Weight machines vs. Free weights?

whitney_elyse

I always hear to stay away from weight machines at the gym and to only use the free weights. Can someone talk me through this? Do machines pose no benefits at all? Why are free weights better? For those of you who use free weights to lift heavier, do you always have a second person there to spot you? I have this vision of me trying to lift at my max...and then dropping the bar on my face. But I don't always have the option of having a second person with me. Advice is appreciated!