York Barbell 54033 Counter-Balanced Smith Machine - Is It Right for Beginners?
The York Barbell STS offers quality counterbalanced Smith bar training at $4,950, but lacks safety arms, cables, and attachments that competitors include at this price point.
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Key Specifications
Best For
How this product scores for different use cases
The York Barbell STS offers a solid counterbalanced Smith bar with plate storage, suitable for dedicated home training. However, the $4,950 price point and lack of cable system limit its appeal for comprehensive home gym setups.
The counterbalanced bar provides a lighter starting weight ideal for beginners and rehab users. However, the absence of safety arms reduces the guided movement safety that novices require.
The counterbalanced bar and York brand suggest quality construction for compound lifts. Missing safety arms and J-cups are critical drawbacks for heavy solo powerlifting sessions.
York Barbell is a recognized commercial brand, but the lack of specified weight capacity, commercial-grade designation, or durability specs makes this difficult to recommend for high-traffic facilities. The price suggests quality but missing specs raise concerns.
Without specified footprint or height requirements, and lacking compact features like folding capability, this machine likely requires significant space. The $4,950 investment is substantial for apartment dwellers with limited budgets.
This machine lacks cable crossover, pull-up bar, lat pulldown, dip station, and most attachments that define an all-in-one system. It functions primarily as a Smith machine only, severely limiting exercise variety.
Our Verdict
The York Barbell STS Counter-Balanced Smith Machine focuses on one thing: Smith bar training. You get a quality counterbalanced bar that reduces starting resistance for beginners. The white finish looks modern in home gyms.
York Barbell brings solid manufacturing credentials to this unit. The counterbalanced design helps new lifters start with lighter loads. Weight plate storage keeps your training area tidy.
The $4,950 price becomes harder to justify when you examine what's missing. You get no safety arms for protection during heavy sets. No J-cups means you cannot perform standard rack exercises.
Most machines at this price include cable systems for functional training. This unit skips cables entirely. You also miss pull-up bars, dip stations, and lat pulldown attachments.
Your exercise options stay limited to Smith bar movements only. Compare this to competitors offering 10-15 stations at similar prices. The value proposition struggles without those features.
This machine works best for dedicated Smith bar users. You need space and budget for a single-purpose machine. Beginners benefit from the counterbalanced bar design.
If you want comprehensive training options, look elsewhere. The York name carries weight in commercial settings. For home use, you sacrifice versatility for specialized Smith bar quality.
What We Like
- Counterbalanced Smith bar reduces starting weight for beginners and progressive training
- York Barbell brand brings decades of weightlifting equipment manufacturing experience
- Integrated weight plate storage keeps your training area organized and accessible
- White finish offers a clean aesthetic for modern home gym spaces
- Smith bar guides your movement pattern for safer solo training sessions
What Could Be Better
- No safety arms included, removing critical protection during heavy lifts
- Missing J-cups limits your ability to perform rack-based exercises
- No cable crossover system eliminates dozens of functional training exercises
- $4,950 price point lacks competitive attachments found on similar priced machines
- No pull-up bar, dip station, or lat pulldown reduces total exercise variety
Full Specifications
Build Quality
| Commercial Grade | No |
| Linear Bearings | No |
Movement System
| Smith Bar | Included |
| Counterbalanced Bar | Yes |
Features
Included Features
Not Included
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about STS Counter-Balanced Smith Machine, White
Does this Smith machine include safety arms?
No, the York Barbell STS does not include safety arms. You need to use the Smith bar hooks and lift within your capacity or have a spotter.
What does counterbalanced mean for the Smith bar?
A counterbalanced bar uses weights or springs to reduce the starting resistance. The bar weighs less than a standard 45 lb Olympic bar, making it easier for beginners to start lifting.
Can I do cable exercises on this machine?
No, this machine does not have a cable crossover system. You can only perform Smith bar exercises like squats, bench press, and shoulder press.
What is the weight capacity of this Smith machine?
The specifications do not list a weight capacity. Contact York Barbell directly for this important safety information before purchasing.
Does this machine work in a small apartment gym?
The footprint and height requirements are not specified. Smith machines typically need 8-foot ceilings and 40-60 square feet of floor space, which may not fit smaller apartments.
Best For
How this product scores for different use cases
The York Barbell STS offers a solid counterbalanced Smith bar with plate storage, suitable for dedicated home training. However, the $4,950 price point and lack of cable system limit its appeal for comprehensive home gym setups.
The counterbalanced bar provides a lighter starting weight ideal for beginners and rehab users. However, the absence of safety arms reduces the guided movement safety that novices require.
The counterbalanced bar and York brand suggest quality construction for compound lifts. Missing safety arms and J-cups are critical drawbacks for heavy solo powerlifting sessions.
York Barbell is a recognized commercial brand, but the lack of specified weight capacity, commercial-grade designation, or durability specs makes this difficult to recommend for high-traffic facilities. The price suggests quality but missing specs raise concerns.
Without specified footprint or height requirements, and lacking compact features like folding capability, this machine likely requires significant space. The $4,950 investment is substantial for apartment dwellers with limited budgets.
This machine lacks cable crossover, pull-up bar, lat pulldown, dip station, and most attachments that define an all-in-one system. It functions primarily as a Smith machine only, severely limiting exercise variety.
Scores
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