Free weights or machines?

This is my personal opinion from the perspective of someone just trying to lose weight and get in shape. I started out on the machines because they were easier for me to use, but I have moved on to free weights since working with a personal trainer. I prefer free weights simply because I like them and I have a ton more options for exercises. Not only does this keep me from getting bored but it's also a good idea to change things up because our bodies quickly adapt.

For example, I was doing bicep curls with the barbell for a couple weeks and I thought I was getting stronger (and I was), but when my trainer had me to bicep curls with the dumbells, I could barely do 15 reps because I wasn't used to working one bicep at a time. I work out with my trainer once a week and then I lift on my own 3x/week using the exercises he showed me. If you can afford it, I highly recommend working out with a personal trainer to show you proper form and technique if you are new to weightlifting. I don't claim to know much about weight lifting so I prefer to work with a personal trainer. Books and videos just don't cut it for me.

Unfortunately, I can't answer the rest of your questions because I don't know.

Do you prefer free weights or machines? I noticed at the gym an interesting observation, the fit people were using free weights, the heavier out of shape people were using the machines. I've always used the machines, I guess I've been afraid of doing it wrong with the free weights and hurting myself so I've stuck with the machines plus I have no idea what to do with the free weights.

Anyways, what is your preference and why?

And if it is better to use the free weights, what kind of exercises do I do with them, how do I know how much to lift and where can I find exercises to do? And how many sets/reps do I do and how many days a week?

5'2 158lbs , trying to lower BF% and get to a reasonable weight but not lose any LBM in the mean time.

I prefer the machines but only because I like to train on my own. Free weights often requires you have a training partner to watch whilst you lift.

I just started on Sunday with a personal trainer. I have no experience of using the machines or dumbells. He has started me on the machines and gave me a record of what to do and how many reps and weight to use at the end of it. He did say though that once I was used to it I will be getting moved off of the machines and its not a forever thing...whatever that means ha! He does have quite a bit of solid muscle himself, and to be fair, I was aching the next day, still am!. Just need to get the confidence to do it on my own today after work!

The machines are worthless for anything but targeting one specific muscle. They completely take stabilizers, antagonists, and muscle groups out of the equation.

You would need to use about 6 machines to hit the major muscle groups worked by a barbell squat, and you still wouldn't hit all of them.

Jonny I am using about 6 machines 3 days a week, I also do insanity so I am hitting alot of the muscles that I am not hitting at the gym. Do you think it would acceptable to ask someone at the desk at the gym to show me or is that something I'd have to pay for? All they seem to do is laugh and text the entire time they are working anyways.

The big freeweight lifts are complicated affairs, and you can wreck yourself if you don't do them properly or don't do them in a proper program. Not a whole lot of "trainers" will be able to teach them properly. It's not trivial to find one who can. I strongly suggest you do some reading on them from a book like Starting Strength. Watching a lot of Youtube videos on form is a good idea too. I'd suggest you try to find a trainer with a powerlifting background.

I use free weights because I feel like they require me to use more abdominal effort. Not to mention, there are only a few settings on the machines. I'm short. I don't want to be doing more harm because the machine is not made for my body.

Jonny I am using about 6 machines 3 days a week, I also do insanity so I am hitting alot of the muscles that I am not hitting at the gym. Do you think it would acceptable to ask someone at the desk at the gym to show me or is that something I'd have to pay for? All they seem to do is laugh and text the entire time they are working anyways.

You could ask them a question but you aren't going to get the attention of a personal trainer for more than a minute for free. Not at my gym at least. If a personal trainer is not affordable, I say look up technique and form on youtube videos. It is not a substitute for someone teaching you, but it is better than nothing.

I will try youtube videos! thank you!!

Also what Jonny said "I strongly suggest you do some reading on them from a book like Starting Strength. "..good luck!

I use free weights because I feel like they require me to use more abdominal effort. Not to mention, there are only a few settings on the machines. I'm short. I don't want to be doing more harm because the machine is not made for my body.

Yes, exactly. A squat, deadlift, or OHP hits stabilizing muscles all over the torso, back, and hips. You can't really replicate that on a machine, or even a bunch of machines.

I started on machines because my Planet Fitnesses (there were two about equal distance from my house) didn't have free weights, only one lone smith machine that was always occupied by a gaggle of kids doing bench press.

Once I realized how much I hated driving to the gym, and hated running on the treadmill even more, I quit the gym and got free weights for home, and only run outside now. Best. Decision. Ever.

These pics were taken just two months after I quit the gym:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

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

Check out Lorina!

I started in the same place you did - just need the machines.
But after doing some reading and looking at the results of everyone who uses free weights - I switched!
I started doing some random *kitten* dumbbell moves then switched to NROLFW then switched to Stronglifts.

I highly suggest switching to free weights - there are a bunch of pre-made routines.
There's a thread here with all of the info - I wish I had the URL but you can search for it, it's got "info" and "for beginners" in the title.

I agree with watching youtube form videos, practice without any weight, watch yourself in a mirror, and get a session or two with a trainer if you can. And if you've watched a lot of form videos and think you've got a decent handle on it, and someone at the gym doing the moves you want that match what you've watched online, wait for them to finish & just ask!

Both have their pros and cons.

Free weights: if you know what you're doing and have some practice, you benefit from these a lot more than machines.

a few PROS
- engage more muscles as most of the time you need to control and balance the weight.
- there are tons of exercises you can do with them.
- have an ability to work body parts individually, meaning, for example, left and right arms separately in dumbbell press, so you don't have the effect of the stronger side taking over.

CONS
- for some exercises, you do need a spotter (but this can also be avoided with power racks, dumbbells, etc)

Machines lock you in one plane of motion most of the time, and they take out the balancing completely. Yes, almost always you don't need a spotter, and they can be useful to learn a motion, but if you're not a dumbass, you can leave your ego at the door and concentrate on your form with an appropriately weighed dumbbells, learn your limits, and slowly works past them in a controlled fashion.

Not attempting to pitch a sale here but since I wasn't the only one to mention Starting Strength here's a link to the book we're talking about:

http://aasgaardco.com/store/store.php?crn=199&rn=413&action=show_detail

OP you answered your own question.

If everyone fit is using free weights.. why would you want to waste your time with machines?