Marcy SM-4008 Combo Smith Machine

Unit	Dimensions	Possible exercises	Weight capacity	Workout stations	Warranty
Marcy SM-4008 Check Discounted Price	L:98" W:59" H:82"	100+	300 lbs weight bar; 200 lbs; cross-over; 100 lbs; leg developer	Smith cage, Cross-overs; Leg station, Fly station, Low pulley, Pull-up bar	Parts: 2 years

The Marcy SM-4008 Combo Smith Machine is a smaller version of the Marcy Diamond Elite MD-9010G. In case you’re wondering about the differences between these two home gyms, the SM-4008 model doesn’t include a preacher pad, has only four weight plate storage pegs, and the bench is narrower. On the other hand, the SM-4008 integrated a pull-up bar. The weight capacity and generated weight resistance are similar for these two machines.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 98L x 59W x 82H inches (249L x 150W x 208H cm)
• Total assembled weight: 279 lbs (126.5 kg)
• Weight capacity:
  • Maximum user’s weight (for bench): 300 lbs (136 kg)
  • Maximum weights for press bar: 300 lbs (136 kg)
  • Maximum weights on Leg Developer: 100 lbs (45 kg)
  • Maximum weights on Cross-over, Lat Pull: 200 lbs (90.7 kg)
• Compatible weight plates: Olympic & Standard
• Possible exercises: 100+
• Warranty: 2 years limited

Frame construction and parts

The frame of the Marcy SM-4008 Combo Smith Machine is made of 14 gauge, square steel tubing, offering excellent sturdiness and stability. Although its base bars do not have holes for anchoring it to the floor, this isn’t really necessary, especially if you load the storage pegs with weight plates.

This Marcy home gym system is fairly large. The cage itself, without the bench and without the Smith bar attached, is approx. 66″ (168 cm) long, and 60″ (153 cm) wide. With the bench attached, its length will become 98″ (249 cm), while the Smith bar is 80″ (203 cm). Of course, for unhindered usage, you should also allow at least two feet of clearance on its sides, at the front and at the rear. Therefore, this Smith machine may not exactly be the best choice for a small garage or room.

When it comes to its height, the highest point of the fully assembled machine is 82″ (208 cm). This being said, it should fit in a room with a 7′ ceiling. But in this case, you will only have 2″ of clearance above, so you won’t be able to execute pull-ups properly. Thus, it’s recommended to place it in a room with a ceiling of at least 8′.

The included Smith bar is not an Olympic bar. It weighs only 25 lbs, and it’s slightly shorter. However, it features Olympic sleeves which can be removed, in order to accommodate Standard weight plates. This also stands for the weight plate storage pegs.

The main upright bars of the frame feature 9 locking positions for the safety and catch bars. The machine does include two catch bars and two safety bars which give you the possibility to exercise with the bar outside of the Smith machine.

The top part of the machine includes a pull-up bar. This bar fairly simple; it does not include any rubber grips but does offer the possibility to perform wide grip pull-ups.

The bench supplied with the Marcy SM-4008 Smith machine features a metallic frame similar to the cage frame. It can connect to the main frame, but you can also use it without attaching it to the frame. Also, it can be easily removed if needed. Its backrest features four adjustment positions. As a general idea, the bench offers three incline positions and the horizontal position.

The bench and the backrest board attached to the main frame integrate a generous layer of high-density foam, providing optimal comfort. The upholstery on them is made of two-toned, brown vinyl, which can last a lifetime if treated with proper care. Also, when it comes to padding, the leg developer station attached to the bench features four 3.5″ (8.9 cm) foam roller, to deliver the required comfort for various leg exercises.

The machine’s pulleys are made of heavy-duty nylon material and integrate sealed ball bearings for smooth operation and a long lifespan. The cables are rated for a much higher capacity than the weight capacity of the machine. They’re also covered by a sheet of PVC in order to deliver a smooth movement over the pulleys.

Finally, most of the bars in the frame construction are coated with a gray, corrosion resistant finish. However, the bars of the Smith machine and the Smith bar itself are chrome coated. 

Included accessories

The main accessories included with this machine are:

• Handle grip x2
• Triceps rope x1
• Ankle strap x1
• V bar x1
• Shiver bar x1
• Chain link x1

The machine does not include weight plates of any kind. However, its bar and the storage pegs are compatible with both Olympic and Standard bars. This machine does not include a Lat Bar accessory either. Also, in case you’re wondering, the bench is not compatible with a Preacher Pad attachment.

Workout stations

Chest press station. Evidently, this workout station involves the Smith machine and bar. However, the Marcy SM-4008 also has removable catch bars and safety bars opposite to the Smith machine, so you can work with the bar outside the cage.

Pec fly station. This workout station involves two simple arms with elbow pads, using the rear weight bar. Evidently, this station is designed for workouts focusing on the development of pectoral muscles.

Pull-up station. This feature is given by the pull-up bar integrated into the top part of the machine. It’s a simple bar, without knurled or rubber grips, which allows various types of pull-up exercises.

High crossover station. This exercise station is given by a set of two high pulleys, for various crossover exercises or lat pulldowns. The machine does not include a lat bar accessory, but you can purchase one separately, attach it to the pulleys and perform lat pull-downs.

Leg developer. This element is attached to the machine’s bench. It offers the possibility to perform leg extensions and leg curls;

Low pulley station. The low pulley opens a whole array of exercises such as one-legged curls, abductions or seated rows. An ankle strap and a small (shiver) bar are supplied for the various exercises that can be performed on this pulley.

Weight Limits and Ratios

Just as most other weight machines that involve a pulley system, the weight resistance delivered by the workout stations of the Marcy SM-4008 varies. Therefore, here are a few of its weight ratios:

• Fly station – 10 lbs load generates 5 lbs of resistance
• Left Cross-Over – 10 lbs load generates 5 lbs of resistance
• Right Cross-Over – 10 lbs load generates 5 lbs of resistance
• Low Pulley – 10 lbs load generates 10 lbs of resistance

With regards to the included Smith bar, it is not a regular Olympic bar. It weighs only 25 lbs (11.3 kg), and it’s slightly shorter. Therefore, you will have to add more plates to it in order to make up for this difference.

In terms of weight limits, the machine’s bench is rated for a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). The other weight limits are 300 lbs (136 kg) for the Smith bar, 200 lbs (90.7 kg) for the cross-over station, and 100 lbs (45.3 kg) for the leg developer.

Possible Exercises

An exercise brochure covering 32 base exercises, is included with the machine. But along with those, you can perform a much wider array of exercises, workouts, and variations. As a general idea, some of the exercises that you will be able to perform on this Marcy home gym system are:

Arm Exercises

Biceps curls
Lateral single-arm biceps curls
Lying biceps curls
Close grip pulldowns
Triceps extensions
Triceps press-downs
Kneeling triceps extensions
Lateral single-arm triceps extensions
Prone triceps extensions
Pull-ups
One-arm pull-ups
Wide grip pull-ups
Close grip pull-ups
Behind head pull-ups
Chin-ups
One-arm chin-up
Wide grip chin-ups
Close grip chin-ups
Cliffhangers

Abdominal Exercises

Cable crunches
Cable twist crunches
Seated trunk rotations
Standing trunk rotations

Back Exercises

Back flies
Back presses
Prone back flies
Prone reverse flies
Lat pulldowns
Aerobic rowing
Crossover rowing
Kneeling rowing

Chest Exercises

Chest presses
Single arm chest presses
Wide grip chest presses
Close grip chest presses
Chest flies
Incline chest flies
Lateral chest flies
Single arm chest flies
Pullovers
Pullovers with crunches
Pullovers with twisting crunches

Leg Exercises

Stand-up leg curls
Calf raises
Squats
Single-leg squats
Kneeling single-leg squats
Wide squats
Twisting squats
Jumping squats
Lunges
Reverse lunges
Hip extensions
Hip adductions
Hip abductions

Shoulder Exercises

Shoulder presses
Upright rows
Lateral deltoid raises
Front deltoid raises
Lying front deltoid raises
Front deltoid raises with leg curls
Shoulder extensions
Lateral arm pulls

… and many more.

Assembly and Maintenance

First of all, just as any other Smith machine, the Marcy SM-4008 is a heavy piece of equipment, so its transport and assembly require at least two people. The assembly process isn’t extremely complicated, but due to the many parts that require putting together, it may take at least several hours. However, the provided manual offers pretty clear step-by-step assembly instructions and diagrams. The tools required for assembly are not included. You’ll need two adjustable wrenches and a set of Allen wrenches.

On the other hand, once the machine is put together, the assembly doesn’t require much. All you have to do is periodically grease the moving parts and check for loose bolts.

The Pros

• Sturdy, all-steel frame;
• Several workout stations, including chest press station, pec fly station, low pulley station, high pulley crossover station, leg development station, pull-up bar;
• 4 position bench included;
• The bench is easy to remove or attach to the main machine;
• Smooth pulley and cable movement;
• Two sets of catch bars included, and 9 attachment positions for them on the front bars of the cage;
• Compatible with both Olympic and Standard weight plates;
• Four storage pegs for weight plates; 
• Ankle strap included;
• V bar included;
• Shiver included;
• Handle grips included;
• Triceps rope included;
• Over 100 possible exercises;
• Quiet operation.

The Cons

• Weight plates are not included;
• The weight bar is not a regular Olympic bar, being 20 lbs lighter;
• Takes quite a bit of space, 10 x 10 ft. is the usage surface area recommended for its proper usage;

Final Conclusions

The Marcy SM-4008 is one of the most affordable Smith machines that you can find at the moment. Along with the Smith, it also integrates 5 other workout stations, including a cross-over station, pull-up bar, leg developer, low pulley and pec fly. In terms of weight capacity, it’s a mid-range machine, with a load limit of 300 lbs for the bar, and 200 lbs for the cross-over. It’s a versatile home gym system, offering the possibility to perform more than 100 exercises and variations. And finally, since it costs less that $1,000, we can safely say that it offers excellent value for the price.