Deadlift vs Smith Machine Deadlift Strength Standards

Barbell Deadlift vs Smith Machine Deadlift Strength Standards

The paired standards below show what the barbell deadlift and smith machine deadlift each require at the same strength level. They are separate exercise targets rather than a prescribed difference between your lifts.

Select the appropriate sex table and nearest bodyweight, then choose a strength-level column. Values are ordered Barbell Deadlift / Smith Machine Deadlift in pounds with kilograms underneath. The calculator above handles exact bodyweight and set inputs.

Men’s Barbell Deadlift vs Smith Machine Deadlift Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

Women’s Barbell Deadlift vs Smith Machine Deadlift Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

How Your Barbell Deadlift vs Smith Machine Deadlift Result Is Calculated

Each set is converted to an estimated max before the calculator assigns exercise-specific strength levels and compares them.

1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set

A one-rep set uses the entered weight. For 2–12 reps, both formulas are calculated and the lower estimate is retained.

• Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
• Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)

Use recent Barbell Deadlift and Smith Machine Deadlift sets with consistent technique and full intended range of motion. Difficult lower-rep sets generally make the estimated max less dependent on extrapolation.

2. Find the barbell deadlift strength level

The deadlift data uses lifters ages 18–39. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to exact bodyweight with reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

Two-thirds scaling raises the target as bodyweight rises while limiting the size advantage that a direct one-to-one adjustment would create.

3. Find the smith machine deadlift strength level

For smith machine deadlift, the individual exercise thresholds start from reference bodyweights of 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women. Exact-bodyweight targets use reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so larger lifters are expected to lift more without requiring strength to increase pound for pound.

4. Compare the two results

Each max receives a level from Beginner through Elite. The lower-level lift becomes the priority. At matching levels, a priority appears only when one lift is at least 10 points farther from its next level; otherwise the result is Balanced.

A priority result is a standards comparison, not a diagnosis. Differences in technique, fatigue, practice, or set effort may influence it. Age range is recorded anonymously and does not alter these standards.

The calculator above applies these steps to your exact entries and reports both lift ratings, both next targets, and the final comparison.

How Men’s Barbell Deadlift and Smith Machine Deadlift Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Smith Machine Deadlift standard minus the Barbell Deadlift standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Smith Machine Deadlift standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Deadlift standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

How Women’s Barbell Deadlift and Smith Machine Deadlift Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Smith Machine Deadlift standard minus the Barbell Deadlift standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Smith Machine Deadlift standard is higher, and below zero means the Barbell Deadlift standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

Barbell Deadlift and Smith Machine Deadlift Exercises Used by This Calculator

For a useful comparison, perform a strict barbell deadlift and a strict smith machine deadlift using the setup and load rules below. Use strict, repeatable Barbell Deadlift and Smith Machine Deadlift tests that follow each exercise’s setup, range of motion, equipment, and load rules. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.

Use a conventional barbell deadlift from the floor

Start every rep with the bar motionless on the floor and finish standing with the hips and knees straight. Do not bounce the bar, use touch-and-go reps, hitch it up the thighs, or enter a rack pull, block pull, trap-bar deadlift, Romanian deadlift, machine variation, or equipped result.

Use the Smith Machine Deadlift setup and load convention

Use a Smith machine whose rails are vertical within 1 degree. The bar must be non-counterbalanced. Measure actual unloaded upward resistance with a calibrated force scale at mid-shin travel; enter that resistance plus every plate on both sleeves, never a nominal bar mass or one side alone. Set hard safety stops so the bar center begins 22.5 cm plus or minus 0.5 cm above the lifting platform. The bar rests motionless on the stops before each rep; hooks remain disengaged throughout the set. Set heel centers at measured hip-joint width, toes as needed, and bar vertically over midfoot. Grip pronated or mixed immediately outside the legs; use the same grip throughout. Pull without prestretch rebound to simultaneous hip/knee extension with trunk upright and shoulders behind the bar-center line; lower under control to a complete stop without bouncing, resting mid-rep, or rehooking. Count 1–10 reps without stance/grip change, bar-stop rebound, hitching, thigh support, hyperextension, asymmetry, or assistance. Belt/chalk allowed; straps/hooks prohibited.

Enter one recent Barbell Deadlift result and one recent Smith Machine Deadlift result

First lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Barbell Deadlift — View the individual Barbell Deadlift standards and next strength-level target.
• Smith Machine Deadlift — View the individual Smith Machine Deadlift standards and next strength-level target.
• Romanian Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Trap Bar Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Trap Bar High Handle Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Deficit Deadlift — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.