Freeweights vs Weight machines

I can't explain the details, but free weights are way better than machines.

I know some of it is you need to use more muscles when using a free weight to stabilize the weight. But not sure if thats all of the store.

I would highly recommend the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women. It explains in great detail why free weights are better than machines, and also gives you detailed instructions and plans for beginning a free weight program. There is a great group on MFP if you want to know more.

Hey... there are lots of resources online to help you build a free weight routine.

Try this site: http://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/women.html

I know it can be intimidating to enter that section of the gym -- women are scarce -- but once you get into your routine, you'll find your rightful place

2 things:

1. Lifting free weights engages a lot of stabilizer muscles, particularly in your core area when you're doing squats, cleans, etc.
2. Lifting free weights allows you to use a natural movement path (which is not always a straight line up and down, in the bench press for example)

I do 30% machines and the rest free weights. definately prefer free weights, I find I engage my core much more and use much better form.

I just made the switch. There are several benefits. One, free weights require you to learn better posture / position when doing them. I was finding the higher I went on the machines, the more I was contorting to do the manuever. Second, free weights will shape your faster (per my personal trainer), and third, free weights work you muscles even harder.

Lastly, if you have a brain injury, free weights can be used to re-train the brain.

So I would definitely get a trainer and go with the free-weights.

Good luck!

Free weights are better , however until you have done weights for a little while, the machines are good you are less likely to hurt yourself and you can be sure you are doing that particular exercise right.

Free Weights vs. Machines

Machines are perceived as "safer" (and are, in a way) to free weights as they restrict your range of motion (which can be a pro or con). They mostly force you to have the right form (or go as far as they can to get you there). Less range of motion = no extremes/easier to keep form correctly, especially as they sort of mold you into the right position to use the machine correctly.
They isolate a certain muscle (or two, on some) and ONLY work that specific muscle. (this applies to MOST machines, tho there are a few that you can use in a wide range of things, like pulldown/pullout types).

Free Weights increase the need for good form, as injury is easier when you have to do it all yourself, (for this reason it's good to have a workout partner/spotter, because they can see your form while you're doing the exercise and correct you if need be, including pushing or limiting the body part you are using to keep your form correct). Free weights give you a greater range of motion, allowing you to work the muscle better. Free weights have a lot of compound movements (depending on what you're doing, there are plenty of isolated ones). Compound movements move several, if not many, muscle groups at the same time to accomplish the lift or move. Lift heavy for one exercise and work 4 or 5 or 6 muscle groups ? Hell yeah !

Free weights (and full body workouts) are great for beginners because you're starting with a blank canvas, so to speak. You can only get better. Machines (and isolated FW movements) are good for working on weak areas. When you can no longer progress in a lift or move, it is often one or two muscle groups limiting you because they are weaker than the rest of the muscles used in that movement. Then you can add the machines to specifically work your weak areas, to help you progress in the free weights.

HTH

(beginner myself, but have been doing a crapload of reading)