free weights vs. machines

icimani

I'm just curious. I've seen most people here on MFP say they prefer and/or recommend free weights over machines. Why is that? Convenience? Availability? Is it better/worse for using correct form?

naculp

Free weights allow the body to move the way it was intended, utilizing stabilizing muscles to control movement of the bar. Machines restrict movement to only one plane, isolating muscle groups. For example, if you were to pick a bucket of water up from the floor, the sloshing of the water makes the bucket move all around. This is the equivalent of free weights. For an identical example with machines, the bucket would have a solid rail through the middle of it, allowing you to only move it up or down in the vertical plane.

Machines = muscle isolation, encourage bad form (Smith rack), do not engage stabilizing muscles
Free weights = utilize stabilizing muscles, works groups of muscles rather than isolating a single one, is a more natural form of movement

wellbert

here you go

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/759928-free-weights-vs-machines?hl=free+weights+vs+machines#posts-11264742

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap?hl=free+weights+vs+machines

icimani

Thanks - makes sense.

I had seen the 'holy crap' post and that's actually what brought up my question of why free weights would be better.