The interest in home gym equipment and getting fit indoors has experienced a surge during the pandemic, with the Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033 being one of the most popular choices among home gym equipment buyers. People are still reluctant to step out of their homes and spend time exercising outdoors, especially those who live in densely populated areas.
From getting more physical activity than you ordinarily would to lose weight — to using equipment to build muscle — the benefits of investing in this type of system actually come at a very reasonable price.
Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033 Features
The Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033 is a basic, in-depth hammer strength machine. If you’re looking for a quality constructed, heavy-duty Marcy Smith Machine model, look no further than the Marcy SM 4033.
We’ll have a look later on at the features of this great machine, and help you decide whether or not it’s a good fit for your home gym.
But first, let’s differentiate the Smith machine versus free weights.
A home gym Smith machine is different from free weights because you can use it to target a specific muscle group and perform exercises that might be difficult or impossible to do with free weights.
For example, if you have shoulder pain or limited mobility, the Marcy SM 4033 allows you to do exercises like chest presses and flys that would be hard or impossible to do with free weights. Another difference is that some machines allow you to perform different movements than you’d be able to with a barbell.
Let me now take you through the different features of the SM 4033.
The Power Rack
The power rack allows you to perform all of the basic barbell exercises you might want to undertake at your home gym, such as squats, bench and shoulder presses, deadlifts, and so on (barbell is not included). The power rack has a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds (the amount of weight that the J-hooks can securely support).
This is a relatively cheap price for a power rack, though it wouldn’t be enough for many serious lifters, so it’s something to think about.
It’s also worth mentioning that the SM-4033 does not come with Westside upright spacing. The adjustment holds are an inch apart on the westside, providing you a lot more alternatives for where to place the barbell. Instead, the SM-4033 has a more conventional 2′′ spacing, which allows for plenty of changes but not as much as Westside spacing. Again, something a little more experienced or expert lifters may overlook, but the rest of us are unlikely to.
A set of J-hooks are supplied with the purchase, but no safety bars. As compared to higher-end racks, users have remarked that the J-hooks are also quite small.
Another disappointment is that the rail for the functional trainer – or pulleys – is exactly next to the uprights for the power rack. Because the pulley rail is in the way, the weight plates will not move all the way towards the Olympic barbell. You might be able to correct this by adding small spacers so that the plates are level with the ends of the barbell, however this appears to be a severe design fault from the start.
Overall, the SM-4033’s power rack is better suited for novice to intermediate lifters who will not be lifting more than 300 pounds for any session. The idea that the load plates cannot be put flat against the barbell when placed on the J-hooks is a bit annoying, but not that essential.
The Frame
When I’m assessing power racks or cages, I normally spend some time discussing the dimensions of the uprights and the thickness of the steel used. The SM-4033 is somewhat different as a combo unit, but I still feel that’s worth considering.
Marcy does not specify any of this information in their product details, but considering the pricing and weight constraints on this rack, I guess it is made of 14-gauge steel.
This is to be expected given the price range; however, be aware that it is not as massive as the 11-gauge steel ones seen on more expensive equipment. The SM-4033 eats up approximately 6′ x 7′ of floor space, not including the bench. Keep in mind that you’ll need a few additional feet of wiggle area on every side to reach the plates and use comfortably.
This isn’t exactly a tiny unit, but considering how many different workouts you can do with it, this will save you from having to purchase other pieces of equipment, which yields more space in the long-term. You’ll also observe that the power rack station is red—not that it improves the quality of the rack, but it adds a pleasant splash of color.
The Pulleys
One of the most significant advantages of the SM-4033 is the inclusion of a station for a “functional trainer”. You can execute cable crossovers from every angle with twin, adjustable pulleys, so you can perform a number of twisting, lifting, as well as isolating workouts.
Any move can be performed against resistance, thus the term “functional trainer.” The SM-4033’s pulleys are adjustable onto their own rails, so that you don’t have to bother about shifting J-hooks, which is convenient.
This machine does not have weight stacks; instead, the pulleys are loaded, similar to the Smith machine. The pulleys have a total weight capability of 300 pounds, with 150 pounds per side, which is sufficient for most users.
Overall, most users appear to be pleased with how the pulleys work, however a few have noted that they don’t feel as fluid as they should.
The Machine
The Smith machine allows users to perform all of the same exercises as a barbell on a power rack, but keeping the bar connected to a rail system provides for secure lifting, especially when working out alone.
During lifts, you can quickly swivel the Marcy Smith machine bar weight to lock it back into place along the uprights, and there are also two built-in security stoppers which can be adjusted.
A Smith machine almost always comes with a built-in spotter. Lifting using a barbell also makes it easier because you don’t have to work just as hard to control movement.
How much does a Smith machine bar weigh? The Smith machine on the SM-4033 has a 300-pound weight limit, which is rather low in comparison to higher-end racks (such as Force USA’s G6, which has a 772-pound weight limit). The Smith machine on this item is mild workload overall, yet consumers claim it glides smoothly and comfortably.
The Accessories
Marcy Smith is quite generous with the accessories and attachments that they include in this system. With your purchase, you will receive the following:
- Lateral bar
- Built-in pec station
- Short bar
- Cable handles (1 pair)
- Six (6) weight plate holders
- Land mine station
- Low rowing station / lower pulley
- Adjustable bench
- Dip handles
- Multi-grip pull up bar
- J-hooks (1 pair)
- Preacher curl
- Triceps rope
- Barbell storage
Marcy includes a bench with purchase, which many brands do not. I particularly like how this machine has a constructed pec fly station and a low pulley station for rows and other exercises—you don’t have to bother about moving the pulleys to execute these exercises.
The Warranty
The home Smith machine provides a 2-year residential warranty with the SM-4033.
This is a very short frame warranty, and no mention of any service contract on the pulleys or other parts. For the sake of comparison, even mentioned in other Marcy Smith machine reviews, some higher-end items may come with 10-year or even lifetime warranties.
However, a short warranty is one of the factors of low-cost, affordable technology.
Marcy also has a 30-day return policy, but you must first receive approval from them. Overall, the guarantee on this gym is quite flimsy, but that’s typical of lower-priced brands.
How To Assemble the Marcy SM 4033
The Marcy Smith Machine SM-4033 assembly is no rocket science. As I mentioned, it is a great piece of exercise equipment, plus it is lightweight, compact and easy to assemble. Watch this tutorial video for a step by step guide.
How to Maintain and Store Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033
The Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033 is a great machine for toning muscles, but it needs some maintenance to keep it in good shape. Here’s how to keep your Marcy Smith Machine SM 4033 working like new:
- Use only recommended weights and avoid overloading the machine.
- Keep the cables clean and lubricated (oil them with petroleum jelly).
- Wipe off dust and dirt often with a damp cloth or mild soap solution.
- Clean any sweat off of the equipment as soon as possible to prevent rusting or corrosion.
Lifting the Mystery Out of the Marcy Smith: Frequently Asked Questions
What Accessories Are Available for the Marcy Smith SM-4033?
When you purchase the SM-4033, you will receive the following:
- Lateral bar
- Built-in pec station
- Short bar
- Cable handles (1 pair)
- Six (6) weight plate holders
- Land mine station
- Low rowing station / lower pulley
- Adjustable bench
- Dip handles
- Multi-grip pull up bar
- J-hooks (1 pair)
- Preacher curl
- Triceps rope
- Barbell storage
What Workout and Exercises You Can Do With Marcy SM 4033?
Here are the workouts that you can perform with this cage system home gym:
- Preacher curl
- Decline crunch
- Flat bench press
- Pectoral fly
- Seated row
- Tricep push-down
- Standing bicep curl
- Pull-up
- Upright row
- Single arm landmine press
- Dumbbell kickback
- Barbell squat
You can refer to this full guide for the workout illustrations.
What Makes the Marcy SM-4033 Home Gym So Unique?
The major benefit I see in purchasing this unit is that it offers a wide range of workout options for a relatively little outlay, which is a small investment compared to other machines.
Conclusion
The Marcy SM-4033 Home Gym is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get in shape without having to join a gym or pay for expensive equipment.
The machine comes with everything you need to get started, including an exercise chart that shows you how to use the different parts of the machine in order to get the most out of your workout. It’s also a great choice if you’re short on space; especially if you’re considering a comprehensive workout system.
Another thing that makes this home gym unique is its versatility: it provides resistance for both upper-body and lower-body exercises, so you can build muscle all over your body at once.
Got questions about the Marcy Smith SM-4033? Leave a reply below or send me an email, I would love to hear from you!
I’m a triathlete and life coach, with a focus on holistic health, fitness & women’s issues.
I also write about my gastronomic adventures and my love for the outdoors.