Digressing a lot...

I'm gonna quote Pavel talking about training only using machines:
(especially relevent if the trainee wants athletic or functional strength and train with heavy weights)

"Would you rather make mistakes [on the body/free weights] when you're still weak and noobie; or make mistakes when you're strong enough to injure yourself?"

Anyway, most people workout in the gym with pretty light weight stuff. And they probably have no intention to squat or military press heavy. So the above quote would be of low significance anyway.... (until the day they decide to lift a bucket of water and sprain the back )
I prefer free weights and body weight stuff. And don't recommend machines them for noobs. I'd even go further to dis-recommend the treadmills too. (I know there's no such word as 'dis-recommend' )

Here's what I think: Stabiliser muscles are the limiting factor in strength. Most people have pretty OK primary muscle strength, but weak stabilisers. So the nervous system will shut down before the body injures itself.

This post has been edited by iamyuanwu: Oct 28 2009, 04:10 PM

And the glutes too!
FLEX YOUR GLUTES!