We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Resistance newbie to weights

drosebud
drosebud Posts: 277 Member
I'm off for a gym induction today and would really like to do some free weights, not machines, with a view to lifting heavier, having read some articles about it. Is it ok to just start on free weights, as a newbie, or should I start on machines first, just to get used to it?
I think I know the answer (i.e. just do it!), but thought I'd canvas opinion first, to support my decision with the trainer.

Replies

  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    edited October 2014
    Aside from cabled machines, you want barbell training. Machines tend to work isolations as well as forcing you into a single plane of motion, neither of which will build stabilizers with the effectiveness of compound barbell movements.
    Given you're a beginner, I highly recommend either Starting Strength or Stronglifts.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    See my comment here from a few days ago:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/21768646/#Comment_21768646

    I count as "freeweights" anything that doesn't have a fixed path of movement.. including cable machines, dumbbells, sandbags, car tires, etc. I disagree that you must include barbells.. unless you want to compete in powerlifting.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Freeweights, for sure.
  • Add713
    Add713 Posts: 53 Member
    machines and free weights.......some of the machines are awesome.....some are not. For example I have 24 hr. access to my gym. If its 2 in the morning and I am benching by myself the smith machine is great. Way safer.
  • drosebud
    drosebud Posts: 277 Member
    Thanks everybody for the replies and links. I was keeping an open mind, and the PT was very good. He introduced me to kettlebells and some of the basic machines, and suggested a re-assessment in a few weeks. I'll see how it goes.

    Thanks again.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    kettlebells, nice. Those look fun.
This discussion has been closed.