Hi guys,

In most gyms there are many kinds of machines for strength training. There is, usually, also a free weights area with the mirrors and benches.

Which do you prefer?

I understand that machines may restrict movement and free weights allow a wider range of motion, but it takes time to learn about how to use the dumbbells and barbells correctly.

Do you move from machines to free weights when the machines no longer satisfy you, as in, not resistant enough?

Cheerios

both are tools, both have their uses to help you reach your goal.

not sure whether its a good idea to alternate these, but i find it useful lol.
eg 3 days machine, 3 days free weights.

i prefer free weights

Care to explain more?

This post has been edited by alien9: Jun 4 2013, 12:02 AM

^ correct

personally i would use machine for warm up or last set. but my gym is hardcore free weight

it just feels different sometimes using the machine, especially the one where both sides have separate weight (not sure whtehr its called hammer strength machines?)
I feel when doing free weights, the more dominant hand will be doing most of the work.
Maybe its just me

Link to the topic's question on BB:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ronharris5.htm

This post has been edited by bladekiller: Jun 4 2013, 08:53 AM

it is like which color u like when buying a car

free weights involves a lot of other muscles, machines are targetted. So both have its benefits. Machines are mostly used by amatures to build strength on the major muscles before engaging with free weights which utilizes more strength and involves a lot more muscles groups. Depending on the workout, there are free-weight workouts that are also targetted ie. concentrated bicep curl, seated concentration curl etc). Also, machines are safer. More experienced body builder will prefer free-weights to machines

Of course both sides have weight. Can't have a pen!s with one nutsack empty.

There's a reason why millions are invested as research. Machines work.

For a beginner, better to hit the machines, because it's not easy to get the correct form when you are just starting out. But then again it's practice that makes perfect...

Nowadays, I just see whatever is available. If the free weights area is crowded, then I go to the machines. Likewise if the machines are occupied.

No. For a beginner, both. More to free weights.

Alrighty then. I've been playing around with free weights anyway.

Probably the only machine that I use is for Assisted Pull-ups.

That's more reason for a beginner to use free weights. You become more proficient at a movement by doing it more. Doing a machine chest press won't do much to help your bench press form, for example.

Yeah, I agree with that. Good pointer for a newbie.

dnt care about that...just do it as long as can achieve my goal

I like to ise machine but seldom ise it because people cannot re rack the plate. And its not a freaking 10kg but more than 100kg on each side.I dont understand this kind of attitude.

I agree with this. this selfish people not think about other people.

Well, generally, free weights are better for major complex exercises while machines could be better for isolated exercises.

Machines balance the weight for you, making it less of a complex move. The more the complex the movement is, the more muscle groups are involved. Also, contrary to popular belief, some machines are more dangerous than free weights. They force your body into a stiff, unnatural movement patterns and puts more strain on the joints.

For example, I see people in my gym using Smith Machine to squat all the time. They think it's less dangerous. That could only be true if you DO NOT know the correct technique of squats. While it's true not being afraid of a 100 kg barbel falling on you is nice and all, If you can squat properly in terms of technique AND weight (you can't add 200kg when your limit is 120kg, you gotta be reasonable) then you shouldn't worry about that! I couldn't have explained it better than Mehdi:

10 Reasons Why Squatting In The Smith Machine Sucks


Also, machines are more of a structure work than function. I prefer to have more 'functional' muscles that would help me in sports. Weightlifting/powerlifting plus doing sports can get you a perfect body. Bodybuilding is generally bad for athletes because it can make you stiff, gives you 'structural' muscles that are not that functional and will only slow you down. Here are a couple of good reads:

Machines Or Free Weights: Structure Vs. Function!


Also, do not forget people like Arnold Schwarzenegger built all their muscles with nothing but free weights!

This is a quote from a 6-times Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates regarding squatting on smith machine:

"Then, squatting on a Smith machine, I could position my body so it was much more isolated on the quads, less glutes and lower back involvement, didn't have to worry about the balance aspect. Actually my legs improved a lot when I was doing Smith squats, hack squats, leg presses — I could isolate the thighs a lot more. So actually I used the Smith machine quite a bit for squatting."

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_articl...yates_interview

I'll trust DY compared to Mehdi anytime.

p/s: That 2nd article was written 10 years ago. Technology flies fast these days when Billions USD have been funded for inventing and proving machines for BB.

This post has been edited by alien9: Jun 27 2013, 04:31 AM