Excellent!!! Exactly as expected. Works great and didn't need anything extra to stabilize it.

After assembly, the bar is so “sticky” that it’s almost impossible to move it up and down.

My only gripe is one thing and its huge! The bar does not slide up and down. I really thought this was user error when others assembled there's but its actually not. The issue is the weight bar has unremovable plastic inserts hindering the weight bar from sliding up and down as it should. I doubt that adding more lubricant will make much of a difference but I am going to find out in a few days if it does and I will repost if it works or not. I have owned 2 other smith machines a brand new Body Solid one that was awesome 20 years ago and a used Marcy one that worked well too. If this doesn't fix it this will be returned.UPDATE:I was going to try "Liquid Wrench" spray that I have which would possibly work, but someone else who bought this same model smith machine posted that "Blaster Silicone Lubricant" worked to solve this problem. I tried their recommendation and it worked instantly. So this went from a bad purchase to a ok afterall. I say ok because if the manufacturer can't seem to properly lubricate the poles that have to slide they should at least tell you what to purchase to make it work. BTW you can get "Blaster Silicone Lubricant" at Lowe's (probably Home Depot) and you can get it like I did by ordering thru Amazon for about $5.Final update:After having moved I finally decided to remove the plastic that is to help protect the sliding of the barbell. It took some effort with pliers but I got it removed from both sides and the barbell glides even better since there is nothing restricting the movement up and down. I still recommend lubricating the poles that the bar glides over and using the safeties provided at all times.Pictured:is my Best Fitness (a division of Body Solid) brand new smith machine in my garage gym. I am a DIY'er as you can tell and very much into fitness. You walk thru the smith machine to get to my half rack. I bought the smith machine for squeezing out a few more sets when I can no longer balance the weights on my own. To the right is a home made leg press machine. In the back left is a punching bag and a Roman chair. Off to the left but outside of the picture is a dedicated bench for leg extensions and curls plus lots of weight plates and hex bells and a different style leg press machine that I made. In the back you can see pictured some of my own home made pulley systems (one for lat pull downs and triceps extensions, a cable cross over, a rower and one for just general purpose) . The garage is 15' wide by 20' deep which just goes to show if you want to squeeze alot into a small place you can if you plan it out. It has taken about 4 years to get the gym to this point. My garage includes a full size garage ready fridge, storage containers and shelving, garden tools including a mower and my hand and power tools. I mention what is in my gym in hopes that it will motivate others to not only purchase equipment but if they can, make it themselves since it's rewarding and often times cheaper this way.

mI was hopeful to find a smith machine at a good price, unfortunately the machine is not smooth at all. I have added lubricants with almost no improvement.I do not recommend at all.