Machines in gyms

Tomm88

Ok call me out on this if you disagree but i think machines in gyms are the worst thing for people looking to get better bodies and generally be healthier. I see so many people in gyms come in, sit on machines, get confortable and push the lightest weight possible, training shouldnt be comfortable, I really believe if the general population did more barbell or even dumbell training the world would be a fitter place. Machines dont work any stabilizing muscles and more importantly they dont work on posture like barbell movements do. anyway thats my opinion if you disagree let me know. I'm not to offend anyone with this by the way, i know some people can get sensitive with this stuff:p

eric_sg61

Ok call me out on this if you disagree but i think machines in gyms are the worst thing for people looking to get better bodies and generally be healthier. I see so many people in gyms come in, sit on machines, get confortable and push the lightest weight possible, training shouldnt be comfortable, I really believe if the general population did more barbell or even dumbell training the world would be a fitter place. Machines dont work any stabilizing muscles and more importantly they dont work on posture like barbell movements do. anyway thats my opinion if you disagree let me know. I'm not to offend anyone with this by the way, i know some people can get sensitive with this stuff:p

People also do this with free weights.

SunofaBeach14

I think you're overstating the case a bit there. I don't think machines should form the core of anyone's workout unless they have physical limitations of some kind. I find them very useful, however, for doing negatives, for example, when I don't have a spotter, and I wouldn't want to be without a leg curl machine. Also, during my last injury rehabilitation I found them invaluable. It's a matter of maximizing what you can do and sometimes that takes a mix of tools.

jenilla1

I do some machines and some free because I find both useful. :flowerforyou:

geebusuk

There are plenty of good uses for machines.
However a good number of people that use them don't really understand the basic concepts of how to best achieve their goals - and that certainly includes me in the past.

It's not helped that personal trainers either through ignorance, job preservation or not wanting to intimidate their clients often inappropriately get people using them.

Galatea_Stone

If you're paying so much attention to what everyone else is doing in the gym, then maybe you're not working hard enough. I'm not trying to offend on this, but when I'm pushing myself really hard in the gym, I barely notice if there's another person there, much less how much they're lifting.

Tomm88

You see it alot these days that machines are the core of someones workout plan and i mean i get it! a leg press is way easier than squatting, I do believe though if you build a body using mostly machines and very little free weights it can lead to a disfuntional body, or atleast muscular imbalances.

DeguelloTex

You see it alot these days that machines are the core of someones workout plan and i mean i get it! a leg press is way easier than squatting, I do believe though if you build a body using mostly machines and very little free weights it can lead to a disfuntional body, or atleast muscular imbalances.

What do you consider a dysfunctional body caused by working out on machines?

Tomm88

@Galatea_Stone no offence taken you have a point but i'm progressing on lifts week to week month to month so what i'm doing must be working in a way. I do take longer rest periods than some thats just part of my programme so ye i can look at the floor or look around:).

CrusaderSam

You see it alot these days that machines are the core of someones workout plan and i mean i get it! a leg press is way easier than squatting, I do believe though if you build a body using mostly machines and very little free weights it can lead to a disfuntional body, or atleast muscular imbalances.

What do you consider a dysfunctional body caused by working out on machines?

Even more important why would anyone even care what he believes I know I sure don't.

matthawthorneisamyth

You have a point, but I think you're missing the big picture.

Machines give someone a starting point to take responsibility for their own fitness goals. If what you're doing on a machine is more comfortable and gets you doing resistance training, then by all means do it. It's not for everyone just like SS or SL5x5 isn't for everyone. That's the point. Machines are, in a lot of cases, the catalyst for change. It's important what you do long term, yes, but overall it's more important that you start doing SOMETHING, to move toward your goals.

Telling a morbidly obese person that they need to be in the gym squatting plates in order to be 'fit' is just as bad. You've tried to get them to run before they've even started walking. They may even get injured.

There's also a lot of stigma around free weights ESPECIALLY for (a lot of) women. Hell, the dudes at my gym whipping around 110 dumbells and 'Broing out" in the free weight area is enough to make _me_ want to start working out at home and I've been lifting for years. It's intimidating at times.

So, if working on a machine gets you in the gym and doing something to better your life, so be it. While it may not be for you, it is a good launching pad to get someone in the habit of weightlifting. Especially if they have a lot of fat to lose or a lot of muscle to gain.

Tomm88

@crusadersam you don't need to man keep doing what you're doing!

helenarriaza

I was at a particular gym last year, the trainer actually had a program along with my doctor, I had to lift low amounts of weight, to help burn off specific areas, kind of a cardio-ish workout in machines plus actual cardio.

As to back exercises I could not lift high amounts nor squat as low since I had broken my back and shoulder a year before. So, on machines.

geebusuk

help burn off specific areas,

I hope you don't mean to burn off fat from specific areas.

If you do, I'd make sure you don't take further advice from the doctor or the trainer as the body doesn't work like that.

If you're talking about improving the muscle in certain areas, then that sort of thing is exactly what machines are for - targeting a single or a few muscles rather than working the whole body.

Tomm88

As to back exercises I could not lift high amounts nor squat as low since I had broken my back and shoulder a year before. So, on machines.
[/quote]

Ye that's something different if you have injuries of that level! sorry to hear about your back and shoulder by the way!

EllaIsNotEnchanted

Constant Resistance Equipment (AKA free weights): weight plates attached to machines that have no special attachments or adjustments that would alter their resistance. A five pound dumbbell or a barbell with 20 lbs on it or a stack of weight plates weighing 200lbs on it will remain the same weight (constant) throughout the ROM of a lift. There is alteration of tension on muscles due to lever systems (physics). Positive aspect= works with the body's lever system. Strength curver for particular joints and muscles involved in exercise being done. Muscle tension at greatest angle= most appropriate and most effective used as a lever during work for the individual.

+ easier to calibrate, easier to use as a motivational tool, easier to manipulate in programs

Variable Resistance Equipment (some sort of adjustment, attachment, or special medium which alters the resistive equipment). Not really idealistic for bodybuilders/powerlifters. it can be effective for people who simply desire to work out a couple times per week for general fitness. Great for circuit style training. Just not as effective/efficient as constant resistance equipment.

Accommodating Variable Resistance: uses some sort of adjusting gear, mechanism, air, or fluid to control the speed of movement. Great for rehabilitation or specific movement because of weak muscles/pain.

Negatives: no eccentric or negative work, progress is difficult, motivation is difficult, significant strength gains are limited.

Free weights: Free weights adapt to the lifter and particular body type. Free weights are not attached to anything else and require balance. Assistive muscles are used a great deal more. People develop more body awareness. Usually greater gains

Negative: possibility of dropping a weight, take longer to load=longer workouts, require a lot of handling (weights), need for spotters.

Machines: problem of weight falling is not really a factor, facilitate faster workouts, easy to use, great for circuit training

Negative: person has to adapt to a machine. Machines manufactured to fit average body type. too much muscle isolation (less synergist work), require little balance less effective on assistive muscles, lower body workouts are not as thorough.

geebusuk

No issue with spotters or dropping weights for free weights for me as I use an appropriate rack/cage.

But, I've got my own setup.

In a gym, the issue can be more waiting for someone else to get out of the rack so you can use it .

louisekerry86

I started using the machines back in January, before that I'd never done any lifting or anything before. I only very recently moved to free weights. I mean in the last few days. I'd say the machines were good for getting me to this point, I use the free weights in all my workouts now. I do use the leg press but I do 60 squats every day as well and only use the leg press once a week.

kcmcd

I like the machines. They give me something to do while I'm waiting for a bar. I guess I could stand there tapping my toes and glaring... or use the dumbells. But I like the machines. lol

CleanUpWhatIMessedUp

I disagree completely. Machines are a great way for beginners to get into working out. The weight room is incredibly intimidating, especially for females who are new to the gym. If every girl that came to the gym was forced to use free weights only, I guarantee you that a lot of us would quit right away. The machines are a good way to ease into it more and they help to build your confidence when you are just starting out in trying to lose weight. Without those machines, I would have given up a long time ago. I also disagree when you say working out shouldn't be comfortable. For some people, that is really the only way for them to work out for a long period of time. Now of course, people should push themselves and up the resistance when they feel it getting way too easy, but you also don't have to kill yourself at the gym to get a good workout.

jimmmer

It's just another tool, at the end of the day.

It's not my bag, but who cares? If someone's doing something, enjoying it, and getting some improvement out of it - surely that's a good thing, no? I'm not going to throw a hissy fit and say they can't do it. Whatever gets you moving and more active is good in my book.

janatarnhem

It's just another tool, at the end of the day.

It's not my bag, but who cares? If someone's doing something, enjoying it, and getting some improvement out of it - surely that's a good thing, no? I'm not going to throw a hissy fit and say they can't do it. Whatever gets you moving and more active is good in my book.

This makes sense to this lifting beginner. I am starting to incorporate some free weights, use machines mostly, but have a history of joint issues, am obese and don't want to injure myself! Taking it slowly and increasing the resistance regularly as the reps get easier.
Starting to love it!

sijomial

You see it alot these days that machines are the core of someones workout plan and i mean i get it! a leg press is way easier than squatting, I do believe though if you build a body using mostly machines and very little free weights it can lead to a disfuntional body, or atleast muscular imbalances.

My local gym is full of young lads who only ever seem to do 12 different varieties of bicep curls using free weights. Now that's a good way to get muscular imbalance!!

A lot of the time it not the equipment you are using but how you are using it. I would argue that for complete beginners it's more likely they get a balanced routine using a circuit of the machines rather than picking up a barbell when they haven't got a Scooby Doo what to do with it.

Without talking to everyone you have no idea what those people's goals, experience, capabilities and restrictions are. You might look down your nose at me using the leg press machine without realising that I can't squat (well I can but I actually don't enjoy being in crippling pain and losing the ability to walk....).

Personally I like variety so I use dumbbells, barbells, machines and body weight exercises.

darrensurrey

Personally I like variety so I use dumbbells, barbells, machines and body weight exercises.

Ditto!

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Ok call me out on this if you disagree but i think machines in gyms are the worst thing for people looking to get better bodies and generally be healthier.

Actually the worst thing for people would be not doing anything.

jimmmer

Progressive overload is the name of the game. You can cash that out a bunch of different ways.

Just like:

- All barbell routines do not need to be 5x5

- All weighted routines do not need to use barbells.

- All progressive resistance routines do no need to use weights.

There's a fair bit of group-think on the internet. But really there's a whole slew of ways to train.

Do something you enjoy and that is progressive - you'll benefit more from it at the end of the day.

Flab2Fab27

Ok call me out on this if you disagree but i think machines in gyms are the worst thing for people looking to get better bodies and generally be healthier.

Actually the worst thing for people would be not doing anything.

Yep. I tend to stick to free weights but doing something is better than nothing.

helenarriaza

help burn off specific areas,

I hope you don't mean to burn off fat from specific areas.

If you do, I'd make sure you don't take further advice from the doctor or the trainer as the body doesn't work like that.

If you're talking about improving the muscle in certain areas, then that sort of thing is exactly what machines are for - targeting a single or a few muscles rather than working the whole body.

No, I meant to build up the muscle in it and trigger the overall burn.

I had started at the gym picking up the weights and pushing really high amounts of weight, but instead of decreasing sizes on my limbs & bum (I'm very large), my limbs were turning really hard to the touch and remained the same size and weight (even after water weight was lost) and fat/muscle percentage was still over 50%.

TL;DR I was working out in a level 200 when I was meant to start in a 20 :frown:

DavPul

Progressive overload is the name of the game. You can cash that out a bunch of different ways.

Just like:

- All barbell routines do not need to be 5x5

- All weighted routines do not need to use barbells.

- All progressive resistance routines do no need to use weights.

There's a fair bit of group-think on the internet. But really there's a whole slew of ways to train.

Do something you enjoy and that is progressive - you'll benefit more from it at the end of the day.

i'm pretty sure you're wrong about this. i learnt it on the MFP forums that anything more than 5 reps is cardio and no amount of lifting counts if it didn't involve a barbell.

also if i ever do core work (that's not a squat or deadlift, of course) i'm a total loser. i love it here. i learn so many thingeses.

jimmmer

also if i ever do core work (that's not a squat or deadlift, of course) i'm a total loser. i love it here. i learn so many thingeses.

Ha ha: core work! What a loser!

meshashesha2012

also if i ever do core work (that's not a squat or deadlift, of course) i'm a total loser. i love it here. i learn so many thingeses.

Ha ha: core work! What a loser!

double loser since he does his crunches in the squat rack.


i like using pretty much everything at my gym since it's expensive and I want to make sure i get my money's worth.

machines are good for people who are building up a basic foundation of strength. they also can be very good for people who are new to working out and need to have some "wins" at the start of their workout life in order to keep motivation. not everyone is OK with "failing" at something the first time they try it. I think that's especially true for women who are already skittish abouy wiorking out in the weight room and looking stupid.

i know people who find it hard holdind a bar behind their back because of shoulder flexibiliy or people who find the empty barbell too heavy for bench pressing. those people can instead hop on the leg press and chest press and start developing some strength along with some cofidence.