RitFit LAM2 Lever Arms for M2 Smith Machine (Setup & Routine)

The evolution of the home gym is shifting. Gone are the days when a garage gym meant nothing more than a rusty rack and a pile of weights. Today, the goal is integration bringing the biomechanical precision of a commercial facility into the comfort of your home.

For owners of the RitFit M2 Smith Machine, this evolution has arrived in the form of the RitFit LAM2 Lever Arm Attachment.

The M2 is already a powerful "all-in-one" station, but adding the LAM2 makes it a real "leverage gym." But what does that mean for your gains, exactly? In this guide, we go into great detail about the engineering and biomechanics of the LAM2, explaining why it is better than makeshift solutions and how it changes the way you train.

The Engineering Behind the LAM2

The RitFit LAM2 Lever Arm Attachment is not a standard add-on; it is a unique expansion module made just for the shape of the RitFit M2 Smith Machine. Lever arms are different from regular free weights because they use more than just gravity and stabilization. They are a mix of machines and free weights.

Unlike standard free weights, which rely solely on gravity and stabilization, lever arms bridge the gap between machines and free weights. They offer the safety and controlled path of a machine while retaining the heavy loading potential of free weights.

With a heavy-duty steel construction capable of holding 150 lbs per arm (300 lbs total), the LAM2 is built for serious hypertrophy. While 300 lbs might sound lower than a barbell’s max load, in the context of leverage mechanics, this provides more than enough resistance for near-limit human strength on isolation movements like shoulder presses, rows, and arm work.

The "Barbell in Corner" vs. Lever Arm Debate

A common question among home gym owners is, "Why do I need lever arms if I can just put a barbell in corner attachments (landmines)?"

It is a fair question. Landmine training is excellent for functional, athletic movements. However, when we analyze the biomechanics, the difference becomes clear.

The Fixed vs. Variable Fulcrum

In a barbell in a corner setup, the pivot point (fulcrum) is always fixed on the floor. This means every exercise follows a long, sweeping arc starting from the ground. While great for rotational power, it is biomechanically inefficient for muscle isolation.

The LAM2, conversely, features a variable fulcrum. You can slide the attachment up and down the M2 uprights to lock it at any height.

• Need to bench press? Set the fulcrum at bench height for a horizontal push.
• Need to shoulder press? Set it at shoulder height for a vertical push.

This adjustability allows you to manipulate the force vector to match your muscle fibers perfectly, something a landmine simply cannot do.

ISO-Lateral Independence

When you use a barbell, your dominant side often compensates for your weaker side. The LAM2 features true independent movement arms. If your left arm is weaker, the weight won't move until that arm does the work. This forces symmetry and corrects muscular imbalances that standard barbells hide.

Reinventing Barbell Exercises for Arms

One of the most exciting applications of the LAM2 is how it optimizes arm training. Traditional barbell exercises for arms, like standing curls or skull crushers, are staples, but they have "dead spots" where tension is lost (usually at the very top or bottom of the rep).

The LAM2 changes the resistance profile to create superior hypertrophy:

The Perfect Bicep Curl

When doing a standard barbell curl, gravity only pulls down. At the top of the curl, you are mostly just resting the bar on your forearms. With the LAM2, the lever moves on a fixed arc. By facing away from the machine or adjusting your body angle, you can maintain constant tension on the bicep peak throughout the entire range of motion, similar to a "spider curl" but with heavier loads.

Safer Triceps Training

Heavy skull crushers are effective but risky without a spotter. The LAM2 acts as its own spotter. You can perform heavy tricep extensions with the safety of knowing the lever arms have a fixed lowest point. They will never crash down on your face, allowing you to push to absolute failure safely.

The "Must-Do" LAM2 Routine

By integrating the lever arm attachment into your M2, you unlock exercises that were previously impossible at home. Here are three game-changing movements:

The Chest-Supported Row (Back Saver)

Traditional barbell rows place immense shear force on the lower back. By setting an incline bench in front of the M2 and using the LAM2 handles, you can perform heavy, chest-supported rows. This completely isolates the lats and rhomboids without taxing your spine, a crucial benefit for long-term lifting longevity.

The Viking Press

With a dumbbell press, you have to waste energy keeping the weight steady overhead. But with the LAM2, you can drive straight up with explosive power. This hits the deltoids with amazing accuracy and lets you do more reps.

The Belt Squat (Spine De-loading)

People with back problems can use the LAM2 for belt squats by attaching a dip belt to their arms. This puts the weight on your hips instead of your shoulders, so you can work out your quads and glutes without putting too much pressure on your spine.

HOW TO ADJUST THE LAM2 FOR BETTER FEEL AND BETTER TARGETING

If an exercise feels awkward, don’t force it. Adjust one variable at a time.

Pivot height changes the force line

• Too low for pressing often feels like you’re “pushing forward and up” • Too high for pressing can reduce comfort and shorten range Goal: choose a pivot that lets you press or pull through your strongest path without joint strain

Body position changes tension

• Step closer to increase tension early • Step back to increase tension later • Face toward or away from the machine to change the resistance profile for curls and extensions

Range of motion is a choice

A longer range is not always better if it forces poor joint positions. Stop where you can maintain control and good alignment.

THE “MUST-DO” LAM2 ROUTINE (BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE)

Use this 2-day template alongside your normal M2 training.

Frequency: 2 days per week (example: Monday and Thursday)

Day A (Push + Legs)

• Viking Press: 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps
• Lever Arm Chest Press: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps
• Belt Squat: 4 sets of 8 to 15 reps Optional finisher: Tricep Extension 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps

Day B (Pull + Arms)

• Chest-Supported Row: 4 sets of 6 to 12 reps
• Lever Arm Row Variation (standing or supported): 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps
• Bicep Curl: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps Optional finisher: Rear delt or face-pull style movement 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 20 reps

Progression rule (simple and effective)

• Pick a rep range (example: 8 to 12)
• When you can hit the top end for all sets with clean form, add 2.5 to 5 lb per side next session
• If form breaks, keep the load and build reps first

8-week progression idea

• Weeks 1 to 2: learn setup, stop 2 reps short of failure
• Weeks 3 to 5: add load or reps weekly, stop 1 rep short of failure
• Weeks 6 to 7: push your main lift to near failure on the final set only
• Week 8: deload, reduce volume by 30 to 40 percent

Conclusion: The Ultimate M2 Upgrade

The RitFit M2 is the heart of your gym, but the LAM2 is the upgrade that gives it a soul. It transforms your setup from a rack into a comprehensive bodybuilding station.

Whether you are looking to fix strength imbalances with ISO-lateral movements, move beyond the limitations of the barbell in a corner setup, or find safer, more effective ways to perform barbell exercises for arms, this attachment is the solution.

It is time to stop renting the feeling of commercial machines at a local gym and own it in your home.

Ready to evolve your training?

Important disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have shoulder, neck, back, elbow, or wrist pain, a recent injury or surgery, numbness or tingling, unexplained weakness, or dizziness, consult a qualified clinician before starting. Stop any exercise that causes sharp pain.

FAQs: RitFit LAM2 Lever Arm Attachment

What is the RitFit LAM2, and what does it add to the M2

The RitFit LAM2 turns the RitFit M2 Smith Machine into an iso-lateral “leverage gym” for more machine-like training at home. It adds independent lever arms so you can press, row, curl, and extend with a guided arc, stable setup, and easier muscle targeting than free weights alone.

Which machines is the RitFit LAM2 compatible with

The RitFit LAM2 is designed to mount on the uprights of the RitFit M2 Smith Machine system. If you’re using a different rack or a non-M2 frame, fit and pivot alignment can vary, so the LAM2 is best treated as an M2-specific upgrade rather than a universal lever arm set.

How much weight can the RitFit LAM2 handle

The RitFit LAM2 is rated for up to 150 lbs per arm, 300 lbs total. Because lever arms change the resistance feel through leverage and an arcing path, this range is plenty for demanding hypertrophy work on presses, rows, and arm-focused movements.

Why choose the RitFit LAM2 over a “barbell in a corner” landmine setup

A landmine uses a fixed pivot on the floor, so every rep follows a long sweeping arc that’s great for athletic patterns but less efficient for clean isolation. The RitFit LAM2 gives you a variable fulcrum by letting you set pivot height on the M2 uprights, so the force line can better match the exercise you’re doing.

How do I adjust the RitFit LAM2 for better feel and better muscle targeting

Adjust one variable at a time: pivot height, body position, or range of motion. A lower pivot often makes presses feel more “forward and up,” while a higher pivot can shorten the range, and stepping closer increases early tension while stepping back increases late tension; facing toward or away can also change the resistance profile for curls and extensions.