Gym machines vs weights [alone]

oliviaorona

So I'm just curious if there's any difference using the machines vs sitting on a bench and lifting weights manually. If that makes sense...like for example : is a leg extension machine going to be as helpful as doing lunges alone or with weights ?

CipherZero

The main differences are that barbell training forces all the stabilizer musculature to work as well to keep a bar even, and machines force you to work in their planes of movement rather than your anthropomorphy.

"Don't do an exercise with a machine that can be done with free weights. Don't do an exercise sitting or lying down that you can do standing" is a decent general guideline.