What Machine is your favourite?

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  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    I stopped reading the machine vs. free weights argument after the second page...

    It's all awful. When you are starting out, do what you feel comfortable doing. If you are comfortable on the machines, and the thought of freeweights scares you to the point of not wanting to go to the gym, then do the machines until you work up the nerve to use the weights!

    This is coming from a woman who was making huge improvements over several weeks on the machines, and felt so SHAMED by *kitten* telling me that machines are useless that I couldn't even bring myself to go to that gym anymore. Call me a buttercup or whatever you want, but self-consciousness is real, and no one should ever tell someone that what they are doing at the gym isn't good enough. Even if someone actively searches advice on getting past a plateau, try giving them advice without criticizing what they've done up to that point.

    ^^this is a very important concept.

    When anyone starts out, anything is about a beneficial as the next thing, with one caveat...the most beneficial thing is what you will keep doing. Even as they progress, machines are still beneficial, albeit not optimal from an effectiveness perspective in general.

    Some machines are bad as they put you in a fixed trajectory (not a fan of ones for shoulders), but many machines are actually very good.

    For anyone starting out, especially those that are uncomfortable, use the machines to get more comfortable with weights. When you are more comfortable, start transitioning to free weights where appropriate.

    A good routine can and often does include a mix of barbells, dumbbells, cables and fixed trajectory machines. For example, I use barbells for my main compound lifts, but do assistance lifts using dumbbells, cables and occasionally fixed trajectory machines such as leg extensions. In some cases, machines are superior to free weights, depending on the objectives and the circumstances.

    This, all of this.

    But I like to rage against the machine.
    Assure you are comfortable in movement, read, ask questions, watch videos.

    But do. Do a lot.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Smith Machine for the simple fact that you can do a multitude of exercises with it.

    just no....that's all I got....
  • jetscreaminagain
    jetscreaminagain Posts: 1,130 Member
    +1 to the list of women who started with free weights. (Dumbbells at home lifting heavy). Read more. Now I do mostly barbell.

    Cable machine for lat pull downs and seated rows. Otherwise I prefer normal movement.
  • thatonegirlwiththestuff
    thatonegirlwiththestuff Posts: 1,171 Member
    Tie between leg press and dual cable pulley machine.
  • Binkie1955
    Binkie1955 Posts: 329 Member
    the pool!! try doing 40 or 50 laps a day.
    the heavy bag, try hitting it for 15 minutes a day.
    the treadmill, but no static cardio, split your speeds and do 1 minute intervals at the higher speed.
    these three will get you in shape in no time.
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    Wow...what interesting information! I am actually really comfortable doing both free weights or machines. THOUGH I feel like I will look like a fool because of "improper form" while using the free weights. This is what leads me to want to use the machines.

    I plan to use both. Also, my favourite is the leg curl/extension.
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    Wow...what interesting information! I am actually really comfortable doing both free weights or machines. THOUGH I feel like I will look like a fool because of "improper form" while using the free weights. This is what leads me to want to use the machines.

    I plan to use both. Also, my favourite is the leg curl/extension.

    Wonderful!

    Nobody has perfect form when they first start. Watch some videos, do some reading, and pay close attention to what you are doing, you'll get there in no time.

    Keep us posted as you progress :flowerforyou:
  • LBNOakland
    LBNOakland Posts: 379 Member
    HMMM! SOme interesting points were raised. have to be honest that I only ued cardio machines at first. Then I added some machines. I then added a personal trainer who stuck to machines. I got bored kind of quick. She was smart enough to recognize and put me with her strength coach. BAM!! It was magic! I haven't touched a machine in a year except maybe the elliptical. I deadlifted 235 tonight! I am amazed at how my gym life has "matured". A good gym with good trainers will do that for you! When I started, I really needed the cardio and the machines. It built my confidence and my strength. I now know I could have started with free weights but I didn't know that back then.

    I agree with those who say to use both and do SOMETHING! As you research and learn, you will leave your comfort zone and do more.

    My fave machine is assisted pull up because my goal is to be able to do pull up without assist but I have a long way to go!!!!
    Good luck!! :flowerforyou:
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    I like the barbell machine. Also, hold the machine.
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    I like the barbell machine. Also, hold the machine.

    ...right?
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I like the barbell machine. Also, hold the machine.

    ...right?

    ... and stuff.
  • ZoeLifts
    ZoeLifts Posts: 10,347 Member
    Wow...what interesting information! I am actually really comfortable doing both free weights or machines. THOUGH I feel like I will look like a fool because of "improper form" while using the free weights. This is what leads me to want to use the machines.

    I plan to use both. Also, my favourite is the leg curl/extension.

    Wonderful!

    Nobody has perfect form when they first start. Watch some videos, do some reading, and pay close attention to what you are doing, you'll get there in no time.

    Keep us posted as you progress :flowerforyou:

    ^Exactly! Outstanding! And I totally get the form thing too, but everyone starts somewhere, right? And there are guys that have been working out in the gym for ages that never learn proper form, so at least you are wanting to and that is a step in the right direction! If you look into a program like Stronglifts or Starting Strength, each one of those provides form technique information.

    A couple of suggestions for videos for form help:

    Anything Mark Rippetoe - He has a ton of videos out there for training squats, DL, etc

    Also, there are some great series by Matt Wenning on form called "So you think you can..." and he teaches squat, bench and DL, and those are through the EliteFTS site. Here's the link to his first squat video, I think finding the rest should be pretty easy from there: http://articles.elitefts.com/training-articles/powerlifting-articles/so-you-think-you-can-squat-part-1-and-2/

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