Strength training machines vs free weights

sweetNsassy2584

I've been under the impression that free weights are a better then machines. I'm contemplating buying a strength training machine that will allow you to do a variety of different exercises. I have a bench and a ton of free weights that I use all the time. I love lifting heavy so i'm not sure if I will like using a machine or if it will get me the results I want. I'm just curious about others opinion on the matter, what do you guys think??

Taylerr88

if your going to buy a workout machine.. it should be a power rack

Sp1nGoddess

Using free weights forces you to use all the tiny stabilizing muscles & your core. (depending on the exercise) Machines in general put your body into an unreal situation. (when have you ever done a leg extension in real life.. )

Lifting heavy is hard to do at home and without a spotter though. If it keeps you working out it's worth doing.

GoldspursX3

Machines stabilize the weight for you and don't allow you to utilize the stabilizer muscles that free weights will activate. Learn the basic compound lifts and build your program around them:

Squats
Bench Press
Overhead Press
Deadlift
Barbell Rows

stronglifts.com breaks it down so beginners can understand. I lifted for years using a mix of free weight and machines and did alot of isolation exercises with VERY SLOW and VERY LITTLE progress. I now only do compound lifts for my strength training and I am seeing significant gains.