Article updated September, 2023.
The team behind LES MILLS are always finding ways to improve group fitness, whether its’ incorporating Virtual Fitness into their offerings, finding ways to engage with the next generation, or engineering equipment to be the best version it can be.
Launched in 2018, the LES MILLS SMARTBAR 2.0 is an evolution of the award-winning SMARTBAR, designed from insights gleaned from its’ predecessors five years in the market.
Equipment is the 3rd largest driver of membership decisions, with 47% of people citing equipment as a major influence when looking to join a gym.
So, what is a LES MILLS SMARTBAR?
Originally engineered for BODYPUMP workouts, the LES MILLS SMARTBAR is a versatile barbell and weight set that can be used in a group exercise setting or for personal or on-demand training.
The SMARTBAR allows for super fast plate loading and adjustment, holding up to three plates on each side of the bar. The carefully designed “Gator” mechanism allows for the weight plates to be clicked into place and removed easily midway through a workout, so that the user can adjust their optimum load accordingly.
The Gator rotates the weight plates during movements, so this reduces load on joints with dynamic movements such as clean and press. SMARTBAR weight plates are ergonomically designed for easy, comfortable gripping, making them excellent hand weights
What is the difference between the Gen 1 SMARTBAR and the SMARTBAR 2.0?
SMARTBAR had already established itself as the industry standard for ease-of-use and high performance, but it’s next generation takes things up a notch.
“The evolution of the SMARTBAR aligns with the constant innovation of Les Mills group fitness classes and a commitment to excellence and quality,” says SMARTBAR designer David Lovegrove.
“All elements of the design are carefully considered to further enhance the user experience, performance and safety – allowing users to push themselves harder and faster than ever.”
The new generation SMARTBAR features both aspects that were already enjoyed by users, plus some additional enhancements, such as:
- Weight plate release/removal is easier and smoother
- Greater strength and stability of moving parts
- Sleeker, slimmer design and increased protection against wear
- Improved ergonomics and facelift for the weight plates
- Two new weight plate increments allowing more user options
- New three-year warranty (vs. 2-year) for both bar and weight plates
- Original and new systems completely inter-operable
- Greater capacity and simpler construction of rack
As well as these functional and aesthetic improvements, the sophistication of the SMARTBAR 2.0 design and manufacturing process acts as an in-built deterrent to the ever-present and increasing risk posed by counterfeiters.
SMARTBAR 2.0 has been through extensive strength and life-testing – including being dropped over 80,000 times— to ensure it meets the expected life in a busy studio environment – the result being one of the lowest failure rates in the fitness equipment industry. This increased durability offers excellent return on investment over the prolonged life of the product.
About LES MILLS & SMART TECH:
Every week more than 700,000 people use LES MILLS SMART TECH equipment in thousands of clubs around the globe. Designed to cater to the specific needs of a group fitness class – quick transitions, wide variety of moves and exercises – SMART TECH is not only perfect for LES MILLS group fitness classes, but also well-suited for personal and small-group training. Research shows that using the SMARTBAR makes their group fitness experience 36% more enjoyable, with 71% of participants in agreement that the quality of the equipment has a big impact on the workout.
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