Free weight station adds Olympic bar exercises beyond the Smith machine
  • Bar storage keeps your workout area organized and equipment accessible

What Could Be Better

  • No cable crossover system limits functional training and isolation exercises
  • Missing pull-up bar removes a fundamental bodyweight exercise option
  • No weight plate storage requires separate rack and increases floor space needed
  • Lacks lat pulldown and low row attachments found in similar priced machines
  • At $3,125, price is 2.6x higher than average Smith machines without proportional features

Full Specifications

Build Quality

Commercial GradeYes
Linear BearingsYes

Movement System

Smith BarIncluded
Bar PathVertical
Counterbalanced BarNo

Features

Included Features

Bar Storage
Commercial Grade
Free Weight Station
Linear Bearings
Safety Arms
Smith Bar

Not Included

Band Pegs
Bench Included
Cable Crossover
Counterbalanced Bar
Dip Station
J-Cups
Landmine
Lat Pulldown
Leg Developer
Low Row
Multi-Grip Pull-Up
Pec Deck
Plate Storage
Preacher Curl
Pull-Up Bar
Squat Handles
T-Bar Row
Weights Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Body Solid Series 7 Smith Machine Package

What exercises can I do on this Smith machine?

You can do Smith bar squats, bench press, shoulder press, and rows. The free weight station lets you perform Olympic barbell exercises like deadlifts and cleans. The machine does not include cables for flies or pulldowns.

How much space do I need for this machine?

The machine measures 69 inches deep by 98 inches wide, requiring about 47 square feet of floor space. You need at least 83 inches of ceiling height. Add extra space around the machine for loading plates and safe movement.

Does this Smith machine have a counterbalanced bar?

No, this machine does not have a counterbalanced bar system. The bar weighs the standard 45 pounds plus the resistance from the linear bearing system. Beginners should start with lighter loads than they would use on a counterbalanced machine.

Can I do pull-ups and cable exercises on this machine?

No, this machine does not include a pull-up bar or cable crossover system. You only get the Smith bar with vertical rails and a separate free weight station. You need to buy separate equipment for pull-ups and cable work.

Is this machine suitable for a commercial gym?

The machine features commercial-grade construction with linear bearings designed for heavy use. However, commercial gyms typically need more exercise variety. The lack of cable systems and limited stations may not meet commercial facility requirements for equipment variety.

Scores

Overall Score 63/100
Value Score 52/100

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